Absolute speed and marine, Absolute disappointment!

[JD D05]

Sometimes customers have bad experiences with good companies. Other than that please keep the comedy coming and the wild assumptions.

 

[96scarab]

3 day weekends...
Live in Albuquerque
1100 mile roundtrip.
Keep trying...slick.

Relax. That's why I added a so your butt didn't get chaffed..

 

[steak&lobster]

Sometimes customers have bad experiences with good companies. Other than that please keep the comedy coming and the wild assumptions.

call outs usually turn into free for all's

 

[JD D05]

call outs usually turn into free for all's

Ya no kidding. My favorite one is blaming the guy for bringing parts WTF.

 

[Mandelon]

I think all business owners are optimists. You think you can get things done based on the assumption the work goes as planned. But then something goes sideways and your best intentions make you look like a jerk.

Dave is right, better to be honest up front and say you are too busy... let the customer decide.

 

[Runs2rch]

Rut roooh.....first post and a callout.

Right??? Always something left out or exaggerated. Boat was taken off road and leased out to dirty Mike and the boys for orgies etc.

 

[Sunset]

Saw several boats sitting outside off of Acoma and they didn't move the entire week we were there. Passed by everyday and shook my head.

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I saw the same thing, Thats why I used Barrett they (kept in inside ) or storage made appointment in and out same day with great communication with lots of extra work done. Nordic service look first class also with boats inside.I live south side of town and see boats left out side for weeks at a time at shops.

 

[PVHCA]

Sorry to hear of your experience, like many have said this shop provides great service, matter of fact my step kid had a great experience with them last summer which made me happy. The problem I've always had with Aaron n Cheryl is how they handled their f-ups, the constant lying, putting a customer off and then the lack of respect for your property is when their true colors come out. Defend away on when they do provide great services, but quit defending them when this behavior and treatment repeats itself.

 

[Taboma]

Isn't this the problem tho? If they keep squeezing people in the guys that make appointments get pushed back...

Of course that's the result, but that's always been how the boat service shops have worked in that town.
If you're an Absolute regular or sportin that new 35 DCB from Kansas, you go to the top of the list, pronto. It was no different 20 + years ago with ole Steve at Savage. Hell, I often wouldn't even call Kelly, just tow the boat over and show up in their driveway. Steve would give me "That special look" only Steve could give, he'd grumble, swear, proclaim he didn't have time and toss a wrench or two down just to make his point. Then get me done and outta there and on my way. On more than one occasion shit didn't get put together just so, OK, it's a rush job. I'd always double check and make any minor corrections, especially loose clamps that might sink da boat, lol.
I'm not shocked by this thread and frankly I'm glad the OP chimed in. It's clear that Absolute (Never used them) has intentions that at times far exceed their actual abilities. Fair enough, not uncommon in that town or in that business in general and as a potential future customer, I appreciate knowing that. So they're not miracle workers, they might be prone to over promising and as a new "Middle Class" boating customer, I'll probably get bumped by a regular or three. I doubt you'll find a shop in that town who wouldn't from time to time fall under that description. But Arron did work on my boat when he was indenturing with Steve, so I'm sure I'd give them a shot regardless.

 

[Mike K]

Another option for Ilmor's is Barrett Custom Marine. I have an Ilmor and I did my homework ... working with AJ was like clockwork ... and I'm a small fry compared to all the big money customers he has but he treated me the same. Kept my boat inside ... got updates from his staff ... work done on time and on budget. One cool thing was .... my boat was immaculate when I got it back .

 

[Mike K]

Another thing ... AJ is all over Ilmor's ... he even goes back to Ilmor to take classes and he's the man in Havasu that Ilmor recommends.

 

[Racey]

Well, you beat me to it...

I know nothing about Absolute whatsoever. But I know plenty about customers who want their stuff worked on just before they go on vacation.

This mentality amazes me every time.

Lol when i was more involved in the marine business years ago i can't tell you how many times i told guys at the end of the season, "You need to get on this shit right now while everyone is slow", then they drag their feet all winter and call at the end of April

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I saw the same thing, Thats why I used Barrett they (kept in inside ) or storage made appointment in and out same day with great communication with lots of extra work done. Nordic service look first class also with boats inside.I live south side of town and see boats left out side for weeks at a time at shops.

