Do any marine mechanics tell the truth?

[Gator Performance]

Is it just me or does this industry like breed liars?

I've had three mechanics none of which can estimate time or cost correctly.

Do you guys do your own work, use an Indy, a shop, or send off to someone on here?

Thanks all

Gator

[FUJIMO]

"Do any marine mechanics tell the truth?" Answer: No. Hey, as a motorcycle mechanic, you should know this, lol. ;) Welcome to Scream & Fly bra.

[THEFERMANATOR]

I try my best to, but I will say upfront it can be REAL hard to estimate how long a job will take on an outboard. In a perfect world you can use posted labor rates for the time, but with outboards that see salt and all kinds of other environments that cause corrosion and rust, seized up bolts, broken off bolt heads, and all the other goodness that comes along with it, it can be REAL hard to give an accurate estimate. Then throw in wiring problems from electrolysis, you can have a real mess. And lets not forget the BIGGEST problem, people working on outboards that cause more harm than good and leave a HUGE mess for the next guy to clean up. So I can understand your frustration, but also I have felt the frustration from the other side. Try estimating a job to take 3 hours, but because of all the time you had to spend with corrosion block and a torch to get it apart you spent 8 hours. But the customer said you told them it would be 3 hours and that is all they will pay for. Or if you tear it down and find the damage is worse and it will now take 3 times as long to do they call you a crook trying to gouge them and your branded as a liar trying to screw everybody.

[fastdonzi.]

No, They are out to Make a Killing, NOT Make a Living. Oh, That's Auto Mechanics, Boat Mechanics are Fair People :)

[JR IN JAX]

You just need to use Charlie and Ed at River Marine here in Jax, totally honest and very concerned with customer service.

[hydrochicken]

i spend all my spare time at crews marine here in perry and i understand your feelings but like the fermanator said above its almost impossible on some of these motors to even break even i have never seen a customer billed for all the time we spend on boats im sure there is a few that gouge but i can promise CREWS MARINE aint one of them good luck with it and if your ever in the area stop in if we can help

[props4u2]

i spend all my spare time at crews marine here in perry and i understand your feelings but like the fermanator said above its almost impossible on some of these motors to even break even i have never seen a customer billed for all the time we spend on boats im sure there is a few that gouge but i can promise CREWS MARINE aint one of them good luck with it and if your ever in the area stop in if we can help

Glad to hear there are others out there that are not able to charge for their full time on a given boat, I thought we were just old and slow. :smiletest: There alway's seems to be some kind of glitch to make things complicated. To answer the question, their are honest shops out there, you just have to talk to friends and other boaters recommendations or keep going to different ones until you find the right one.

[Capt.Insane-o]

I'll tell you exactly what is wrong with your boat, whether you like it or not.

[hydrochicken]

thats the way to do it candy coating it sure doesnt get it fixed and for some reason the mechanic is always in the wrong we have had our fair share of that
I'll tell you exactly what is wrong with your boat, whether you like it or not.

[HStream1]

And then you have the internet or but "my buddy said" educated customer. Always second guessing and no matter what the mechanic does or did is wrong. Always looking for the answer they want to hear not what the actual facts are. People don't want to believe this but some shops charge Xtra for customers like that i.e. Motorcycle, Auto, Marine etc.

[obrien]

Or you can have supervisor tell the customer it's going to take x hours to do a job without consulting the tech

[mrcrsr]

you never know what you will run into either once you start a job. just replaced a turbo on a 48 searay/qsm 11 cummins, quoted 4-5 hours to do the job. anyway, go to pull the turbo and 2 mounting studs broke off in the manifold. needless to say, the 4-5 hour estimate went out the window. stuff happens.

[VectorPat]

I probably eat more time than I over estimate for. If i quote a time for a job and it ends up taking longer, I dont charge the extra unless its something major and unforeseen, then I call the customer and explain what I found and what its going to take to fix it. There are also customers that dont tell the truth, they dont understand how much time gets wasted when they dont tell me the truth about a problem or how it happened.

