I know this may be slightly out of place but .. the traffic is here.

I just had to take my boat in for service. We were out on the water Friday (July 4th) and got stranded.

Sparring all the details, I can tell you with certainty what the issue is, simple fix, although crucial to starting the motor (not a battery).

I don't see a reason it wouldn't be covered under warranty since it's only a 2013 model. I've had it for a year and 2 months, give or take a little. I bought it new.

I'm being told it's probably going to take a week to 2 weeks, which I'm lucky for because they are usually running around a 4-6 week backlog.

I work for a franchised dealership in the service and parts department so my expectations may be higher than average, but some things stuck out to me.

The service area looked very cluttered, was an outside building completely seperate from the showroom of the dealership. It looked to me more of an independent shop than a franchised dealer's shop.

The service writer was running solo as it appeared (other may have been out if he isn't solo). I kind of got the impression there was excuses from the get go about a long wait time.

Does this sound on par for others who have done service work under warranty.

I really hope I'm over analyzing this, but if it takes more than a week or so for a repair that should take an hour at most, I'm going to be an unhappy customer and will more than likely take that into consideration when the time comes for a new boat.

The excuses and appearance of the place didn't give me a whole lot of confidence in leaving it there for service though.

What kink of boat and motor do you have and where did you take it? Most dealers are about a week to ten days out. If it's in warranty you can take it to any authorized dealer.

If you slip the gal behind the counter a fifty she'll see to it you get out of there quicker. If they don't have a gal behind the counter go to a service place that does.

I usually take a doz. roses.

Could go either way. Some backwoods looking mechanics are the best out there. To bad in my experience what you describe usually turns out unpleasant and has always ended up costing me more to take it somewhere else or fix the problem myself. Good luck if its a merc because there aren't really any great mechanics left around these parts.

I take my boat to Service Marine in emory for anything I can't do myself. They do my yearly service and they are quick and reasonable with the price. I know when I pick it up that the job was done right and I didn't over pay. Chuck and Perry are the best in my book.

You can't judge a book by its cover. Try Tommy over at Rockwall Marine if you wanna clean shop and first class business operation.

I woulda taken it to Tommy at Rockwall Marine. I think I may know what place you are referring to...

1st commitment fell through ...

I was assured it would be looked at yesterday to order parts, especially since the service writer was confident they didn't have the part needed since 'they never break' (his words).

Called this morning and it wasn't looked at yesterday.

Wished the Rockwall wasn't so far away.

Flyer, Where in east Texas? If around Hallsville call Joe Mauldin at Town & Country Marine. 903-668-2022 He is factory authorized and a 35 year mechanic. He may not be the best but there isn't anyone better. LOL And all he does is Mercury.

Flyer , its worth the trip to take it to Rockwall, call them and let them know you are coming, they usually can squeeze you in and get you out, they are the best at what they do

I just had a voice mail from the service writer. I returned his call almost immediately.

They were able to slip it in this afternoon, confirmed my diagnosis and found that they did indeed have the part in stock. He told me it was ready and to come pick it up when I was ready.

I will have to say, I was completely expecting it not to go this way and am very happy to say that they did get it in and out in a VERY timely fashion.

After this is said and done, being a Service professional for a franchised dealer, I can understand missing the first day being in the shop. That's frequently an issue, especially as times are busy.

Other than lowering my expectations, I can't see anything they did wrong at this point. However, as I stated in the initial post, I have very high expectations anyways, and probably needed them lowered to a realistic level.

It is my experience that being a boat mechanic and keeping a neat, orderly shop do not go hand in hand.