People need to stop waiting until the last minute to get service done. If they did it earlier in the year, during the off season, then these shops wouldn't be so bogged down and could actually focus on repairing problems like the one that the OP has. Every season I call Jeremy at J&J Performance Marine at the end of February and schedule my service for first thing in the morning the day we get in town for Desert Storm. Has worked like clockwork and we always are in at 8am and out by 1pm to spend the day on the water.

 

[Taboma]

People need to stop waiting until the last minute to get service done. If they did it earlier in the year, during the off season, then these shops wouldn't be so bogged down and could actually focus on repairing problems like the one that the OP has. Every season I call Jeremy at J&J Performance Marine at the end of February and schedule my service for first thing in the morning the day we get in town for Desert Storm. Has worked like clockwork and we always are in at 8am and out by 1pm to spend the day on the water.

Certainly that holds true and is the right call for scheduled maintenance, winter is golden. But oddly and unfortunately, my Bravo has never once exploded while garaged in the middle of winter Perhaps some energetic young entrepreneur needs to create a marine service related "Labor Connection" for supplying on demand trained seasonal talent ---- yeah, OK that's me dreaming, lol

 

[2FORCEFULL]

I'm a shop owner... and this is worst situation that almost always goes the wrong way...but... this is what I read..

Hey buddy, I have a boat with a ilmor,I already know whats wrong, and here's the parts...when can you do it...
so it got squeezed in.. parts put on....still som ting wong...so what do you think it is...tell me what parts you need...I'll order them...still som ting wong...I also read this...The boat is not new... but the first time at this shop... why did it go there to begin with and why not to the shop that used to work on it..so now...the shop it's at never got the ok to just fix the boat, and was told put the seats backin , i'm coming to get it...not how to do it..

take your boat to a shop that you trust, tell them what's going on, and let them get the parts they need..nothing worse than having to get ahold of the customer and them getting the parts... the mark up on the parts covers the having to figure out what parts, and ordering them..sending them back if they're wrong and such..and next,you drop the boat off and say, call me when it's done...I aint calling anybody every day with up dates...we'll call you when we need to call you...

 

[Joe mama]

I could agree with you.... but .... he made the appointment to get work done, and the business never returned phone calls, and 3 WEEKS go by with basically nothing done ... ?

Sorry, but I’m thinking the business could have done better. My brother had work done with them about 5 years ago... although the work was done in a timely manner.... they never called him, with an update when they said they would. ... NEVER. I have seen this complaint before as well. I think they should set aside some time to make phone calls or email to customer to update the status of their boats. It’s not rocket science to provide updates.

Agree 100%

 

[jet496]

Being a small heating & air contractor, I see what happened here, but they really should have communicated with you more. Sounds like they had good intentions, but just couldn't get the job done.

I've had that happen to me on my boat interior. Left it for a month or two & they just never got to it. They finally did when I told them about my once in a life time family reunion being in a few days . Seriously, and they got it done.

Shit happens. Forgive & forget.

 

[Chris Lapoint]

Inside every good tool box you can find the solution to your problem. Go get your hands dirty instead of complaining about people trying to help you. I don’t know what you do for a living nor do I care, karmas a bitch. Those people stuck there necks out to accommodate you and you shit on them. Service is there lively hood. Do you think they feel good about the situation? This is the absolute worst time of the year to ask for boat service anywhere in North America. Next time do it your self or be a little more understanding and patent. This is on you, not them you had a deadline to make. You should have asked some very specific questions pertaining to the time frame. And if you didn’t feel comfortable about it you should have moved on. Stop being a keyboard jockey screwing with peoples business. I don’t know these people and have no real dog in the fight. But I know what it’s like to bust my ass for people who don’t appreciate a thing.



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Are you deaf, dumb & blind?!
He contacted them for a SERVICE - in which they ACCEPTED THE WORK AND THE TIMEFRAME FROM THE BEGINNING, they are supposed to be the professionals which is why he hired them to troubleshoot and repair the boat, my guess is you don't personally have the equipment and know-how to work on a Ilmor motor, the only thing I would have done different would have been pull the boat out of their 1 week prior and probably went there myself to ensure they got the point that their shortcomings are not appreciated - These businesses know that when a customer leaves un-satisfied they are going to share their experience with whomever will listen, THEY had a choice to prioritize the boats in the shop and this guys did not make the top of the list.
....Just my .02

 

[PVHCA]

Are you deaf, dumb & blind?!
He contacted them for a SERVICE - in which they ACCEPTED THE WORK AND THE TIMEFRAME FROM THE BEGINNING, they are supposed to be the professionals which is why he hired them to troubleshoot and repair the boat, my guess is you don't personally have the equipment and know-how to work on a Ilmor motor, the only thing I would have done different would have been pull the boat out of their 1 week prior and probably went there myself to ensure they got the point that their shortcomings are not appreciated - These businesses know that when a customer leaves un-satisfied they are going to share their experience with whomever will listen, THEY had a choice to prioritize the boats in the shop and this guys did not make the top of the list.
....Just my .02

Exactly, they accepted the job, IMO they should have performed the work or been professional enough to say that they screwed up and maybe offer to take it to a more reputable shop.

