Are there any honest shops left?

[Rob LaMoy]

Unbelieveable! Northland Boat Sales of North Hero VT was the shop that did my re-build. As I said earlier, they dinged up my prop while "testing" it. They couldn't have tested it for long since the next day while fishing with Buzz it would only run for about 4 minutes before the alarm would go off again. They ran just long enough to damage the prop! Well they promised to reimburse me for the repairs, and now that I sent them the invoice are trying to negotiate, the price and back out. Can you believe this? If I tried to negotiate the price of the rebuild, they would have told me to go pound salt. Are there ANY stinkin honest shops left out there? This is plain maddening. The repairs are for $182.00. Further more, I had to tow my boat back over there to get the alarm fixed again that was an error on their part. THEN the trim stopped working. I took it to a local shop only to find that when they did the rebuild, they left some harness wires loose, thus causing the problem. Only a $27 fix, but it was their fault. I was out $27 plus drive time and aggravation. I just faxed them a nice little nastygram letting them know to pay this or if I should sue for the full extent of damages, the total will be closer to $650. We'll see if they make the right choice. Plus, until this I was going to have them do about $1500 worth of glass work this winter. Just goes to show you what poor customer service will get you! Sorry, had to vent, I'm done now!

 

[Greg Meyer]

Rob,



Can I arrange that airstrike now? My flying buddies with the NY Air National Guard have some nice A-10s that always need a little exercise... You could get a comfy chair and watch....



Don't you just wish you could...



It is why I truly cherish my mechanic...

 

[Bill McElroy]

No doubt man,.......We have some good ones here in Aurburn Hills,........Craig, Brian, Keith, and Al are always keeping us on the water a nd quick to get us fixed when we need it....we are LUCKY to have the crew we have,............great bunch of "wrenches"........I have 100% confidence and trust in them!!

Mac

 

[Mark Hofman]

I really like my local shop (Fishin' Hole). It took the boat in for work in the livewell and, before they did anything, the actual service technician called me to hear ME explain the problem rather than the guy who filled out the work order. It only took five minutes, but by doing that he was able to get right to the problem and I had my boat back the same day.



I hope and pray I never have an experience like yours, Rob. That has got to be one of the biggest headaches a boat owner can ever have. Sorry, dude.



That A-10 idea of Greg's seems like a pretty good solution. (Better yet, how 'bout a couple of fully armed Apache attack helicopters hovering overhead while you "negotiate" a settlement.)

 

[Rob LaMoy]

HAAAAA!!! After I posted I called and asked for the owner to verify receipt of my fax. Some Gomer Pile answered and said that the owner wouldn't be in until 4:00 pm. I advised him to be sure that he got the fax and called me or else I would further tow my boat over and park it in front of their shop all stinkin weekend and tell everyone what happened. Within 1 minute of hanging up, the scum bag, savvy cat, slick used car salesman style sales guy calls me back asking, "Have you calmed down yet?" I responded, "I'll calm down as soon as you quit @#$%in' me around, live up to your promise and send me a damn check." He then told me the owner will be sending me a check first thing Monday morning with all the other checks, and to have a nice day! Ha! You know what gets my goat, is what if they pulled this on some person that wouldn't fight back. I like to stand up for the little guy. What if this was some elderly couple trying to take their grandkids fishing and didn't know any better or were intimidated my these jerks? So many people today are crooked and it just burns my butt! Once, I had a mechanic try to take advantage of my wife at a brake shop for $1,000.00 worth of work that I had just done. I can give you the details at the rally if you wish. Let's just say that the conversation I had with him and his manager, intentionally in front of an office full of customers was very one sided in my favor. I can't stand liars and cheats like that!

 

[Mark Hofman]

"Whisky-2 Bravo, mission aborted. Safe all weapons and return to base. Stand down until Monday. Base out."

 

[Greg Meyer]

Mo....



