Al's Outboard in Havasu......

[jgasman661]

So last week I called Al's to schedule my boat coming in from California for a new trim motor and battery switch (not that hard to do I know) and I would have the parts for him. When I arrived on the day we both agreed on at 8:30 am as the gates were opening I was greeted by a annoyed man that didn't seem to want to help out. He remembered me and said ya sorry but we can't get it done until after the weekend. I understand stuff comes up unexpected and jobs don't go smoothly. So I said how much would it cost to have it done on some overtime. I'll pay whatever I would like to get the family on the water this weekend and it's only Thursday morning!! Basically I was told take a hike while he was on the phone with 3 other people the entire time. He said good luck wherever you take it..... It'll just be coming back to him anyways since nobody in Havasa knows outboards.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Officially a call out thread

 

[aka619er]

We call that the Fuck-You position.

Sucks he did that to u.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

There has to me more to the story here than what you are stating. Al's is like an institution in Havasu.......they have been there forever and have a great reputation.

I also find it funny that you have been here since 2013 and your 10th post is to bash a business on a public forum.......:thumbsdown

 

[Singleton]

Where in Ca. I know WOT Marine in Carlsbad knows outboards very well

 

[TOBTEK]

Did I read your last sentence correctly? You have to take it back to this person since nobody else in Havasu knows outboards?

Two thoughts come to mind. First, there's plenty of good outboard techs out there. And what kind of service are you going to get after this call out thread??

 

[aka619er]

Did I read your last sentence correctly? You have to take it back to this person since nobody else in Havasu knows outboards?

Two thoughts come to mind. First, there's plenty of good outboard techs out there. And what kind of service are you going to get after this call out thread??

Definitely no Kustom shops.

 

[hallett21]

Call joe at havasu hot laps. He is very knowledgable in outboards.

 

[Kylemenz1]

It's good to know that his shop won't honor the time schedule promised. I hate when I plan my schedule around someone, and then they back out. That's bad business.

 

[hallett21]

Where in Ca. I know WOT Marine in Carlsbad knows outboards very well

X2 if you are getting the work done in so cal

 

[CobraDave]

Funny how everyone gets bashed on here for telling their bad service story, like it's not possible. Anyway, the boat industry must be booming again!

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Where in Ca. I know WOT Marine in Carlsbad knows outboards very well

I know that if I had a trip planned and needed work done on my boat, I would have got the work done weeks before I was leaving for my trip!

 

[boatdoc55]

A battery switch and a trim motor, those aren't rocket scientist parts to change out. Further more, bringing in your own parts kind of puts a burr under the shops saddle if you know what I mean.

 

[Riverbound]

I have dealt with him on a few occasions. I do agree at times that he might be a little tough to deal with and is a little old school in the way he runs his business, but he definitely knows his shit

 

[240Hallett]

Did I read your last sentence correctly? You have to take it back to this person since nobody else in Havasu knows outboards?

Two thoughts come to mind. First, there's plenty of good outboard techs out there. And what kind of service are you going to get after this call out thread??

I think the last sentence was quoting the guy at the shop, as in he thinks he's the only outboard shop in town.

 

[TBI]

Have you tried a different prop?

 

[lbhsbz]

Go see the Outboard Doctor in Havasu...excellent service.

 

[shintoooo]

Try outdrive1 here on the forums. I think he can help you out.

 

[RCDave]

Any shop should be able to install a new trim pump and battery switch. Don't need an O/B specialist for that

 

[nordictom]

Any shop should be able to install a new trim pump and battery switch. Don't need an O/B specialist for that

X2

 

[CampbellCarl]

A battery switch and a trim motor, those aren't rocket scientist parts to change out. Further more, bringing in your own parts kind of puts a burr under the shops saddle if you know what I mean.

I used to run an auto repair center in a small strip center in Oregon City, the owner of the restaurant in the strip center would always bring his own oil and filter with him for us to change.

One morning, I went to the restaurant, handed the waitress two eggs that I'd brought from home and asked her to give them to Lee from Carl and I'd like them over easy...

Lee brought my breakfast to me himself and said..."I get it...." and never brought his own oil in again.

 

[HocusPocus]

We have used Al's for many years and they recently rebuilt my father-in-laws outboard and did a great job on it, I can say we have never had a bad experience there. We have also used the Outboard Doctor and have good things to say about him as well. I know it's frustrating when your on vacation and things don't go as you have planned them. Hope you get your family back on the water soon.

 

[tunnel vision]

I used to run an auto repair center in a small strip center in Oregon City, the owner of the restaurant in the strip center would always bring his own oil and filter with him for us to change.

One morning, I went to the restaurant, handed the waitress two eggs that I'd brought from home and asked her to give them to Lee from Carl and I'd like them over easy...

Lee brought my breakfast to me himself and said..."I get it...." and never brought his own oil in again.

:thumbup:

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Call joe at havasu hot laps. He is very knowledgable in outboards.

About the best in Havasu Joe is, also JJ at Gibbs propellor builds all my race motors, he and Joe know their stuff.

