Defender Marine
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If you're ever in Ct.you have to check out their incredible store.It's almost as big as a home depot.They also have a bargain item area with discounted items.Went there this spring and loved it.
Ordered some feet for a customers pedestal guard this Wed at 3:50 PM and it was on my door yesterday, Thurs, at 3:00 PM with UPS ground shipping costing me just $5.45.. Defender has some of the best service in the industry and they answer phones with HUMANS..... Try the phone...
Don't forget about SailboatOwners.com either especially where you are in WA state the shipping will be 1 day with ground vs. 7 business days ground from the East cost......
Don't forget about SailboatOwners.com either especially where you are in WA state the shipping will be 1 day with ground vs. 7 business days ground from the East cost......
They suck at email. But then, you could spend a lot of resources answering emails, and not make much business as a result.
If you order online they process and ship within a day, maybe day and a half.
Since I'm in Mass it's 2 or 3 days, order to receipt of goods.
Phone is probably even quicker than online.
Since you were asking about the Spring sale they probably figured you were in no hurry for an answer. That will be in March 2013
Someone at my marina told me yesterday that West bought out defender? Has anyone heard that or is it just a rumor? That would be like satan taking over heaven. Nothing like going right to the warehouse and picking up your stuff, no shipping, no waiting. Also they have the best inflatable selection I've seen with most major name brands.
I order from them multiple times per week and it is always the same. Order in by 4:00 PM and of the parts are in-stock it ships that evening and I have it the next day with UPS ground.
I will call Stephan on Monday to see if the rumor about WM buying Defender has any truth. I highly doubt Stephan and his family would do that but....I try not say never these days.
Re: Defender Marine
Excellent international service - faster and almost better than local - certainly cheaper.
Excellent international service - faster and almost better than local - certainly cheaper.
I can't imagine Stephan Lance selling Defender to anybody. He's second generation owner and proud of the place.
I've dealt with them since 1976- great company
I've dealt with them since 1976- great company
Defender Industries - Defender Marine
MaineSail, I will save you the phone call, though I am happy to speak to you anytime you call or visit.
No, "heaven has not been taken over by Satan". West Marine has not bought Defender and Defender is not looking to be acquired by any party.
I hear this rumor (and other rumors) at least twice a month and think about a source, but really, it doesn't matter. The Lance family has owned Defender since 1938. The founder, Sheldon Lance, died last year. He was 93 years old and had worked until he was 91. The last thing he said to me was "beat those bastards at West Marine" and "obfuscate MAP pricing whenever you can". Of course, I am kidding, that is not true. But I like telling the story anyhow.
Sheldon created quite a legacy. The torch was passed in 1987 to his children and Defender has thrived in its second generation of ownership. I credit this to many things, but mostly to having a dedicated staff who simply get it and to the the continued investment of resources to support a solid structure.
Anyhow, to set the record straight. Defender has not been sold and is not being sold. Nor is Defender buying West Marine, Sailnet, PYacht-Fawcetts, Hamilton........or any of the other rumors that I hear all the time. I have no idea where this stuff comes from.
I am 49 years old and I have been at the helm of this ship since 1987. I have worked here since I was a boy (first bagging grommets into bags of a dozen, probably before I knew how to tie my shoes). I am not ready to retire and despite daily complications presented by Vendors and lots of challenging Customers, I love what I do. I am not going anywhere and Defender is not going anywhere. The "dark side" (as Sam Boyle, ex-Founder of SailNet used to refer to it) has not taken over Defender and "Satan" is still busy creating an over-priced boating lifestyle for boaters elsewhere.
Andrew on Artemis. Spring Sale. Every year, same time. Last weekend of March, unless Easter falls on that weekend. Sorry you did not get a reply. No idea why that happened.
As to the referenced issues with slow-to respond e-mails. Well, we literally get tens of thousands of e-mails daily. The first task is figuring out which ones are valid and which ones are spam, crap, solicitaions, etc. Even with a heavily staffed call center processing these e-mails, it takes a lot of time.
Don't get me wrong, I love e-mail and use it all the time. But, if I personally want to talk about a problem with a Vendor or Customer or if I am having an issue wtih something I ordered from a Company myself, I pick up the phone. I am bothered when I get "Bob" from Pakistan, but I still give him the chance to help me.
I love it when I get a human, who can help. Priority one, in Defender's Call Center, is the phone calls. So, if your e-mail has not been responded to, pick up the phone 800-628-8225. The staff does its best to respond to all the issues and questions presented to them, by phone and by e-mail.
Wishing you all the very best.
