QLube Marine Services
RBStern
QLube has a Marine Services division that will come to the dock (or driveway)
and perform basic propulsion system maintenance on boats including oil, filter,
transmission fluid, belts, lower unit lube, prop shaft grease, coolant,
inspection of bilge pumps, hoses, and trailer components. They state they'll
fix broken trailer lights, leaking plugs and loose fittings on the spot. They
also state they'll service sterndrives, inboards and outboards, diesel, gas,
jetboat, PWC and sailboats. The brochure shows a well equipped service truck
with both dollie and truck mounted pressurized oil, air and fluid dispensing
fixtures.
Now, from the reading in this NG, it's clear that many of us like to do the
service work ourselves. On the other hand, if you're particularly busy and
pressed for time, this could be a handy service.
My local experience with automotive QLube has been that they are a cut above in
the quick oil change business. The workers seem a little more experienced than
some of the other chains. Jiffy Lube always seems to come up short on having
the right filter. I've never had that happen with QLube. So, I guess I'm
saying I think they're doing a good job on quality and building their brand
name.
Anybody tried the service? Comments?
Rich Stern
Old Crow
>
> I got an interesting piece of junk mail today.
It's more interesting that you would waste all of our time
with posting the SPAM. Now do us all a favor, take a big
breath and just hold it till I write you back.
--
NOTICE:
Don't reply to this message, its been modified to
prevent SPAM. Obtain my correct address at;
http://usn-ret.webjump.com/
RBStern
>>
>> I got an interesting piece of junk mail today.
>> Comments?
>
>It's more interesting that you would waste all of our time
>with posting the SPAM. Now do us all a favor, take a big
>breath and just hold it till I write you back.
Old Crow. Your post clears up the mystery of how you got your handle.
So you have the facts: I have no financial interest whatsoever in QLube.
Don't work for them. Not a stockholder. Don't own a franchise. I'm just an
occassional customer of their quick oil change shops.
If it's "spam" for me to write in rec.boats that I received their brochure for
a boating related service, to recount what the brochure states, and to ask
other boaters for opinions on the company and service, well, I guess I'm guilty
of posting spam, although it seems a bit of a stretch to call it that.
I see posts in this NG looking for opinions on many brands of engines, boats,
radios, radar, GPS, boat related services, among dozens of other things.
So, please, enlighten us with your highly developed sense of wisdom and mastery
of the Internet: What definition did you apply to determine my post SPAM?
Feel free to hold your breath while you construct a meaningful answer.
Rich Stern
Old Crow
>
> RBStern wrote:
> >
> > I got an interesting piece of junk mail today.
> > Comments?
>
> It's more interesting that you would waste all of our time
> with posting the SPAM. Now do us all a favor, take a big
> breath and just hold it till I write you back.
Well you can breath now. As a poster of over 1200 messages
you should have known that the post on QLube was an Advertisement,
Think it was also plastered in the Saltwater Sportsman Mag.
RBStern
>Well you can breath now. As a poster of over 1200 messages
>you should have known that the post on QLube was an Advertisement,
>Think it was also plastered in the Saltwater Sportsman Mag.
Old Crow, you must be a genius. You went to Dejanews and saw that I posted
approximately 1200 times according to their search software. The actual number
of my posts was 278. 279 if you include this one.
As far as my post being an "advertisement": Since advertisement, as it applies
to goods and services, includes the intent to get someone to buy something, I
don't see how my post is an advertisement. I don't own the service, I'm not
trying to promote it, and I gain no benefit from someone else buying it. I'm a
little lost as to how you define my post as an advertisement in this context.
Both your math and english skills seem to need some work.
Do you send similar (rude) posts to people who post thngs like, "I really love
my Bayliner" or "The Optimax 225 seems like an interesting product"?
I don't read Saltwater Sportsman Magazine. Sit down, this may surprise you,
but most people alive today don't read it either.
Rich Stern
MadCow57
interesting.
cap...@flash.net
>
> Geez, maybe the guy was just trying to pass on some information he found
> interesting.
