Mechanic to avoid

[zacs]

If I were you, I would avoid:

Wood Boat & Motor in Warwick, RI.

They misdiagnosed my 150HP Evinrude Ficht outboard.

They told me I need a new EMM (computer), as it was not sending voltage to the coils. This was going to cost over $1000 for the part plus labor and take over a month to get the part. They claim to have tested the entire fuel system and it was working. They charged me $123 for the time spent on the diagnosis.

The next morning I brought it to anther mechanic. In 10 minutes I was hooked up to his system and the EMM tested fine. In another 45 minutes he had tested the fuel system and found a faulty lift pump. I am happy to report that my boat is now fixed and on the water again. For a total cost of $421.

I confronted Wood Boat & Motor about their mis-diagnosis, and asked them to refund the $123 for the bad diagnosis. They said that was for time spent on the motor, whether they were correct or not, and will not refund. They said I can't prove they did anything wrong. I said I think my boat cruising down Narragansett Bay is proof enough.

I feel a good mechanic would apologize that they got it wrong, and refund the $123.

I advise you to avoid Wood Boat & Motor in Warwick, RI at all costs.

[MakoMike]

Zac,
dispute the charge on your credit card, the least the scum bag could have done was to apologize. They certainly would have charged you the grand if you gave them the opportunity. Stupid or crooked, it all comes out the same.

[zacs]

I will mike.

I said, "if I went with you, you would have fixed the computer and I would have been out big bucks for something that didn't need repair."

They said, "if we found it didn't need to be fixed we would have told you."

How would they have known after they did they repair that the old was actually fine?????

you be the judge....

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Stupid or crooked, it all comes out the same.

I couldn't say it better myself.

Zac

[Sluggoslinger]

Thank god you took it to another place. Sounds pretty sketchy to me... that whole taking the hose off business.

It is hard to find a good boat mechanic with all the duds out there. Looks like you added another one to the list!

[beamie]

Zacs,

You did good by going to your buddy elsewhere and I can feel your frustration.

Not all mechanics can be the best. Just like not all fisherman catch 50's. They have less experience and will learn over time. An apology should have been given, but I think that the bill should be payable, they did spend time diagnosing a problem although it was the wrong thing.

After they put in the new computer they would have been telling you that the lift pump is bad also.

Since you were there, you know the feeling you get from the guys and whether they were scum or not and judging by your posts they were.

[Sluggoslinger]

Any update on this? Did they offer your money back yet?

[spence]

The good old second opinion

You can dispute the charges, but I'd doubt you could get the money back. I'd wager they have a sign or you signed something stating that it was non-refundable.

-spence