Bad customer service

[BillyBoy23]

So I posted a few days ago about my tolling motor having corrosion. I got some great tips from guys on the forum. I called Hannay's Marine today and also got a lot of help with what the issue could be. They explained a lot and gave me a number to Motor Clinic. I call motor clinic and was greeted on the phone by someone that sounds super [PoorWordUsage] off and an attitude like I am bothering them. This is the worst way to start a customer service experience. I asked him about what could be the problem and he starts talking to terms I have never heard of. This is my first boat and I am new to working with boats and have really only had good luck working with Hannay's on any issues I have. It’s very intimidating to deal with guys that know everything about boats when I have no idea on even how to ask the questions. So I asked this guy (who never gave me his name) if I could just bring my boat in and have them make sure I have everything hooked up correctly. The guy said "NO". He claims they don't work on boats. All I was asking was for the guy to make sure I have cords hooked up together. He wouldn’t even have to do any labor!!! I have run into similar situations where people are not willing to help me out. I am very disappointed in some companies in the metro area that can help someone and WON’T. It’s extremely frustrating being a young boater just asking for simple advice on stuff so I don't wreck my boat. I HAVE NO ISSUE PAYING SOMEONE to look at my boat for a stupid question to be answered. But it seems like they don't even want to help.

Does anyone know a place that I can bring my boat into to make sure that I have everything hooked up right? I bought a new battery 3 weeks ago and hooked everything up the same but i seem to be having some issues. My graph started reading the temp wrong and I have major corrosion on my brand new trolling motor. I have no idea where to start.

Has anyone else had bad luck with places just pushing you off? You would think with the slow economy that companies would take any money. Especially when it’s something they could look at in 15 mins and make 50 bucks.

-Bill

[TR21HP]

Try giving Formula Prop a call in Brooklyn Park, they have always done nice work for me in the past.

[mikef]

Try Fish-Lectronics in Fridley....FYI, I've never had a problem with Motor Clinic

[fivebucks]

Must have caught someone on the wrong side of the bed. I have always had great service at Motor Clinic and pricing there.

[BillyBoy23]

Am I out of line with asking for help like that? I feel like sometimes if its a simple check up to make sure I am not messing anything up they wonn't help. It's like I have to know for sure what the problem is.

[BillyBoy23]

I guess what is getting to me is the guy knew what was wrong and explained it in a way that I couldn't understand because I am new to this stuff yet when I ask him if I could bring it in to have him show me he said no. I am sure the company does great work. Just the willingness to help me was not there at all. So now I sit here knowing that this guy can help me fix my stuff but is not willing to. Makes me want to never do business there.

[gunflint]

I have never had dealings with Motor Clinic but I have heard mostly good things about them. Keep in mind your asking them to check on something that you could figure out for yourself with a little homework and they are two weeks away from opener and probably buried up to their eyeballs in work that just has to be done in less than 2 weeks.

[BillyBoy23]

I hear what you are saying for sure Gun. I would consider calling a motor company and asking them to explain it to me as homework. I really don't know much and am to the point that I think its hooked up wrong and distroying my trolling motor. Its to the point that I will pay someone to show me what I could be doing wrong. I also didn't pressure the guy to have him look at it ASAP. If I have to wait 3 weeks to have him look at it I would. It was just the overall not willing to show me that made me think different about the business.

[Dusty]

I have had motors repaired at the motor clinic and have always had outstanding service. I don't think they work on motors on boats or rig motors onto boats, as far as I know they don't have a garage or even an outside area to work on a boat. In other words if you have a problem with an

electic motor you take it off the boat and carry it into the service counter.

[Slob_Samurai]

Agree with dusty, motors have to be removed for motor clinic to look at it. I was on my way with my boat once and decided to call and verify. They said the boat can't be there, leave it at home.

If it's something easy like looking at the battery connections I'm sure someone on here can help you out thats near you. If I'm reading the thread right, all you did was replace a battery and your wondering if the connections are correct?

[Moe Szyslak]

I would agree to do your homework (internet) or go somewhere that installs trolling motors and pay them to look at it. I side with the guy from Motor Clinic. How is a company supposed to make money if everyone they help wants help for free (whether on the phone or in person)? Especially if you didnt purchase an item from them directly.

[marine_man]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience there... I think it's safe to say that this was the exception and not the rule, but mileage may vary.

Regardless, can you describe your setup a bit? I've read through a couple of your older posts regarding corrosion and such, but never found a post from you that describes how you currently have things connected, what voltage trolling motor you have, and what the situation is with your depth finder?

First things first though, a lot of your problems sound ground related, and more specifically, like your boat is wired like a trailer or automobile, with the frame being the ground; which definitely does not work with boats.

Again, sorry to hear you had a bad experience, but there are lots of people on this forum that are willing to help troubleshoot it through the forum if you can provide some information.

marine_man