He was. He is a regular contributor on this NG and gives some good
advice with no apparent axe to grind. Old Crowe! Back off on the java
swabby, you're shooting at one of the good guys.
Cap
Nort...@capeonramp.net.com
waste. I have not seen the ad per se, perhaps you might post a contact
number for the Northeast? Thanx,
David
Larry Weiss
another part of the thread - I have to say that I have a mechanic who
has been making house calls (boat calls) for years in his fully equipped
van. Every winter, when things are slow, he attends courses and
seminars given by the engine manufacturers to bone up on the latest
developments. He now has lots of competition here on Long Island from
several other highly competent mechanics who spent years working for the
boat yards and wanted to start their own businesses with minimal
capital. I think this type of service is great.
As for QLube, from what I understand, this is a franchise operation,
where someone like one of the aforementioned mechanics buys a franchise,
gets some additional training and a nationally publicized name. I also
understand that the "Q" in QLube is for Quaker State, the originator and
franchisor of the program. I would assume this means that if the
mechanic screws up, there is, presumably, at least a big customer
service department to complain to.
Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"
RBStern wrote:
>
> I got an interesting piece of junk mail today.
>
Mrpaper1
them on the property, nor do I blame them. Any idea what they charge?
Gary
Another member of The Loyal Order Of Bayliner Owners
Larry Weiss wrote in message <3742AEAF...@ix.netcom.com>...
Larry Weiss
>
> The only problem I see with this service is that my marina would never let
> them on the property, nor do I blame them.
I had a friendly "todo" about this last month with Boatbasin (who owns a
marina here on Long Island. Check Deja News under "Hooray! I'm in
Oyster Bay!"). Boatbasin said he allows independent contractors on his
property. Some other marinas will allow independents on their property
with proper liability and worker's comp insurance - and if they pay a
surcharge (or a commission)to the marina. I'm in a township marina -
and contractors and mechanics can come and go as they please.
> Any idea what they charge?
I don't know what QLube charges. The independent mechanics I know
charge a bit less than the going labor rate at the yards.
Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"
lep...@my-dejanews.com
Rich, et al:
After reading Rich's original post I went to QLube.com....they do provide
extensive marine services for all types of boats, PWC's, Trailers.
You can also look to see if they provide service in your area as the do here
in Atlanta. They provide a phone number to contact your local Qlube marine
specialist.
Bob Lephart
> I had a friendly "todo" about this last month with Boatbasin (who owns a
> marina here on Long Island. Check Deja News under "Hooray! I'm in
> Oyster Bay!"). Boatbasin said he allows independent contractors on his
> property. Some other marinas will allow independents on their property
> with proper liability and worker's comp insurance - and if they pay a
> surcharge (or a commission)to the marina. I'm in a township marina -
> and contractors and mechanics can come and go as they please.
>
> > Any idea what they charge?
>
> I don't know what QLube charges. The independent mechanics I know
> charge a bit less than the going labor rate at the yards.
>
> Larry Weiss
> "...Ever After!"
>
--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
---Share what you know. Learn what you don't.---
Larry KN4IM
State is going to load on the servicer? All that's needed is someone
to interface with the boater in an honest way, gather the relatively
simple equipment to do what Qlube is promoting, then GO TO WORK and DO
IT! It's a great opportunity....without "The Company".....
Larry....
RBStern
>State is going to load on the servicer? All that's needed is someone
>to interface with the boater in an honest way, gather the relatively
>simple equipment to do what Qlube is promoting, then GO TO WORK and DO
>IT! It's a great opportunity....without "The Company".....
>
While some franchises are hokey, the good ones provide many services to their
local owners Things like a trusted brand name, training, quality assurance on
products and services, discounts on supplies and equipment, support for
business systems like computers or special equipment, among other things.
Good case in point for QLube: What small local business can afford a large mass
mailing with a a high quality three color/three fold brochure like the one I
received?
Doesn't mean someone can't do as good a job as an independent. But don't
assume that the franchise fee is all gravy for "The Company." Many franchisers
invest a lot of that fee back into their support of the local business.
Rich Stern
Larry Weiss
>
> Why would it be necessary to add the unnecessary franchise fees Quaker
> State is going to load on the servicer?
