Beware of a con artist mechanic named Gianni Ferretty

[Nathan Mayo]

I've gotten some good lessons lately that I wish to share.....1. If a guy leads you to believe that he owns the shop to get your business.....as soon as you find out he ISN'T the owner, run away and take your boat with you. 2. If he wants you to front some $$ so he can buy parts.......DON'T. Pay for the parts and HALF the labor when you pick it up, the other half after you have water-tested for a couple of hours minimum. 3. If he says he is installing a rebuilt from SBT.....call them up and ask them what serial number motor they sold him and verify that it is installed in your boat.

The above-mentioned Mr. Ferretty is no longer available to telephone, I can't find him (yet), my boat does not work, and SBT says they never sold him a motor. I do not seem to have any recourse other than to smear his name around the Internet as much as possible, starting here, in the hope that others won't taken in by this smooth talker.

I suggest the rest of you stick to dealing with the local shops that are well-established in the community. If any of you actually KNOW Gianni, be sure to tell him that I am expecting him to honor his 1 yr warranty and look forward to our next meeting.

Nathan Mayo

 

[b15philly]

Sorry to here this man, I hope you find this guy and get things straightened out I know what I would do if I was in you situation:boxing_smiley: Anyway good luck and I hope you do find him.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Red flags...?

I've gotten some good lessons lately that I wish to share.....1. If a guy leads you to believe that he owns the shop to get your business.....as soon as you find out he ISN'T the owner, run away and take your boat with you. 2. If he wants you to front some $$ so he can buy parts.......DON'T. Pay for the parts and HALF the labor when you pick it up, the other half after you have water-tested for a couple of hours minimum. 3. If he says he is installing a rebuilt from SBT.....call them up and ask them what serial number motor they sold him and verify that it is installed in your boat.

The above-mentioned Mr. Ferretty is no longer available to telephone, I can't find him (yet), my boat does not work, and SBT says they never sold him a motor. I do not seem to have any recourse other than to smear his name around the Internet as much as possible, starting here, in the hope that others won't taken in by this smooth talker.

I suggest the rest of you stick to dealing with the local shops that are well-established in the community. If any of you actually KNOW Gianni, be sure to tell him that I am expecting him to honor his 1 yr warranty and look forward to our next meeting.

Nathan Mayo

From your thread, it seems you saw all the red flags, or so you've posted them.

You should never give any money to anyone working on your boat till the job is completed. If it's a bonifide shop, they don't need your money to get the parts. I don't have a shop, outside my garage but even when I have someone who wants my help, I usually get the stuff and save the receipts. I try to get the owners to order the parts first. This way, they were actually involved somewhat in the work and they know what money was spent. This is very important.

Going to a repair shop, you should first ask for an estimate. If the mechanic says you need a new motor, ask him for his address and order the motor yourself. A good mechanic will be fine with that, since his money is made in the labor. If he insists on buying it, then he's looking to inflate the cost.

I hate to hear the guy ripped you off. I also hate reading that it appears that you might have seen it coming. I also know how well these smooth talkers try and pull the wool over the eyes of their intended victim. I hope it somehow works out in your favor. But, I fear that even as you use his name on the site, it's not his real name.......

 

[kustomkarl]

In the state of Florida If your in doubt of the mechanic's reputation or his business he represents, go check it out with the BBC,( Better Business Bureau). A real legitimate business will collect 1/2 of the repair up front and collect the rest at the finish of the job when you pick it up...not after you test drive. The old saying no ticky...no laundry... If you deal with back yard mechanics expect to get ripped off. Most are in it for the quick buck. Legitimate serious repair shops have rent or mortgage, insurance advertising,ect over head to pay, backyard mechanics don't have to pay... If you have a friend Like "seadoosnipe" doing you a favor,as is common place here on the seadoo forum, that's a rear instance. In the real world, "buyer be ware" of any backyard, fly by night repair shops.

Karl

 

[robin savell lloyd]

:agree::stupid: I do agree with Karl to a point. There are many honest back yard mechanics out there but you need to find references. Do not trust your cash to someone you have not checked out. Sometimes people can make mistakes not meaning to that can cost you. but keep in mind, that can happen at a dealer also at $100.00 per hour.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Backyard mechanics...

:agree::stupid: I do agree with Karl to a point. There are many honest back yard mechanics out there but you need to find references. Do not trust your cash to someone you have not checked out. Sometimes people can make mistakes not meaning to that can cost you. but keep in mind, that can happen at a dealer also at $100.00 per hour.

:agree: with you robin. There are good backyard mechanics but like Karl said, you need to have the references. I would never think that someone would just take their boat or ski to a place without any knowledge of who they are.

Here, I don't really worry about it. On the river, I have helped so many and befriended most, I'm pretty well known in my parts. So, when someone is asking for a favor, he knows my reputation. I do think its very, very important that you get to know them, get references from friends or what have you. Don't trust someone right off the bat.

I'm old school, where your reputation is earned by your sincere help and skills. That in itself keeps my friends on the river coming back year after year.........:cheers:

 

[Nathan Mayo]

It gets worse........

I called the Sherriff's Dept. to find out if I could get the guy arrested for fraud and was told that if he completed as little as 10% of the contracted work that the State's Attorney would not go after him. Can you believe that?!!

Try shoplifting a $10 item at Walmart and you'll be taking a ride in a patrol car.

I do have a friend who runs a collection agency, so I have a feeling his credit report will be looking pretty bad for the next 7 years. I may have the last laugh yet if he trys to buy a car or a house............nathan mayo

 

[seadooya]

where are you at, with your boat....does it work, got it fixed, other problems..etc?

 

[chucked]

I am a mechanic, and when I do side work, I require the customer to pay for 100% of the parts up front, and if it's a large job, I require a good bit of labor $ up front. If they don't want to I tell them to take it to the dealer. I've been screwed too many times.

 

[seadooya]

I do seadoo repair work on the side, but anything outside the ordinary, i supply. I look at it this way, you have there ski/boat...not taking it home until they pay, unless you do mobile work, then at least 75% up front...thats how i roll.:cheers:

 

[popasodatastie]

Know your people

I guess my boat mechanic is also my good friend since elementry school everytime i have a question or my ski stops running I have a key to his garage and just drop it off. Usually it takes him a day of two to get it fixed but it is important to know how the people who service anything weather it your car or pwc. You wouldn't want someone to screw up or rush and forget somthing.