Paleros Service is to Bad

charles_reed

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I have no direct experience of them but there have been many reports of their incompetence and questionable business ethics in the pages of the Cruising Association. They were the selected repair company at Messolonghi but I believe have now been ejected due to many complaints.

Hope you manage to find a solution to your problems.
Many have suffered the incompetence and rapacity of Paleros - their association with Messolonghi was terminated after 5 months - if Jo had taken my advice they'd never have been allowed there, but he needed the injection of some expertise in boat-propping.
 

charles_reed

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I spent five days last week on the pontoon occupied by a large number of their customers, several of whom I spoke to. (they are easily identified as each flies a Paleros house flag). None expressed any dissatisfaction which is why I am surprised at so much negative comment. The German owner of the pristine eleven year old Island Packet next to us was particularly satisfied with their maintenance and guardianship. I have no connection with them but the good people of Lefkas marina seem satisfied. What was their "crime" in Messolonghi? Do you know? I would suspect though that their operatives might not be as skilled or experienced in ALL the disciplines they offer. For electrics, I would have gone to the raymarine man on the main road opposite the marina or the large chandlery which is left out of the main gate, sharp right at the refuse tip gates (holding my nose in a southerly) and just along on the right after the larger Carrefor s'market but like I said, I prefer to do my own.

Chas
It all depends on the specialist Paleros sub-contracts.
I'm afraid most of those who are any good won't deal with him any more.
Their "crimes" in Messolonghi were charging for jobs they hadn't done, failing to send copies of their invoices to the marina office and generally making a pig's ear of it.
They also have a reputation as "undesirable" amongst competitors and (most importantly) surveyors in Greek waters - perhaps Charles S should learn something about the arts of market surveys and obtaining ratings.
 
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robertpaleros

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Paleros Yacht Services provides good services on request of owners

Good time of day. Immediately apologize for my English. The essence of my message in the following. I put my boat on the maintenance and improvement of the dock company Paleros. Order from them:
A. The installation of the instrument Raymarine E9 and its setting.
Two. The installation of solar panels and connecting it to power my boat system.

The company has agreed to my terms. I paid for the work they have been met. Then I set sail from the port of Lefkada in the Black Sea, but in the Strait of Baspor not far from Istanbul, the true test is not due to mounting solar panel fell off. Not only is my navigator E9 began to show no true test data. In response to my complaint or as a firm is not responding. The phone can not take, do not respond to e-mail. My opinion is a bad company and not have to work with them. Such an attitude towards the customer is not good. I am very disappointed in this service.

Regards to all. Please support me and leave your opinion.

Dear Sir,
It is important when somebody has a complaint to mention all facts. When you requested from the company Paleros Yacht Services to manufacture to you a frame for solar panel of 25 mm stainless steel they did. They have informed you that the thickness of the frame should be accordingly to your use. In the Ionian Sea you will see many frames for solar panels made by thickness of 25mm. This does of course not mean that the thickness is enough for a storm or a passing of an ocean. We have informed you that a strong solar panel frame should be made out of a frame of 40 - 50 mm. Your request was to make a frame out of 25mm stainless steel tube. This we did and nothing more. Also a 40 - 50 mm stainless steel frame will not do magical things. If you are cached by a storm, you should need to undertake appropriate measurements to ensure safety of equipment and crew. This should be know by every person, crew, captain who is on a yacht. Sails should be take down, reefed on time, when wind and/or weather is changing. Nobody can accuse, the sail, the yacht, when ripped apart if captain does not undertake safety measurements on time.
 

sailaboutvic

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I spent five days last week on the pontoon occupied by a large number of their customers, several of whom I spoke to. (they are easily identified as each flies a Paleros house flag). None expressed any dissatisfaction which is why I am surprised at so much negative comment. The German owner of the pristine eleven year old Island Packet next to us was particularly satisfied with their maintenance and guardianship. I have no connection with them but the good people of Lefkas marina seem satisfied. What was their "crime" in Messolonghi? Do you know? I would suspect though that their operatives might not be as skilled or experienced in ALL the disciplines they offer. For electrics, I would have gone to the raymarine man on the main road opposite the marina or the large chandlery which is left out of the main gate, sharp right at the refuse tip gates (holding my nose in a southerly) and just along on the right after the larger Carrefor s'market but like I said, I prefer to do my own.

Chas

Chas , the problem is the Marina really only wants company from the Marina to do work in the Marina , which I think is very unfair for any Marina to have this policy , it is your boat and you should be aloud to pick any one who you think will do the job in the manner you want it done , off cause we know the reason why marinas have this policy , and it nothing to do with black money or workmen who are not insured , that just there excused .

