Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Other Local Resorts & Areas => Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum => Topic started by: jonuzumlu on October 04, 2012, 16:34:22 PM
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Yesterday I did my third trip of the season with Jerry’s boats, having enthused at length to my guests that it was the best boat trip available from Fethiye.
On arrival we were informed that we would be using Jerry’s second boat and that his son would be skipper. We set off, but almost from the outset the engine sounded rough. Our first stop was the rabbit island. We were told we were having a 30 min swimming stop. The skipper and his friend lifted the engine hatch and at about the same time the boat skippered by Jerry drew in to the bay and a lengthy conversation via mobile ensued between the two skippers.
Both boats remained in the bay for about an hour until a speed boat arrived bearing 2 men carrying a large tool box. At this point Jerry sailed out of the bay. Two new oil filters and five litres of oil later the engine was restarted. Our boat managed to proceed about two hundred metres to the next bay before we again stopped, the engine hatch was removed and engine work restarted. At this point the barbecue was lit and an extremely lengthy lunch ensued. The mechanics were fed and then left.
Our boat set off in to the bay and we then anchored about 300 metres off the resorts at Yaniklar and were told it was a fishing stop. I tried to get information from the crew but was given no response. We were then offered cake and the boat set off back towards the Letoonia resort, where the engine again stopped. By this time it was approximately 5.00pm and another short wait ensued until Jerry arrived with his passengers and we were then towed back to Fethiye.
All the passengers (11) were fairly disgruntled by this time and it was universally agreed that we should pay for our drinks, but seek a discount on the trip. This was put to the skipper but he advised that we should see Jerry. At this point all four groups of passengers paid for their drinks.
As soon as we moored, Jerry boarded the boat and explained that there had been a problem with an oil pipe and he had not realised how serious it was or he would have amalgamated the passengers on to one boat. I then suggested we should be offered a discount as our trip had been so disastrous .Jerry’s response was that we should just pay for the food.
This offer seemed very generous to everyone so I asked how much that would be . Jerry’s response was “39 lira”. At first I thought he was joking but quickly realised he was not. I then suggested 20lira, half the regular fare. At this point Jerry suddenly became aggressive and shouted that this was insulting to him and that we should pay him nothing but get off of his boat. Passengers tried to reason with him but he refused to take any money and continued to insist people get off his boat. Eventually all the passengers left.
When I was about 15 metres from the boat Jerry called my name and as I turned he shouted at me to F... off and never speak to him again
I am still totally perplexed by his behaviour.
All the passengers were very polite in their complaints and most were repeat customers. Several had seen their trip with Jerry as a highlight of their holiday and it is appalling that customers can be treated in this way
:( :-[
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Good informative post jonuzumlu, I for one will now make sure I never use this person or his boats.
We have used Alis (Calis water taxi) for boat trips on a couple of occasions and we have been more than satisfied with the whole deal. I can highly recommend him and the boat.............Alis1. The boat is new (about April 2012), Alis himself is a very nice young man, and the food on the boat trip which is cooked by Alis's mum is absolutely wonderful.
I think that last post above just goes to show that some people, (certainly not all) not only in Turkey but in other places as well where foreigners live or holiday, make out to be your best friend while all is going well and they are making money out of you, but as soon as that money supply line stops, or there is a complaint, you are not a friend anymore and they will not only drop you like a stone, but they can be nasty with it too.
We had an experience like this with another guy called Gohkan who used to drum up business for one of the boat trips out of Oludeniz. When we complained to him about a terrible fiasco we were just conned and dropped like we never existed.
Just when you think you can trust and rely on someone, something like this happens to bring you back to Earth, they are just business people at the end of the day and a lot of the time it's money they want and not friendship.
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we always go with alis 1 we have a lovely time . we dance take our own music. he's new boat is wonderful. maria ali's mum does lovely food
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That is indeed a sad story but I can't understand it. Jerry usually bends over backwards to make sure his customers are happy. Many people will tell you that. There's no real excuse for speaking to you that way or behaving like that but if there were I suppose it might be extreme pressure. Think about your previous experiences with Jerry. I bet he would apologise to you now if he saw you. Just a thought.
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All my previous experience of Jerry has been positive and I have had no hesitation in recommending him to other people. However his response to yesterday's problems totally ruined an already frustrating day for both myself and the other passengers.
Mindful of the fact that most of my guests only get one holiday a year in Fethiye and wanting to make their experience a happy one ,I will hopefully find a captain who is able to provide a consistent professional service to customers
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Well we went out in August with Captain Tom on Sea Breeze (or sea something anyway) just down from the water taxi stop in Fethiye. He was great. Small boat and you can hire the whole thing. He did tell us quite a lot about his wife and then about his russian girlfriend but it was quite amusing. Friendly bloke and great barbecue.