 

[WhatExit?]

Communication is key to any business.

Returning phone calls or email updates...

THIS is the key - communication. Unfortunately small businesses are always short on people and time so communication is the first thing that suffers. They didn't start their business because they are good communicators - they started it because they're good with wrenching, welding, whatever. Even big companies have big problems communicating but they at least have more people and should have some responsible for customer service

 

[WhatExit?]

2 things stand out: (1) The OP threw a bomb and hasn't been heard from since. He started a thread bashing a company and (2) his negative review of this company will forever be on the internet.

Hey OP, tell us more about your follow up with Absolute. What else did you do before you came here to start burning them online?

 

[Riverbound]

I'm a shop owner... and this is worst situation that almost always goes the wrong way...but... this is what I read..

Hey buddy, I have a boat with a ilmor,I already know whats wrong, and here's the parts...when can you do it...
so it got squeezed in.. parts put on....still som ting wong...so what do you think it is...tell me what parts you need...I'll order them...still som ting wong...I also read this...The boat is not new... but the first time at this shop... why did it go there to begin with and why not to the shop that used to work on it..so now...the shop it's at never got the ok to just fix the boat, and was told put the seats backin , i'm coming to get it...not how to do it..

take your boat to a shop that you trust, tell them what's going on, and let them get the parts they need..nothing worse than having to get ahold of the customer and them getting the parts... the mark up on the parts covers the having to figure out what parts, and ordering them..sending them back if they're wrong and such..and next,you drop the boat off and say, call me when it's done...I aint calling anybody every day with up dates...we'll call you when we need to call you...

Glad I’m not the only one who sees it the same way. Cases like this are the reason we a policy that we will NOT install a customer’s parts or equipment. I have known aaron for many years and wouldn’t hesitate to bring him my boat to work on. I definitely wouldn’t bring or supply my own parts (not even my own oil). I also wouldn’t expect lightning quick service during peak season unless there was extra $$$ being thrown in. The way I see it, is I bet there were plenty of people that were willing to do what was necessary to get bumped to the front of the line during peak season to save their family vacations.

Cheap, good, fast.....you can only have two.

Being in a seasonal business you have a short window to make a majority of your income. The most profitable jobs get the attention, It’s basic business. I don’t think UNICEF is in the boat repair business. We get quite a few customers a year that when we are completely booked will do whatever it takes to get the attention they want, whether it be paying additional or tipping the tech to come out....guess what, they get done. Now the customer who provides his own parts and consumes a ton of out time.....he gets blown off.


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[comfortably numb]

I got a real fucked up tasting taco from Dell Taco yesterday, Well thought I'd give them a second try and bought another one as I was hungry.
I'll be damn if it didn't taste like shit also. Won't be eating there any time soon. Also bird shit on my truck in the parking lot while I was inside.
Carry on

 

[pronstar]

I’m not a fan of joining a forum just to post a call-out thread.

But I think the OP has a legitimate gripe, and didn’t come across to me as being too much of a dick about it.

I can see Absolute’s predicament, and honestly think they had the best intentions.

There’s no way Absolute is setting out to screw anybody.

Having a line of customers is a good problem to have. Managing that line can be a challenge and I think that’s what’s going on here.


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[Ziggy]

This guys post is dumb. He towed his boat 90 minutes because they have a good reputation/or he already pissed off all the shops around him? Bringing your own parts to the repair shop is disrespectful and is cutting into the shop owners profits. And call out thread on 1st post. Tasteless..

Not nearly as dumb as your post .

 

[rvrrun]

Not "if" you get jerked around by a pool builder... WHEN you get jerked around by all of the pool builders. Yes, I built my own pool!

I did too!

 

[96scarab]

2 things stand out: (1) The OP threw a bomb and hasn't been heard from since. He started a thread bashing a company and (2) his negative review of this company will forever be on the internet.

