Bill's Midway Marina

*Mr. [redacted] brought his boat into our dealership for service
in May.  Mr. [redacted] was explicitly told
that our service area was weeks out and it may be July or later before it could
be scheduled in.  He was fine with the
response.
*Mr. [redacted]...

claimed the problem with his engine was no
spark.  Before this could even be
diagnosed properly, the boat needed to be re-wired from the start switch to
choke switch due to an intermittent contact issue in the start switch.  It was noted to the customer that a new start
switch was needed due to the intermittent contact problem, but the customer did
not want it ordered because the new switch would not arrive prior to the start
of his vacation. 
*Following this, the no spark issue was diagnosed as a
faulty CDI box and was successfully repaired with a new CDI unit. 
*After resolving the no spark issue, the engine would not
remain running due to a significant ethanol build up in the carburetor which is
usually the result of using poor quality fuel. 
The customer was notified of the additional issue and agreed to a
carburetor rebuild.
*After the carburetor rebuild, the motor ran but would not
shut off.  After further diagnosis, this
problem was due to loose connections and a bad ground in the stop circuit.  This additional issue was repaired by
soldering and tightening wires and connections.
*Upon demonstrating the motor running to the customer, it
would not shut off.  The reason was due
to a loose solder joint mainly because of old wiring.  It was repaired while the customer
watched.  Following this, the motor was
started and shut off 6-8 times in the presence of the customer.  The customer commented “Boat has never started
this easy.”  He was very happy with the
work performed on his engine. 
*The customer used his boat for 4 days on his vacation after
picking his boat up from our dealership. 
As for the engine issue after 4 days, it could be attributed to an
unrelated mechanical issue or operator error. 
Hence, after being towed in, the customer clearly stated that the engine
started the next morning, as well as upon arrival back to our dealership.  It may have been flooded from trolling. 
*As per customer’s request, we re-wired the boat back to
original starter switch with the intermittent contact issue at no additional
cost.
*There was no board insert present when the boat was dropped
off for service.  When the customer
picked the boat up, the employee looked, double checked with the mechanic that
worked on the boat and he notified that there was no board present.

Review: Provided & charged for unneeded/unrequested wiringRequested services lasted for 4 days requiring boat to be towedLoss of ancillary equipment left at shop with motor5-18-14Took boat in to Bill's Midway Marina no spark. Was advised that repairs by the middle of June would be no problem. 6-12 or 6-13-14 I called to check on progress & the father said "I know we shouldn't make promises but nothing could be done" I told him don't do anything I would pick up motors (a 9.9hp was also left for repairs) the following day [redacted] called back & advised they would get it in over the weekend.6-24-14 Picked boat up, long after promised date. Employee started motor to show running but couldn't turn it off. Said that a solder joint must have come loose. I waited while they fixed, paid $951.81 & took boat.6-26-2014 While testing motor, found that motor had been rewired so electric choke button was now the starter button, they must have thought it was the starter button. There was nothing wrong with the starter button when I took it in, it worked with the engine in neutral and the key on. Was leaving for a week vacation, boat was running so took it with the plan of bringing it back later. At no time were old parts offered or give to me7-2-2014 In Ocean City. Boat ran for 4 days & stopped. Had to be towed. Advised [redacted] by email & was answered to bring back on return.7-7-2014 Took boat back advised [redacted] of problem and her answer to everything, even unnecessary rewiring was " It ran when it left here" & would not even acknowledge or discuss unnecessary rewiring. Left boat for re-repair.7-8-14 Received email boat ready to be picked up.7-9-14 Picked boat up. [redacted]'s father said there would be no refund. I also picked up a 9.9hp that was left for work. When I asked for board insert that fitted in the auxiliary motor bracket an employee said "Yeah, I'll get it" After it couldn't be found the father said "you have no board". I left taking both motors & boat.Desired Settlement: Refund unneeded services, Discount requested service that lasted 4 days, Replace or pay for replacement auxiliary motor mount board insert, Pay for required boat towing and pay for mileage of 2, what should have been unnecessary round trips from Pittsburgh to Conneaut Lake

Business

Response:

*Mr. [redacted] brought his boat into our dealership for service

in May. Mr. [redacted] was explicitly told

that our service area was weeks out and it may be July or later before it could

be scheduled in. He was fine with the

response.

*Mr. [redacted] claimed the problem with his engine was no

spark. Before this could even be

diagnosed properly, the boat needed to be re-wired from the start switch to

choke switch due to an intermittent contact issue in the start switch. It was noted to the customer that a new start

switch was needed due to the intermittent contact problem, but the customer did

not want it ordered because the new switch would not arrive prior to the start

of his vacation.

*Following this, the no spark issue was diagnosed as a

faulty CDI box and was successfully repaired with a new CDI unit.

*After resolving the no spark issue, the engine would not

remain running due to a significant ethanol build up in the carburetor which is

usually the result of using poor quality fuel.

The customer was notified of the additional issue and agreed to a

carburetor rebuild.

*After the carburetor rebuild, the motor ran but would not

shut off. After further diagnosis, this

problem was due to loose connections and a bad ground in the stop circuit. This additional issue was repaired by

soldering and tightening wires and connections.

*Upon demonstrating the motor running to the customer, it

would not shut off. The reason was due

to a loose solder joint mainly because of old wiring. It was repaired while the customer

watched. Following this, the motor was

started and shut off 6-8 times in the presence of the customer. The customer commented “Boat has never started

this easy.” He was very happy with the

work performed on his engine.

*The customer used his boat for 4 days on his vacation after

picking his boat up from our dealership.

As for the engine issue after 4 days, it could be attributed to an

unrelated mechanical issue or operator error.

Hence, after being towed in, the customer clearly stated that the engine

started the next morning, as well as upon arrival back to our dealership. It may have been flooded from trolling.

*As per customer’s request, we re-wired the boat back to

original starter switch with the intermittent contact issue at no additional

cost.

*There was no board insert present when the boat was dropped

off for service. When the customer

picked the boat up, the employee looked, double checked with the mechanic that

worked on the boat and he notified that there was no board present.

Consumer

Response:

Here are the responses to the misrepresentations by Bill's Marina