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Sorry to hear of your experience John. We've never had a trip with Jerry so can't comment on his service although he does have great reviews on the forum.
On our last visit we had the pleasure of going out with Alis on his new boat. I can honestly say it was the best boat trip we've had in Turkey. A fantastic day, a bigger style taxi boat which he doesn't fill and fabulous food by Mum. Would definitely recommend giving this your lad a try.
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Where does Alis leave from Anne?
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You'll find him by the canal along with the other water taxis.
I did have a card but have left it in our apartment so can't give his number.
His name is Ali Tuğsat and the boat is Alis1
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Brenda was glad you invited her Anne and thoroughly enjoyed the trip with Ali and said the food was very good ;D
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Brilliant! Thanks Anne.
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We went with Tom (Summer breeze) last year.
He was great fun, polite (even after he trashed the brand new fence at the small marina near tansas dropping us off).
Would definately go with him again
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Verbal abuse never has a place and I would hope Jerry regrets that. But I must ask - what was it that you didn't get that you valued at 50% of the cost of the day? I'm not on anyone's side, I am sure boats would make a loss with what you decided was fair to pay, and you got a boat trip, lunch, fishing & swimming opportunities - what half do you feel you didn't receive?
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alis no +905065570718
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Verbal abuse never has a place and I would hope Jerry regrets that. But I must ask - what was it that you didn't get that you valued at 50% of the cost of the day? I'm not on anyone's side, I am sure boats would make a loss with what you decided was fair to pay, and you got a boat trip, lunch, fishing & swimming opportunities - what half do you feel you didn't receive?
A thought provoking question.
If a boat trip is viewed simply as lunch, and a fishing and swimming opportunity then certainly the contract was fulfilled.
At this time of the season it should be possible to negotiate such a trip with one of the big boats for 25 lira. The boat would also go much further afield and visit at least four bays.
A similar deal is available for 35 lira on the vast majority of smaller boats.
I chose to book a trip at a premium price because previous experience and forum reviews told me that my day,and more importantly, that of my guests would be outstanding. I anticipated visiting the further afield, quieter bays on a boat staffed by professional staff.
What I got was a trip on a boat where stops were determined by engine failures and the skippers concept of customer relations was to retire to the kitchen area and sleep for most of the day.
I agree that boats would make a loss if they offered trips at 20 lira, but note that the larger ones may accept 25. However I know little of boat trip economics as prior to my offer Jerry himself had valued the food component at 39tl
What I did not receive was the intangible element which makes a day special in a good way.
Until Wednesday I had considered this to be Jerry's USP.
It might be considered unrealistic but I would value that at more than 50% of the day's value.
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It's sad to read about negative experiences (and there have been a few this week) but more especially when it is regarding one of the well loved CBF favourites. I am well aware that defence being the best form of attack is the "Turkish way" and has been for centuries but it sits most uncomfortably in a popular and one the whole laid back holiday resort.
I'm sure your offer, coming at the end of a day that must have been as frustrating for Jerry as it was for you guys, was quite possibly the straw that broke the camel's back. There he is, thinking "how much is this going to cost me" about his broken boat - then to find that he'll not even have any profit from the day to help pay for it.
Not defending anyone - just offering a possible alternative view.
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We have done 4 boat trips so far this season, of the 4 trips Jerry would be 3rd, with the one below him being better on the trip, but loses out because the food was "normal" big boat food. I think all the other smaller boats have caught up with Jerry food wise.
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We also have used Captain Tom - we decided on a change of plan one day and headed for the harbour (Jerry already gone, we knew that would be the case) and it's a great time to do a deal - by 10am anyone still in the harbour has written off the day pretty much - and we ended up negotiating a deal with Capt. Tom (including agreeing drinks prices before we got on - there's nothing worse than getting a cheap price then getting stung on the extras). We had a great day and Tom is a really nice fella.
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Yes, we have been out with captain Tom two or three times. He is a good bloke and the food is good too.
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It's sad to read about negative experiences (and there have been a few this week) but more especially when it is regarding one of the well loved CBF favourites. I am well aware that defence being the best form of attack is the "Turkish way" and has been for centuries but it sits most uncomfortably in a popular and one the whole laid back holiday resort.
I'm sure your offer, coming at the end of a day that must have been as frustrating for Jerry as it was for you guys, was quite possibly the straw that broke the camel's back. There he is, thinking "how much is this going to cost me" about his broken boat - then to find that he'll not even have any profit from the day to help pay for it.
Not defending anyone - just offering a possible alternative view.
I am inclined to agree with you entirely. Unfortunately my already strained good will evaporated completely when Jerry made his meal cost offer.
His subsequent refusal to accept any payment and the manner in which he did so, not only cost him 220lira, but also I suspect,potential future profits from a number of previously loyal customers.
