Remember the Little Guys - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Remember the Little Guys

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Remember the Little Guys

DaveS posted 12-27-2014 11:38 PM ET (US)
As 2014 draws to an end, I wanted to take a minute to remind everyone to remember the little guys. The local Mercury dealer near my house, about 5 minutes away, is closing. Not because of the economy but retiring. Lucky them! Bill and Nancy are the owners of N and B Marine Supplies in Bordentown, NJ. They've been doing business for 39-years and decided this would be their last. Their service went above and beyond the call many times for me. They were always friendly, prices were competitive, they gave great advice, and they never laughed at me when I tried and usually failed when I was working on my boat.
I have a Mercury 150-HP on the back of my 1999 Boston Whaler Outrage 17. One time last year that I attempted to change the water pump. I purchased the kit from them and they assured me that I'd be able to do it myself. I was able to pull off the lower unit and replace the pump, but for some unknown reason, I couldn't get the lower unit back on. I ended up towing it to them and was ready to leave the boat in their yard when Bill tells me to pull in into the work area and then finishes the install! We had a nice chat for about 30 minutes and told me to go get my boat wet! NO charge!
This summer I was trying to replace the steering cable. I was able to drive the cable out but when it came to installing the new cable, I couldn't connect it to the engine. The engine had to come off the boat for me to make the final connection. This on Saturday. I talked with them about if I can't get it done, would they be able to do it. So I trailered the boat to their place and gave them a call Monday around 9 a.m. to give them the combination to the lock I had on the trailer. Nancy told me it was already done!
I'm going to miss them and they excellent service they provided. I hate to admit but I've been going to them for over 30 years! I bought my first boat from them in 1985. It was probably the best decision I made in my boating life, next to owning my affair with Boston Whaler!
I guess I wanted to remind those of you who do have places like this near you to remind you how lucky you are and not to take them for granted. You may find out that like me, they won't be there forever!
Thanks Bill and Nancy!
Have a great day.
Dave
Hoosier posted 12-28-2014 12:07 PM ET (US)
Well said. My In-Laws ran their own sporting goods store for 50+ years, they never retired...their daughters had to sell the store after they died.
RevengeFamily posted 12-30-2014 07:01 AM ET (US)
Dave,
You were extremely lucky to find a shop with knowledge and expertise of what they do. There are so many horror stories out there of dealers taking advantage of folks, it really turns my stomach. You were blessed to have a dealer with a heart as well...
I hope they enjoy a long and healthy retirement...
Happy New Year to all,
Norm

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Remember the Little Guys
DaveS	posted 12-27-2014 11:38 PM ET (US) As 2014 draws to an end, I wanted to take a minute to remind everyone to remember the little guys. The local Mercury dealer near my house, about 5 minutes away, is closing. Not because of the economy but retiring. Lucky them! Bill and Nancy are the owners of N and B Marine Supplies in Bordentown, NJ. They've been doing business for 39-years and decided this would be their last. Their service went above and beyond the call many times for me. They were always friendly, prices were competitive, they gave great advice, and they never laughed at me when I tried and usually failed when I was working on my boat. I have a Mercury 150-HP on the back of my 1999 Boston Whaler Outrage 17. One time last year that I attempted to change the water pump. I purchased the kit from them and they assured me that I'd be able to do it myself. I was able to pull off the lower unit and replace the pump, but for some unknown reason, I couldn't get the lower unit back on. I ended up towing it to them and was ready to leave the boat in their yard when Bill tells me to pull in into the work area and then finishes the install! We had a nice chat for about 30 minutes and told me to go get my boat wet! NO charge! This summer I was trying to replace the steering cable. I was able to drive the cable out but when it came to installing the new cable, I couldn't connect it to the engine. The engine had to come off the boat for me to make the final connection. This on Saturday. I talked with them about if I can't get it done, would they be able to do it. So I trailered the boat to their place and gave them a call Monday around 9 a.m. to give them the combination to the lock I had on the trailer. Nancy told me it was already done! I'm going to miss them and they excellent service they provided. I hate to admit but I've been going to them for over 30 years! I bought my first boat from them in 1985. It was probably the best decision I made in my boating life, next to owning my affair with Boston Whaler! I guess I wanted to remind those of you who do have places like this near you to remind you how lucky you are and not to take them for granted. You may find out that like me, they won't be there forever! Thanks Bill and Nancy! Have a great day. Dave
Hoosier	posted 12-28-2014 12:07 PM ET (US) Well said. My In-Laws ran their own sporting goods store for 50+ years, they never retired...their daughters had to sell the store after they died.
RevengeFamily	posted 12-30-2014 07:01 AM ET (US) Dave, You were extremely lucky to find a shop with knowledge and expertise of what they do. There are so many horror stories out there of dealers taking advantage of folks, it really turns my stomach. You were blessed to have a dealer with a heart as well... I hope they enjoy a long and healthy retirement... Happy New Year to all, Norm