[JWTjr.]

I probably eat more time than I over estimate for. If i quote a time for a job and it ends up taking longer, I dont charge the extra unless its something major and unforeseen, then I call the customer and explain what I found and what its going to take to fix it. There are also customers that dont tell the truth, they dont understand how much time gets wasted when they dont tell me the truth about a problem or how it happened. This, for sure. Then also the customer that says after the original job has been quoted "oh yes, and please fix the bilge pump, the lights, and my trailer lights don't work--I'd like it completely ready to go when I pick it up". Then you tell them, "those items can be checked/fixed but they will be extra, they were not in the original quote". When the day of pickup comes, it's "but you quoted me $XXX!!"-this is too much!!

[pointer]

This, for sure. Then also the customer that says after the original job has been quoted "oh yes, and please fix the bilge pump, the lights, and my trailer lights don't work--I'd like it completely ready to go when I pick it up". Then you tell them, "those items can be checked/fixed but they will be extra, they were not in the original quote". When the day of pickup comes, it's "but you quoted me $XXX!!"-this is too much!!

So true. And with the economy the way it is the local shops here are carrying way too much receivables. I couldn't sleep at night if I took my boat from the shop and didn't pay for it! Sadly, many do, and that doesn't count the ones serviced off the shop premises. End of season 2012 one local shop was carrying over $70K. Owner bought a chalk board and hung it in the reception area. His receivables dropped considerably.

pointer

[dumbnfun2]

You just need to use Charlie and Ed at River Marine here in Jax, totally honest and very concerned with customer service.

Amen ........ Nobody better ..... Great boatshop ......

[VectorPat]

I love the ones that bring in their boat and say they just want it serviced and everything is running fine. After I start checking things out I find the motor wont even run because it has been sitting for who knows how long and the carbs or fuel injection is gummed up, now I call the customer and tell what all it needs and he says it was running fine when he brought it in or he says that he knew that and he figured it just needed new plugs.

[donmac]

We have a slight advantage in the North, you owe money and your motor needs winterizing very soon.what would you like to do? always works!

[hydrostream1]

And then you have the internet or but "my buddy said" educated customer. Always second guessing and no matter what the mechanic does or did is wrong. Always looking for the answer they want to hear not what the actual facts are. People don't want to believe this but some shops charge Xtra for customers like that i.e. Motorcycle, Auto, Marine etc.



I agree,the customer wants to hear its something simple,I get that a lot ,sometimes it is ,sometimes not.Then it's his buddy billy joe Jim bob says its this or that just speculating and not wanting to pay for diagnostic time to find the REAL problem and put a band aid on it,then when you do find it needs a part,the customer says oh, I can get it on eBay will you put it on?they think we mark up parts and make a killing,well I can tell you we don't ,we are entitled to make a living just like everyone else and I for one am going to do just that or get out of the repair business.Ive been a mechanic for 25 plus years ,seems people's attitudes are getting worse.

[hydrostream1]

I love the ones that bring in their boat and say they just want it serviced and everything is running fine. After I start checking things out I find the motor wont even run because it has been sitting for who knows how long and the carbs or fuel injection is gummed up, now I call the customer and tell what all it needs and he says it was running fine when he brought it in or he says that he knew that and he figured it just needed new plugs.



Im thinking that the crooks are the customers.:D

[hydrochicken]

Then it's his buddy billy joe Jim bob

Why you gotta bring my brother cuzzin in this for lol

[Gator Performance]

Im thinking that the crooks are the customers.:D

Where y'all boat near Georgetown??

[mackeral5]

Most customers think a set of plugs or 5 gallons of "high test" on top of 20 gallons of old watered down, phase separated gas should solve all of their running problems....most bass fisherman blew their budget on the latest and greatest tackle/electronics, when they break down it's the ole "need ya to help me out, man I got a tournament this weekend.". Want a "good buddy" deal and over night turnaround because his baby's mama's step sister used to date my little brother....

And then there's the asshole who drops his boat off on Friday, shows up on his jet ski at my dock on sunday and wants to know why I don't know what's wrong with his boat yet.

"My uncle said he used to rewind them stators...."

I/O customer with bad drive bellows which he chose not to repair.. " don't them starters have a warranty, you just replaced it last year...."

The Seadoo owner that likes to run creeks "man, I've paid you for 2 wear rings/ impellers already this year, don't you stand behind your work?

"Make sure you put that concrete block under the back end of the trailer before you unhitch it"

"My buddy said he bought his switch box off the internet for $75"

Shows up with a low trailer tire...." yeah it's got a slow leak, we put air in it on the way over here"

Trailer bunks float away when lake testing a boat with a $5k stereo system...

Relatives and their boats..,..need I say more??

Unhitch the boat and the trailer jack falls off.....

1000 wires going to the battery. All are black and none are fused....

15 calls "just checking on my boat" over the span of 2 days...




I could go on and on.... These are just a sampling of the many reasons some customers end up thinking they got screwed because they got charged the ole P.I.T.A. fee on top of the regular repair charges...

There are many great customers. But for every dishonest boat mechanic there are at least a hundred lying, not forthcoming, want something for nothing, truly can't afford a boat customers.

[flabum1017]

We always try to over-estimate the jobs, then you get one that's a bll of rust and take 3 - 4 times as much time to do the job. Not to mention how these boat manufacturers put them together. I have had to remove transmissions just to pop couplers off propshafts or take a generator out to get to the rudder packing......... We have one right now where we had to take the side of the motor apart just to be able to squat down to reach the propshaft stuffing box. The bilge pump, we will have to take apart the sides of two motors (Aussie built Mustang)

[mr fun]

my personal dealings with "technitions" is they are professionals and appreciate being treated as such. I never go anywhere without reccomndations. I've delt with everything from lawnmower mechanics to dirtbikes, cars, 18 wheelers (100.00 an hour for 18 yrs) marine, and my take away is to start with someone that is going to be there should their work fail after paying their price. if i'm riding, I'm good. If I pay their price, and it ****s the bed, the first thing I'm going to do is report back to the the person that reccomended them. I am a big fan of hitting the starter and getting a big smile, thats what I payed for. you have be to realistic about their problems that are unseen. aluminun boat motors are not like a carmotor made from cast iron and used every day, mainly because car motors are not exposed to salt water. if you put your horse away wet and not cared for,,, shame on you. properly cared for, these motors are far more complex than a car engine, and need care to remain reliable. if you think these things are a bitch, don't even think about an airplane. fun out

[dumbnfun2]

Iv had lots of cool toys over the years from old cars to street bikes boats ..all kinds of crap .. And with each project I sought out the best mechanic .. Painter ... Boat guy whatever . And something I've noticed about those old school good mechs they're like that episode of Seinfeld " the soup nazi " u pay ur money slide down the counter keep ur mouth shut and wait patiently . I usually go with the guy thats not ur buddy if hes got time to sit out in the parkn lot and talk to u about ur dog hes not ur guy . I say best way to find good mech is word of mouth I wouldn't even hav a boat or a project in mind if I didn't know of someone that knew the guy and he was the best and knew his work .

[6Killer]

u pay ur money slide down the counter keep ur mouth shut and wait patiently

I don't want to be your friend, I don't want to dance, I don't want to hear about your last tournament..... STFU and get out of my shop so I can fix your boat.

Some can't handle it and call me an a$$hole, the ones that can, tend to become good customers.....

M5, I'm a huge fan of the bunks floating away when trying to load a boat......:rolleyes:

Six

[Capt.Insane-o]

Trailer bunks float away when lake testing a boat with a $5k stereo system..

Unhitch the boat and the trailer jack falls off.....

1000 wires going to the battery. All are black and none are fused....

.
:iagree:

[obrien]

The best ones are the guys with a 25+ foot boat living in a nice house on the water, that want to cry about the bill and how they don't have any money to pay it.

