Overcharged for a rudder replacement

[Warren]

I just had the rudder replaced on a 1989 Cat 30, I supplied the part. The yard charged me just over $1,800 for the job. That included hauling, removing the old, cutting down the shaft and drilling the hole for the pin. They did have some trouble getting the new one in place, but $1,800. I had been told that if I supplied the part it would only be labor, and the job should take around three hours (not by the yard that did the actual work). Since this was the only yard that had room to store me, then haul I had no choice but to have this yard do the work. I did not discuss the price, because "beggers cant't be choosers". I was just glad someone was willing to get the job done. Now back to the original question. I know for a fact that they spent around 8 hours total on the job (not including hauling and blocking) and labor is $70/hour. Is there a set price for certain jobs that allows them to charge this kind of money? I have 10 days acording to the bill to settle any disputes, and the bill has been paid. Do I have any argument?

 

[Trevor]

Yards

Hi Warren -I'm sure you're looking for a more favorable answer, but I don't think you have much recourse here. Without having a written estimate that indicates any cost over-runs beyond a certain amount need approval, there's little you can do to prove how many hours the job actually took. Did the bill break down the labor and materials? I would suggest talking to the owner (in a reasonable tone, since you don't have much on your side here) about how this could cost so much. Plead if you must, to knock off some time as a concession. Don't threaten the yard until you are absolutely certain you won't be able to get either a refund of some sort or possibly a discount on a subsequent haulout or job. It never pays to be nasty. Best of luck - at least you are out sailing this summer, right?Trevor

 

[No Doz]

People Sure Are...

Stupid.Trevor's right. Geez, would you do that kind of thing in your daily business? Kinda like the girl with the neck whistle and the f**k me sign on trying to win a rape case. Get real, stop whining. Just because it's a boat doesn't mean you have to be stupid and blame your lack of planning and negotiating skills, or lack thereof, on some one else.And you're in New York!!!!????? Give me a break, you should be able to do better than that being that close to Wall Street.

 

[Allen Schweitzer]

No Doz: Switch to Decaf

No Doz,This forum is a great place to give and receive CONSTRUCTIVE information about a wide variety of topics on SAILING.What you offered was neither constructive, nor about sailing.Give US a break, will ya?Allen Schweitzers/v FalstaffC-30 Hull #632

 

[Tom Fuller]

Overcharged

Tell them to give you an itemized billing summary of all charges including labor (time/rate) and materials. If there's anything out of line on the bill, you can use that to dispute your concerns.

 

[Tom S]

Warren, I think trevor summed it up pretty well

But if it makes you feel any better $1800 is not unbelievably ridiculous. Yeah its a bit high and you would have hoped for getting out with less than $900 or so. But just as a point of reference my boat yard (Southwest CT) charges $14 (plus $2 foot required power wash) just to haul and block the boat (not a few hour short haul). So my boat cost me almost $600 for that alone.Owning boats "ain't" cheap sometimes and especially when an emergency comes up.But I would definetly have a "chat" with the yard manager. Tell him you know that they spent 8 hours on in and your not sure how it got up to $1800. If you're nice he might knock off something on the bill.Try and really get an itemized break out and next time get a written estimate....they won't guarantee it, but I bet they'll at least be in the ball park