Report # 7 - 10-11-2008 -The culture of fear continues to fester at St Kilda Marina The saga and intrigue deepens... Another exquisite example of how these guys operate.....

Note: To protect the innocent from any further harrassement, we have chosen not to identify any of the other persons involved.

Background: A month or so ago boat owner X had some work done on his boat by Y, one of the other boat related businesses at St Kilda Marina - ie not St Kilda Boat Service Centre. The work was finished to his complete satisfaction, and now X is planning on taking his boat back to the Marina for some additional work by Y - the same tradesman.

Last week we published some comments X had made about his experience with St Kilda Boat Service Center - and consistent with every other report we have received, they weren't very complimentary. Basically X thinks they suck big time.

Today we received a call from X with interesting news.

X received a call earlier today from Y (the tradesman based at St Kilda Marina) telling him that "there was a problem with him bringing his boat back to St Kilda Marina for more work" - because he had made some negative comments about the standard of service he received from St Kilda Boat Service Centre.

As a tennant, Y informed them that X was bringing his boat back down and it would be berthed for a day or so.

Andrew of St Kilda Service Centre's response to Y was: Do you know that X has made some comments about us on SKMC's?"

Though we don't understand why Y's business with X is any of St Kilda Boat Service Centre's business (as in 'mind your own'...) , Y apparently felt concerned enough to call X and ask if he was "comfortable bringing his boat back considering the comments he'd (X) made".

Obviously, if X is planning to bring his boat back for additional work by Y, then he's comfortable....

And why shouldn't he be? His dealings with Y have nothing to do with his experiences with St Kilda Boat Service Centre - unless, as it appears, they've made X's business with Y their business. It seems that by virtue of Andrew's comment to Y, they have.

We are not suggesting in any way that there is any risk whatsoever to X's boat because of his comments - which he stands by, and has every right to make.

But we are asking why Y feels he or his customer may have any reason for concerns Re St Kilda Boat Service Centre's attitude with regard to Y's private dealings with his own satisfied customers, who wish to procure more of his (Y's) services.

We've always been happy to help get the word out on Y on stkildamarinaclub.com and we've advertised his services at every opportunity. Why? Because we like Y. Why? Because Y has a good reputation for providing a high quality of service. We know why, and we know Y!

So we spoke to Y to . To a certain extent, Y is scared.

Here's what Y said:
"I'm their tennant."
"They are my biggest customer and I get most of my work from them."
"That should say it all." (We don't actually understand what that means. - Ed.)
"By association I appear to be guitly to them because you're advertising my company but criticising them."
"I don't want any trouble, so could you please remove my advertising as soon as possible."
"I'm sorry, but I'm the meat in the sandwich."

The implications are staggering.

The maths is simple:

X + Y

St Kilda Boat Service Centre.

The fact is that after previously trusting his vessel to St Kilda Boat Service Centre, X was left feeling very dissatisfied with with the service he received from them. As he said: "He'd never use them again."

That has nothing to do with Y.

Note:
This development is completely consistent with Andrew's comments to a bunch of SKMC members, and in front of Greg Spooner at a meeting in March 2007 shortly after we had launched our club, when he stated: "I can stop anyone of our tennants doing anything with or any advertising on your club."

In response, one of our members asked:" But why would you want to? What's your problem?" Almost two years later, we're still waiting for the answers.

Editor:
This is not gangster ridden Chicago in the 30's, nor Nazi Germany, or China. This is Australia and the year is 2008. We're a democracy and people have a right to free speech, and to run their lives and businesses without fear of intimidation, whether real, or perceived.

We'll keep you all updated on this specific issue as more information comes to hand, so stay tuned.

St Kilda Marina Club was created by boat owners for boat owners and our mission statement is to provide as much information on choices to Melbourne's boat owners on all things boating.

There are some people out there that don't like that, and never have. It's pretty obvious why....

Nothing can change the shape of things to come.