What the word "marine" actually costs!

rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,926
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I've managed to amuse myself today. I'm sourcing parts for a VHF installation and ran across some good reviews for the Tram 1600 HC 38" VHF antenna. I did a google search for the best price and saw a few adds on Amazon. Here is where it gets strange...

So if you type in Tram-1600-HC into the search field on Amazon you get 11 (YES! ELEVEN) hits, each in different departments. The price ranged from a low of $24.99 (sports and outdoors) to a high of $73.50 (electronics) with prices in between.

It pays to shop.... especially if the word "marine" is anywhere associated with the item. I've decided to buy the Standard Horizon GX2200 and I found an $80 difference in price for that unit between different vendors as well.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,343
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Good point, but marine has nothing to do with it.

It's called comparative or comparison shopping.

I purchased a "something" a few years ago. Doing a tad of research, I found prices from $276 to $354 for exactly the same item.

Doesn't matter what it is.

My mother taught me that 60 years ago, but back then I had to tag along to four different grocery stores with the coupons to save 5 cents here, ten cents there.

It sucked as a kid, but probably put me through college. Well worth it.

That's why I get fits when someone comes on and asks "Where can I find the lowest price on XYZ?"

They should do their own homework for that kind of thing.

Now, if they wanted to know the advantages or disadvantages of different equipment, or learn about a subject, I'd be and have been more than glad to help.

I just don't admire laziness.
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,926
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Yes Stu you are correct

But... it does seem that anything "marine" is likely to have serious mark-up. I know some things that are "marine grade" are actually made of better components. But after restoring 6 old junker sailboats (working on #7 now - Rhodes 22) I have found that you can often find the exact same item in the automotive section for 30% less than in the boat section...

I also noticed this year that the tax laws have changed... you now have to pay sales tax on a used boat even if you bought it from a private seller (I was doing my taxes this past weekend). Not for a car... or plane or motorcycle... just boats... Uhg.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Stu Jackson said:
I just don't admire laziness.
Click to expand
Ahhhhh there is not quite as lazy as sailing on a beam reach with autopilot and 1 hour to the next way point.:ass:

Meanwhile shopping with my iPad, of course!

Marine pricing rules.....
Real price = $10-$100 .... Marine price +$500
Real Price > $100 .... Marine price +$1000
Sales and discounts....
Free shipping on orders over $500
Help on operations and use....
Call the Automotive department.

Jim...
 
Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

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May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
Just adding a Metz antenna on my boat this year. This VHF add has been a huge project but I am almost done with it.

Metz is a good antenna at a good price.

Don't try to shortcut some things when it comes to safety. A VHF is a piece of safety equipment so using a better brand is a good idea.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,343
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Was this question cleverly disguised as a request for the preferred manufacturer or an antenna? :):):)
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,926
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Stu Jackson said:
Was this question cleverly disguised as a request for the preferred manufacturer or an antenna? :):):)
Click to expand
WELL! If you are going to accuse me of being cleaver... I guess I'll accept despite any supportive evidence:rolleyes:
 
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zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
cleaver--sharp... a cleaver chops meat. has a sharp edge and chickens fear them.
clever, on the other hand, is something folks have when they know that many marine grade and allegedly marine grade items are merely the same thing as on land except for the paint job. get with it., outdoors is outdoors. marine means a 400 percent mark up.
 
Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

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Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
Or more.
Bought a new cabin lamp, wanted an LED bulb instead of the incandescent -
West Marine- $46.00
Walmart auto section- LED bulbs for auto tail lights, exact same bulb- 2 for $16

Now I have a spare
 
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JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
zeehag said:
cleaver
Click to expand
Ahhh yes I think it was you, who quoted my auto spell checker's humor. I think you said....
"All ways run from a wench with a cleaver in fowl whether!"
Jim...
 
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Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

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Jul 27, 2011
5,180
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
TSBB 2 said:
Or more.
Bought a new cabin lamp, wanted an LED bulb instead of the incandescent -
West Marine- $46.00
Walmart auto section- LED bulbs for auto tail lights, exact same bulb- 2 for $16

Now I have a spare
Click to expand
Marine stores are essentially specialty stores, usually on the water front or near it--i.e., where many people keep their boats. So, there's some of your cost of goods relative to a much more general SUPERSTORE 5 - 8 mi inland. It's like most else--the "item" itself many not be all that expensive--it's the packaging and delivery to a convenient location that adds additional cost depending upon where, or how, you purchase it. Typical American attitude: I want the best, I want it here, and I want it now--but I want it for the same price they're charging at a warehouse in the City of Industry, potentially a two-hour commute, in traffic, into the heart of Los Angeles, etc. OK--go get it!
 
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rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,926
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Kings Gambit said:
... OK--go get it!
Click to expand
Yep, that is what I did!!!

already saved myself almost $250 on this install I'm parting out. And the people I'm buying from are presumably making a profit.

BTW: There were a lot of assumptions in your analysis.... First off, I was comparing on-line stores... The first place I looked (started with a D) listed all the parts I needed for a VHF install at just under $770... I got the total price down to the mid-$516 by shopping around ... all on-line. Not that it is important but I attached my spreadsheet if anyone else is trying a similar project.

And I'm not sure what being American or not has to do with it. That really seemed random.
 

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woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
rgranger said:
Yep, that is what I did!!!

already saved myself almost $250 on this install I'm parting out. And the people I'm buying from are presumably making a profit.

BTW: There were a lot of assumptions in your analysis.... First off, I was comparing on-line stores... The first place I looked (started with a D) listed all the parts I needed for a VHF install at just under $770... I got the total price down to the mid-$516 by shopping around ... all on-line. Not that it is important but I attached my spreadsheet if anyone else is trying a similar project.

And I'm not sure what being American or not has to do with it. That really seemed random.
Click to expand
i just gotta do this....... you paid 20 dollars too much on the radio
 
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zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
wow vhf here aint that pricey... mebbe mexico has to get their marine grade asses in gear to fleece all customers as does worst marine........
 
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