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Boat engine underwater

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MuteThis

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Ohio

I purchased a boat knowing the engine didn't function. I purchased an engine for the boat that cost $1000. Some assembly was still required. In Octobert a co-worker of mine gave me the phone number of a marine mechanic he knew (Let's call him Bob). Bob came by saw the engine an said that it would take 8-10 hours to complete the engine at $50 an hour. I told him that was fine. I told him that if he needed to buy parts to contact me first so I could maintain cost. Bob agreed and we loaded the engine on my engine stand into his minivan...

I don't really need the boat until summer so I only called Bob once a month for updates. The first three months Bob hadn't done anything. Finally I get a call from him asking an alternator for the boat engine. He says it'll be about $150 and I tell him that's fine. Then I asked Bob about his progress. He says that he's just about done. I said great, can you send me an invoice? He said sure.

A week later my invoice arrives. $600 for labor, $600 for parts and $60 for tax. At this point I'm floored. I was expecting to see $500 + $150. The prices he lists for the parts seem really high in the invoice, so I asked him to show me the reciepts for the parts. He replied by saying "You expect to pay for parts what I paid for the parts". I'm like yeah! I feel like this guy is a work from his garage mechanic that is trying to bill me like he's some sort of dealer. Upcharging me for parts? Come on...

Anyway, I'm posting to see if I have any options here. I feel like I only agreed to $650 and I'm being billed $1260... I told him that since I asked him to contact me before purchasing any parts that I would only be willing to pay the original $500 in labor plus his cost on parts and he told me that is wasn't going to work like that.

Am I out $1260 here or do I have options? If I go to civil court what would I sue for? Seems like in the end I still owe him some money... What if he tries to sabotage the engine? Should I get a lawyer? If I do, would I be possible to tack legal fees onto any damages? Do I have a case here?

Thanks for your time.

Lost at sea,
MuteThis
 


Litigation!

Senior Member
MuteThis said:
What is the name of your state? Ohio

I purchased a boat knowing the engine didn't function. I purchased an engine for the boat that cost $1000. Some assembly was still required. In Octobert a co-worker of mine gave me the phone number of a marine mechanic he knew (Let's call him Bob). Bob came by saw the engine an said that it would take 8-10 hours to complete the engine at $50 an hour. I told him that was fine. I told him that if he needed to buy parts to contact me first so I could maintain cost. Bob agreed and we loaded the engine on my engine stand into his minivan...

I don't really need the boat until summer so I only called Bob once a month for updates. The first three months Bob hadn't done anything. Finally I get a call from him asking an alternator for the boat engine. He says it'll be about $150 and I tell him that's fine. Then I asked Bob about his progress. He says that he's just about done. I said great, can you send me an invoice? He said sure.

A week later my invoice arrives. $600 for labor, $600 for parts and $60 for tax. At this point I'm floored. I was expecting to see $500 + $150. The prices he lists for the parts seem really high in the invoice, so I asked him to show me the reciepts for the parts. He replied by saying "You expect to pay for parts what I paid for the parts". I'm like yeah! I feel like this guy is a work from his garage mechanic that is trying to bill me like he's some sort of dealer. Upcharging me for parts? Come on...

Anyway, I'm posting to see if I have any options here. I feel like I only agreed to $650 and I'm being billed $1260... I told him that since I asked him to contact me before purchasing any parts that I would only be willing to pay the original $500 in labor plus his cost on parts and he told me that is wasn't going to work like that.

Am I out $1260 here or do I have options? If I go to civil court what would I sue for? Seems like in the end I still owe him some money... What if he tries to sabotage the engine? Should I get a lawyer? If I do, would I be possible to tack legal fees onto any damages? Do I have a case here?

Thanks for your time.

Lost at sea,
MuteThis

My response:

Where's your written contract? Whoops! Don't have a written contract?

Then guess who doesn't have a case.


IAAL
 

MuteThis

Junior Member
We had an oral contract... Isn't there anything that says if he want's to charge more than x amount he needs that in writing? If not oh well :(

I mean what if I take my car to the local car wash and they say It'll be $10 outside. I get to the register inside and they try to charge me $100? I should have asked for a contract from the guy that was vacuming the floormat? I was hoping for more consumer protection than that.
 

genivieve

Member
MuteThis said:
We had an oral contract... Isn't there anything that says if he want's to charge more than x amount he needs that in writing? If not oh well :(

I mean what if I take my car to the local car wash and they say It'll be $10 outside. I get to the register inside and they try to charge me $100? I should have asked for a contract from the guy that was vacuming the floormat? I was hoping for more consumer protection than that.
Because there would be a listing of prices at the car wash.:eek: Much like a registered repair shop. Being licensed by the state they can't charge you anymore on hourly rate then is posted. You get a estimate in writing and a receipt of labor and parts! Sometimes when your trying to save a buck and actually get screwed for a few more than you planned****************************
 

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