Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  03/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I believe ******, ** boat repair shop owner ************************* is committing fraud by continuing to perform unauthorized repairs without my approval in an attempt to charge me more money. On 12/04/2023 I paid ************** $1,139.00 to perform an engine diagnostic. I shared with ************** at that time that I did not agree with the absorbent price and that I believed I was being overcharged. He refused to adjust the price, so I paid him and requested that he NOT perform any further work without my approval of a Good Faith estimate prior. Unfortunately, he ignored my request and on Friday 12/22/2023 he texted me demanding $1900.00 in cash for installing an old used sterndrive that he pulled from a badly damaged boat. After sending him a text message to remind him that I had not approved of the work he sent a shocking response that he is charging another $290.00 plus tax to deinstall the part! After receiving multiple follow-up text messages assuring me that the old damaged-looking used part was good, that he would change the engine oil and filters and winterize the boat at no charge, and while he would not permit the boat to leave his lot until I paid $1900.00, we could place the boat on the lake to demo the part next boating season. Per our conversation if the part did not work he would remove the part and refund me all the money I paid. After receiving this information in writing I agreed to pay $1900 ($1070.00 on 1/10/2024, balance $963 outstanding balance due). During our phone conversation today Monday March 25, 2024 I was shocked again to hear that he is again trying to force me to pay another $800 - $1000.00 for work that was previously included in the $1900.00 total price to r/r the part install propellers, install water hoses, winterize, change oil and filters etc. ************** often looses his temper, expresses extreme anger, shouts and abruptly hangs up the phone. His unhinged attitude causes him to use rude, insulting and demeaning language in his text messages and over the phone in an attempt to intimidate and bully me into paying for charges I have not agreed to pay. I no longer feel safe transacting business with him given he has on multiple occasions, he has attempted to breach the contractual agreement as per the documented invoice.

  Business response

  03/28/2024

  to start with ***** claims i doing things to his boat with no approval.  i have a ticket here that ***************** has signed that has given me approval    no more no less.   well thats would be fine but that didnt happen and ***************** did not come in to pay anything that remains on his boat and didnt come in to remove it from my property.   concerning the old used outdrive as he states.  yes used and yes in perfect condition.  the value of the old used outdrive which is a duo prop ***** sells for about $4,500 that includes a complete drive service. my price to him was $1,900.00 with stailness steel props 2 and throwing in the drive service for. no additional charge. during the winter in cold below freezing temps *********************** has asked me to complete his engine that was apart.  his cooing system was disassembled and no anti freeze was in the engine..he requested that this be assembled and that i put in anti freeze .  this was completed his boat has been here for months and no extra charge was presented to him...  as of fairly recent he has called me to change the oil ion the engine. . .twice i have called him to come and lets take a ride in this boat to show him that everything is perfect and running great..TWICE HE CANCELLED    all thes hoses and cooling system to be assembled,, and winterizeing his engine, and changing the oil was never for a freebe to mr *******..he asked me to do these things he signed to have them done.  they where done.   i dont work for free or give alot away. 

  sir its late in evening and i can only imagine you are not thiing clearly because you are under the influence of something-pain medication alcohol, or both. this os only one of the comments i received from him.  this is my sworn stetment on what really happened with mr ******* and my company.   HE WANTS EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING..the prices i gave him especially on that used drive was a serious deal for him..   i think if covered everything but maybe a lien is know in order..

  Customer response

  03/29/2024

  Reply - BBB Complaint ID: ********
  
  [MB] To start with ***** claims i doing things to his boat with no approval.
  [DS] See attached.  December 2023 ************** installed the sterndrive without my consent or knowledge. After requesting that he NOT perform any additional work without my approval of a Good Faith ********* he continues to try to charge for work over and above our agreed upon invoice.
  [MB] i have a ticket here that ***************** has signed that has given me approval.   no more no less.
  [DS] Attached are the ONLY two invoices I signed.
  [MB] ***************** did not come in to pay anything that remains on his boat and didnt come in to remove it from my property.
  [DS] Attached are the receipts demonstrating I paid ************** $2,209.77 with a balanced of $963.00 due upon successfully testing the part on the lake. If the part fails I am due a refund of $2209.77.
  [MB] concerning the old used outdrive as he states.  yes used and yes in perfect condition.  the value of the old used outdrive which is a duo prop ***** sells for about $4,500 that includes a complete drive service.my price to him was $1,900.00 with stainess steel props 2 and throwing in the drive service for. no additional charge. 
  [DS] See attached photo to validate the parts physical appearance/condition.
  [MB] during the winter in cold below freezing temps *********************** has asked me to complete his engine that was apart.  his cooing system was disassembled and no anti freeze was in the engine he requested that this be assembled and that i put in anti freeze this was completed .  
  [DS] See attached text msg validating the work was to be inclusive of the $1900 total.
  

  PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FOR COMPLETE REPLY

  
  

  Business response

  04/01/2024

  first of all ****************** paid me *******. no more no less.  he owed me 900 more plus tax which totaled 2033.00.  he called me to add other items which i asked him should i add to his existing bill. his comment was yes. i completed this work for him as requested. his total bill is $2730.00 with tax $2921.11.  taking out the ******* he paid his balance is $1,921.11..i have a signed work order that he approved to do the work. plus i installed a gimbal bearing that i did not charge him for.  according to his last marine place and the one before that he did the same thing with payments..

  Customer response

  04/02/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because:

  [MB] he called me to add other items which i asked him should i add to his existing bill. his comment was yes. i completed this work for him as requested. his total bill is $2730.00 with tax $2921.11.  taking out the ******* he paid his balance is $1,921.11.
  [DS] This statement is categorically FALSE. NO SUCH CONVERSTATION TOOK PLACE. I paid ************** $1070.00 towards the $1900.00 total to r/r the complete sterndrive and ensure the boat was water ready the upcoming boating season, includes inspecting surface for rust, adding clear coat of paint, greasing yoke shart universal assembly, inspecting input bearings and races, replacing seals, o-rings, adding engine and gear oil, installing impeller, connecting water hoses, winterization.  The balance of $963.00 is due upon successfully testing the part on the lake. If the part fails ************** agrees to refund me the $1070.00 I paid.
  [MB] i have a signed work order that he approved to do the work. plus i installed a gimbal bearing that i did not charge him for. 
  [DS] I did NOT see the attachment. Please attach signed work order. 
  [MB] according to his last marine place and the one before that he did the same thing with payments.
  [DS] This is a FALSE and DEFAMATORY statement intended to harm my reputation. Under Defamation Law I understand that I may be awarded damages for humiliation, embarrassment, damage to reputation, public disgrace, and distress.  
  

  
  

  Business response

  04/03/2024

  this issue is resolved as far as im concerned. im not playing this game with *****************. he paid me ******* not what he states. the extra work that he ordered is covered by what he paid me.  as far as the drive is concerned no payment was made. i removed my outdrive and he can come and get his boat.  as i stated to *********** applies since last friday at ***** per day. this sign is posted in my office and i informed him this is what it is...he can come and get his boat at any time after he pays the storage. this boat has been here for about 3-4 months..i completed all he requested and im finished. storage is due..after 30days a lien will be placed on it. thanks for your help better business bureau...

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