Bo**ocks to boats!

[James W]

Sometimes, I just want to say bo**ocks to the boat and jack it all in.

Take today for example, I had a spare afternoon, made good progress with the electrics and left the boat a happy man. I then returned home to find an invoice for work done on an engine for the best part of a grand! I'd clearly stated that I wanted a guide price on the costs before the work went ahead and that money was a consideration but it seems I wasn't clear enough!

I can't afford it plain and simple, I'll definitely be selling the inboard now, just to pay for the work done on it!

What a terrible state of affairs.....

 

[ffiill]

Assume that you got a reconned engine for that?-about the price of taking bits into engine reconditioner and having them machined plus new bearing shells and pistons for a 4 cylinder engine.

 

[35mm]

Don't give up! If you really feel like jacking it all in then maybe you're not really a boat person. Have you paid the bill? DON'T! If you asked for a quote first before any work was done, then no work should have been done without a quote first. Plain and simple!

 

[James W]

Don't give up! If you really feel like jacking it all in then maybe you're not really a boat person. Have you paid the bill? DON'T! If you asked for a quote first before any work was done, then no work should have been done without a quote first. Plain and simple!

I'm just a bit tee'd off at the moment. I'd obviously budgeted for the engine, just not this much. I know that the engine will now be in beautiful, tip top condition, but at a cost i'd rather not pay.

I love my boat and all the work that she needs to keep her going, it's just that sometimes I could do without the seemingly constant expense.....

 

[35mm]

Down here we have a saying... "If it flies, floats or f**ks, it's going to cost you money." Boating isn't cheep!

 

[35mm]

What exactly did you have done to the engine?

 

[DennisF]

Down here we have a saying... "If it flies, floats or f**ks, it's going to cost you money." Boating isn't cheep!

The one I heard was "If it flies, floats or f**ks, rent it don't buy it!"

 

[haydude]

Assume that you got a reconned engine for that?-about the price of taking bits into engine reconditioner and having them machined plus new bearing shells and pistons for a 4 cylinder engine.

Last year I was charged a whopping £570 for a full service to a D2-55, the service included (only):
oil and filter
fuel filters (primary and secondary)
engine cooling liquid change
adjust engine tappets

It did not include the impeller and air filter that I had changed myself recently.
It started as a £400 deal to do with anti-fouling at cost, nevertheless costs spiralled automagically despite my expectations of savings because of the impeller and air filter.

I know that this year the dealer is laying off people and reducing operations.

I wonder, if they charged more reasonable rates, wouldn't they get more work in?

A colleague from India said to me when I was telling him of the DIY I do (no only on the boat): "it amazes me how people in the UK are so good and dedicated to DIY. In India we do not do it, labour is so cheap!" I said: "well here, even though I have a good job, it costs me less to take unpaid leave and do my DIY then pay somebody to do it for me"

 

[markleuty]

Last year I was charged a whopping £570 for a full service to a D2-55, the service included (only):
oil and filter
fuel filters (primary and secondary)
engine cooling liquid change
adjust engine tappets

It did not include the impeller and air filter that I had changed myself recently.
It started as a £400 deal to do with anti-fouling at cost, nevertheless costs spiralled automagically despite my expectations of savings because of the impeller and air filter.

I know that this year the dealer is laying off people and reducing operations.

I wonder, if they charged more reasonable rates, wouldn't they get more work in?

A colleague from India said to me when I was telling him of the DIY I do (no only on the boat): "it amazes me how people in the UK are so good and dedicated to DIY. In India we do not do it, labour is so cheap!" I said: "well here, even though I have a good job, it costs me less to take unpaid leave and do my DIY then pay somebody to do it for me"

I would assume from this that you're based at Sovereign Harbour?

 

[duncanmack]

Sometimes, I just want to say bo**ocks to the boat and jack it all in.

Take today for example, I had a spare afternoon, made good progress with the electrics and left the boat a happy man. I then returned home to find an invoice for work done on an engine for the best part of a grand! I'd clearly stated that I wanted a guide price on the costs before the work went ahead and that money was a consideration but it seems I wasn't clear enough!