[CptAJ]

Hahahaha, I've done pretty much every single thing you guys just complained about :p

I'm a horrible customer for mechanics. But I'm an absolute nightmare for fiberglass folk. I grew up on a factory and I know way too much to be a good customer :rolleyes: (Not that I could do the stuff better than someone who does it daily. I just know the costs, the suppliers, the time stuff takes, etc)

In the end its like all human relations I guess. It's all a game, everyone looks out for his interests. As long as its fair and honest, we can get along. When you start cheating, that's when you ruin it for everyone involved.

A couple of things, I'm fascinated by how you guys charge by the hour. Nobody does that here. Its a fixed price depending on what needs to be done and it's agreed upon before the work starts. Obviously, it does get renegotiated if something new comes up.

And I totally agree that the friendly mechanic is NOT usually the good one. The best mechanics I've known have been complete assholes that seem annoyed by every breath I take.

[dumbnfun2]

[QUOTE=6Killer;2504831]I don't want to be your friend, I don't want to dance, I don't want to hear about your last tournament..... STFU and get out of my shop so I can fix your boat.Some can't handle it and call me an a$$hole, the ones that can, tend to become good customers.....M5, I'm a huge fan of the bunks floating away when trying to load a boat......:rolleyes:


Next time u get an annoying customer say ... No boat for you !!!!!

[mr fun]

Hahahaha, I've done pretty much every single thing you guys just complained about :p

I'm a horrible customer for mechanics. But I'm an absolute nightmare for fiberglass folk. I grew up on a factory and I know way too much to be a good customer :rolleyes: (Not that I could do the stuff better than someone who does it daily. I just know the costs, the suppliers, the time stuff takes, etc)

In the end its like all human relations I guess. It's all a game, everyone looks out for his interests. As long as its fair and honest, we can get along. When you start cheating, that's when you ruin it for everyone involved.

A couple of things, I'm fascinated by how you guys charge by the hour. Nobody does that here. Its a fixed price depending on what needs to be done and it's agreed upon before the work starts. Obviously, it does get renegotiated if something new comes up.

And I totally agree that the friendly mechanic is NOT usually the good one. The best mechanics I've known have been complete assholes that seem annoyed by every breath I take.
pretty much sums up why I don't want to do "repairs". the ole "can of worms" theory can and usually does lead to a well inteioned craftsman getting himself in a pickle over underestimating the severity of a situation. I have the ability to handle jobs but don't need the aggrivation of an ongoing onslaught of progresssive poor construction problems that most average people can't come to grips with. I want to build and sell "NEW" with my association and any problems (which I doubt will present themselves) I will correct. I've watched alot of guys loose their ass trying to correct others problems, and alot of builders disapear without the correct mindset. just taking my time and trying to do it right the 1st time :cool:

[john w]

In 25 years of owning many boats, I have found 1 honest mechanic, his name is Bret Vanderwall.

[Mr. Demeanor]

I guess I am old school in that I could not imagine owning something mechanical without some knowledge of how to repair and maintain it. Its part of the enjoyment for me.

[turnerlittle]

I guess I am old school in that I could not imagine owning something mechanical without some knowledge of how to repair and maintain it. Its part of the enjoyment for me.
:iagree: There are times I get stumped and need a fresh set of eyes but normally it's just little ole me repairing and maintaining every thing from the house to the weedeater

[perfmarine1]

Most customers think a set of plugs or 5 gallons of "high test" on top of 20 gallons of old watered down, phase separated gas should solve all of their running problems....most bass fisherman blew their budget on the latest and greatest tackle/electronics, when they break down it's the ole "need ya to help me out, man I got a tournament this weekend.". Want a "good buddy" deal and over night turnaround because his baby's mama's step sister used to date my little brother....

And then there's the asshole who drops his boat off on Friday, shows up on his jet ski at my dock on sunday and wants to know why I don't know what's wrong with his boat yet.

"My uncle said he used to rewind them stators...."

