Boat Mechanic?

[jeremyt]

After some motor issues that I asked about on here, I decided to take my boat to the only local mech within 30 min. I dropped it off they wrote the ticket up and said that they would call me when it was done. My question is, how long would you guys give a mechanic to diagnose whats wrong. I wasn't told that there would be a holdup when I dropped it off. That being said I understand that in todays economy that many places have cut back on employees to try and make more bucks.

How long would you give a place to get back with you before you go pick your stuff up and go elsewhere. I have a buddy who has since told me that he does his own maintenance and troubleshooting and would help me out. I think I have been reasonable/ patient with the establishment and haven't raised heck yet because once again I am not sure how long this should take.

I will tell you guys how long its been since I dropped my boat off once I get some replies because I really want to know what everyone thinks is reasonable before I really overreact/get angry.

Thanks

Jeremyt

[slonezp]

Find a good mechanic and build a relationship with him. I've had the same boat mechanic(s) for 12 years or so. If I need something done now, they take care of it. If I need something done yesterday, they take care of it. I don't whine about the bill or make things difficult on them, and they don't make things difficult on me.

[jeremyt]

I am looking for a good home town guy here local and not I'm the only game in town so you get what you get. I am really getting p'd off and I think I will pick my boat up tomorrow. I dropped it off on the 11th and they haven't even done so much as touch it yet. I don't think I would be so angry right now if they would have told me up front that it would take this long. I live on the coast so I know the big money is in the offshore boats, but none the less, I shouldn't be treated much different because I have a bass boat.

Thanks for hearing me vent.

[slonezp]

2 weeks is a week and a half too long.

[Sfritr]

Any good mechanic is worth his weight in gold. Be it boat or auto. I make it a point to leave a little extra in my payment for the tech who works on my rig and always round up. If my bill is $75 they get a $100.

[Jig Man]

I use to work at a boat dealership. We were open from 7-7 M-F and 7-2 on Sat. We had 3 mechanics and a full time rigger. Most of the time we were at least 2 weeks behind. So if they are good and see a lot of jobs be patient.

[Fishing Rhino]

What I don't see in your original post is what they told you when you asked them the questions you posed to us. I mean, if you let it go when they said they would call you when it was repaired, then you should be somewhat upset with yourself for not seeking that information from them in the first place.

Have you spoken with them since you dropped it off, or are you just stewing about their lack of performance when it comes to repairing your engine?

Communication is a two way street.

[the crab]

I always ask them how long it should be before I hear anything, that way I know when it's time to start calling. I can also quote them on it later. For example, if they say I should at least hear something in a week and I haven't, I'll call at that time and say "well so and so said they would let me know by Friday".

[jeremyt]

I have been in once a week since I dropped it off to check it out. They keep saying we are getting to it. I know communication is a two way street and that I probably should have asked more up front. I guess I was thinking of it the same way I would my auto guy. If I drop it off with him and its gonna take a while to repair I can understand, but in the same token he will atleast have it troubleshot within a few days. I have had it there almost 3 weeks now and they haven't touched it. I guess now I have no one to be mad at but myself, but it is frustrating.