 

[YoPengo]

Try Mike @ Shimmer Marine.

http://www.shimmerboatservice.com

 

[boatdoc55]

I used to run an auto repair center in a small strip center in Oregon City, the owner of the restaurant in the strip center would always bring his own oil and filter with him for us to change.

One morning, I went to the restaurant, handed the waitress two eggs that I'd brought from home and asked her to give them to Lee from Carl and I'd like them over easy...

Lee brought my breakfast to me himself and said..."I get it...." and never brought his own oil in again.

 

[RVR SWPR]

Got to be more to this.No doubt LHC has many of the best in boating services. Al and Lew are among the best and damn good people,always an adventure going thru those gates,but just don't see anyone there talking to customers as described.Gotta be more going on here.

 

[STV_Keith]

Call joe at havasu hot laps. He is very knowledgable in outboards.

Agreed. Try this number: (928) 505-7223

 

[TCHB]

Try Mike @ Shimmer Marine.

http://www.shimmerboatservice.com

This is where I take my outboards to have serviced. They are good people and have a real good mechanic.

 

[jgasman661]

hahahaha. The reason I brought the boat parts is because the boat is being stored in needles (4 hrs from home) and when I called to schedule the appointment with him he said if we had to wait on parts it would 2-3 days longer for a repair. So I called and got the parts before I left town for vacation to help with time. I get it some people think I'm just hating on here because it's only my 13 post in 2-3 years or some shit. But just throwing it out there so some other guy in the same shoes taking his family on vacation for a week to the river doesn't get screwed like I almost did. Damn internet trolls...... But the oil filter and and oil story is a good one. Lol

 

[Dettom]

They did good work for me. I found them to be pretty good. That shop has been in business since the 50's or 60's. Plenty others to pick from too.

 

[jgasman661]

There has to me more to the story here than what you are stating. Al's is like an institution in Havasu.......they have been there forever and have a great reputation.

I also find it funny that you have been here since 2013 and your 10th post is to bash a business on a public forum.......:thumbsdown

Hey Joe go ahead and ask Dustin about my story. He's the one who saved my weekend and bailed me out

 

[Stainless]

Since this thread started I've been trying to think of the techs name that worked at Lakeland. Young guy, really knew the Optimax and Smartcraft platform very well. I think he left after Lew sold the business. There was a young chick also that knew her stuff at the counter named Corina.
Anyone know if there still around?

 

[guest hs]

Im definitely on board with the guy that said don't wait till the last minute. Anything can happen that could cause a problem when an old part is taken off little loan what the shop operator says about scheduling, don't procrastinate give the shop plenty of time to do the job.

 

[BigDoug]

Stainless.....you are talking about Gill Fallon at Fallon marine now on Acoma, this is who I use for my water bike, he truly is one of the best, he learned for Lew Larson over at AL's outboard !!

 

[Paul65k]

I used to run an auto repair center in a small strip center in Oregon City, the owner of the restaurant in the strip center would always bring his own oil and filter with him for us to change.

One morning, I went to the restaurant, handed the waitress two eggs that I'd brought from home and asked her to give them to Lee from Carl and I'd like them over easy...

Lee brought my breakfast to me himself and said..."I get it...." and never brought his own oil in again.

For some reason I can picture you doing that (big smile on my face).............you're probably one of the few people in this world that could get away with that without getting 86'd :cool

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Hey Joe go ahead and ask Dustin about my story. He's the one who saved my weekend and bailed me out

That is because Dustin is on another level when it comes to customer service, I am glad that he helped you out. Sorry if I came off like a dick, but I just don't take to kindly to openly bashing a business on the internet. There are always 2 sides to a story and in this day & age with consumers having all the power to go online and write negative reviews, I tend to live by the rule of........if I don't have anything nice to say, I don't say it at all.

I had a bad experience with my boat at a mechanic last year and I am sure other members have to. It happens. So instead of coming on RDP and bashing them, I took my business elsewhere.

Glad that you got it all figured out and hopefully you weren't down for too long.

 

[454Rocket]

Stainless.....you are talking about Gill Fallon at Fallon marine now on Acoma, this is who I use for my water bike, he truly is one of the best, he learned for Lew Larson over at AL's outboard !!

That's who I was going to recommend.

Joe stays pretty busy with upper end stuff... hard to get in there.

 

[Stainless]

Stainless.....you are talking about Gill Fallon at Fallon marine now on Acoma, this is who I use for my water bike, he truly is one of the best, he learned for Lew Larson over at AL's outboard !!

Yup, that's him. I used to love visiting Lakeland to check out the bad boy outboards when Lew and Gil were there. [emoji106]

 

[hallett21]

Since this thread started I've been trying to think of the techs name that worked at Lakeland. Young guy, really knew the Optimax and Smartcraft platform very well. I think he left after Lew sold the business. There was a young chick also that knew her stuff at the counter named Corina.
Anyone know if there still around?

Are you thinking of Gill (sp)?

 

[Stainless]

Are you thinking of Gill (sp)?