I/O customer with bad drive bellows which he chose not to repair.. " don't them starters have a warranty, you just replaced it last year...."

The Seadoo owner that likes to run creeks "man, I've paid you for 2 wear rings/ impellers already this year, don't you stand behind your work?

"Make sure you put that concrete block under the back end of the trailer before you unhitch it"

"My buddy said he bought his switch box off the internet for $75"

Shows up with a low trailer tire...." yeah it's got a slow leak, we put air in it on the way over here"

Trailer bunks float away when lake testing a boat with a $5k stereo system...

Relatives and their boats..,..need I say more??

Unhitch the boat and the trailer jack falls off.....

1000 wires going to the battery. All are black and none are fused....

15 calls "just checking on my boat" over the span of 2 days...




I could go on and on.... These are just a sampling of the many reasons some customers end up thinking they got screwed because they got charged the ole P.I.T.A. fee on top of the regular repair charges...

There are many great customers. But for every dishonest boat mechanic there are at least a hundred lying, not forthcoming, want something for nothing, truly can't afford a boat customers.:iagree: LMAF this is so true
People that bring boat for repair with no battery or fuel tank.Or the guy that brings a V-6 in the back of his pickup and wants a tune up.

[johnnyracer]

Or how bout the folks that drop it off in the yard but take the key out. The same key chain for the ig switch also has the compartment lock keys . The compartment which you need to get into of course. Leave the keys in the boat folks . They aint gonna crank that bi--- up , back it off the trailer and leave with it.

[mackeral5]

This thread should be required reading for every first time boat owner. If the read between the lines and conduct themselves accordingly----they might actually SAVE a buck or two....

[props4u2]

Or how bout the folks that drop it off in the yard but take the key out. The same key chain for the ig switch also has the compartment lock keys . The compartment which you need to get into of course. Leave the keys in the boat folks . They aint gonna crank that bi--- up , back it off the trailer and leave with it. Speaking of keys and locks, there's always the guy that brings in his $5,000.00 boat and drops it off next to five $70,000.00 boats and puts a lock on the tongue coupler so no one will steel his in the secured area. Of course none of the other boats have locks. Duh!!!!!!

[Capt.Insane-o]

That automatically adds $50 to the bill.

[vnemous]

I like the customer that comes in for parts. "So what motor do you have" Oh...... I dont know. "Ok is it in Inboard Outboard or an Outboad" There's a difference? "Well lets start with what color is it" and on and on it goes.

[CDave]

I quit doing repairs for friends and friends of friends back in my early 20's.
My own Godmother blamed me for her fuel pump going bad because I had replaced her water pump two weeks before the fuel pump went bad. She told me to my face I must have done something to make the fuel pump go bad.
I refused to fix her fuel pump and from that day forward only worked on the vehicles of my parents and siblings. I only did small jobs like brakes, alt., tune ups and if it was for my brother or dad they had to help. I never charged them anything so they were expected to get dirty with me.

[afr]

I probably eat more time than I over estimate for. If i quote a time for a job and it ends up taking longer, I dont charge the extra unless its something major and unforeseen, then I call the customer and explain what I found and what its going to take to fix it. There are also customers that dont tell the truth, they dont understand how much time gets wasted when they dont tell me the truth about a problem or how it happened.
ditto same goes for fiberglass and rigging i eat more time then anyone on the planet yet i get cussed and talked about by people who have no clue what you just did for them
only God knows the truth and appreciates your work in the end

[Wayne Cammidge]

I always say to the customer that I expect it to come out to X and that if I see any problems along the way, I will let him know before I carry on and that he is welcome to come and see the difficulty or problem before I carry on. Most of the time the hard work is working out what is wrong or stripping to get to the problem and with this it is impossible to quote. I will only estimate. If I am forced into quoting for the job I double up on everything, I let the customer know that I am doubling my estimate and If it works out cheaper than what I have quoted then I am keeping the extra, I will try and cover just about all eventualities if forced to quote. To be honest, if I have to quote for the job, then I really do not want to do it. I have also learned how to read customers very well, and quite often I will pick up he phone and ask them to come and remove their boat from my place without doing any work on it. Sometimes it is better to not do business than to do bad business

