Does This Sound Unreasonable?

[Outlaw 29]

Just looking for your opinion here. I took my 1998 24' Outlaw in last month to get 3 things done: 1) change the impeller 2) new trim sender and 3) lower unit service. The service manager called and informed me that to get to the impeller pump they would actually have to pull the motor because it was so close to the stringer they couldn't get to it - said would take about 3 hours. I told him okay (I had looked at the impeller pump myself and knew he wasn't lying about how close it was). I got my bill yesterday and for those 3 things they charged me $2,735.00!! I'm going to call them later today, but this seems awfully high for maintenance (absolutely nothing was wrong with the boat other than the trim guage didn't work). What are your thoughts? I only let this marina do the work because I store it there, but BTM is only down the road - I knew I should have taken it to you guys.

Your opinions are appreciated!

Thanks,
Lou

[Caincando1]

:shock: :shock: :shock:

[SuperV]

Dude you are getting hosed! [smilie=249.gif] I would call around and get some rates from others and then settle with them based on the info you get.That is about 2K to much IMO :roll:

[tommynitro]

OUCH!!!!

That does sound a little excessive.! THe pumps on the 24' Outlaws are a pain to get to for sure but they are removable without pulling the engine it just takes a determined tech and some enginuity. You would still be looking at about 3 hrs labor to change it out plus parts so there is about $400 to change out the impeller.
The trim sender can also turn into a chore as the drive has to come off and the gimbal ring removed to get acces to where the sender wires go through the transom plate and route them correctly so they don't leak. I would estimate 5 hrs at the most for that so your looking at around $500 for that procedure , including parts. The out drive service while the drive is off would be fairly straight forward so you looking at about another $175 for that which should put you in the $1100 range plus any haul out fees that may apply if they had to pull it out on thier own trailer etc..... sorry to hear it was such an excessive amount. Not going to second guess another marina because I wasnt there but this is a pretty close figure of what we could have done it for.

Hope it helps and give me a call for a second opinion next time. [smilie=042.gif] [smilie=011.gif]

[Outlaw 29]

Thank Tom!! I won't divulge the name of the marina just yet until they have a chance to redeem themselves, but I will definitely be taking my business to you next time!!

thanks again,
Lou

[waterboy]

If it were me, I would put it on a credit card so I could get my boat back, then dispute the charges. That should bring them around to their senses.
In the meantime, call around and get some approximate estimates for the same work from other marinas or dealers, and offer to settle for a reasonable number.
You will get your boat back, and it should make them get real.

[Hell Ya!]

I would request an itemized break down of the bill, then examine it . If there is a mistake, and it sure sounds like there is, it should stick out like a sore thumb. At this point that portion should be negotiated. If they are trying to rip your lips off they will probably lump it all together. I have found it is better to remain calm and not blow up till you see for sure they aren't going to back up. At this point we hit the SOB so hard his grandma falls over. :evil:

[Steve H]

if they dont budge on the charges NAME THE MARINA [smilie=011.gif]

[Outlaw 29]

After talking with the service manager several times today and getting a (slightly) itemized bill, I discovered that they had decided to replace the coupler because it was stuck on the spline and (according to the manager) took several hours to get off. Unfortunately they did not keep the old coupler so I can't verify this. Parts were around $650 and labor made up the rest (21 hrs). Because of the stuck coupler they ended up having to take out my rear seat. All this is fine and dandy, but I NEVER AUTHORIZED THE WORK. The service manager swears up and down that he talked to me, but I know what a coupler is (I replaced one on my old boat) and definately would have remembered the conversation (especially one involving $2,700). We are working on a compromise (such as split the difference) - should have an answer by Monday afternoon. It's already on my credit card since they had it on file, so last resort I can dispute the charge. I will let you all know how it turns out early next week. If we can't come to an agreement next week I will definately name the marina, but I want to give them a chance first. They are actually very nice people.

Lou

[Outlaw 29]

Well, we settled on a price today. They came down on their labor hours and I came up on what I was willing to pay - we ended up meeting in the middle. So I'm pretty happy about that. Good thing too because I really like their rack storage (hint).

lou

[Shogorowe]

Same thing happened to our family. 2 years ago we took it in to have the transmission cable replaced did $4,000 worth of unauthorized work (put in a new lower unit, the boat had 20 hours). Then when we finally broke down and said we would pay we had a mechanic look at it and the engine was locked up. Now it is back to court. :evil:

[SinkorSwim]

Port ArrowHead Service Department SUCKS!

:shock:

Did I say that.. :oops:

Thank goodness for Central Power & Rigging... [smilie=1074.gif]

[tommynitro]

Glad it all worked out for you, sounds like some miscommunication. Most service departments here at the lake are pretty honest. Believe me, enough stuff breaks on its own, we dont have to create work for ourselves...lol....any way good resolution and give me a call in the future if I can be of any assistance.