Wow I feel really dumb now

[cheappc]

My 1995 sportster, I gave my boat to a local mechanic shop 5 weeks ago. I gave him $500 dollars cash down to fix it, to let me know everything it needs and to call me than Ill give him the go ahead to fix it.

He told me that I blew a piston, that he is machining the crank, that he is waiting for a oil pump, that I need a new starter?

Now he is telling me now that he is waiting for the crank and the oil pump. That they havent delivered it to him yet. I understand maybe he got other work that was easier and that would give him more money than my work, and probably faster to get it done.

How can I tell that he is doing all of this, he is charging me $1900 ($100 more for the starter) for all this work.

The joke about all this is that back to school season will be here, and summer will be over when he is finally done with my boat...

This sucks!

 

[ThreeD]

Work first, payment second.....You could have posted some pics of the parts in question. We could have helped identify if it did in fact need replacement!

 

[cheappc]

I did, but it was out of league for me to fix it, the compression read zero on one cylinder I felt I had no choice but to take it to someone.

I believe the mechanic is reputable, I just feel that maybe he put me on the back of all his work.

 

[ThreeD]

Gotcha. Well, I guess since he already has your money, His priority towards your boat proabaly went down.

 

[RFoster130]

$1900, wow. You could have bought a new motor with a warranty cheaper.

 

[cheappc]

Wow I totally feel dumb!

I just checked with Berts Mega Mall they have a 2010 Speedster for $15,000, on a 10 to 15 year term it would be $168 a month?

Now Im understanding why people buy new boats! I love my used boat, but it sucks to be out of commission half the summer!

And yes I gave the mechanic only $500 dollars, but I guess that is a lot of money, it just sucks man. I dont think he did anything with my boat, just giving me the run around.... Now I could have bought a used engine from SBT and have someone throw it in there, it would have been faster and cheaper...

 

[timhood]

Let me reiterate what ThreeD said, in case you missed it. Don't prepay for service work of any kind, whether it's your car, boat, PWC, whatever. Any professional shop that wants up-front money should be questioned. They have cash flow issues or have burned bridges with their suppliers (probably for late or non-payment). Your cash deposit will likely be used to buy the parts for the guy who came in before you. It could be that you're waiting for the next guy to put his money down so he can buy the parts for your repair.

Think of it this way: if this guy were to go out of business right now, you're out $500. If you hadn't given him anything, you wouldn't be out anything. Hopefully your service goes well. Whatever you do, don't pre-pay any more!

 

[cheappc]

OK!

You guys are right!

I told the mechanic I wanted to take it to our family annual lake piru trip, it sucks he knew that and it doesnt matter, You think it could really take 5 weeks for an oil pump to get here? or for the crank to be machined?

 

[Meme N Pop]

Ummmm no !!!

 

[cli55er]

you're getting screwed.....

 

[captain scale]

I would have bypassed the pump and premixed and bought a new Hot Rods crank and be done with it!

 

[daverade]

pick up boat and demand a refund...

 

[ocod]

I would have bypassed the pump and premixed and bought a new Hot Rods crank and be done with it!

you should consider this. It is very easy and eliminates his excuse. If you get a new motor like other suggested they tell you to pre mix.

pick up boat and demand a refund...

bring him the parts and use that money for his 5-6 hours of labor to take out and put new motor in.

you're getting screwed.....

Don't feel bad. I got goosed 400+ bucks for jet pumps
I was told I was being snaked but went along w/it. Giving shop chance to make it right by putting in new wear ring/bearings so I have a backup set or buy them?? We'll see how that goes.

Wow I totally feel dumb!

I just checked with Berts Mega Mall they have a 2010 Speedster for $15,000, on a 10 to 15 year term it would be $168 a month?

Now Im understanding why people buy new boats! I love my used boat, but it sucks to be out of commission half the summer!

And yes I gave the mechanic only $500 dollars, but I guess that is a lot of money, it just sucks man. I dont think he did anything with my boat, just giving me the run around.... Now I could have bought a used engine from SBT and have someone throw it in there, it would have been faster and cheaper...

To sit outside half the year. No thanks.
Get yourself the manual join the membership these boats are easy to fix.
Nothing to repair or replace a 2 stroke motor. Cables breaking seam to be a problem that can be expensive but most things are DIY if you have the time and patience..

$1900, wow. You could have bought a new motor with a warranty cheaper.

Fullbore I've read is better than SBT b/c they rebuild your own motor.

This is my first jet boat and had a 24' I/O that was lemon.
I'm getting use to reading up as much as I can so I know what to expect.
GL w/it