I love the old sign hanging in the workshop with the labour rate below
Hourly Labour rate or part thereof $X
Labour rate if you watch $2X
Labour rate if you offer advise $4X
Labour rate if you want to be taught $8X

[oldschoolltv]

I did not read all the post, we were in the marine business for 42 years and motorcycle business for 32, and we are one of the most honest dealers around and what I have found is most customers do not want the truth they would rather be lied to, I give quotes all the time and am told my prices are too high daily, what I tell them is I am trying to give you the most accurate quote possible only to have the customer go elsewhere and pay to have it not fixed then bring it back to us to fix the original problem and the problems created by the back yard fly by night shop down the street and they want to bitch at me that " man I already have $$$$ in it", it gets so frustrating doing the best job you can and the best price you can and have techs with 20+ years experience only making 20-30 billed hours that are here 40-45 hrs a week since we are having to match quotes from people that will not fix it right the first time like we will, just had to vent a bit, Matt

[6Killer]

Bass boaters are the best. They bring in a boat that is littered with lures, and I have to get under the dash to repair some bastardized wiring job they did or replace a steering cable.

Owner: "Where's such and such lures that were under the console?"
Me: "On the wall over there. They are mine now"
Owner: "WTF"
Me: "If you won't clean it up and make me lay on it to fix your boat, it's mine"
Owner: "A$$hole"

I have a nice collection!

Six

[VectorPat]

I did not read all the post, we were in the marine business for 42 years and motorcycle business for 32, and we are one of the most honest dealers around and what I have found is most customers do not want the truth they would rather be lied to, I give quotes all the time and am told my prices are too high daily, what I tell them is I am trying to give you the most accurate quote possible only to have the customer go elsewhere and pay to have it not fixed then bring it back to us to fix the original problem and the problems created by the back yard fly by night shop down the street and they want to bitch at me that " man I already have $$$$ in it", it gets so frustrating doing the best job you can and the best price you can and have techs with 20+ years experience only making 20-30 billed hours that are here 40-45 hrs a week since we are having to match quotes from people that will not fix it right the first time like we will, just had to vent a bit, Matt


This is the exact samething I deal with over here Matt, it must be a Polk County thing

[oldschoolltv]

I love when they say $80 an hour I need to be a mechanic, yeah we are just rolling in cash.

[dnr78]

My mechanic is honest..., but he hates the public,
id give his name but it may make him mad

[JR IN JAX]

I quit doing repairs for friends and friends of friends back in my early 20's.
My own Godmother blamed me for her fuel pump going bad because I had replaced her water pump two weeks before the fuel pump went bad. She told me to my face I must have done something to make the fuel pump go bad.
I refused to fix her fuel pump and from that day forward only worked on the vehicles of my parents and siblings. I only did small jobs like brakes, alt., tune ups and if it was for my brother or dad they had to help. I never charged them anything so they were expected to get dirty with me. I used to repairs Friend's AC systems and their TVs and I learned the hard way that if I do it cheap they will pester me to repair them again long after they are old enough to be replaced. Now I will only give them advice on how to do it themselves.

[RNM018]

Some Great Responces on this thread , and much good advice .
But the guy that started it's hasn't been back with any positive responce either .
He just popped in once to ask where some one boats at .

Some How , I'm Betting , He's got a 3 liter 250 , with a bad crank that Mercury refuses to warranty AGAIN !


Rich Martin 018

[hydrochicken]

funny you said that i was just thinking the same thing yesterday

[props4u2]

Haven't seen the 3.0L crank problem around here, is that something new that hasn't shown up here yet?

[VectorPat]

I was thinking the same thing about him not responding to anything. I think we scared him off

[RNM018]

Haven't seen the 3.0L crank problem around here, is that something new that hasn't shown up here yet?

