I just had my boat hauled out for replacement of vaulves and bottom paint. Nothing in the contract stated about paying as we go along. The work started Saturday and will end by this Friday. Today after the boat was hauled out and vaulves replaced they call me to see if would make a payment. I politely told them that I will pay them the full amount when the job is done after inspection when I pick the boat up on Saturday. Did I miss something here? I don't remember having to pay partial payments for a job that only takes 5-7 days. It left a bitter taste in my mouth....sadly because untill now the owner/staff are great/friendly. abe
Customary for boatyard to ask $$$ while painting?
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You should make a partial payment
a little less then what they have invested to this point. I am in business and don't like to be too exposed and sometimes have cash flow problems. I wouldn't have a quarrel as long as they don't expect full payment in advance.
a little less then what they have invested to this point. I am in business and don't like to be too exposed and sometimes have cash flow problems. I wouldn't have a quarrel as long as they don't expect full payment in advance.
I just got off the phone with the owner...
..in so many words he told me the winters/fall its kind of slow and that they are a ma's/pa's place. He was very nice....but I pointed out non of the other boatyards operate like that on such a small project. I gave him $300....but still leaves a bitter taste. abe
..in so many words he told me the winters/fall its kind of slow and that they are a ma's/pa's place. He was very nice....but I pointed out non of the other boatyards operate like that on such a small project. I gave him $300....but still leaves a bitter taste. abe
Don't get huffy
Nothing to get excited about. But my marina seems to be pressuring me to let them do stuff repairing my boat. I've came to the conclusion that marina's are hurting. The economy is tanking and people don't spend like they did a couple of years ago so they're short on cash. Probably just trying to make payroll without going to the money market account.
Nothing to get excited about. But my marina seems to be pressuring me to let them do stuff repairing my boat. I've came to the conclusion that marina's are hurting. The economy is tanking and people don't spend like they did a couple of years ago so they're short on cash. Probably just trying to make payroll without going to the money market account.
Over the last 30 years of
boat ownership, I've had a lot of work done on various boats I owned by a lot of boat yards. On average, I'd say that most service providers expected about a 50 per cent payment up front, and the remainder due when the job was completed. What I learned from this is that it is probably a good idea to discuss payment, and when it is due, before any work is done on your boat. In some cases, it is impossible for a service provider to accurately estimate what some work on your boat is going to cost. In such cases, you and the service provider need to discuss payment, and when it will be due -- and have a "not to exceed" limit established beforehand. If such a point is reached, you then must decide if you want to authorize continued work -- or to have work stopped and some other alternative used.
boat ownership, I've had a lot of work done on various boats I owned by a lot of boat yards. On average, I'd say that most service providers expected about a 50 per cent payment up front, and the remainder due when the job was completed. What I learned from this is that it is probably a good idea to discuss payment, and when it is due, before any work is done on your boat. In some cases, it is impossible for a service provider to accurately estimate what some work on your boat is going to cost. In such cases, you and the service provider need to discuss payment, and when it will be due -- and have a "not to exceed" limit established beforehand. If such a point is reached, you then must decide if you want to authorize continued work -- or to have work stopped and some other alternative used.
In our marina slip fees are payable in three
installments with the first due before Jan 1st if you want to be gaurnteed the same slip as you had the year before. If you pay early you get priority choice on any slips that haven't been payed for by the first of the year. Our slip is next to the break water and has the deepest water. Some of the slips are too shallow at low tide to move a fixed keel boat.
installments with the first due before Jan 1st if you want to be gaurnteed the same slip as you had the year before. If you pay early you get priority choice on any slips that haven't been payed for by the first of the year. Our slip is next to the break water and has the deepest water. Some of the slips are too shallow at low tide to move a fixed keel boat.
What is the difference
If they are a small business they might be having a cash flow problem. You owe them the money on Friday so what is the difference of a couple of days. This payment could possibley keep the wolf off of their door step. If they have been great and friendly like you stated, maybe you should be friendly in return.
If they are a small business they might be having a cash flow problem. You owe them the money on Friday so what is the difference of a couple of days. This payment could possibley keep the wolf off of their door step. If they have been great and friendly like you stated, maybe you should be friendly in return.