This is a question that is bandied about in the business world every
day. From a businessman's point of view, buying a franchise often means
an easier time generating business - a well publicized nationally
recognized name, advertising and publicity, instant reputability, etc.
A businessman who chooses to go it alone often has to invest similar
money in his/her own advertising and marketing, and/or in just plain
staying alive while the business slowly grows (much more slowly than a
franchise business).
Notice that we have a thread here about QLube that is generating some
interest. I'm sure that at least a few ng readers will check out their
local QLube and some may even begin using QLube. This kind of stuff,
among other things, is what a franchisee pays for.
I doubt we could generate that much interest if we had a thread going
about Chuck and Donna over at C&D Marine or Glenn over at Atlan-Tech
Marine here on Long Island. They are both superb, honest mechanics
who've been doing what QLube does for years - and much much more. They
have nothing to do with a franchise. I'm certain nobody on this ng ever
heard of them (well maybe one or two from Long Island). Actually -
having just mentioned them here - let's see if a thread develops.
Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"
Larry KN4IM
>>Why would it be necessary to add the unnecessary franchise fees Quaker
All that wonderful service, none of which has anything to do with
changing the oil in the diesel behind the companionway ladder, piles
on a good bit of cost to the customer. It's why a package of Keebler
cookies, which costs around 30c to produce, costs $3.39 at Piggie
Wiggie.
You must hang around with a different breed of boater than I do.
Boaters I know, even ones with serious money, are
awful...well....CHEAP!
Some of the BEST service on the docks around Charleston come from the
real craftsmen that work at marinas all week for a pittance and
themselves on weekends to feed their kids. None of them ever have to
mail out a single spam. When someone gets great service at a good
price, it goes through the marinas like a leaky gas tank. His only
problem after the word spreads is when his kids see him coming home
Sunday afternoon for dinner and say, "Mommy, who is that funny looking
man who looks so tired out?"
Larry....
Larry KN4IM
wrote:
>Larry KN4IM wrote:
>>
>> Why would it be necessary to add the unnecessary franchise fees Quaker
>> State is going to load on the servicer?
>
What an EXCELLENT idea, Larry! Rec.boats needs an ongoing thread
praising our LOCAL boat experts telling other boaters where to find
expert, honest service in their local areas. I've pointed boaters I
meet from out of town towards these guys, like Whiteline Divers to
clean the bottoms and replace the zincs or inspect for damage here in
Charleston. Post your LI experts to it. Someone is headed your way
and can use their services. We'll be doing them a big favor by
spreading the word. Best advertising, word-of-mouth testimonials, you
could ever not buy.
Larry....
MadCow57
praising our LOCAL boat experts telling other boaters where to find expert,
honest service in their local areas.<<
Tidewater Marina, over by Domino Sugar, in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
If you go to a certain large marina, the first one you encounter on your
starboard side coming into Baltimore, you will be sorry for a lot of reasons.
Details on request since I don't want to publicly flame this place on the
internet.
RBStern
>cookies, which costs around 30c to produce, costs $3.39 at Piggie
>Wiggie.
Larry, I trust capitalism and free markets. If $3.39 is what Piggly Wiggly
gets for those cookies, it's because that's what the market will bear. There
are cheaper cookies that don't get advertised as much, have lower quality
ingredients, and/or have less distribution costs. But if you really think it
costs 30 cents to bring that cookie package to market, and somehow the price
should be based solely on actual production costs, then business is probably
not your bag.
>You must hang around with a different breed of boater than I do.
>Boaters I know, even ones with serious money, are
>awful...well....CHEAP!
Nope, you got that right. I'm pretty stingy on most topics. But, I also know
that my time costs money, and sometimes solutions that appear cheap are not
cheap.
If I'm pressed for time and don't have access to a local person I trust, a name
brand franchise is my next best alternative. Even if it costs a lot more than
the local guy I could find if I just had an hour to check around and find out
who that might be.
I don't know if I'll ever use QLube, but it's an interesting service and I
think it has a reasonable place in the boating services industry.
Rich Stern