Boats & Motors

Hi, The moral of the follwing story is NEVER RETURN PARTS at BOATS AND MOTORS. It seems they are nice and friendly when you spend money there, but when you want to return something as simple as in-stock bolts and gaskets, they yell at you. Do you like being yelled at? If so go here!! I don't usually post negative reviews about businesses, but I really felt like I had to on this one. I have been doing business with Boats and Motors for a few years and have spent thousands of dollars with them. I bought a Duras inflatable from them, had my outboard serviced by them, bought bottom paint there instead of West Marine (because I believe in supporting small business), and always bought yearly boating supplies from them such as zincs, etc. Well, today I had quite an experience there. Here's what happened: 1. I bought about 140.00 worth of riser gaskets and bolts, with the gaskets being the paper ones. 2. After consideration, I decided to return them and go with the OEM Mercruiser gaskets. The paper gaskets were unopened. 3. I went to disassemble my boat, and when I did, found that I had manifolds with corrosion on the mating joint surfaces. Time to replace the manifolds. 4. So, back to Boats and Motors I went to price out a set of new manifolds. I wanted to go with the new style dry joint manifolds rather than the wet joint. I worked with Mary, who got me the prices for Mercruiser OEM manifolds. The price was about 2800.00 for 2 sets of these, as I have twin inboards. I thought the price was high, but I was asking about OEM manifolds. Never did Mary say that she could supply aftermarket units. Nor did I ask. 5. So, like any savvy consumer, I checked pricing online for aftermarket dry joint Mercruiser manifolds. Found a good price and bought them online. 6. Today, I went back to return the bolts and gaskets I bought. It didn’t go well. With me standing in front of the counter while she was tallying the return, she turned to Fred and said, “Do you think it will piss the customer off if I charge him a 15% restocking fee”? That is VERBATIM. Fred stated that “well, I think if you do the customer will never come back” At that point I didn’t know what to think!! 7. At that point, they decided to sever the relationship with me as a customer. They continued the haranguing, complaining that I wasted their time in asking them to look up parts and that they didn’t want my business anymore. They chided me saying – “go ahead and write a bad review”. 8. Fred is unstable and should be avoided. Spend some time in the store and watch him deal with customers – I always viewed it as live entertainment until it happened to me. GOOD THING I already spent thousands there for good and services. I wonder how much longer they can stay in business with such a crappy attitude towards customers. Maybe they’ve had it with people after dealing with them for so long. They should just close and put themselves out of their “customer misery”. BUYER BEWARE!!!! Update: I can see from other posts that these folks are still at it! Again, they're great when you buy, but horrible if you need service. If you would like to test them, just go in the store and say "I can get the part cheaper online"...then run!!! I'm still boating and won't return there for any parts, supplies or service, no matter how much I need a part.
1 7 years ago (20-03-2018)

Very knowledgeable mechanic. Low pressure polite service. Large inventory of parts and accessories.
5 8 years ago (03-10-2017)

I have done business here on numerous occasions over the past 5 years and despite being "odd ducks" I had always found Fred and Mary quite helpful. I went in recently to purchase wire and a connectors to install marine electronics I had purchased online - Fred and Mary were both exceedingly disgruntled that I had purchased said electronics elsewhere without consulting them first to obtain pricing that Fred came out from behind the counter to get in my face and attempt to tell me off, I proceeded to leave the items I was purchasing on the counter and on my way out the door got a heartfelt "F*** YOU" from Mary. Truly taken aback by how upset the two of them were for having done business elsewhere, I can only speculate from their emotions that the business' books must be looking a little red as of late. Needless to say I will no longer be doing business here and will continue to spread the word for others to follow suit.
1 8 years ago (21-04-2017)

Great folks and very good selection of boating hardware and gear. Bought my sailing boat outboard there and have been very pleased with their recommendation and choice. Has the feel of a real hardware store. Highly recommend you check this place out.
5 8 years ago (08-02-2017)

Mary is always very helpful and knowledgeable. Boats and motors is the only place I go to when I need parts.
5 8 years ago (28-06-2017)