Another battery question

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, Alex Heitman said:

Plus the place that finally had it was the rudest business I’ve ever been too. Would have never bought it from them if it was not my only option. This was in the Branson area and I won’t mention names but will never ever go back there.

Awe c'mon.   Instead of walking in calmly and being all polite, just march in there like you own the place and start shouting orders.    "Where'd ya move the darn light bulbs to ?"

I love places where I don't feel the need to be on my best behavior. 👍

[Champ188]

16 hours ago, Dock-in-it said:

Champ, I can no longer estimate a reasonable cost to get something accomplished by a small business. Keep in mind you are not just paying to have batteries installed. You are paying the cost of running a small business (admin staff, rent, work trucks, insurance,,,,,, etc). 

Example: Dock repair costs have gone up 100-200% since 2020.

I would say $45 was a reasonable cost....because that is probably only 100% increase since 2020.

Well said, Dock-in-it. Appreciate the input, especially the part about the dock repairs. Didn't realize that. I'm sure the battery place is trying to recoup some of their costs by charging an install fee rather than increasing the price of their batteries. 

[Dutch]

Wow I sure am glad that I have some reasonable,  reputable, friendly techs to do all of my electronic and electrical work.  With back and rib issues I can no longer install or remove a series 31 agm.  So I don’t mind paying to have it done.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey, just throwing this out there. If anyone needs any help, I’m down here at Table rock at least once a month and stay for a week or two.  I’d be happy to help.   Or the STL area for any guys there.   Just let me know.  

[TRRANGER]

10 hours ago, Dutch said:

Wow I sure am glad that I have some reasonable,  reputable, friendly techs to do all of my electronic and electrical work.  With back and rib issues I can no longer install or remove a series 31 agm.  So I don’t mind paying to have it done.

I in the past changed a bilge pump on the water while the 2 high school kids I was coaching fished. I kept all batteries hooked up and running the trolling motor in an 87 Ranger 360v. I am now much older and can still do it but FOR $45.00 bucks I would pay just to not have to strain and stand on my head to swap them out. Those 31 series batteries are heavy and awkward to get wrestled out of the hole they put them in. I just had mine out and paid one of the boys that I coached to pull them, I am not rich by any means but money well spent and he can use the extra cash for important things like girls and fishing tackle.  

[fishinwrench]

In 1987 they installed bilge pumps, livewell pumps, steering and control cables, ect. knowing full well that they'd have to be serviced some day.  

The way they design & assemble boats now is as if they assume the plumbing, fuel hose, gauges, fuel level sending units and steering & control cables will outlast the hull.  They call it C.A.D. and they are really proud of it.

You should see what all has to be done in order to install new control cables or steering components on a Bentley tri-toon.     Pretty much have to completely disassemble half of the boat, from the helm console to the transom.   

[Champ188]

On 9/26/2023 at 4:05 PM, fishinwrench said:

In 1987 they installed bilge pumps, livewell pumps, steering and control cables, ect. knowing full well that they'd have to be serviced some day.  

The way they design & assemble boats now is as if they assume the plumbing, fuel hose, gauges, fuel level sending units and steering & control cables will outlast the hull.  They call it C.A.D. and they are really proud of it.

You should see what all has to be done in order to install new control cables or steering components on a Bentley tri-toon.     Pretty much have to completely disassemble half of the boat, from the helm console to the transom.   

I watched my dad go from being able to fix just about anything that went wrong with a car/truck to having to take his own in for service. Pretty ridiculous the way they build everything disposable these days. 

[Bill Babler]

A few months ago I put new ones in my bay boat at Golden. No charge for installation and it is a total nightmare. 

I had not heard that Battery Outfitters charged for installing them. 

You throw Power Pole pumps in there and all the other garbage and it’s a really, really tight fit. 

I have a hard time lifting those big AGM’s. 


 

[Champ188]

Frankly, I'm accustomed to someone at least acting like they give half a hoot when I come in to buy batteries or anything else. Instead, these guys acted like I was there to complicate their day. And there are no grasshopper legs on my boat or anything else to complicate the simple matter of disconnecting the old batteries, lifting them out, dropping in the new ones and reconnecting the wires. Nothing too complicated for anyone regardless of the depth of their gene pool.

Too bad Duke is gone from that Rogers store ... he was always cheerful and when his doofus stained my carpet the first time years ago, he came out, looked at the it and just shook his head and started apologizing. Within 5 minutes, he had me headed for a nearby auto detail place, where they got the stain out (on Battery Outfitters' bill, of course). 
Back to last week: The online-purchasing function was supposed to simplify things, but that was not the case for me. As far as whoever was running the store that day, he seemed to have the "people skills" of a pit bull who hasn't eaten in a week. There's no place for that in retail ... or in life, for that matter.

[Bill Babler]

A note on Dock repair. Our swim platform has the welds broken and needs some attention. 

We have gotten 2 bids. Best bid is $10,000.00 plus material.  Said they can fix it in 2 days but can’t get to it till November