Bad Boatyard!

[jimi]

I asked a couple of local boatyards for quotes for checking and realigning the engine if necessary.One of them gave me a rough cost immediately. One of them said they'd get back to me when they'd spoken to someone who might know, they then responded a couple of days later saying it seemed fine. I said "Hey, wait a minute, all I asked for was a quote!" . Yesterday then got a call asking for a contact adress which I gave. Received an invoice this morning from them. I then phoned them again saying "Wait a minute, I never comissioned any work, just wanted a quote!" Chap I spoke to was very abrupt, told me as soon as one of his guys got on a boat he charged for an hour's time. I then said "Sorry, I merely asked for a quote". Chap told me to tear up the invoice and put the phone down on me. Needless to say I wo'nt be using this guy for anything .. ps Last time I asked him for a quote, which was for supply and fit of Radar his quote was 75% higher than anybody else! I would be interested if anyone in the Hythe area has had similar problems with a local boatyard.

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[claymore]

Time Wasters

Nothing is more annoying than time wasters.
You didn't get the radar fitted and they'd gone to such lengths to furnish you with a quote - it probably cost a fortune working it all out and then back you come for another lump of time on "Is my engine straight?"
They would just think - oh well, we'll oblige him even though we know he won't be coming back to us and we might as well try to get him to stump up for some of the time he's already cost us - the Scottish Skinflint - and anyway - if we hit him for a few quid it'll stop him keep ringing up and perstering us.
What do you think?

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Claymore
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[jimi]

Re: Time Wasters

Certainly worked! It is a nuisance though because being a nice sort of chappie I like to use local suppliers if at all possible but I do'nt like being ripped off and I do'nt like arrogance. I'm absolutely amazed these guys stay in business, its either customers with more money than sense or they've found a market niche in the "one rippee off" customer.

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[BarryH]

Re: Time Wasters

Thats rather aquick assumption to make. I would say that there's a bit of misunderstanding here. Maybe the language barrier has something to do with it!

Anyhow I'd call it rather prompt action, because if jimi had gone to them and asked them to sort the engine alignment. I bet they wouldn't have been able to look at it for atleast 3 weeks min. So jimi being a bit clever and knowing how these people work has jumped the the wiating list. Then being even cleverer has got the job done for nowt by phoning and saying [jockanese] Good morning kid sir, I am calling you regarding this spurious invoice[jockanese] So, engine problem sorted at no cost bar a phone call. Who's the mug!

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: Time Wasters

How did he get access to your boat and engine. Do they have your keys?

He probably expected you to bend over and pay, I wonder how many have in the past. I get very frustrated when yards etc. think it is their priviledge to just wander on peoples boats; and marinas that just move boats and tie them up willy nilly with old mingin fenders marking the hull.

amazing sales ploy here, did he actually disconect your coupling and get his feeler gauges out, or just have a good look, if the latter I will do that for you, in fact, yes, your alignment seems just fine,

Jimi you now owe me...........

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/TC_IrishCruise_2003_00.html>Irish Cruise</A>

 

[jimi]

Re: Time Wasters

I keep my keys in the lock gatehouse (I've now asked them only to release the keys on my express instructions). From what I understand they just started up the engine and then said it sounded fine!!!!

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[Aja]

Aye, it seemed fine then. If they had access to your boat to have a look see, they will still have access to your boat to change the alignment... change the locks.

...or is that me being sceptical?

Cheers

Donald

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[jimi]

No they do'nt I've told the guy's with the keys that on no account are this bunch of bandits ever to have the keys again .. or was that me being paranoid!

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[iangrant]

Re: Time Wasters

I have just had a bill for just under 300 quid for a gas safety check. 40 of which was for the certificate.
The engineer pressure tested the system, tightened a joint behind the cooker, fitted a new joint to the copper pipe in the gas locker. all took a max 2hours.
My own daft fault, I didn't ask for a quote!

Ian


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[BarryH]

Re: Time Wasters

I would question that bill. Ask for it to be broken down into parts/labour etc. Had some work done at home by a gas fitter, CORGI registered. The bill was stupidly high for the work that was carried out.
Once I had a breakdown of the invoice I sent a copy to CORGI and local trading standards. Upshot was that I got just over half the money back.

Also as an aside. I had the local caravan chap that services the gas systems to do mine. He checked the Carver unit, the stove and oven and the heating. Carried out all the usual tests and fitted a new bit in the Carver. £180 including vat for half a days work. He does marine stuff as well.

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[Aja]

Paranoid? No. not unless they read your post here.....

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[iangrant]

Re: Time Wasters

Thanks Barry - I've not paid it yet so I think I'll ask them for a breakdown as you suggested- Ta

Ian

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[AndrewB]

Bad Marina!

ALWAYS give the marina the wrong key to look after.

If you think that their having the right key will mean that in some hypothetical emergency they will rush aboard and stop your yacht sinking .... dream on.

But you could always leave the right key tucked away in some hidden locker. Its no less safe there - the real robbers are the ones who have access to the marina office. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[nicho]

Re: Time Wasters

There's a new chandlery opening in Hythe itself - and a good one to boot - looks like another nail in their coffin!!

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[nicho]

Re: Time Wasters

Do 'em for trespass!!

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[tome]

Re: Time Wasters

Ian

Pity - I just had a corgi man down to Northney who did a couple of boats including mine. Charged 35 quid including certificate. I posted about this as he was travelling from Bristol and wanted extra work.

Next time p'haps
Tom

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[Calamity]

I was only trying to be helpful. Engines aren't really my thing, you know.

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[jimi]

and neither is tact and discretion from what I can gather!

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[Calamity]

It was my mate what took a look as he knows more than me about boats and engines. He swears I asked him to go there urgent and sort it so a bit of a misunderstanding raelly. I was only trying to get my money back. He reckoned there was nought wrong with the boat and you were probably not running it right.

What is it with you? Every time I try to help I get an earfull. Hit the newcomer, why don't you?
Disgusted
Fred

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[longjohnsilver]

Re: Time Wasters

If you need some help and can't trust your local chappie I know someone in Falmouth who charge very reasonable rates, about £5 per hour.

However his mileage rate will bring tears to your eyes!!

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