Yard by yard
I guess it is probably a yard by yard basis. I just had some minor work done on my boat; spar taken down and stored; travel lift; pressure washed; bothered the rigger as he was taking things apart... to ask a bunch of dumb assk questions; winterized; ready for transport back to the house. I talked to the yard manager to see if payment was due before boat was hauled. He said no. The bill beat me home. I guess I should pay, Rich
I guess it is probably a yard by yard basis. I just had some minor work done on my boat; spar taken down and stored; travel lift; pressure washed; bothered the rigger as he was taking things apart... to ask a bunch of dumb assk questions; winterized; ready for transport back to the house. I talked to the yard manager to see if payment was due before boat was hauled. He said no. The bill beat me home. I guess I should pay, Rich
Tommy, the difference is that as far as I know ...
...the boat could still be sitting in the water and I am not going to miss a day of work to find out what they have and not have done. I delivered the boat, I signed and agreement and was told it would take about 5-7 days. By the way they have only changed the vaulves...the work is not completed yet. They still need to sand and paint the bottom. I also called another boatyard in the area and they told me they collect at the time of delivery without a deposit for bottom paint jobs. This is a really interesting business. Never been asked before to pay a partial car repair bill or a deposit before works get started. Soooooo, when someone asks for money and payment in advance terms are NOT in the contract on a relatively small job...it got be by surprise. Ross, the work is not done yet. Vaulve replaced but no sanding or bottom paint. How many times have people posted on this site about how they paid first and no service was delivered or the service was not satisfactory. So, the next time we hear about how someone paid up front for a job that was never done or how they paid thousands of dollars in advance when their boat is lying on its side with its hull cracked open because the strap broke.....this is how it happens. I think this industry is behind the times when it comes to customer service. I have good faith in the people working on the boat right now (I think). Maybe I am spoiled with my mechanic and some of the other semi/professional people I deal with. Or maybe in this industry there are too many crooked clients and thats why they have to do business the way they do. abe
...the boat could still be sitting in the water and I am not going to miss a day of work to find out what they have and not have done. I delivered the boat, I signed and agreement and was told it would take about 5-7 days. By the way they have only changed the vaulves...the work is not completed yet. They still need to sand and paint the bottom. I also called another boatyard in the area and they told me they collect at the time of delivery without a deposit for bottom paint jobs. This is a really interesting business. Never been asked before to pay a partial car repair bill or a deposit before works get started. Soooooo, when someone asks for money and payment in advance terms are NOT in the contract on a relatively small job...it got be by surprise. Ross, the work is not done yet. Vaulve replaced but no sanding or bottom paint. How many times have people posted on this site about how they paid first and no service was delivered or the service was not satisfactory. So, the next time we hear about how someone paid up front for a job that was never done or how they paid thousands of dollars in advance when their boat is lying on its side with its hull cracked open because the strap broke.....this is how it happens. I think this industry is behind the times when it comes to customer service. I have good faith in the people working on the boat right now (I think). Maybe I am spoiled with my mechanic and some of the other semi/professional people I deal with. Or maybe in this industry there are too many crooked clients and thats why they have to do business the way they do. abe
Might help you in the long run
I own my own business also and there is nothing new about getting on the phone and drumming up some cash. On big jobs I bill as I go along. Hay, at Micky D's you pay at the first window and pick-up your food and the second window.
I own my own business also and there is nothing new about getting on the phone and drumming up some cash. On big jobs I bill as I go along. Hay, at Micky D's you pay at the first window and pick-up your food and the second window.
Abe , I can understand your feelings. If I have
large outlays for material I like to ask for an up front payment. Then as work progresses I collect a weekly draw. If I have a cash flow problem I usually make short term borrowing my first choice. I work for far too many people that have paid workmen up front for home repairs and have never seen that person again. People ask me if a check is "ok" and I tell them sure , I know where you live. With you marina I think that you could have a heart to heart with them. You need the marina and they need to make a living. I don't know how long you have done business with these people But I don't get the impression that they will close up shop and leave with your money .
large outlays for material I like to ask for an up front payment. Then as work progresses I collect a weekly draw. If I have a cash flow problem I usually make short term borrowing my first choice. I work for far too many people that have paid workmen up front for home repairs and have never seen that person again. People ask me if a check is "ok" and I tell them sure , I know where you live. With you marina I think that you could have a heart to heart with them. You need the marina and they need to make a living. I don't know how long you have done business with these people But I don't get the impression that they will close up shop and leave with your money .