Hey OP, tell us more about your follow up with Absolute. What else did you do before you came here to start burning them online?

I'm sure there wasn't a follow up, he picked up the boat. That chapter closed. What else did he do? Probably installed his seat. It would be fun if Absolute chimed in tho...

 

[Slats]

Just because you have a tool box doesn't mean you can diagnose the problem or even fix it. Why do so many boat shops have a ton of work??? Because people either can't fix their own boat or dont want to get their hands dirty. If you own a shop and promise to do something then try your best to do it. I understand that things happen and stuff gets crossed up. Just communicate with the client. A guy bringing his own parts in doesn't make it a bad thing. I have never dealt with the shop so it's not a attack on them or the OP. Just mo opinion on the situation. Hope it all works out for them both.

 

[Ziggy]

The “I hate to say no” issue is pretty common, and as you can see it can sometimes backfire despite the best intentions.

The better solution is to manage the expectations of your customers, being transparent.

This can sometimes lead to giving an answer your customer doesn’t want to hear, but it beats the alternative which is the situation described by the OP.

Difficult conversations sooner in the process, are ALWAYS preferable to even-more-difficult conversations later in the process.

Right on point.
A customer will respect a call that gives them bad news vs being told it's being handled yet hasn't been touched.
As a dealership service manager I did not leave work until every customer was called back that needed to be, and then some.

 

[OC Mike]

Teague used to be the distributer for Illmor.
I'd be talking to them.

 

[That Guy]

Sorry for your experience. I've too have used Aaron and Cheryl for the past 13 years and nothing but top notch service at a fair price. Things done as asked and Aaron has even come down to the ramp to fix my boat.

 

[JD D05]

Glad I’m not the only one who sees it the same way. Cases like this are the reason we a policy that we will NOT install a customer’s parts or equipment. I have known aaron for many years and wouldn’t hesitate to bring him my boat to work on. I definitely wouldn’t bring or supply my own parts (not even my own oil). I also wouldn’t expect lightning quick service during peak season unless there was extra $$$ being thrown in. The way I see it, is I bet there were plenty of people that were willing to do what was necessary to get bumped to the front of the line during peak season to save their family vacations.

Cheap, good, fast.....you can only have two.

Being in a seasonal business you have a short window to make a majority of your income. The most profitable jobs get the attention, It’s basic business. I don’t think UNICEF is in the boat repair business. We get quite a few customers a year that when we are completely booked will do whatever it takes to get the attention they want, whether it be paying additional or tipping the tech to come out....guess what, they get done. Now the customer who provides his own parts and consumes a ton of out time.....he gets blown off.


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I had my boat lose an impeller once but had an extra on me. Took it to a shop to put it in and they said no way. I matched the number calmly told them it was right etc. Still they refused to work on it and they didn't have one in stock to fix my boat. So did it myself even though I just wanted to go drink a beer. It really blew my mind and have had many people ask me about them over the years, I told them what happened and they all went somewhere else. If I can save money and get my own parts which I often can and a company is to busy or whatever you want to call it to install them it isn't hard to find another.

 

[gqchris]

I feel that the OP maybe is posting under an "alias". Maybe joined to post the call out. Because he already knows the Kustom Klub will jump his ass for saying anything bad about one of their own!

And people saying winter time is a good time to get work done in Havasu? Good luck. I coudn't even get one call back on my boat for a brand new Merc repower! And yes, I am a small business owner also. But like mentioned, you are in the "Havasu Time Warp"!

 

[Ziggy]

Sorry for your experience. I've too have used Aaron and Cheryl for the past 13 years and nothing but top notch service at a fair price. Things done as asked and Aaron has even come down to the ramp to fix my boat.

I don't think Aarons talent is in question here, just the way the situation was handled.
I went to a class that used a simple tool to metaforically open your eyes. They had all 10 of us standing in a circle, 5 bean bags(which represented our customers) we tossed back/forth. Nobody dropped a bag until they introduced another batch of bean bags.

 

[rivrrts429]

Glad I’m not the only one who sees it the same way. Cases like this are the reason we a policy that we will NOT install a customer’s parts or equipment.

That reminds me one of the great lines CampbellCarl (RIP) used to describe this same scenario...

“You wouldn’t bring your own eggs to the restaurant for them to cook.” (I’m paraphrasing).

Damn I miss him [emoji22]

 

[JD D05]

That reminds me one of the great lines CampbellCarl (RIP) used to describe this same scenario...