I read Robert Paleros reply , apologies if we not been in formed and you have replied to the OP , but maybe sir if you have replied to the OP this posting wouldn't be on here given your company a bad name , I have to say , I have had no work done by yourself so I can't comment but I found your chandlers had such a bad attitude every time I went in there that I stop useing them and went to the one out side the Marina where not only he was very helpful to the extend of ordering part that arrive the next day , but always offered some kind of discount without being asked . Engine servicing part , Anchor chain , dinghy plus all the other stuff you lost around 2000 euros of bussinss from me alone , I also notice most of the other people who stayed in the Marina was using the chandlers out side the Marina for the same reason , maybe you might like to look into that too .
 
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robertpaleros

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Chas , the problem is the Marina really only wants company from the Marina to do work in the Marina , which I think is very unfair for any Marina to have this policy , it is your boat and you should be aloud to pick any one who you think will do the job in the manner you want it done , off cause we know the reason why marinas have this policy , and it nothing to do with black money or workmen who are not insured , that just there excused .

I read Robert Paleros reply , apologies if we not been in formed and you have replied to the OP , but maybe sir if you have replied to the OP this posting wouldn't be on here given your company a bad name , I have to say , I have had no work done by yourself so I can't comment but I found your chandlers had such a bad attitude every time I went in there that I stop useing them and went to the one out side the Marina where not only he was very helpful to the extend of ordering part that arrive the next day , but always offered some kind of discount without being asked . Engine servicing part , Anchor chain , dinghy plus all the other stuff you lost around 2000 euros of bussinss from me alone , I also notice most of the other people who stayed in the Marina was using the chandlers out side the Marina for the same reason , maybe you might like to look into that too .

Dear Sir,
We are not normally on the forum. For this reason you also did not see a reply. I believe that if somebody has a problem, he has to deal with it directly. It is in my personal opinion not correct to try to damage the name of a company because you heard something from somebody. Please note that I am open for any suggestion. I am happy to inform you, that our staff in the chandlery has changed. I agree completely with you that the staff in the chandlery should be friendly, helpful and correct. Of course you know also, that it is not possible to please everybody and people should be free to buy wherever they want. Of course all our products have prices on them and we cannot give to everybody and for everything a discount. We are of course always willing to discuss discounts, when a customer wants to buy several items. All our customers are valuable and I assure you that we always will try our out most best to assist everybody. As you maybe know, we are one of the biggest repair companies in the Ionian, with an own staff of more than 20 employees, hundreds of clients pass from us every year, and every client is for us valuable, now and in the future. If you have any problem, please contact me directly and I will assist you, and any other valuable customer, as much as possible.
 

rotrax

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I have never understood why some posters on forums find it necessary to be aggressive, arrogant and rude. We know nothing about the OP, his boat, his abilities or physical condition.

He clearly says he sailed from 'the port of Levkada'. It is a reasonable assumption that he used the services of the Paleros based there.

I am with you here Vyv-it was a very patronising post. Those of us who have the skill and knowlege to carry out most tasks on our boats are fortunate. Those who dont should not be picked out for critisism-or in this case, scorn.................................
 

Chris_Robb

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I am with you here Vyv-it was a very patronising post. Those of us who have the skill and knowlege to carry out most tasks on our boats are fortunate. Those who dont should not be picked out for critisism-or in this case, scorn.................................

Guys - as this is a 3 year old post - do you remember that Charles Swallow was the Nom de plume of a certain individual - also quite outspoken:encouragement: based in Corfu. Charles Swallow was his abusive schizophrenic alter ego.
 

prv

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I love the irony in the OP posted because he couldn't get a timely response from Paleros and three years later he gets his reply.

And all that Mr Paleros has achieved is to bring this thread back up to the surface so that we get a second chance to read about his failings :). I didn't see it the first time round, I'd never heard of Paleros until five minutes ago, but now I know that I should avoid him. Good work! :encouragement:

Pete
 

Bertramdriver

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Oh deep joy. I've just booked my Bertie in for some serious 220 volt rewiring next week. The decision was made after having them on board to sort out a nasty and potentially dangerous electrical problem last autumn. The work was done to UK standards and although not cheap, I was happy. Mr Meyer has been through the loop of switching 110 volt to 220 several times, including his own boat, so he knows the game.
I suspect they're ejection from messalonghi had more to do with the sh*t that was flying around the whole project at the time, and which now is laid to rest (I hope)
So readers I reckon Paleros is only as good as the checks you do after the work is finished and Messelonghi is always worth a visit.
 

