Bill higham scrappage

Cumbria · 29 June 2020, 18:10

Hi

After a new or nearly new 40hp outboard . Noticed bill higham doing a scrappage scheme.. anyone used it and what sort of price do u get ? Got a 1989 Merc 2 stroke 50hp. It's getting investigated at mo by a dealer as having a few issues ( no power , spurts or dies ) never been in salt water and looks fab apart from said issue. Hope it's not compression and carb acting up ... But just in case trying to find out how much to change for a 40hp 4 stroke .

Nasher · 29 June 2020, 20:26

Anything BH sell you will probably be scrap anyway, so a fair trade.

I'd steer well clear of any deal they are offering.

Nasher.

Cumbria · 29 June 2020, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Anything BH sell you will probably be scrap anyway, so a fair trade.

I'd steer well clear of any deal they are offering.

Nasher.

Thx appreciated

Nasher · 29 June 2020, 20:38

Just my opinion of course, from bitter experience.

Nasher.

spartacus · 29 June 2020, 20:57

Long or standard shaft?

stepheneyre · 30 June 2020, 08:01

phone Simon at bill higham . he fitted my new 200hp mercury last year very pleased with it.also our diving club RIB got a new 115 mercury traded out old Yamaha fire damaged 100hp engine got over £1500 would recommend a phone call to Simon ( cost nothing to find out) . is NOW in his new premised at Bill Higham Marine, Talybont Uchaf Farm, Tal-y-bont, Bangor LL57 3YW

Phone: 01248 665666 thanks Stephen Eyre Sheffield

Maximus · 30 June 2020, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Long or standard shaft?

(Sorry Nash!)

Orwell boy · 30 June 2020, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

(Sorry Nash!)

"DING"

Nasher · 30 June 2020, 10:49

Sorry guys, you've lost me.

Nasher · 30 June 2020, 11:22

Only a short shaft. years ago.
A Suzuki DT55 which had plastic filler and fresh paint over a crack in the cylinder block.

Then whilst I was looking for an engine earlier this year I contacted them several times about engines they had in stock, and all had been sold but stayed on EBAY for weeks afterwards. I was always offered another more expensive engine instead.

But gave them another chance a couple of months ago, ordered something from them off EBAY and they cancelled the order a few days later because they didn't have the item.

Then three weeks ago I ordered something from a completely different company on EBAY.
Started chasing delivery 1.5 weeks after payment and didn't get any answers, so put in a request through EBAY issue resolution which got answered and my part was posted 2 weeks after I paid or it.
Believing I'd lost my money I looked up the directors of Marine Imports UK in Manchester and discovered all the directors are called Higham.

I wouldn't trust them with anything from now on.

Liars and cheats looking to shaft anyone they can.

Nasher

nasher.

A1an · 30 June 2020, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

I wouldn't trust them with anything from now on.

Liars and cheats looking to shaft anyone they can.

Nasher

nasher.

Bill Highwayman Marine.

phantom 19 · 01 July 2020, 05:10

I once put an immaculate late 80s Yamaha 85hp on eBay. Bill Higham were all over it offering paltry offers as it was “an old engine” in their words, yet they were desperate to buy it.

match · 01 July 2020, 15:45

Yep top price for everything.

spartacus · 01 July 2020, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom 19

I once put an immaculate late 80s Yamaha 85hp on eBay. Bill Higham were all over it offering paltry offers as it was “an old engine” in their words, yet they were desperate to buy it.

Just how the market works. Agree, their prices are sky high for what it is. They obviously do quite well with second-hand stuff and offering warranty.

Many years ago I looked at an original Japanese Suzuki SJ Jeep, think it was around a grand. Couldn't make my mind up. That afternoon the car was bought by a 4x4 specialist, given a quick wash and stuck on their forecourt for £3k.

Allye · 01 July 2020, 19:16

I have noticed they advertise the same engines / type of engine (Ex RNLI) for years on end on every platform going. I’ve enquired a couple times RE the 50hp mariners and the advertised engines / prices are never available.

stepheneyre · 01 July 2020, 20:50

LOOKS LIKE Nasher has a problem to bill higham
its wrong to slag a company off when they cannot defend them/ selves
since Simon took over last year things have improved a lot
i have about 5/ 6 engines from them over the ;last 15 years never had a problem
the last 2 engine where 115 merk NEW and the new model 200hp mercury
he was the cheapest fitting service and when i picked up my new boat with the new engine last year worked till 1 AM so i could take the boat on holiday dont think most fitters would have done that
thanks
Stephen Eyre

Poly · 01 July 2020, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepheneyre

LOOKS LIKE Nasher has a problem to bill higham
its wrong to slag a company off when they cannot defend them/ selves

Nasher is far from unique. Nothing stopping any supplier “defending” themselves.

