It happens in every line of work, we just try and be the person that gets called to fix the mess that others leave.

I never get too worked up when being under bid by someone who's only selling price and doesn't back it up with good service or quality, but I never forget them.

Sometimes you have to wait a little longer, I never throw away a proposal I've taken a lot of time preparing it always helps when we get the call to make it right.

At least then I know what should have been supplied and can be the fixer and hopefully their supplier on the next project.

Parts are one thing but applications like drive replacements are a totally different animal, low ball pricing usually means limited knowledge of what there selling and it's what they don't know that will cost you...

Everyone was sure quick to pile on, and I find it interesting the number of "registered members" that have posted on this thread and have a post count in the teens, mainly, if not entirely due to this thread. Post count means nothing about the truth, but it can say that someone has an agenda.
I imagine they are all members of other boards that Fred advertised on. But a big attempt to come on here and fan the fire.

Don't know what the final $$ figure will be, but so far, it's not that much.
Granted, it sounds like the customer service in several cases was sub-par.

In the end, someone still hasn't answered the questions that everyone is asking.
Only one person that can do that.
Where's Fred??

As far as I am concerned a member is a member is a member. It should not matter that they have one post or 20,000. As long as they present themselves in a reasonable clear manner then I am willing to listen. There have been times were you need a decoder ring to figure out what people are saying. That makes it a little harder to take a guy seriously. So if people come over hear, take the time to register and even perhaps pay, and have had a issue with Fred then I guess they are just as credible as anyone IMO.

Unfortunately the numbers that we are talking about are more then a few, just look around the net on all the boards. Couple people hear and a couple people there it all adds up. Add to that all the people that do not even use the internet and are perhaps still placing orders over the phone from his magazine adds!! I can only guess that the number that OSO has is larger then it was this AM.

Fred won't come clean with us, if he was going to do that he would have done so a long time ago, not waited for his daughter to tell us all we are a bunch of spoiled brats. Now lets guess were she got that from.....

Was this their training program? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbB7anzKQ9Q

I have no problem with his post.....being a business owner might make my opinion biased though.

It's a little blunt but completely true.

Jon, I agree with you, a member is a member, and I welcome them - it's good for the site, and the exchange of knowledge.
Unless, they come here, sign up for a free membership only because they have an agenda, and only post on a single thread for their agenda. I would hope they have more to contribute to the site than only that.

I'm also in full agreement that Fred needs to step up to the plate and explain what the hell is going on.
There are many here, including myself, and I think you also, that trusted him.
The silence is killing his business worse than anything could.
have.
Had he come here and said he was having difficulties, I'm sure a number of people would have jumped in to give him a hand.
We are owed an explanation.

Bouyhunter: We ussually snif those "agenda" guys out quickly.

Not to get off topic, but directly inline with what Lofty & fountain4play are saying with regard to pricing being on par with parts received and service... in winter 2006 I contacted 5 of my local (NJ) Merc authorized dealers/installers to inquire about removing my original 454ci, transom assembly, Bravo drive, etc. and completely repower my boat with a new 496ci, transom assembly, Bravo drive, etc. I requested a turn-key quote minus the expense of a new prop. The highest price quote I received was from a shop that advertises here on OSO. Needless to say, I saved $4,500 by going with the smaller company who never once tried to BS me with 'the need' for more parts or labor than originally quoted. The lesson here is that considerable markup exists in most lines of business and just because you have a big name operation and pride yourself on knowledge of all things marine doesn't mean that you're going to get the job when someone else who's both capable of filling the role & hungrier for business steps up to the plate.

BTW, all my dealings with Trick Marine & Fred have been nothing short of stellar. This is coming from someone who has spent in excess of $2k.

Dan

Didn't realize there was only ONE business owner on the board :D:D

Finger pointing is not the way to win over a competitors ex-customers.. No one wants to hear "I told your so"...

I agree.... :drink:

Touche!!