Yea, great Merc technician. [emoji106]

 

[PVHCA]

That is because Dustin is on another level when it comes to customer service, I am glad that he helped you out. Sorry if I came off like a dick, but I just don't take to kindly to openly bashing a business on the internet. There are always 2 sides to a story and in this day & age with consumers having all the power to go online and write negative reviews, I tend to live by the rule of........if I don't have anything nice to say, I don't say it at all.

I had a bad experience with my boat at a mechanic last year and I am sure other members have to. It happens. So instead of coming on RDP and bashing them, I took my business elsewhere.

Glad that you got it all figured out and hopefully you weren't down for too long.

But it sure feels good when your able to fuck with someone's livelihood when they fucked with your hard earned cash. I'd still bash on a certain shop in Havasu if I didn't make a promise. I know I hurt them at the time but that shop has been doing great, at least I got an apology from the real owner, no refund but he accepted fault, for whatever that was worth.

 

[jgasman661]

That is because Dustin is on another level when it comes to customer service, I am glad that he helped you out. Sorry if I came off like a dick, but I just don't take to kindly to openly bashing a business on the internet. There are always 2 sides to a story and in this day & age with consumers having all the power to go online and write negative reviews, I tend to live by the rule of........if I don't have anything nice to say, I don't say it at all.

I had a bad experience with my boat at a mechanic last year and I am sure other members have to. It happens. So instead of coming on RDP and bashing them, I took my business elsewhere.

Glad that you got it all figured out and hopefully you weren't down for too long.

Dustin is one of a kind. trust me if i knew of the problem weeks ahead of time it would have gone to a shop. but being that i happened the week before while i was out there i didn't have much choice. yes i could have towed the sled 5 hrs back home to dustin but when the guy at "this other shop" says no worries we will take care of it i took his word. guess i fucked up by trusting a guy i did no real research on. so this post was a warning to the next average guy like me. trust me we both know "Rue" pretty well from what I've gathered so i can take an ass chewing on a public forum with the best. hahahahaha

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Dustin is one of a kind. trust me if i knew of the problem weeks ahead of time it would have gone to a shop. but being that i happened the week before while i was out there i didn't have much choice. yes i could have towed the sled 5 hrs back home to dustin but when the guy at "this other shop" says no worries we will take care of it i took his word. guess i fucked up by trusting a guy i did no real research on. so this post was a warning to the next average guy like me. trust me we both know "Rue" pretty well from what I've gathered so i can take an ass chewing on a public forum with the best. hahahahaha

Small world.....lol. PM me and let me know who this is.

 

[crzy2bealive]

Hopefully you get your problem fixed!

 

[Boschma]

I had a bad experience with my boat at a mechanic last year and I am sure other members have to. It happens. So instead of coming on RDP and bashing them, I took my business elsewhere.

Glad that you got it all figured out and hopefully you weren't down for too long.

That's the way I've handled my boat. Not worth openly bashing the place. I just wont go back. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be struggling to get something fixed and this guy could bail me out. Not worth burning a bridge.


But on the other end....if no one ever says anything about the way they were handled at a place, how can we help protect other people from being treated poorly. Its a fine line. I definitely want to know about a shop I'm taking my boat to. And for a lot of people here, this forum is the only way of finding anything out.

 

[Wicky]

Outboards suck!

 

[RiverDave]

jgasman661, I deleted the sucks out of the thread title.. That is bending/breaking the rules of the forum a little, the rest of it is fine.

I am interested in hearing about the owners attitude when you return.. LOL You're mad because he wasn't able to squeeze you in last minute even though he thought he could.. Now that you have blasted his biz on here, I'm sure his attitude is going to be warm and welcoming when you go back.. Or he might tell you that your appointment has been rescheduled to never?

RD

 

[jgasman661]

jgasman661, I deleted the sucks out of the thread title.. That is bending/breaking the rules of the forum a little, the rest of it is fine.

I am interested in hearing about the owners attitude when you return.. LOL You're mad because he wasn't able to squeeze you in last minute even though he thought he could.. Now that you have blasted his biz on here, I'm sure his attitude is going to be warm and welcoming when you go back.. Or he might tell you that your appointment has been rescheduled to never?

RD

Understood. Apologies. I never took it back to him. What he said was that if I take it somewhere else that it would just end up coming back to him because nobody else could fix my problem correctly. I will not ever try to schedule with him anyways now Dave. That's the reason for this post. Now with this post many other people have told me about other places that I wasn't aware of that are reliable. If it was squeeze to get in with 8 days notice that's fine tell me and I would get on here and ask your members for some advice on where to go

 

[TCHB]

jgasman661, I deleted the sucks out of the thread title.. That is bending/breaking the rules of the forum a little, the rest of it is fine.

I am interested in hearing about the owners attitude when you return.. LOL You're mad because he wasn't able to squeeze you in last minute even though he thought he could.. Now that you have blasted his biz on here, I'm sure his attitude is going to be warm and welcoming when you go back.. Or he might tell you that your appointment has been rescheduled to never?

RD

Yelp for Boat Repairs!!!