Quote:

since Simon took over last year things have improved a lot

Given some of the reputation they have I’d have been considering a rebrand, if I was trying to reposition the business.

Pikey Dave · 01 July 2020, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Nasher is far from unique. Nothing stopping any supplier “defending” themselves.

Given some of the reputation they have I’d have been considering a rebrand, if I was trying to reposition the business.

iirc, Simon did try & defend himself a year or two back, it didn’t end well.

Nasher · 02 July 2020, 06:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepheneyre

LOOKS LIKE Nasher has a problem to bill higham
its wrong to slag a company off when they cannot defend them/ selves
since Simon took over last year things have improved a lot
i have about 5/ 6 engines from them over the ;last 15 years never had a problem
the last 2 engine where 115 merk NEW and the new model 200hp mercury
he was the cheapest fitting service and when i picked up my new boat with the new engine last year worked till 1 AM so i could take the boat on holiday dont think most fitters would have done that
thanks
Stephen Eyre

Stephen

Hi.

If I've understood properly what you're trying to say then yes, I do have a problem with them.

As you can see from my post, every time I've dealt with them they have either been deceitful or just plain not very good at what they do.

The DT from years ago was an obvious bodge, but a long time ago.

Offering sought after engines at good prices on EBAY and their various websites that are just not for sale is a well known ploy to draw customers in and sell them other engines. If they were honest they'd remove the engines after they were sold. For example an Optimax was still on EBAY months after I was told it was sold.

Surely anyone with any grasp of what they are doing would not put items on EBAY that they don't have. Or at least remove the auction when they've sold to the item to somebody without paying the Ebay fees.

Then to take a customers money, and not answer contact chasing it for two weeks is terrible service.

I'm sure they do have satisfied content customers, I'm glad you are one, and would genuinely like to be one myself. And would like Simon to give some reasons for how they've treated me each time.

It would also be good to hear what he's doing to turn the company around and prove to everyone that they are doing something differently, but I'd imagine he'll be happy to carry on the way they are because they can make money that way with less effort than trying to be any better.

Nasher.

simonhigham · 02 July 2020, 14:29

In response to this thread:

SCRAPPAGE (this is not government run, it is just an ice breaker so that we can get talking about what you have, and what you want, and work a deal from there).
In its most basic form, we are offering minimum px of a like for like engine (same hp and 4 stroke) - so if its a banger and the same engine as the one you're buying then pls hit buy it now. If however you have a different spec or better condition then *send us pics and we will offer a fair px value for what you have. so if interested pls get in touch.

Sorry for the poor service anyone has received over the past couple of months but in our defence: we have sold around 400 outboard engines and 1000 parts since mid April this year and due to Covid for the 2 months of April and May only two people were working due to distancing regulations, workers shielding NHS family members, or workers shielding themselves as they are in the at risk category, and it was exceptionally hard to keep all the plates spinning at that time, so as a consequence some ads stayed running that should have been removed, and some sales had to get cancelled as a consequence. I'm working 70 hours a week and have over 180 emails to answer every day along with 60 + phone calls. Its a tricky time for everybody and a little patience and understanding of the situation is genuinely appreciated.
The whole of the marine trade are straining under the pressure of low stocks and exceptionally high demand at a time when almost all workplaces have distancing restrictions, and customer service is hit hard as a result.
We work really hard to treat every person as well as we possibly can, please look on any platform at our reviews. over 80% of our business comes from word of mouth recommendation and repeat custom, and we have been here for 47 years, my Dad's name above the top of the workshop is a constant reminder to play straight and do a good job for everybody who puts on the Bill Higham Marine jacket.
I would invite anybody who has an issue to please get in touch with me and I will make sure that we do everything we are able to sort the problem that they have.

I'm not going to get into mud flinging about some of the comments here being unjust and untrue so will just leave it there.

Happy Ribbing to all!

Simon Higham