Lee , there was a troll on here that got banned twice now , for flaming Mercury about not warranting his 3 lt 250 for the third or forth time .
Second scream name he used , he claimed Mercury no longer made parts for or supported the 3 lt motor , and his had a bad crank , and he could not get a replacement to have his power hear rebuilt again .

Just Odd , This guy opens an account on this site , and first post it flaming All Marine Mechanics , Then pretty much goes away .

My Best Guess , This Is The Same Guy , Using A Third Screen Name !!!


I could be wrong , but I dout it !

What Ya'll Think ?

Rich Martin 018

[hydrochicken]

I think mercury must have made a habit of pissing off customers that's how they have stayed in business all these years what an azz and I imagine its him yeah the 3.0 Liters are crap that is the reason my 97 virgin 250efi is still strong and takes me offshore when i want to go and that's a single engine

[tres]

I know a GREAT Yami guy on L.I........no joke no bull..

[props4u2]

Thanks Rich, Missed those posts some how. Don't know why some people have to be so ignorant some times.

[RNM018]

Ya, Lee , They where two other threads , started under two differant screen names .
This most likely a thrid .

I'm betting they all use the same IP address .


Rich Martin 018

[Gator Performance]

Come on now fellas.. I hadnt got no 3.0L but I do have a 260 and a pair of 280s 2.5L that are like payin a mortgage on to get how I want em...

I been looking around and am trying to come across some or atleast one complete 260 powerhead. they are hard to come by arent they?

My mechanic is ok, and I can understand his pricing as we all gotta make a buck.. what really drives me insane is when he never makes the deadlines or dates given..

[Tom Foley]

I love when they say $80 an hour I need to be a mechanic, yeah we are just rolling in cash.


LOL yeah , us welders are tripping over all the shoeboxes full of cash !!!

[hydrochicken]

so thats what you tripped on huh the truth comes out now but hey i was thinking i got some free time and you got all that cash maybe for one box i will bring my nailgun down and build you some shelves seems like a win win :cheers:
LOL yeah , us welders are tripping over all the shoeboxes full of cash !!!

[mastertrax]

Is it just me or does this industry like breed liars?

Like everybody knows that, or whatever.

[PropmanIII]

Hello Fellas,
I like to read all these forums and really learn alot about good and bad mechanics and good and bad customers as well. I dont usually make comments on forms but this is a very good subject. A little about my background... I am an aircraft mechanic by trade. I have over 30yrs Helicopter and Airplane maintenance Experience. Went to A&P school for almost 4yrs and Air Force military Jet engine school. I have 2 college degrees. I am a pilot. Does that make me a good mechanic with lots of integrity ? ABSOLUTELY NOT !! I am a good mechanic with integrity because I was lucky enough to be born with mechanical ability and common sense as was my father and his before. My parents taught me integrity. I am not saying that those with a desire to learn to be a mechanic are not good ones and have no Integrity, far from it and am not taking away from anyones abilities. But I have always heard the phrase " Mechanics are born not made" I never had money when I was a kid. I was given an old riding mower that I made a go cart out of, old honda 50 that I always had to put gears in a transmission, then a gocart frame then mini bike frame then old motorcycles, Japs and Harleys, Mercury and OMC outboards then A 67 Chevelle when I was 16 that I built motors out of every bodys trash bins of used camshafts, pistons etc. that would dominate the street dragstrips on saturday night. These are some of the things That taught me to be a mechanic. Same with lots of other good mechanics out there that have paid their dues. These are the mechanics you want to find ! I have walked into shops and asked a simple question and in 5 minutes I figure out that I know more about something I dabble in than they work on 40hrs or more a week. I read on an earlier thread that they are a mechanics nightmare becuase they are a knowledgeable mechanic themselves. I can relate to that. I can tolerate someone who doesnt know any better but I cannot stand a liar that tries to play me for a fool. Beware of a mechanic that tells you everything he thinks he knows. He may or may not. Its usually the quiet guy with the slight grin on his face standing there listening to the conversation that knows the truth. Look for that guy.
Well I am going to end this book on one last note. As for billing, my father is one of the finest mechanics I know and I have seen a lot of good ones. He is honest to a fault and if he wrongs you he will make it right. He was the service manager for over 20yrs with a mercury dealer. He quoted a fair price and stuck with it. When the job was complete he fowarded the bill to the to admin (owners) for billing. They would look at it and say that is to low and add more to it and if there were service issues they would lie like dogs. That made my dad furious ! So dont always say the mechanic did it. Sometimes the mechanic is caught square in the middle. This does not apply only to the marine industry, It is everywhere! Needless to say when my dad retired he made more money out of his garage than he made at work. He did not look for customers, through word of mouth people came to him. So listen to what other customers say and educate yourself as well. Good luck to us all :-)
Martin Edester