Stephan Lance
President, Defender Industries, Inc.
Hi everyone. I hope your summer sailing season has started off well.
MaineSail, I will save you the phone call, though I am happy to speak to you anytime you call or visit.
No, "heaven has not been taken over by Satan". West Marine has not bought Defender and Defender is not looking to be acquired by any party.
I hear this rumor (and other rumors) at least twice a month and think about a source, but really, it doesn't matter. The Lance family has owned Defender since 1938. The founder, Sheldon Lance, died last year. He was 93 years old and had worked until he was 91. The last thing he said to me was "beat those bastards at West Marine" and "obfuscate MAP pricing whenever you can". Of course, I am kidding, that is not true. But I like telling the story anyhow.
Sheldon created quite a legacy. The torch was passed in 1987 to his children and Defender has thrived in its second generation of ownership. I credit this to many things, but mostly to having a dedicated staff who simply get it and to the the continued investment of resources to support a solid structure.
Anyhow, to set the record straight. Defender has not been sold and is not being sold. Nor is Defender buying West Marine, Sailnet, PYacht-Fawcetts, Hamilton........or any of the other rumors that I hear all the time. I have no idea where this stuff comes from.
I am 49 years old and I have been at the helm of this ship since 1987. I have worked here since I was a boy (first bagging grommets into bags of a dozen, probably before I knew how to tie my shoes). I am not ready to retire and despite daily complications presented by Vendors and lots of challenging Customers, I love what I do. I am not going anywhere and Defender is not going anywhere. The "dark side" (as Sam Boyle, ex-Founder of SailNet used to refer to it) has not taken over Defender and "Satan" is still busy creating an over-priced boating lifestyle for boaters elsewhere.
Andrew on Artemis. Spring Sale. Every year, same time. Last weekend of March, unless Easter falls on that weekend. Sorry you did not get a reply. No idea why that happened.
As to the referenced issues with slow-to respond e-mails. Well, we literally get tens of thousands of e-mails daily. The first task is figuring out which ones are valid and which ones are spam, crap, solicitaions, etc. Even with a heavily staffed call center processing these e-mails, it takes a lot of time.
Don't get me wrong, I love e-mail and use it all the time. But, if I personally want to talk about a problem with a Vendor or Customer or if I am having an issue wtih something I ordered from a Company myself, I pick up the phone. I am bothered when I get "Bob" from Pakistan, but I still give him the chance to help me.
I love it when I get a human, who can help. Priority one, in Defender's Call Center, is the phone calls. So, if your e-mail has not been responded to, pick up the phone 800-628-8225. The staff does its best to respond to all the issues and questions presented to them, by phone and by e-mail.
Wishing you all the very best.
Stephan Lance
President, Defender Industries, Inc.
Defender selling out to WM?
NEVER!!!!!!
Defender has always been and hopefully will always be the "Anti-WM"
NEVER!!!!!!
Defender has always been and hopefully will always be the "Anti-WM"
E-Mail Response and Service
Good Morning All,
I have recent (positive) experience with Defender and E-mails. Stephan himself responded to me (several times) with very detailed explanations regarding my inquiry into a new RIB. Defender's prices were the best I could find (by far). Stephan answered several questions and concerns I had, however, due to shipping costs for such a large item (not Defender's fault) to the west coast and my concern for the big "what if" (warranty issues) for Defender's own brand of RIB (and no local "depot"), I decided to pay more locally and have a dealer I could (hopefully not) return the boat to for any warranty issues.
I guess that is the price I chose to pay for a little "peace of mind". Due to my very positive experience dealing with Defender (by E-Mail), I will definitely check them out for future purchases when the item is not so large. By the way, I am not affiliated with Defender in any way, don't know anyone at Defender, etc.
Hope this helps,
Tom
Good Morning All,
I have recent (positive) experience with Defender and E-mails. Stephan himself responded to me (several times) with very detailed explanations regarding my inquiry into a new RIB. Defender's prices were the best I could find (by far). Stephan answered several questions and concerns I had, however, due to shipping costs for such a large item (not Defender's fault) to the west coast and my concern for the big "what if" (warranty issues) for Defender's own brand of RIB (and no local "depot"), I decided to pay more locally and have a dealer I could (hopefully not) return the boat to for any warranty issues.
I guess that is the price I chose to pay for a little "peace of mind". Due to my very positive experience dealing with Defender (by E-Mail), I will definitely check them out for future purchases when the item is not so large. By the way, I am not affiliated with Defender in any way, don't know anyone at Defender, etc.
Hope this helps,
Tom
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