Boat job ethics

[pugwash]

Boatyard engineer: "Why don't you fit a direct-drive water pump to the front of your engine, it will save all those belt problems and be so easy to access?"

Me: "Good thinking. Let's do it."

Engineer: "Sorry, it doesn't fit. Fifty quid please."

They're good people, I'm not being connned. And of course I will pay up. But should I? What are the ethics here?

 

[Mirelle]

Yeah, I've had a couple of those. I've learned to select and deal with only the grumpiest, most pessimistic engineers and boatyard managers.

 

[spannerman]

As an engineer myself I wouldn't pay up, if he was going to suggest a modification to your engine he should at least have checked it fitted before taking on the job, sounds like he's not much of an engineer to me IMHO.

 

[Ross1]

Don't pay. There is too many people out there happy to take your money for sweet F.A. If its not the government, its the garage, or the dentist! (10mins at dentist for £50)...

I try to operate professional work ethics and the best customer service, especially as repeat custom and reputation are essential! It annoys me how many people could'nt give a [--word removed--] and offer no customer service, especially if you've already paid!

Sorry to rant.........

 

[Koeketiene]

They are all at it - conversation I had with the car garage 4 weeks ago.

Garage: fuel pump's gone - new one + installing it will be around 1K.
Me: how much is the part?
Garage: dunno
Me: how much is the labour?
Garage: dunno
Me: so where's the 1K coming from?
Garage: dunno - but that's what this job usually costs
Me: in that case - forget it. 1K is more than the car's worth.
Garage: Oh - how much would you spend?
Me: if it's over 500 - forget it.
Garage: I'll get back to you.

Garage: Mr V. - we've had another look. We could do it for 490 - all in.
Me: go ahead then.

Some days later I pick up the car and am asked to pay 420 - bargain.
At the end of the day I get another phonecall.
Garage: it seems we forgot to charge you VAT.
Me: I fail to see how that's my problem.
Garage: like that, is it?
Me: you bet

 

[tcm]

Technically, it was entirely his idea. It's like someone offering to clean the windows -only to find his ladder is too short.

In practice, however, the person who makes the demand may not have the grasp of capitalist economics to recognise the issue.

Thus you *can* refuse to pay. But you shd also be ready for him never to work for you again, and for the next more commercially-aware guy to charge more over the longer term. Think of this in the style of an employer - technically, you pay for what they've done but the underlying dynamics are that you're paying for them to do the same again tomorrow and the day after that.

 

[trouville]

A very good mechanic used and in demand told me that these days unless you charge a lot the client will go else where!

He showed me two examples i went along with him to many boats to give a hand pass his tools as i was learning from him one boat. The owner said the engin wouldent start we came along he tightend up the battry cable after perhaps half an hour including the walk along the key charge nothing!

He said just wait hell call another mechanic! Sure enough he did and the mechanic had to come from accross the island he checked spent half an hour charged £80 and left to join his Father and i for coffee!(Italy)

 

[chinita]

I didn't know there was any other sort!

 

[Twister_Ken]

It's just the same in Suthics as well.

 

[Hugh Foulis]

Pugwash, what exactly are you paying for? The engine is still the same, there is no difference to your boat except your wallet is 50 quid lighter. If you are going to pay up, can I suggest a huge number of improvements that you can't make to your set up, I will be much cheaper than the last guy? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[mikefleetwood]

Actually, on re-thinking - He's got a bit of a cheek billing you for something he didn't actually do!

Surely his response should have been either "Sorry mate I couldn't do it, so no bill" or "It is more difficult than I thought, do you still want me to do it - but it will cost more?". Then the ball's in your court - walk away or pay more to get it done.

Bear in mind, it was the engineer's idea, not yours.

 

[KREW2]

I think you've got away lightly.
We all know boats are expensive things to work on, it could easily been a £1000 job he was unable to do!!!

 

[PhilipH]

Agree with others - don't pay up.

I had:

Me: I would like a 2kw pure sine wave inverter fitted

Them: Given what you want it for, it would be cheaper if you fitted a 200 watt pure sine wave and a 2kw modified sine wave.

Me: Ok go ahead.

Them: oops we fitted both as pure sine waves, please pay up £700.

Me: come and change it at my convenience, send me a replacement and I'll fit it, wait until I'm where you are (possibly not until 2008).

Them: it's not fair you can afford it.

Me: bugger off

 

[colingray3]

Quote: "Think of this in the style of an employer - technically, you pay for what they've done but the underlying dynamics are that you're paying for them to do the same again tomorrow and the day after that."


Ouch, paying over and over for a job that doesn't fit would not make of me a smiley bloke!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Sure that's not what you meant though!
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Richard10002]

Is this someone you need to use over and over again, and that you have a good relationship with? (you say they are good people, so it would seem so).

If so, I would ask exactly the same question as you are asking here.

If I didnt get the right response, I would start to think about taking my work elsewhere, (if reasonably feasible to do so... even if it meant moving the boat). If I didnt really have a choice over using them, and boat location, I would pay up and never really trust him/them again.

Good Luck

Richard

 

[bumblefish]

My girl was in Gosport for a good few months while I asked for a couple of jobs to be done, nothing in 3-4 months! So, off we go on the back of a transport to Brighton and since then they have all been undertaken, so far happy with Mick West, Garth GRP, Terry Pachol and SMR (Mike Stevens), The yard, under Eddie, have been very friendly and very helpful. Complaints? The oiks who threw rocks through my sprayhood!