Where do you buy parts and accessories for your boat? Do you use the national discount chains like West Marine and Boat US? Do you prefer to patronize a local, independent chandlery? Do you buy on the web? Or would you rather make your purchases in person? Share your buying experiences here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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No patience, can't shop around.
We have a small chandlery nearby, run by some very nice people. But their prices are significantly higher than BoatUS or West Marine. And the store at our marina is VERY high. But when I need something I buy it. When I have the time I visit BoatUS and West Marine, both not too far from my boat. I find their prices are not too different from all the other outlets that I visit online. But yesterday they were both out of 1/4-20 s/s nuts and only one had the size bolt that I needed.
We have a small chandlery nearby, run by some very nice people. But their prices are significantly higher than BoatUS or West Marine. And the store at our marina is VERY high. But when I need something I buy it. When I have the time I visit BoatUS and West Marine, both not too far from my boat. I find their prices are not too different from all the other outlets that I visit online. But yesterday they were both out of 1/4-20 s/s nuts and only one had the size bolt that I needed.
I'd like to buy more here
First and foremost, I think the chandlerys here at boatowners.com should highlight product unique and hard to find for our production boats and Phil I think you do an excellent job. So good in fact that I wish you'd stock more everyday mantainace items. Of course, I tell my wife I haven't spent any money on the boat in about 5 years.
First and foremost, I think the chandlerys here at boatowners.com should highlight product unique and hard to find for our production boats and Phil I think you do an excellent job. So good in fact that I wish you'd stock more everyday mantainace items. Of course, I tell my wife I haven't spent any money on the boat in about 5 years.
Use chandlery
Typically when I am doing repairs or maintenance on the boat or I need something quickly I use the Local Chandlery. I want them to be able to stay in business, so I don't have to drive 45 minutes to West Marine. For big ticket items, and I can plan ahead I will usually use the big guys West Marine or Boat/US. That's when I blow $400 bucks at a time.
Typically when I am doing repairs or maintenance on the boat or I need something quickly I use the Local Chandlery. I want them to be able to stay in business, so I don't have to drive 45 minutes to West Marine. For big ticket items, and I can plan ahead I will usually use the big guys West Marine or Boat/US. That's when I blow $400 bucks at a time.
Here and there
I have purchased from the Hunter Owners' chandlery, other sites on the web, and at the local West Marine. I am lucky in that West is 15 minutes from my boat and there are some things we cannot wait for when we need them. I have also shopped at Sam's club, I cannot find a better place to buy a golf-cart battery. But, for big ticket items I have tended to go to JSI. They offer free shipping and there is no sales tax when they ship to my non-Florida address. Facing local sales taxes in the 7% range, the web can look very good.
I have purchased from the Hunter Owners' chandlery, other sites on the web, and at the local West Marine. I am lucky in that West is 15 minutes from my boat and there are some things we cannot wait for when we need them. I have also shopped at Sam's club, I cannot find a better place to buy a golf-cart battery. But, for big ticket items I have tended to go to JSI. They offer free shipping and there is no sales tax when they ship to my non-Florida address. Facing local sales taxes in the 7% range, the web can look very good.
Timing is everything
I agree with the others about buying nearby when you need something *NOW*. My berth on the Chesapeake is an hour from my home, and in between is West Marine in tax-free Delaware, so that's always an attractive choice. Most of the odds and ends I need quickly I buy at Tidewater Marina's discount store, which advertises that they will match WM and the other catalogs on price. For planned purchases, I try to shop around. I bought Nobeltec's Visual Navigation Suite here last year during one of your promotions and was very pleased with the service and price. For oddball stuff, like a vessel marking light that I'm still looking for, it's usually the catalogs. BTW, there is an excellent local chandlery in Annapolis called Fawcett's. They have a huge catalog and a nice store.
I agree with the others about buying nearby when you need something *NOW*. My berth on the Chesapeake is an hour from my home, and in between is West Marine in tax-free Delaware, so that's always an attractive choice. Most of the odds and ends I need quickly I buy at Tidewater Marina's discount store, which advertises that they will match WM and the other catalogs on price. For planned purchases, I try to shop around. I bought Nobeltec's Visual Navigation Suite here last year during one of your promotions and was very pleased with the service and price. For oddball stuff, like a vessel marking light that I'm still looking for, it's usually the catalogs. BTW, there is an excellent local chandlery in Annapolis called Fawcett's. They have a huge catalog and a nice store.
