Rip off
 

Has anyone purchased an engine from Derebery Performance? I was looking to repower and I noticed Derebery Performance on OSO and thought it would be a great place to purchase. I talked to Leon on the phone he seemed honest. We discussed all the details and came up with a price. Leon ask me to send the details in writing and I agreed. After Leon recieved my letter a called him and we both agreed on everything, that incuded shipping, and delivery date.

I sent him my check. The delivery date came and went, I waited two week and then I called. That's when I started hearing all the excuses, I didn't know you wanted right away, it's next on the Dino, where sending this week, ect, ect. Leon's secretary always would say Ill call you right back, she never did. Almost three months later I got the engine. This week I recieved a a bill in the mail for shipping. I called to straighten out. I got screwed out of $280 bucks. That's my story just thought you might want to here it.....

Re: Rip off
 

I have had a similar experience with Leon Derebery. Needless to say he won't have any business from me again.

Re: Rip off
 

You can talk to "boatman747" also about his experience.

Re: Rip off
 

Wow, sounds strange, Leon did some work on my 35 Fountain I just bought, he gave me the tour of his shop, engine assy. room, dyno room and a lot more, he took a lot of time with me just talking about boats and such, he does a lot of mail order engines, when I was there a guy from New york called and ordered three engines. everything he said he would do for me he did, I would use him again. Jacko how about giving me your real name and I will call Leon and find out his side of the story
Mark R

Re: Rip off
 

I personally won't do major business with a shop that is further than a couple hour drive from my house. Doing business face to face is so much more effective in my opinion plus the shop then knows you may show up at any time to check things out. If you already have the engine and you agreed to a delivered price, which you paid then why pay the shipping bill? Just my .02!

Craig

Re: Rip off
 

yeah, just don't pay it.... if you have paid the agreed price on the contract, then you are good... might have been just a clerical error... hopefully the motor runs the way you want..

Re: Rip off
 

Your engine was only 3 months late, and just $280 over estimate? In the boating world, you got a good deal :(

Re: Rip off
 

Unfortounatly chart right 280 over is nothing and 3 months late isnt that out of line in this industry, I have used derebery a few times and they do take awhile but their product is as claimed and reliable. It seems the guys worth dealing with always take a while becuase thery are so few and far between that they just can't keep up.

Re: Rip off
 

Leon is swamped with business. He isnt just going to hire anyone to help get things out the door. A $280 error is no reason to register on a forum to post this. What engine did you buy? Sorry to hear you were unhappy.

Re: Rip off
 

that's exactly how i was treated until i began to question his lack of work and extra charges. he charged me for several items that he did not perform.

here is my original thread:
Derebery Poor Service Thread

He tried to charge me for things like blue printing the engine and then not doing the work. The quote he provided had a lot of work listed for the price. it appeard to be a good deal. First he orders the wrong headers (more expensive) and then wants me to pay for them. I decide i won't pay his high prices and i'll buy my own damn headers. he tells me he won't give me a warranty since he is not installing the headers. he quoted a 1 year warranty.

Re: Rip off
 

Agree 100%,

Re: Rip off
 

All The Motor's I Have Had In Motor Shops Not One Of Have Been On Time. Talking To Other People This Is True With Even The Best Name Builders. I Think You Have To Get Use To This They Will Never Change. Their Always Late, No Matter What They Promise You!

Re: Rip off
 

I read your post on the old thread about Leon, that is bad news, its hard to please 100% of the people 100% of the time but to do what you said he did is not right at all

Re: Rip off
 

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Rip off
 

I Agree

Re: Rip off
 

What can be done, when a list and a contract is drawn up. State a delivery date and anything over is less to the builder. Just like in the construction field. That speeds some slow asses up and keeps them somewhat honest

Re: Rip off
 

Ditto, you hear of too many long distance horror stories. I just repowered my boat and was looking at all the advertisements in the mags. I decided it was not worth a couple hundred bucks vs. the potential problems I could have. I bought from my local dealer.

Re: Rip off
 

I agree. A descrpency of a few dollars or a few days is understandable. 3 months late is not acceptable.

Re: Rip off
 

ditto....I can accept a few dollars and a few extra days, but 3 MONTHS! :mad:

Re: Rip off
 

pay him 3 months late and see how he likes it

Re: Rip off
 

That would be nice if you could do it but they will hold your property hostage till they get payment. :( :(

Re: Rip off
 

Why do we tolerate this?

I wonder if a section could exist on this site that was a reference guide. A general area that covered the different major aspects of a boat. I understand that it may cut into some of the advertising revenue for the site, but there must be a way that others don't duplicate mistakes that have cost us in the past.
Customer service changes because it is forced to. Losing a customer base would force a business to rethink their operation if to survive.
Just a thought.

Re: Rip off
 

Trouty, I agree! I don't think the rest of the businesses in the industry got the "memo" though. They're still using the old cover sheets for their TPS reports.

Re: Rip off
 

My boat has been at a shop since Jan 24th or so for some minor work. I told them I had a drop dead date of tomorrow. I have left him messages and no reply. The boat is 150 miles away. I will go there tomorrow and find out what the hell is going on. :mad: I'm bitter! :mad:

Re: Rip off
 

As with most others here, I agree!! A quote is a quote. If the builder (or any other buisiness for that matter) needs more time, then say so up front. It's much better to quote a longer time and then deliver ahead of schedule if possible.

Bottom line is, quote a reasonable time and then MEET IT!!
Period.

As for Wildthing's comment about "getting used to it", I say bull chit! The builders need to get used to delivering on time. We're all paying premium dollar for this sort of work, it should at least get done on time. The "get used to it" attitude just allows them to perpetuate delivery delays. If they have to work a few extra hours at night to get it done, then they should do it. I know in my job I have to.

Re: Rip off
 

Can I Get an AMEN!!!!!!

Re: Rip off
 

Someday someone will deliver as promised and then some of these people will be out of business as they should be. I am sure they would be a little upset if all their customers paid 3 months late right? I mean fair is fair. break a few promises when they call to collect?

Great way to do business.....unless your on the wrong end of the promises :rolleyes:

Re: Rip off
 

Re: Rip off
 

As Bering fairly new to OSO I've really seen how tight the members are. I had sometimes at the Miami Boat show as many as 6 to 10 guys from OSO at some times with us at the booth with questions or just stopped in to say hey and I really hate to see this happening to anyone this is part of the reason we try to stay small and take the projects one at a time many guys here can tell you we work hard to get it done it's not easy but you have to do right by the people you do business with specially the people from out of town. When shops get big they tend to loose track of customer service . I'm here to say I work hard everyday to see that doesn't happen here. Good luck to you and I hope the situation works out without anymore trouble Sincerely Laz Mesa

Re: Rip off
 

This happens everyday because we, as consumers LET IT HAPPEN!!!!
Just like we all ***** about politicians and political partys and then vote em back into power anyway. If the contract was not fulfilled, you should have demanded your payment be returned or sued him for breach of contract. Maybe after a few of the abusers get their arses handed to them by a judge,( and they would due to not upholding their side of a written contract but more so because judges seem to hate seeing joe schmo gettin shafted by business) they will clean up their acts but if we as consumers fail to hold their feet to the fire, they will continue to burn us.