I delivered my 16-ft jon boat w/30hp Evinrude outboard motor at Ron's Marine & Equipment on Rodman Ave, Portsmouth, VA on 15 Mar 2014. I asked that the motor be serviced and prepared for the 2014 fishing season. Ron's Marine & Equipment took possession of my boat for service that same day. I called Ron's on 24 Mar 2014 and was informed that the motor required $483.33 in service costs to replace the thermostat, fuel pump, clean the carburetor, and to take the boat to the river for testing since their tank could not be used to test the motor. I approved the $483.33 in service costs and told Ron to proceed with the Service. \r
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On 31 Mar 2014, Ron, the owner of the company, called my cell phone to inform me that the boat was ready for pickup. I informed him that I was out of town on business and that I would pick the boat up on 8 Apr 2014 when I returned to town. \r
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I arrived at Ron's Marine on 8 Apr as promised and met with Ron, the owner, who presented me with a bill for $640.56; over 130% more than the $483.33 I had been told about and approved back on 24 Mar 2014. Ron attributed the additional cost to the installation of a new water pump kit and three trips to the river. \r
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I was never informed of the need for a new water pump, was never contacted after the 24 Mar 2014 telephone call about any growth work beyond the scope of what I had approved, and Ron never mentioned it during our conversation on 31 Mar 2014 when he told me my boat was ready for pickup. I do not know if the boat even runs since they could not demonstrate it at their shop on Rodman Ave, Portsmouth, VA when I picked the boat up. When I highlighted all of the above to Ron his response was, ""Well what do you want me to do, take the water pump off?"" Not the response I expected!
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