Bad parts ordering in KY?

[SurferDave]

I split the motor mounted oil tank cap on my 200 EFI Merc and on 8/28 called my local Merc guy to order the part for me. He says that he doesn't have it in stock, but can order it. I tell him to order the part and let me know when it's in to pick up. No problem, he tells me. So today I call and this other guy comes to the phone and tells me that the guy I talked to on Tuesday got busy with another part and didn't order it. He just pushed it aside on a note pad and left it on a desk. Of course, this kinda got me p!$$ed . I guess if I had waited for another week and called it would have been the same story. This is the first part I ever had to order and the first time I've had to deal with this place. Is this normal at other places? Do you folks run into this often? I think that I would rather drive another 100 miles to another dealer than to deal with these guys again. For you East KY guys and girls, it's Cave Run RV & Marine in Salt lick. Anyone find this strange?

[cart7t]

Mistakes happen.  Wait and see how quickly this next cap comes in.  I'd have had it overnighted for your inconvience.  

[RobDar]

...cant really judge the whole operation by one experience. Hey at least they were honest with you about what happened...that is a plus! They could have fed you line!

I do think though that alot of marine dealers, if you have not bought the boat from them,...you get put on the back burner. most marine places will opt to serve a customer who bought their boat there and set aside the guy who didn't...and I have been told exactly that by more than one dealer.

getting service in my area is a bear!

....knowing they had a reputation for being SLOW SLOW SLOW...I gave one dealer 23 days to get my boat tuned and running right before we went on vacation. We ended up picking the boat up on our way to the expressway to go out of town because it was not finished...go to the lake put it in the water and it did not run...

they never finished workig on it...

I had to pull it out of the water and me and the guy from the neighboring resort finished the work and got it running.

The mechanic told me straight up...well we had a few "customers" boats come in so we did not get around to yours.

I have has this happen at two different local places...so now I drive 45 minutes to get my boat serviced at this little hillbilly ( his words not mine) marine service place and they are happy as pie to serve me every time I show up...

but they do not SELL boats...

just repair them...

and I think that is the difference!

[SurferDave]

...cant really judge the whole operation by one experience. Hey at least they were honest with you about what happened...that is a plus! They could have fed you line!

I do think though that alot of marine dealers, if you have not bought the boat from them,...you get put on the back burner. most marine places will opt to serve a customer who bought their boat there and set aside the guy who didn't...and I have been told exactly that by more than one dealer.

getting service in my area is a bear!

....knowing they had a reputation for being SLOW SLOW SLOW...I gave one dealer 23 days to get my boat tuned and running right before we went on vacation. We ended up picking the boat up on our way to the expressway to go out of town because it was not finished...go to the lake put it in the water and it did not run...

they never finished workig on it...

I had to pull it out of the water and me and the guy from the neighboring resort finished the work and got it running.

The mechanic told me straight up...well we had a few "customers" boats come in so we did not get around to yours.

I have has this happen at two different local places...so now I drive 45 minutes to get my boat serviced at this little hillbilly ( his words not mine) marine service place and they are happy as pie to serve me every time I show up...

but they do not SELL boats...

just repair them...

and I think that is the difference!

DELee36,

I have a little small repair shop like that here local and I probably should have gone there too. They don't sell boats, just do service. I just thought the other place should have at least kept track and called me after 4 days to tell me they forgot. Of course, if they forgot I guess they couldn't remember to call me. BTW, I called this place again and he told me that it takes about 2 weeks for parts to get there when they order, so I think I'll go to the service place next time.

[RobDar]

well good luck.

[kybassangler]

I've been ordering my parts from Crowley Marine. They have lookup on the puter. You can look it up yourself and they ship Fedex and fast. Shipping is high but, The part I ordered I was told by a professional was an ungettable part. Was very impressed with them. Good luck.   I have had an experience with that shop I was told my little motor needed broke down and seals put in. by the other shop down the road.  I took it to them for a second opinion and they could have got the work but, they told me the truth.   I do however believe most shops don't like to sell parts unless they can install and get the labor charge.

[SurferDave]

I've been ordering my parts from Crowley Marine. They have lookup on the puter. You can look it up yourself and they ship Fedex and fast. Shipping is high but, The part I ordered I was told by a professional was an ungettable part. Was very impressed with them. Good luck. I have had an experience with that shop I was told my little motor needed broke down and seals put in. by the other shop down the road. I took it to them for a second opinion and they could have got the work but, they told me the truth. I do however believe most shops don't like to sell parts unless they can install and get the labor charge.

kybassangler,

I understand what you're saying about wanting the labor charge. That's how they make their money. I actually looked at the diagram and parts list on Mercury's website and got the cost, just to make sure they weren't going to rip me off. I guess it's a lesson learned. I'll just stay away from them for all my boating needs and go somewhere else and encourage my buddys to do the same.