Nothing wrong higgs....
..except I have never had a mechanic call me and say "I changed the spark plugs and oil change, pay me before I do the transmission". Big jobs I can understand that will take a long time, understand.... but for crying out loud this is a relatively small job that is done in 5-7 days can't they just wait till Saturday and allow me to inspect the job first. Thanks everybody to all (both the answeres I wanted to hear and the ones I didn't) abe
..except I have never had a mechanic call me and say "I changed the spark plugs and oil change, pay me before I do the transmission". Big jobs I can understand that will take a long time, understand.... but for crying out loud this is a relatively small job that is done in 5-7 days can't they just wait till Saturday and allow me to inspect the job first. Thanks everybody to all (both the answeres I wanted to hear and the ones I didn't) abe
I on your side with this one Abe,,,
The yard can't have much more then $500. in parts and materials that they HAVE NOT paid for yet. why would you be expected to pay in advance??? Especially since they have not completed the work. The yard is way off base on this one in my mind. I have been at the same yard for 10 years now and have never had this come up on a bill. The yard insist that all bills be paid before your boat is launched (unless special circumstance i.e. new engine that need to be sea trialed), even at that they have helped out customers. As far as work done during the season I have always been billed. Had the yard asked for a deposit first I would think differently of this situation but they did not as I understand you. The examples are endless of "Ma and Pa" business as well as large companies who have to deal with this same situation and so are the examples of not paying until the work is completed,and have a better clearer policy about deposits for part ordered or needed. Certainly your commitment to pay after you saw the job just days after being finished should have been more then enough for even a small yard.(just as info the yard I'm in is a "family run business" of medium size). Could go on and on with examples but not really important. As suggest by another next time ask about the payment and when is due before authorizing any work, beside unless you gave him cash the check won't even reach the yard (if sent USPS) until Thursday or Friday and not clear the bank until next week maybe a day earlier then if you paid him in full on Saturday or did I miss something here also ??? So the yard has some money one day sooner then all there money the next day and has upset a customer in the interim. Must be a West Coast thing but I don't get it. As others have said not worth the time to deal with this or lose sleep over this BUT it would still nag at me also and next time I needed work I would be shopping around near by yards as well maybe even when it come to renting the slip next time too ! May want to suggest that the yard owner check out this site also ! What happened to customer service ?
The yard can't have much more then $500. in parts and materials that they HAVE NOT paid for yet. why would you be expected to pay in advance??? Especially since they have not completed the work. The yard is way off base on this one in my mind. I have been at the same yard for 10 years now and have never had this come up on a bill. The yard insist that all bills be paid before your boat is launched (unless special circumstance i.e. new engine that need to be sea trialed), even at that they have helped out customers. As far as work done during the season I have always been billed. Had the yard asked for a deposit first I would think differently of this situation but they did not as I understand you. The examples are endless of "Ma and Pa" business as well as large companies who have to deal with this same situation and so are the examples of not paying until the work is completed,and have a better clearer policy about deposits for part ordered or needed. Certainly your commitment to pay after you saw the job just days after being finished should have been more then enough for even a small yard.(just as info the yard I'm in is a "family run business" of medium size). Could go on and on with examples but not really important. As suggest by another next time ask about the payment and when is due before authorizing any work, beside unless you gave him cash the check won't even reach the yard (if sent USPS) until Thursday or Friday and not clear the bank until next week maybe a day earlier then if you paid him in full on Saturday or did I miss something here also ??? So the yard has some money one day sooner then all there money the next day and has upset a customer in the interim. Must be a West Coast thing but I don't get it. As others have said not worth the time to deal with this or lose sleep over this BUT it would still nag at me also and next time I needed work I would be shopping around near by yards as well maybe even when it come to renting the slip next time too ! May want to suggest that the yard owner check out this site also ! What happened to customer service ?
Maybe the person that changed the valves
is an independent contractor of the marina and is in dire need of getting paid. I agree whatever arrangement the marina has is their deal and should not ask payment from you until the job is done.
is an independent contractor of the marina and is in dire need of getting paid. I agree whatever arrangement the marina has is their deal and should not ask payment from you until the job is done.
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