My ex husband did not know about cars or boats either.
I had to rescue him from one unscrupulous boatyard who tried to overcharge him and took months longer than initially stated. He was so frustrated he finally asked me to go along with him to confront the boat yard owner. I handled it very differently than a direct verbal confrontation. As I had experience from aircraft factory job managing a large work group to
make sure everything related to the use of chemicals was EPA and fire safety regulations compliant I kept pointing out all the violations in the boatyard as we walked around it. EPA regulation compliance is especially strict for waterfront businesses. There were open containers of solvents and paints on work benches and discarded open quart size containers of various products just left tossed on the ground around the boats in the repair yard and even on the dock. I offered to come in as a consultant and train his crews on what they needed todo to get in compliance for the EPA and hazardous waste disposal regulations.
When the three of us sat down in the office for a discussion all the excessive towing charges disappeared. That boat was properly repaired and ready to pick up a couple of days later for a minimal cost. No yelling or overt threats were made to achieve the goal of fair treatment. He recieved payment for the repair at a realistic rate. The towing charge was covered by our boat towing policy with no additional fees. My ex quit his two month long whining about the situation that had been driving me crazy to listen to multiple times a day.
If you do not know how to negotiate things such as repairs I suggest you find an out of print copy of “You Can Negotiate Anything” by Herb Cohen. It will serve you well if you learn the strategies he teaches as well as when to use which ones at correct stage of negotiation. Plus of course when to compromise.
I had to rescue him from one unscrupulous boatyard who tried to overcharge him and took months longer than initially stated. He was so frustrated he finally asked me to go along with him to confront the boat yard owner. I handled it very differently than a direct verbal confrontation. As I had experience from aircraft factory job managing a large work group to
make sure everything related to the use of chemicals was EPA and fire safety regulations compliant I kept pointing out all the violations in the boatyard as we walked around it. EPA regulation compliance is especially strict for waterfront businesses. There were open containers of solvents and paints on work benches and discarded open quart size containers of various products just left tossed on the ground around the boats in the repair yard and even on the dock. I offered to come in as a consultant and train his crews on what they needed todo to get in compliance for the EPA and hazardous waste disposal regulations.
When the three of us sat down in the office for a discussion all the excessive towing charges disappeared. That boat was properly repaired and ready to pick up a couple of days later for a minimal cost. No yelling or overt threats were made to achieve the goal of fair treatment. He recieved payment for the repair at a realistic rate. The towing charge was covered by our boat towing policy with no additional fees. My ex quit his two month long whining about the situation that had been driving me crazy to listen to multiple times a day.
If you do not know how to negotiate things such as repairs I suggest you find an out of print copy of “You Can Negotiate Anything” by Herb Cohen. It will serve you well if you learn the strategies he teaches as well as when to use which ones at correct stage of negotiation. Plus of course when to compromise.
Last edited:
