Albany Marine Supply Co Inc

Have been going here for a couple years with various boats. Absolutely excellent service every time. It is clear from their work and conversation that their staff are experienced professionals and take pride in their job. Thank you again guys, I very much appreciate you!

On 8/8/23 my three young grandsons and I brought in a 1986 Johnson 9.9 outboard motor to Albany Marine Supply for repair because it would not stay running. I indicated to Tom (owner) that the fuel pump and carburetor were just rebuilt, spark plugs replaced and that it appeared to be a spark/electrical issue. The paid repair bill for that visit was for a new portable plastic gas tank, fuel line and labor totaling $342.87. Tom said it was a good running motor and the problem was just the tank and the fuel line. I thanked him. The motor was picked up on 8/10/23. Upon returning home the motor was started and the same problem existed in that the motor would not stay running. I called Tom that same day and he said bring it in and that they would get to it right away because there wasn’t a whole lot of work at that time. The motor was brought in the next morning 8/11/23 because we live an hour and 10 minutes away. The technician said that Tom was on vacation and that they wouldn’t be able to get to the motor for a while since they needed to talk with him. On 8/22/23 Tom called and said the repair was complete and that they replaced the electrical box with a used one with an unknown origin and age. When I asked about the age and origin he said, “how the h**l should I know. ” That repair bill was $194.40. Upon arrival the next morning 8/23/23 to discuss concerns about risk with the installed, used electrical box repair I was told by the technician that Tom is on vacation. I explained why it would be unwise and risky of me to take my grandchildren out in the boat with a used electrical box of an unknown origin and age. This used part was not authorized by me and I explained why I wanted a new electrical box for reliability and safety. On 8/25/23 I received a call from the technician that the motor was ready with a new electric box, that the motor ran fine (2nd time told that) again, and that there would not be an extra charge. Since I was away on travel I wasn’t able to pick up the motor until 8/31/23. Upon motor pickup I was told that I would have to pay the difference for the electric box. The new bill increased to $281.86 which was also paid. On 9/2/23, my grandsons and I took the boat out not more than a few hundred feet from the boat ramp and the engine quit. It was discovered that the lower cylinder piston rod punctured a hole in the side of the engine, a catastrophic engine failure. I called Tom on 9/5/23, day after Labor Day, and explained what happened. He said, “J***s C****t” that’s only ever happened to me once before! When asked if I could return any of the parts he said no to the electric box because it was already installed and no to the plastic fuel tank and fuel line because it could be used on any other boat engine. He then said for $400 he could replace the upper end of the motor. I find it peculiar that the unauthorized used electric box could be installed/removed and refunded but the new one couldn’t. Additionally, it is difficult to understand how such a major engine issue (piston rod failure) could be repeatedly missed with all the troubleshooting and diagnostics performed. A total of $624.73 was paid for services and parts. After paying for a new gas tank, fuel line, and electric box plus labor costs I now have a motor with a hole in the side that doesn’t work. My perception is that my family was taken advantage of. I also believe that this matter could have been resolved by a reasonable compromise between work performed and part (s) returned.