I can't afford it plain and simple, I'll definitely be selling the inboard now, just to pay for the work done on it!

What a terrible state of affairs.....

Did you authorise any of the work?

If not, you're may not be obliged to pay for it. You will have a battle on your hands with the repairer but the law is on your side. It doesn't matter what the repairer's T&Cs say. You had no contract with them.

If you did, then you may be stuffed depending on those T&Cs.

Might be worth a call to Trading Standards.

 

[MYStargazer]

Sometimes, I just want to say bo**ocks to the boat and jack it all in.

Take today for example, I had a spare afternoon, made good progress with the electrics and left the boat a happy man. I then returned home to find an invoice for work done on an engine for the best part of a grand! I'd clearly stated that I wanted a guide price on the costs before the work went ahead and that money was a consideration but it seems I wasn't clear enough!

I can't afford it plain and simple, I'll definitely be selling the inboard now, just to pay for the work done on it!

What a terrible state of affairs.....

There is no obligation in law to pay. As a service to other boat owners, if nothing else, please don't pay.

 

[MYStargazer]

Last year I was charged a whopping £570 for a full service to a D2-55, the service included (only):
oil and filter
fuel filters (primary and secondary)
engine cooling liquid change
adjust engine tappets

That's what I used to pay for a major service on my 4.5-litre V8 TVR Chimaera, including all (specialist TVR - probably the best in the country) and consumables (using Mobil 1). All new belts, spark plugs, the works.

 

[Lakesailor]

A colleague from India said to me when I was telling him of the DIY I do (no only on the boat): "it amazes me how people in the UK are so good and dedicated to DIY. In India we do not do it, labour is so cheap!"

Apples and oranges

 

[TNT]

boats.

In Newcatle we say that if you ever win the lottery you will buy someone you DO NOT like a sailing boat.

 

[Poignard]

Based on what you say, I don't think you ever entered into a contract. No offer, no acceptance equals no contract.

 

[mlines]

Send the invoice back with a note attached saying thank-you for the quote as requested but you will not be taking them up on it on this time!

 

[Appleyard]

Send the invoice back with a note attached saying thank-you for the quote as requested but you will not be taking them up on it on this time!

And whatever you do,keep a copy!

 

[PabloPicasso]

Last year I was charged a whopping £570 for a full service to a D2-55, the service included (only):
oil and filter
fuel filters (primary and secondary)
engine cooling liquid change
adjust engine tappets

It did not include the impeller and air filter that I had changed myself recently.
It started as a £400 deal to do with anti-fouling at cost, nevertheless costs spiralled automagically despite my expectations of savings because of the impeller and air filter.

I know that this year the dealer is laying off people and reducing operations.

I wonder, if they charged more reasonable rates, wouldn't they get more work in?

A colleague from India said to me when I was telling him of the DIY I do (no only on the boat): "it amazes me how people in the UK are so good and dedicated to DIY. In India we do not do it, labour is so cheap!" I said: "well here, even though I have a good job, it costs me less to take unpaid leave and do my DIY then pay somebody to do it for me"

To be very un-PC... ...higher an Inian to the work ??

 

[Robert Wilson]

I'm just a bit tee'd off at the moment. I'd obviously budgeted for the engine, just not this much. I know that the engine will now be in beautiful, tip top condition, but at a cost i'd rather not pay.

I love my boat and all the work that she needs to keep her going, it's just that sometimes I could do without the seemingly constant expense.....

So sorry to hear all that. First of all, fight the engineers - as said above, they should have given you a quote first.

As for the expense, I know exactly how you feel. But I'm afraid that's boats for you. Every way I turn I seem to be hit with more expense - but somehow I, like all of us, manage to find the cash and keep battling on.

GOOD LUCK, and I hope you stay with us.

R

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I too have found marina based companies a bit too quick off the mark once or twice. I asked for a quote (through the marina), and they did the job. However, I didn't chase it as a) the work needed doing and b) there wasn't much option about who could do it; the marina didn't allow outside contractors without special permission, which they didn't grant without imposing dificult conditions.