[Capt.Insane-o]

On the flip side, you should try to be a technician and deal with some of the customers that walk through the door these days. :rolleyes:

[PropmanIII]

Hope no one gets the Impression I am bashing mechanics. We work hard and long hours in some of the worst conditions and get little respect more often than not and most of us are not paid near what people think we are. But like any other field there are some people that need in be in another line of work. As for my advise for the customer I am passing on my opinions of what I have seen from behind the lines. I am giving my opinion as a mechanic and a customer.
I was Once the Director of Maintenance at a municipal airport with mechanics working under me. I also had to do the billing. Most customers were pretty easy to work with and understood the value of good service and it came with a fair price. But on occasion even our regular customers would complain about a bill that was more than fair. The one complaint that sticks out in my mind is " I cant afford that I am on a fixed income " I am a firm believer that if you cant play the game get out of it . On the flip side my dad believes everyone should be able to enjoy a boat. My dad accumulates a lot of parts and motors. On one occasion a man that was the brother of a friend came to the house with a big boat that should have been junked asking my dad what it would cost to fix it. This man had a job that payed nothing and wore dirty clothes and with this dirty little boy with a snotty nose. Dad knew he didnt have a pot to pee in but told him to leave his boat and he would give him a quote. My dad called him later and told him to come and get his boat it was ready. My dad used all his own parts for the motor and rewired the complete boat and charged him nothing, and it was quality work. Thats my dad !! God Bless him ! I personally wont own anything I cant work on myself. I have had Customers come to me (actually go to everyone else) and tell what an Idiot one of my mechanics were and how they cant understand how they got there A&P license. Note that this guy didnt know what end of a screw driver to use. I caught him in the parking lot and had a good conversation with him, Firm but informative ! He went on to be one of my best customers. I have found that more times than not that if one takes the time to educate a customer on the behind the scene issues they walk away satisfied and happy to come back. That is the best case scenario. Some customers you will never satisfy because they choose to live in ignorance rather than educate themselves. Some have that "all about me and screw everyone else attitude." Some read to many articles in magazines written by experts that couldnt cut it in the field. Some I just dont know. Best to ask these people to move on. If a mechanic or a business has a good reputation these few wont hurt you even if they slander you behind you back. Good customers know who you are and their friends will too! For a man that does not get on these forums I sure have a lot to say...Haha. I read a fuel injector forum yesterday that got a little heated so I guess I am taking it out on ya all. Sorry :-)

[R.grover]

Im a marine tech my self, same **** by looks of it don't matter what country lol.
We have little back up from the oems because a lot of them here are privately ownd. And with us been a small country that most haven't hurd about and more boats to head in the world You get some great owners to deal with.the same old thing your hourly charge is WHAT?????
We are $85 an hour that's just over $75us what are you guys?

[Wayne Cammidge]

If I convert about $36/ hour here in South Africa.
Most dealerships around here are even less. Our 2 main centres, Johannesburg and Cape Town will charge a bit more but not much

[aggiestckl]

Wayne when I was in the Western cape for work all I would see is the rubber ducks.. Man they were cool, what's the price in USD for one new?

Do you see any high lerformance single outboards in 17-21' range like on this site? I'm going back in August.