CatalinaDirect Experiance

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Steve

Just the facts (as I remember them). A couple of months ago I ordered a pair of C30 traveler end control blocks with cam cleats from CatalinaDirect. The web site listed the price as $52 each. When I called, they told me the price was now $60. I didn't complain because the only other source (rigrite.com) that I knew of wanted about $120 each. CatalinaDirect was out of the part but had them on order and told me it would take about 3 weeks. Yesterday, I called to check on the status of my order. Sheila call back and said that their original source was failing so they were now buying from Catalina Yachts. And that Catalina was not being very responsive. So, living pretty near the Catalina factory, I decided to give the parts department a call. They told me that they have plenty of these items in stock and I could come by and pick them up: cost $60 each. Late this morning I called CatalinaDirect and left a message that I wanted to cancel my order because I was going to pick them up at Catalina Yachts (same price but no shipping cost and I get them today). About an hour later I get a call from CatalinaDirect (CD). They tell me that I was misinformed; Catalina Yachts’ entire inventory of the part was pledged to CD. Therefore, I would have to get the part from CD. CY was going to ship the part to CD today. I should get it sometime next week. Well, those are the facts. I'm not sure what to make of it. I put in another call to CY but had to leave a message. I'll post their response when I get it.
 
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners

CD pretty good but...

They're so obviously a small company so sometimes it takes awhile to get stuff. I don't think they were trying to rip you off, just a breakdown in communication. It took about 3 months for me to get my rigging upgrade kit but that's ok. Probably what happened was that CY DID promise CD all their stock of that item but the person you talked to forgot or wasn't informed. CD has a good reputation and their customer service, though not often available on the first call, is pretty good. LaDonna
 
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Rhet Tignor

C30 Travelers & Blocks

Without getting in the middle of this discussion, I wanted to relate that I and some other folks have upgraded our C-30 & C34 travelers direct from Garhower (sp?). Service was fast and, as I recall, the price is right. They often have an ad in the Catalina mag.
 
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Joe

If it's a Garhauer product... deal direct

Don't waste time and money trying to buy Garhauer hardware through a third party such as CatalinaDirect unless they are going to install it for you. They'll just charge you more and take a long time to deliver. Instead, call Mark at Garhauer Marine, 909 985-9993, or go to the link below to see the catalogue. You will be impressed with their product line, especially prices. They make most of the hardware for Catalina and know the boats very well. They offer hardware upgrade packages for older Catalina yachts that I know you will be interested in. Their customer service is wonderful. I recently purchased a rigid vang and an adjustable genoa track traveller system for my C 27. Mark custom built the vang's boom and mast bracket in less than a week after I provided specs. The genoa car system was in stock and I picked it up with the vang. He personally instructed me on installation, even gave me the bolts. Garhauer sells direct. As far as I know, no one has an exclusive distribution agreement with them. I noticed a large Garhauer halyard stopper in the CD website catalogue selling for $57.80. That same stopper can be purchased direct from Garhauer for $35.20! 'Nuff said.
 
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