Marine Air Blower and Experiences with Service Companies FLL
No haven't priced it yet. One member said the unit had to be serviced/oiled
every six months and doing that solved his problem. I just acquired the
boat and don't think it had much work done, especially as hard to get at as
this unit is. So, I'll try that first. Especially before calling out a
service company.
I've found by expensive experience that the service companies around FLL
charge humongous amounts of money just to come out and tell you how much
it's going to cost, including charges and time from their place of business
to the boat. Sunpower charged me $400 to come out and look at a trawler
belonging to a partner of mine(in the boat). They charged extra(1 1/2 hrs)
to leave and come back because they couldn't figure out how to open a gate
that you just reach thru and turn the handle(not a big security gate, just a
little one around pool area). They then finally got on the boat and spent
less than one hour. I was there. They did no repairs, just looked at
engine and checked a couple of things. I was livid and have gotten no
satisfaction from Sunpower. They offered to take off one hour. If this is
the norm for the area, I'll be looking for other alternatives.
Best regards,
Michael Liddle
214-450-0968
Michael:
I am not disputing that the charge is excessive but I wanted to point out
something. The company is paying this guy a salary and providing him or her
with a big truck full of tools and supplies. If he spends the whole morning
driving somewhere and searching out a boat and then driving to the next job
or back to the shop they have to somehow cover this cost. If he gets stuck
in traffic, who is responsible for their time? If they need parts or
something else you are paying them to drive around and find it. The company
providing this service is selling the persons time. The same charge applies
if the guy is driving the truck or working on your boat. They are going to
charge the same rate for an estimate as for a repair. Experienced, well
trained, qualified service people are in short supply and well paid with
all the benefits other industries provide.
There are a couple of thing that you can do to minimize these expenses. If
it is a simple job ask the company to try and combine this call with
another one in a nearby marina. If you see the service truck in your marina
then ask the technician if he can look at your boat while he is there. I
always try to be there when they are working on my boat. One reason is to
watch what they are doing and learn more about my boat. Another reason is
that I become the mechanics helper. I run for parts, hand the mechanic a
tool, or if he did not bring one on the boat hand him mine and in general
try to make this guy more productive.
Most of the time I don't have an issue with what is charged. I was there, I
know how long it took and what went into the repair.
Frank Burrows
I've found by expensive experience that the service companies around FLL
charge humongous amounts of money just to come out and tell you how much
it's going to cost, including charges and time from their place of business
to the boat.
Frank,
I fully understand that and have owned a jet charter and maintenance
company. I could no more get away with charging that kind of fee just to
give an estimate for repair than a man in the moon. That said, I don't deny
them the ability to cover their expense, but this was ridiculous. First, I
was there on the boat and gave then specific instructions on how to get in.
If they want to do business in the FLL area then they shouldn't charge for
travel in the local area. This is a high density boating area, probably the
highest density population of diesel powered boats in the country. They
likely did three other boat orders within a mile radius in just that one
day. The guy no more had to do my boat go back to the shop, go out for
another, then go back to the shop. No way. There are plenty of other
engine and mechanical service companies in the area, many. Sunpower has
been around a while and gets used to charging megayachts for their work and
now charges whatever they think they can get away with, I should have been
more detailed in getting the definition of what they might charge... live
and learn. I have had other companies out to my boat that have looked at
it, given estimates and no charge. Cable Marine, a very well known company
did just that. I try to work with these companies when the repairs are
needed. I just won't be working with Sunpower again.
Best regards,
Michael Liddle
-----Original Message-----
From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of
Frank Burrows
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 11:00 AM
To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
Subject: Re: T&T: Marine Air Blower and Experiences with Service Companies
FLL
Michael:
I am not disputing that the charge is excessive but I wanted to point out
something. The company is paying this guy a salary and providing him or her
with a big truck full of tools and supplies. If he spends the whole morning
driving somewhere and searching out a boat and then driving to the next job
or back to the shop they have to somehow cover this cost. If he gets stuck
in traffic, who is responsible for their time? If they need parts or
something else you are paying them to drive around and find it. The company
providing this service is selling the persons time. The same charge applies
if the guy is driving the truck or working on your boat. They are going to
charge the same rate for an estimate as for a repair. Experienced, well
trained, qualified service people are in short supply and well paid with
all the benefits other industries provide.
There are a couple of thing that you can do to minimize these expenses. If
it is a simple job ask the company to try and combine this call with
another one in a nearby marina. If you see the service truck in your marina
then ask the technician if he can look at your boat while he is there. I
always try to be there when they are working on my boat. One reason is to
watch what they are doing and learn more about my boat. Another reason is
that I become the mechanics helper. I run for parts, hand the mechanic a
tool, or if he did not bring one on the boat hand him mine and in general
try to make this guy more productive.
Most of the time I don't have an issue with what is charged. I was there, I
know how long it took and what went into the repair.
Frank Burrows
I've found by expensive experience that the service companies around FLL
charge humongous amounts of money just to come out and tell you how much
it's going to cost, including charges and time from their place of business
to the boat.
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