Mechanic carried out work after we'd only asked for a quote - advice needed

[Never Grumble]

Its akin to popping into a garage leaving the car there for the day for a new battery and then without authorisation hey presto you have some new brake disks and pads and a bigger bill. To me what they have done seems like daylight robbery, but as others have said might you possibly need their services in the future.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

What he said.... albeit reluctantly ?

One thing you have learned from this is that they are happy to do unauthorised work for you, not discuss it with you before doing it, and charge you for it when it doesn't work. In addition, they are not bothered about the customer relations side of things, where a bit of a discount might have left you feeling better about them.

How you use that knowledge is for you to decide.

In these sorts of situations over the years, I have tended to cough up, and never use them again. Unfortunately, as you get older, you can run out of people/shops/businesses to do business with, and you might actually need the yard on your side in the future.

If you want them to fit the new gearbox then I think I'd sit in front of this manager and use Richard's second paragraph at him. Then ask him how he'd go about restoring your faith in their business.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to the situation. All responses are valid .

My two penneth worth is pay up and move on. Particularly if you berth there . I have experienced situations where you need to be lifted out quickly or towed in when losing an engine on a Sunday.

I tend to use one man bands from the outside that report directly even if it needs a visiting cost. Many are often well known to the yard and the costs are waived. As mentioned, any future dealings with boatyards that might involve large sums can be agreed with good old fashioned paper and envelopes with a copy that can be returned and signed. I say this after having worked in two marinas with onsite services.

 

[dutyhog]

When our gearbox of this type was slipping (in reverse, so not so important as your initial problem) we only needed to replace the cone - far less expensive than replacing the whole box. It happened when the Beta was very new, but after warranty.

 

[Stemar]

If you need them to do more work, taking the GB apart, or replacing it, that's going to be a much bigger bill. Could you suggest that they do that work, and lose the original bill?

 

[HissyFit]

Did you really ask only for a quote? By the fact that you let a few days pass before going to see if it had been looked at says to me that you expected a physical diagnosis to be carried out. There should be a bill due for this diagnosis work, but they should have quoted you for that to start with.

As the repair itself was not authorised, and did not achieve the desired outcome, you are perfectly within your right to have them come and restore the removed parts at their cost. If they have 'lost' the removed parts then they should lose the bill.

There are plenty of other places that will be able to do this job (as opposed to not doing the job) that it is no loss to you to go elsewhere. If they are unwilling to do what was asked at reasonable cost then I suggest that that is what you do.

 

[dunedin]

………
There are plenty of other places that will be able to do this job (as opposed to not doing the job) that it is no loss to you to go elsewhere. If they are unwilling to do what was asked at reasonable cost then I suggest that that is what you do.

Actually the point might be that in some/many locations outside the South/East there are NOT “plenty of other“ sources of engineering support. There may be one local engineer - or more likely one local and a few who may travel, and they all know each other well - so if you are perceived to be a slow payer / troublesome customer (and remember which side of the story will be shared within the trade) you could suddenly be left with DIY only.

 

[HissyFit]

Actually the point might be that in some/many locations outside the South/East there are NOT “plenty of other“ sources of engineering support. There may be one local engineer - or more likely one local and a few who may travel, and they all know each other well - so if you are perceived to be a slow payer / troublesome customer (and remember which side of the story will be shared within the trade) you could suddenly be left with DIY only.

A sorry state, but probably very true. In that case it's best not to burn bridges if one can help it, but still there is no way that anyone should pay for unrequested parts that didn't do the job. If one can reconcile the two positions, it is best to be firm but conciliatory.

 

[Tamar]

Rule number one. Put everything in writing first...
Rule number two. See rule number one.
I know this is of little help to you.
Good luck but don't expect a refund.