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I have known Jerry from when he worked on the cooperative fethiye to calis water taxi.He often sits down with us for a chat.He is a very nice fella and i am sure his intentions are honourable.When things go wrong business people have to hold their hands up and say sorry and rectify the situation.I think in this instance he should have offered you a free trip on another day.You were all looking forward to the day and all you wanted was a great day out.As Keith has always pointed out this forum has many members and people will read this and take note.What ever happened to the saying "the customer is always right"
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We did a boat trip with Gerry's son-in-law in August and the same thing happened, Kenny had a look and said there was a leak on the fuel pump, the smell of diesel was very strong so most of us jumped in the water for a swim, another boat came out with the necessary part and it was fixed, to be fair, it did not affect our fun, i'm not making any excuses for him, but maybe this has been happening frequently this season, and the boat is costing him alot of money, and it has got on top of him, but no excuse for the rant, pity it was'nt our lot, we would have just paid up, lol.
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We have enjoyed many excellent boat trips with Jerry over the years, but have to say that we have had a couple of disappointments latterly including a one bay stop when the boat broke down.
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Make off this what you will because I have deliberated long and hard before posting it and I know Jerry will read it.
Anyone, including him goodself, can do a search on here and see how often I have recommended a boat trip with Jerry. None of these posts elicited a response or acknowledgement (not that one was expected).
My last post however, which started by again reiterating that we have had many excellent trips with Jerry, but went on to express two recent disappointments, resulted in me being summarily de-friended on facebook. I confess to being more than a little upset by that and more disappointed by it than the trip itself which might have been a one-off. I have emailed Jerry about it but no response as yet. I still hope he does reply.
Whether or not Brenda and I will be welcome on Jerry’s boat in the future remains to be seen. I certainly hope we are. But if not, it won't be the worse thing that has happened to us this year.
All that having been said, and given our experiences over the years, not just on latterly, I would still recommend trying a boat trip with Jerry, especially if you enjoy fishing.
With best wishes to Jerry and his family.
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I happened to be one of the passengers on the "Disappointing Boat Trip"
Like the original poster, John, who we met on the boat, we also had two guests with us that day and had bummed up this boat trip to be the best thing since sliced bread to them.
The boat was unable to sail, which meant we didn't see much of the beautiful coast and drift into coves and bays for a swim.
We made it to Rabbit Island and that was about the full extent of the trip. The rest of the time we sat for hours anchored in the middle of the sea, just bobbing up and down miles from no where. The crew were thrusting fishing rods in our hands to try and keep us occupied.
The boats captain (Jerry's son-in-law) disappeared for a very long snooze below deck.
Looks like friends were obviously called in an attempt to fix the engine. The men drew up along side the boat and messed around for a bit, but it only got the engine going for what seemed like another 20 mins or so until it "died" again!
At the end of the day, Jerry came along with his other boat, with his happy passengers on board, (who obviously had a wonderful time on the other sea worthy boat) and towed us into the harbour.
All fellow passengers on board agreed it was not good value for money that day.
We were very calm, civil and talked with him about the poor service and we offered to pay half for the food.
Jerry admitted that he has had some trouble with the engine recently on that particular boat. He said to us that he didn't think it would have been as bad that day!! Also he said, I put you eleven people on this boat because I did not want to crowd the other boat and you were older (average age 40 & 50!) and I thought you would like a quieter and more gentler paced trip!
Well in my opinion, the boat was not fit for purpose, but looks like he was determined to keep it going until the end of season.
Sounds like it was, "Fingers Crossed" the boat will go okay today, or was it, "Fingers Crossed" the passengers don't complain today.
Maybe both!
Well sadly for him that day, he got passengers that were not the "Shut Up & Pay Up" type!
His reaction to our complaints at the end was quite ridiculous. He was unable to handle any form of criticism whatsoever.
It was a great pity, as my last experience on Jerry's boat was fabulous.
But as others have pointed out - there are now other boats offering the same excellent service and food that Jerry became known for - many a good bit cheaper too.
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I haven't been on a Jerry's boat trip for 4 years, he left us waiting to be picked up for almost 2 hours before we gave up and went home, because he apparently had gone to the wrong place to pick us up, the next week we tried again and the boat was over crowded and I had to sit at the back of the boat on the rolled up rope, he moored up for the best part of the day for people to fish. He didn't like it at the end of the day when we complained. A friend booked us on to another trip with him that we had to cancel the night before because of illness, since then he as really been quite nasty about us to people saying we always let him down, and of course he as ignored us since then. If I mentioned this to people over the last 4 years they think I'm barmy because they think he is lovely!!!! Oh well we not on our own now!
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where does the alis boat leave from please
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From the boat taxi's.
Carole posted his number earlier - alis no +905065570718
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I can say without any doubt that I have never been disappointed with a Jerry Boat trip. I hope he refinds his form.