How would you handle this situation?

[Latimeria]

So, I've been stewing to the point of insanity about my boat since yesterday and trying to calm down.  Let me give you some backstory first before I give you the recent transaction/conversation.

Back in January, I brought my boat into Anglers marine to fix a problem. The motor was pissing out steam in short bursts and barely running. Each time I brought it to them, they replaced something more and more expensive up to a $1,700 part that ultimately didn't need replacing.  I had to bring the boat back to them 5x after they said they fixed it all with the same issues.  When I asked them about the thermostat, they said "it isn't the problem as I've never seen a thermostat go in a newer engine".  I asked them to change it anyway and voila, it was the problem and the fix.  When i went to tell them that the thermostat was the problem and that the motor runs great (after dropping almost $4,000 to fix a $20 part) they took all the credit for saying they discovered it was the thermostat when in fact I was the one who told them to change it... No worry though, the boat was working good again...

Fast forward to this week....

My boat has been in the shop for 6 weeks and when i was ready to take it back for their lack of trying to figure out the problem, they suddenly "found the problem" and had to order a part from Wisconsin .  I also called to ask they check the trolling motor plug 3x and they swore to me that it was checked and working properly even though I remember seeing a corroded wire hanging off of it while I was out on the water 6 weeks ago.....Well, they said the boat was fixed (and dirty) so they would wash it for me before i picked it up.  As I was getting and paying for the repairs, the guy says to me... we hooked you up and only charged you with parts and labor...  Good thing I was wearing a mask or he would have seen what i was about to say... like "What else do you charge for?  Boat storage while you work on a boat?"  I didn't say it, but struggled not to say it at the time.  Then he tells me after I paid $400, that they changed the part, but the motor still is stalling.  they played with idle and it's running, but they can't guarantee it won't have the same problem.

Now I'm a little steamed and asked about the trolling plug once again and they told me it was checked and working.  My plans were to take it out today for a shakedown run, so I plugged in the trolling motor to make sure it was working and nothing.  No contact what-so-ever, so i took my volt meter to it.  NOTHING... 



I take my phone camera and get a picture to see  if I could find the problem...  This is what my camera showed...  Huh, no wired attached....



Totally corroded off....



Now how did everything work great for him without the power cable corroded off the plug?  Hmmm??  You know the answer...
My shoulder is shot, so it was painful to have me remove the plug, but I was so pissed off, I fought through the pain.

f@cking liar never even looked at the plug..



Now to the motor which was the original reason I brought it into the shop.  It would run fine in the driveway, but not run under a load when I brought it in.  I checked the motor to see if there was a clean part on it to prove they fixed it and realized they wiped down the entire motor, so you don't even know if they changed anything.  i was grateful for the cleaning, but soon to realize it might have been cleaned for other purposes.

immediately after starting the motor, it was stalling and cutting out.  10x worse then when i brought it in.  I felt like I was in some sort of nightmare.  I called them up to let them know of what i found and one of the workers said they would have someone call me back before they close to figure it out.  10 minutes before they closed and I had to call them back because they didn't and the same kid(?) answered and had the lamest excuses that a customer never wants to hear.  "Well there was a guy here who dropped $5,000 and we never found the problem.  That's how things go sometimes..."  SERIOUSLY?

Since Justin or Lee wouldn't get on the phone, I made sure the kid would tell them that I would be reaching out to them soon, either by phone or coming down to the shop. 

I drank a ton last night to try and wipe that memory and anger out of my system, but woke up just as mad as i was last night.

So, with that back story... i need some calmer heads to tell me what you would do next.  I am not thinking straight right now and just want to get as much input as possible so i can make a better and more informed "Next Step".  I think the thing that is most enraging me is all of the blatant lies to my face, but between that and I might have shoulder surgery by the time this thing is fixed and not able to use it in maybe 5 months is giving me mini strokes.

So, how would you handle this situation?  My current way of thinking how I would handle it is not appropriate, so please, only serious replies wanted.

[sasquatch]

Damn. That sucks.

Obviously they are not the shop to deal with in the future.

I'm not sure taking it back to them is the answer, but you need to deal with the owner of the circus, not the monkeys. In person. Calmly.

I think your best shot is to get your money back for a repair that wasn't done. You brought it to be repaired, they didn't. I also think your chances of success there are slim.

Let me know if you want a hand reaching that plug.

[jrodda]

I agree with Steve all the way. You might be able to get some money back with the clear proof they didn't work on the trolling motor etc. And the quicker you get the boat fixed by more helpful folks the quicker you'll be relieved.

[skrilla]

Owner, lawyer, BBB, Refund. In no particular order. You got pics and the facts. Would really hurt them if word got around about their level of professionalism. Looked at their reviews and looks like you were lucky they even cleaned any part of your boat. What goes around comes around.

[Latimeria]

So I called a more reputable Mercury Dealership to fix my motor and they said "No problem, we'll be able to find and fix the problem... The next available spot we could fit you in is at the end of January..."

Ughhh.  I told them I'll call back.  It looks like I won't be boat fishing until after my surgery + 4-6 months.  Maybe it was the universe telling me something or warning me of something.

[sasquatch]

Well sh!t.

[Tim524]

I hope you didn't pay cash !  If not call credit card co. and stop payment or fight the charges. Give the boat place bad reviews and let the owner know you know lots of boat owners that won't do business with them. Sucks you have to fight for proper service and poor workmanship, I'm pissed off for you as well

[vdisney]

I kind of stayed away from this Tom until I could give it some thought.  Sometimes it's better to lick your wounds and walk away, I can't see you getting anywhere with the shop.  The end of January sounds like "forever", but by next spring you will have forgotten about it if they can fix it right.  My biggest concern is your shoulder, good luck with the repairs on it.  Take care my man.................

[Latimeria]

Thanks guys for the reply.  I'm still a bit heated over this, but I'll figure something out.

[Latimeria]

Still Haven't said anything or written any reviews as I'm still bent even after a week.  I'm probably going to go in to talk to them even though I know it is probably not a good idea.  Still pondering what to do...