I think I'll linger on station a while just to make sure that Monday comes...

 

[Mark Hofman]

I'll whistle up some tanker support for ya. I've got a friend with the 168th ARG who could stand to get away from his routine.

 

[Mark Hofman]

Rick:



Thought you'd like this one. The pic was snapped by a photographer in Dave's ship, while his buddy Jay was flying the -135 in the photo. Dave called out, "Hey, how 'bout a picture, and the -15's snapped into a sharp "V". They were on their way to Turkey over the North Pole. I doctored the photo with the comments and e-mailed it up to him.



MO

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Hey man, where you been? Was gonna ask you if you wanted to accompany me on another trip like the one at Bob's boat junkyard el grande!

 

[Bob G.]

Would that be Bob White from Grand Isle??

 

[Rob LaMoy]

If he's the one with all the junk boats in his yard that filled mine with garbage and snow, tore it apart and left it for 6 months, then YES! Long, beard, looks like ZZ Top! Wouldn't return my calls and put me behind schedule getting repairs done for spring! Then when I went to take my boat to another shop he was finally there and threatened to call the police! Ha, go ahead, it's MY boat! Anyway, one of many in my saga to find a reliable, honest shop.

 

[Bob G.]

I think it's the wrong Bob. This one definitely has a yard full of boats and motors also. I had some work done a few years ago on an old Evinrude Fast-twin motor and was happy with his work. This guy is on route 314 - take a left after you get off the ferry in VT.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Long beard? When I say a lot of boats, I mean a LOT of boats, like 300-400 strewn about a field consuming like 3-4 acres of land. His house/shop is down a steep driveway. Anyway, the guy I went to, simply didn't do the work I asked, and didn't return phone call. In fact Jamey and I went over there 4 times before taking my boat back. I can't even begin to count the number of unreturned messages I left. Plus my boat was up to hubs in mud. I think he was too busy building a new garage to get to me boat! LOL

 

[stan jones]

rob i've had good luck at "boat & rv wharehouse" in clifton park. there labor rate is 70.00 per hr. which is a lot but if they are good i don't mind paying that. so far with me they have been very fast and right on the money. the only problem is they are a merc dealer. sorry. but i've had a lot of bad luck at every other marina i've been to until i went there. if you ever end up with a merc keep them in mind. i'm personally not locked into a paticular brand of motor. the boats i have purchased just happen to have mercs. this probably dosen't help you but good service at a marina is so uncommon i just had to mention this place. thanks stan

 

[Huck Palmatier]

Is Day Bros. still open on Route 9S/

Lakeshore Road? I used to work there

20 some years ago.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Huck yes, but they are on my black list as well. Charged my mom $300 for an impeller on a 7.5 hp merc. Let's see, impeller = $15, 1/2 hour labor = $30, total is $45, $50 MAX! They charged her like $250 or $300. Plus they charged a buddy of mine $100 last year to "fix" his timing problem. no timing problem at all. Had a bad harness that they just taped a little and charged him $100. We found it this year and I brought it to the one guy I do trust, Scott Dunbar the the Chazy Yacht club. He charged $200 but ran all new wires, shrink wrapped, and replace both harnesses. Problem fixed. Unfortunately he doesn't do outboards I have had a hard time finding good, reliable, honest shops, that know what they're doing. I have Dunbar's and Duquettes welding for props etc. But no good glass guy or motor guy yet! Wish I was closer to Auburn Hills BPS. Even though it's an OMC, Neeley would take care of me!

 

[Jim B]

Rob how far are you willing to travel for great service? there is a small shop in mass that is without a doubt the best boat shop out there. hes quick and gets it done right. the best part is he is very honest and his prices are fair. if you want the number let me know.

 

[stan jones]

jim, where in mass and whats the name? thanks stan

 

[Rob LaMoy]

That's pretty far to go. If he can do it while I wait maybe. To back and forth twice ends up costing more in time and gas.