Use the local guy
Use the local guy when ever you can. The Inland Waterway Provision Company in Oriental NC has a great selection and the prices are very competitive. One sunday morning I was struggling with replacing a halyard. I went over to the store about (5 minutes from my boat) to ask the guy for some suggestions. He dropped what he was doing, went over to my boat with his sail repair kit, sewed the ends together pulled the new halyard through and wipped the new end. He then climbed off the boat thanked me for my business and headed back to his shop. People like that are what boating is about and deserve all the business I can send them.
Use the local guy when ever you can. The Inland Waterway Provision Company in Oriental NC has a great selection and the prices are very competitive. One sunday morning I was struggling with replacing a halyard. I went over to the store about (5 minutes from my boat) to ask the guy for some suggestions. He dropped what he was doing, went over to my boat with his sail repair kit, sewed the ends together pulled the new halyard through and wipped the new end. He then climbed off the boat thanked me for my business and headed back to his shop. People like that are what boating is about and deserve all the business I can send them.
The fun is in shopping
The real fun is looking in all the catalogues, West Marine, BoatUS, etc... compare with local suppliers or anywhere, I can dream alomg with it and then when reali breaks in, the speedier the better, I tend to dream along for such a long time that I am always late. Cheers, John,
The real fun is looking in all the catalogues, West Marine, BoatUS, etc... compare with local suppliers or anywhere, I can dream alomg with it and then when reali breaks in, the speedier the better, I tend to dream along for such a long time that I am always late. Cheers, John,
Support you local business
I try to support the local business people whenever I can. People and families like us tring to scratch out a living. I find what the local guy delivers in advice and service is way more than the additional price difference. It's the Home Depot vs the local lumber yard type of deal. If you know what your need, head to Home Depot, if you need advice better head for the lumber yard because HD has a serious shortage in that department. That comes to the final point, the only thing worse than no advice is BAD advice. The local guy will be there tomorrow and knows you'll be back if there's a problem. The high school kid at HD only cares about how cooperative tonights date will be... I know, I wasn't always a married old fart ... Regards, Chris
I try to support the local business people whenever I can. People and families like us tring to scratch out a living. I find what the local guy delivers in advice and service is way more than the additional price difference. It's the Home Depot vs the local lumber yard type of deal. If you know what your need, head to Home Depot, if you need advice better head for the lumber yard because HD has a serious shortage in that department. That comes to the final point, the only thing worse than no advice is BAD advice. The local guy will be there tomorrow and knows you'll be back if there's a problem. The high school kid at HD only cares about how cooperative tonights date will be... I know, I wasn't always a married old fart ... Regards, Chris
Boat Stuff
On the way to my boat I drive right past a West Marine and do a lot of shopping there. There is an independant chandlery just 5 blocks from my slip but the variety is pretty low. Very friendly, good service, but it seems every time I go there I have to order an item and come back next weekend to pick it up. I would rather buy from an independant, but my time with my boat is limited so I don't like to wait for parts. If I know exactly what I need, I'll buy on the web; West Marine, BoatUS, JSI, Catalina Direct, and Catalina Owners.com.
On the way to my boat I drive right past a West Marine and do a lot of shopping there. There is an independant chandlery just 5 blocks from my slip but the variety is pretty low. Very friendly, good service, but it seems every time I go there I have to order an item and come back next weekend to pick it up. I would rather buy from an independant, but my time with my boat is limited so I don't like to wait for parts. If I know exactly what I need, I'll buy on the web; West Marine, BoatUS, JSI, Catalina Direct, and Catalina Owners.com.
I shop...
almost exclusively at West Marine(I'm there so often I feel I should have my mail sent there). I,too use the local ship's store for little things while working on the boat. I also head to DEFENDER's yearly tent/warehouse sale in March. I noticed several people her mentioned JSI. What's that?
almost exclusively at West Marine(I'm there so often I feel I should have my mail sent there). I,too use the local ship's store for little things while working on the boat. I also head to DEFENDER's yearly tent/warehouse sale in March. I noticed several people her mentioned JSI. What's that?
Discount Marine???