“You wouldn’t bring your own eggs to the restaurant for them to cook.” (I’m paraphrasing).

Damn I miss him [emoji22]

You wouldn't bring your own wine to drink.

 

[Albert]

 

[Mr. C]

You wouldn't bring your own wine to drink.

I sure have. and i paid them to open it.

So why can't i bring you a water pump (that is the same as you were going to put in, i just got it 60% cheaper) and pay you to put it on. All i expect is for it to not leak at the gasket and hoses. I'm not asking for you to warranty the the pump.

 

[JD D05]

I sure have. and i paid them to open it.

So why can't i bring you a water pump (that is the same as you were going to put in, i just got it 60% cheaper) and pay you to put it on. All i expect is for it to not leak at the gasket and hoses. I'm not asking for you to warranty the the pump.

Exactly, I have a friend with dealer account's and he sells me stuff at his cost which is really low, lower than what a lot of shops can get. But he does not do install...So I can get a set of airbags for 300$ under what some shop would charge me...

 

[mash on it]

That reminds me one of the great lines CampbellCarl (RIP) used to describe this same scenario...

“You wouldn’t bring your own eggs to the restaurant for them to cook.” (I’m paraphrasing).

Damn I miss him [emoji22]

I believe it was ham and eggs.

Dan'l

 

[HitIt]

What is all of this crap about bringing his own parts. They continued to ask him to source the parts. They obviously didn't have a problem with it. They could have also refused up front since they knew he was brining parts to get started. While I agree that in many situations bringing your own parts is frowned upon, this doesn't appear to be one of them. Methinks you are barking up the wrong tree here.

 

[Albert]

Cmon post #100 get there!

 

[Joker]

I'm a shop owner... and this is worst situation that almost always goes the wrong way...but... this is what I read..

Hey buddy, I have a boat with a ilmor,I already know whats wrong, and here's the parts...when can you do it...
so it got squeezed in.. parts put on....still som ting wong...so what do you think it is...tell me what parts you need...I'll order them...still som ting wong...I also read this...The boat is not new... but the first time at this shop... why did it go there to begin with and why not to the shop that used to work on it..so now...the shop it's at never got the ok to just fix the boat, and was told put the seats backin , i'm coming to get it...not how to do it..

take your boat to a shop that you trust, tell them what's going on, and let them get the parts they need..nothing worse than having to get ahold of the customer and them getting the parts... the mark up on the parts covers the having to figure out what parts, and ordering them..sending them back if they're wrong and such..and next,you drop the boat off and say, call me when it's done...I aint calling anybody every day with up dates...we'll call you when we need to call you...

[emoji106], i was going to order wheels when adrenaline did my trailer but i guarantee they would have been the wrong ones. I let the guys that do this every day figure it out.


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[That Guy]

I don't think Aarons talent is in question here, just the way the situation was handled.
I went to a class that used a simple tool to metaforically open your eyes. They had all 10 of us standing in a circle, 5 bean bags(which represented our customers) we tossed back/forth. Nobody dropped a bag until they introduced another batch of bean bags.

Understood, but I'm guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle...usually is....

I like the beanbag exercise. I may steal it.....

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

My apologies. My boat was one of the ones they squeezed in while yours was sitting there.

I have used Absolute a couple times for quick stuff. I have had good experiences and both times they got my boat in and out in just a few hours.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Sucks...Good shops/people have bad days.

The lack of communication and not just telling me up front it's not going to happen in time are what would bother me.....Things happen and jobs get stretched but I would rather know it's not going to get done or delayed so I can decide to wait or go elsewhere vs. wasting my time and energy only to have my hopes crushed 3 weeks down the road when the service wasn't completed.

Hopefully its a lesson for Absolute.

 

[checkrd past]

My experiance there is, Great service BUT if they have bigger boat with deep pockets comin in on a whim to check something out, all sceduled boats get kicked out.SAnd that came from some of the employees. But again , great service.

 

[bowtiejunkie]

Is the OP one of those RDP bots that RD created along the way and deploys bogus stories to drum up internet traffic?

Sling Mud and run.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Is the OP one of those RDP bots that RD created along the way and deploys bogus stories to drum up internet traffic?

Sling Mud and run.

That's what Steve and Grads get paid for...haha

 

[Runs2rch]

That's what Steve and Grads get paid for...haha

You are in that 20k post club also!

 

[Cole Trickle]

You are in that 20k post club also!

Never once have I been banned or caused an issue...haha