Friday,May 10th 2019
Well I'm sad to say that the great initial experience(see my 1st review) I had with Jason was not to be repeated in a recent visit.
I had two things that I wanted Jason to do, fix (or remove the direct drive if unable to fix as I have a self propelled mower), and do a tune up,so I brought my mower in.He looked underneath it and told me that the blade was shot and he would be unable to sharpen it so I would need a new one.I said OK and watched him write down the issues on a piece of paper.
He stated that it would be two weeks before I would get it back and since it was still Winter I said OK.
2 weeks later I hadn't heard from him so I called and he told me a part that was ordered(the blade) was the wrong one so he had to return it for the correct one.He then stated that he had not called me because he "was frustrated" by the wrong part problem.I thought to myself that it's OK to be frustrated, as we all are from time to time but he still should have kept me "in the loop" with updates.At that point I asked him about the direct drive and he said he hadn't looked at it and would deal with that when he got the blade.
He finally called me after one month to tell me the blade had arrived and my mower was ready to pick up.
At that point I asked him about the tune up and he stated that he had no recollection of me wanting that but would take care of it.I was surprised about that because I had seen him writing things I wanted done down in my initial visit.
So I picked my mower up and noticed that the tune up price had nearly doubled since my first tune up a few years ago.(39 vs 69 and today I checked and it is now 75).I know that it has been a few years and prices go up but that seems to me to be quite a markup.
Anyway,I paid the bill and when I went to mow my lawn the mower was difficult to start and was running erratically but I still was able to get the lawn mowed so I did'nt do anything about it until yesterday when I went to fill the gas tank the gas leaked out of the carb so I decided to call Vinny's Small Engine Repair,which was much nearer to my house than Jasons.I talked to Vinnys son Matt and he stated that it sounded like a stuck float in the carb and he would probably have it done later that day.He finished in about an hour and when I went to pick it up he told me that the carb was in really bad shape,had to be completely rebuilt and the gaskets changed.He also sharpened the blade,lubed all the cables and added oil, all for 60 dollars.
When Jason had given my mower a tuneup I assumed that he inspected and adjusted the carb which he may have done but it's pretty obvious to me that he did'nt do a very thorough job.Coupling that with his forgetfulness about my other issue and also his not calling me with updates during the month that he had my mower leads me to reduce my initial five star review of him to 2 stars.From this point forward I will be giving my mower business to Vinny's as they did a great job very quickly for me.
Saturday,May 11th 2019
I noticed that Jason responded to this review so I feel that some clarification is needed.
When I stated "Winter",Jason we both know that when I brought the mower to you it was nearing the end of Winter,and after you had had it for 30 days, when I got it back it was the beginning of Spring.
Also between the time I got the mower back from you and today I have used it only once, as my yard is the type that doesn't need mowing very often.It has been sitting in my shed protected from the elements.
Yesterday when Matt inspected the mower he told me that the carb was in really bad shape, and needed to be totally rebuilt, which he did.I highly doubt that the carb deteriorated to that condition in two months while sitting in my cool dry shed.When you had my mower I assumed that a part of your tune up process was to inspect and adjust the carb.
Looking back I suspect that the tune up was a rush job and the carb was only given a quick look over due to the fact that you had not done the tune up I had initially requested until I mentioned it again on the day that you called me to come pick it up and it was then that you told me that you would do the tune up and I could still pick it up that same day.
I posted this review to truthfully document the details of my last visit to you.I mean no ill will by it as I have always found you to be a likable person.But we all make mistakes and I feel that this time mistakes were made.I have learned from this experience and have moved on and I hope that you will do the same.Take care. read more