ITH

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First class service from Paleros

Our experience of Paleros Yacht Services (PYS) in Levkas marina seem to be at odds with many of these posts; but it is our direct experience and not re-cycled versions of other stories. During two years sailing Carpe Diem in the Ionian (to October 2014) we have used PYS for guardienage, electrical and mechanical work, and some minor rigging. They have, with one exception (involving the replacement of a faulty TicTac instrument), given us good value work with no subsequent faults or problems. Their approach to customers (certainly to us) was thorough, their costings were honest. When we found ground in the narrow section of the Canal - thanks to the demon dredgers -and were left in an embarassing, if not dangerous situation they appeared in their rib, sorted us out, and didn't charge us anything.

So from a personal perspective I would be happy to recommend them as a trusted and competent supplier. I would echo the advice already given, to contact their head man Robert Meyer in any difficulties: we found him amenable, knowledgeable and helpful. Also Bertramdriver's point is a good one - to check work once completed: it would have avoided the one problem we did have.
 

charles_reed

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I have no direct experience of them but there have been many reports of their incompetence and questionable business ethics in the pages of the Cruising Association. They were the selected repair company at Messolonghi but I believe have now been ejected due to many complaints.

Hope you manage to find a solution to your problems.

They were the appointed agents for about six months, for Messolonghi marina, despite my warning Jo that they had an appalling reputation in their home port of Gouvia.
Some people have had well-conducted repairs - mainly due to the fact that the sub-contractor was a competent one - but many of the good contractors prefer to not be associated with them.
Robert Meyer is a very charming man - his (and his customers') misfortunes may have more to do with lack of administrative competence than with any more sinister factors.
 
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longjohnsilver

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I'm quite surprised that you recall a job, and not a particularly significant job at that, carried out 3 years ago and then come on here to reply to a 3 year old thread. You state that you have over 20 employees and carry out hundreds of jobs each year, what makes this one stand out amongst all those hundreds?
 

ITH

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Good cop bad cop!

Vyv, I would normally defer to your considerable experience, and you will doubtless have seen my previous response regarding the services of PYS. However, I have scanned the various pages of the Cruising Association, and cannot find "many reports of their incompetence and questionable business ethics," which you quote - perhaps I am not looking hard enough?

I found three main 'sources': David Toynbee, who gave a blanket condemnation of the company, but could not be bothered to reply to my query about his remarks: Charles Reed who started off by saying "Many have suffered the incompetence and rapacity of Paleros. . . " then to subsequently qualify his remark by saying that "It all depends on the specialist Paleros sub-contracts . . " whatever that means. Finally Christopher Robb who had a problem with damage caused by a trailer.

Not exactly what could be described as overwhelming evidence of chicanery and incompetence?

I should repeat that I have no direct experience of the Missolonghi saga, I have only experience of PYS in Levkas.
 

vyv_cox

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Vyv, I would normally defer to your considerable experience, and you will doubtless have seen my previous response regarding the services of PYS. However, I have scanned the various pages of the Cruising Association, and cannot find "many reports of their incompetence and questionable business ethics," which you quote - perhaps I am not looking hard enough?

I found three main 'sources': David Toynbee, who gave a blanket condemnation of the company, but could not be bothered to reply to my query about his remarks: Charles Reed who started off by saying "Many have suffered the incompetence and rapacity of Paleros. . . " then to subsequently qualify his remark by saying that "It all depends on the specialist Paleros sub-contracts . . " whatever that means. Finally Christopher Robb who had a problem with damage caused by a trailer.

Not exactly what could be described as overwhelming evidence of chicanery and incompetence?

I should repeat that I have no direct experience of the Missolonghi saga, I have only experience of PYS in Levkas.

I suggest you look again. I put 'Paleros' into the search box and found at least half a dozen adverse comments on the first page. A couple were from Chris Robb as you say but all the others were from a variety of folk.
 
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I never have understood why so many people rely upon outside contractors to fit bits of "toy" kit to "toy" ships.

I do ALL my own and if I had to go to sea in a vessel of which I didn't understand the workings of EVERY device, well, I just wouldn't do it.

HM Ships never do! Plenty of decent courses out there if you care to look.

EDIT Incidentally, I trust that the OP-er is willing to dis-associate his comments from a similarly named company in Lefkas marina?

Chas

Something to be said for that, but not the way you said it. Personally I do 99% of mine, welding and sail repairs the 1%, and in addition to courses there is a whole library of experience and advice right here, my experience here has been just ask and thou shalt receive in spades.
 
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