Sorry folks...but the terms "Discount" and "Marine" are mutually exclusive. I don't want promises of a better price only if I can produce the competitor's ad. And then the item has to match exactly or some other lame BS. For once I'd just like to walk into a place knowing that they are giving me the absolute best price they possibly can. My time is valuable...too valuable to be chasing down prices. Knocking $3.00 or $5.00 off a $200.00 item is not my idea of a sale. They're just leaving you a couple of bucks for a beer. Yeah, I know that I'm cynical. But I also know a screwin when I see it. There are no discount marine stores either on-line or on the corner. We're boaters...we pay through the nose for everything. You have to in order to do the thing you love to do. You can think and say what you like, but you all know the truth. Think about it...only a boater would pay $300 to $400 for a damn piece of plastic or teak to hang from a steering pedestal so they can eat their lunch. Well...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. You can all start firing away. 2.5 weeks to launch! Cheers, Bob
Sorry folks...but the terms "Discount" and "Marine" are mutually exclusive. I don't want promises of a better price only if I can produce the competitor's ad. And then the item has to match exactly or some other lame BS. For once I'd just like to walk into a place knowing that they are giving me the absolute best price they possibly can. My time is valuable...too valuable to be chasing down prices. Knocking $3.00 or $5.00 off a $200.00 item is not my idea of a sale. They're just leaving you a couple of bucks for a beer. Yeah, I know that I'm cynical. But I also know a screwin when I see it. There are no discount marine stores either on-line or on the corner. We're boaters...we pay through the nose for everything. You have to in order to do the thing you love to do. You can think and say what you like, but you all know the truth. Think about it...only a boater would pay $300 to $400 for a damn piece of plastic or teak to hang from a steering pedestal so they can eat their lunch. Well...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. You can all start firing away. 2.5 weeks to launch! Cheers, Bob
Why spend more than you have to?
Bacon's & Associates, in Annapolis, sells pre-owned stuff. I have purchased some things there for half-price there that were previously purchased full-price by somebody else, stored on a boat for sometime, but never even used. Then there is the Dollar Store, which is, coincidentally next door to the West Marine I frequent. By looking for "function" rather than label, I found a soft, padded, waterproof case, closed with velcro and with a quick-release strap -- PERFECT for my binoculars, and only $1.
Bacon's & Associates, in Annapolis, sells pre-owned stuff. I have purchased some things there for half-price there that were previously purchased full-price by somebody else, stored on a boat for sometime, but never even used. Then there is the Dollar Store, which is, coincidentally next door to the West Marine I frequent. By looking for "function" rather than label, I found a soft, padded, waterproof case, closed with velcro and with a quick-release strap -- PERFECT for my binoculars, and only $1.
Price matching
I have a Defender and a West Marine Cataloge. I almost always compare the two when I shop. West Marine will match prices if the item is the same. What I like is that I can compare two (like products) at home and if the one I like is at West Marine, then I get the lower price..that way I get more toys!!!
I have a Defender and a West Marine Cataloge. I almost always compare the two when I shop. West Marine will match prices if the item is the same. What I like is that I can compare two (like products) at home and if the one I like is at West Marine, then I get the lower price..that way I get more toys!!!
For Alan
Alan: JSI (they are Sailnet now it seems)is at: http://www.sailnet.com/store/ I beat everyone else's price on an autopilot, a Heart 20, a Link 2000, and a dingy and outboard with them and then there was no shipping charge or sales tax. Sales tax can be significant on these "big ticket" items. No, I do not know them personally or get a commission. Rodney
Alan: JSI (they are Sailnet now it seems)is at: http://www.sailnet.com/store/ I beat everyone else's price on an autopilot, a Heart 20, a Link 2000, and a dingy and outboard with them and then there was no shipping charge or sales tax. Sales tax can be significant on these "big ticket" items. No, I do not know them personally or get a commission. Rodney
I Use Them All...
..but I am not real pleased with the on line sites. More product would be welcome. I have used HOW and found it easy. The one fault of my shopping is not checking with the local electronics or ships store first since they will often meet or beat prices and have (sometimes) superior sale follow up service. I do sometimes go to Minney's Marine: used, surplus and excess store. I just don't go in without coming out with something. These retailers have become very sophisticated over the years. Must be some money to be made. RD
..but I am not real pleased with the on line sites. More product would be welcome. I have used HOW and found it easy. The one fault of my shopping is not checking with the local electronics or ships store first since they will often meet or beat prices and have (sometimes) superior sale follow up service. I do sometimes go to Minney's Marine: used, surplus and excess store. I just don't go in without coming out with something. These retailers have become very sophisticated over the years. Must be some money to be made. RD
Customer Service and Price.....
To me Customer Service and the Price of the item will dictate my purchase.. The locals always help you to find a great deal, and the big boys most of the time have what we need. Have fun looking for that spare part... Guido.
To me Customer Service and the Price of the item will dictate my purchase.. The locals always help you to find a great deal, and the big boys most of the time have what we need. Have fun looking for that spare part... Guido.
Sailnet works for me . . .
I do buy from HOW, for items specific to my Hunter. West Marine is good but Sailnet seems to beat prices. I have no "local" source.
I do buy from HOW, for items specific to my Hunter. West Marine is good but Sailnet seems to beat prices. I have no "local" source.
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