Where do you buy your parts from?

Slimcobra

Slimcobra

Member
Aug 14, 2017
102
Gulf Breeze, FL
Boat Info
2000 Sea Ray 210 SunDeck
Engines
Mercruiser 5.0 w/ Alpha 1 Gen 2
It looks like I need a new starter so I started searching the internet for one. It looks like I can get it cheaper from Amazon, but I feel bad not supporting marine suppliers. I feel like the $5-10 dollars more through a marine supplier just makes more sense in the long run. What are your thoughts? Happy Monday everyone.
 
There was another thread recently where we were talking about this. I want to support West Marine and the other specialty suppliers where I can, especially if they are local.

If a $30 item is $33 locally, I will buy it locally. When a dealer charges $85 for something I can buy online for $45, I will buy it online unless I need it today.

I just went through this with a couple of float switches. $35 at West Marine, $30 on amazon, I bought them locally. In my area we dint have the variety of local shops that someplace like Ft. Lauderdale has, so I consider West Marine a local shop, because they are down the street from the harbor and always have the same 3 people working there. I would patronize a "true" local provider if we had them
 
If I save 5 - 10 dollars by going to Amazon but then spend that money in a local restaurant is my Karma balanced? These are the existential questions of our time.

strike that.....whoever has the best balance between price and service, gets my business. screw Karma.
 
I try to buy local if and when I can. Sometimes I find myself going online only because my local suppliers don't stock that particular part anymore and they would have to order it for me anyway. Sounds redundant.
 
Fisheries Supply, West Marine (Port Supply), Amazon, eBay and a google search for the lowest pricing...
 
Over the years I have purchased much of my stuff online. When I got my 260DA years ago I needed an alternator and debated going online vs name brand (had much more confidence at the time in name brand). Well, the cost was about a third so I tried one online and it serviced me fine for 4 years and worked great when I traded in the boat.

Since then I have spoken with many friends with similar experiences. So this year, I once again ordered two new alternators online without a thought. Much of the name brand stuff is just relabeled for them anyway and coming from the same sources.

I still buy a lot local - especially when I need something right away or actually want to touch and see it before buying.

-Kevin
 
Oh, an one more thing - do not try to use automotive items in marine installations. Especially when it comes to alternators and starters.

-Kevin
 
Most of the stuff I buy online I get from Amazon, Wholesale Marine, Defender, Fisheries Supply, BoatZincs, etc.
Google is a great resource too if you have a model or part number.
I got an alternator online from DB Electrical a few weeks ago for about $150.00. Caterpillar wanted about $500.00 for the same one. All I had to do was Google the Cat part number.
We also have a great independent local retailer, MarineMate, very close to my dock that has competitive pricing on a lot of stuff. They have a good stock and if they are out of something they usually have it by the next business day. A couple of the guys there are very knowledgeable too.
I rarely go to West Marine because the local place is close and has better prices so it doesn’t pay to drive the extra 20 minutes to West Marine.
 
I usually always give the marina parts counter a chance after doing some shopping online so I can compare.

Sometimes convenience to stay on the water trumps the cost savings if purchased online.
 
Needed a brass 1" 45 degree street elbow to adapt a hose to on my sea water pump. Nothing at HD or my local Ace Hardware. 2 online retailers were at $38 and $19 plus shipping (3-5 days). Amazon Prime $9.80 plus tax. Ordered it Sat night around 9 and it arrived at 11am this morning. I have no clue how they can do it.
 
CaptRonn said:
Not anymore, they changed their policy.

No price match for Amazon or other internet retailers. They will only price match if a "local store" has it cheaper.
Click to expand...

https://www.westmarine.com/CustomerService/Price-Policy

Price Match Guarantee
If you find a lower price on an identical product at a local retail store, West Marine will match that price within 30 days of purchase.

We will price match:

  • Local Stores within 50 miles
  • Amazon, direct from Amazon only
  • Sale and regular prices before shipping, handling and/or sales tax charges
  • Retail prices for wholesale Customers
What do I need to do to get a price matched?
  1. Make sure that the product you are wishing to purchase qualifies for our Price Guarantee.
  2. Visit your local West Marine store, chat with an associate online or call 1-800-BOATING (262-8464) and let a West Marine Associate know you have an item to price match.
  3. Provide the name of the competitor, the item price and the advertisement, store or online location where you saw the price.
  4. The West Marine Associate will confirm the price of the item and that it meets all requirements for our price match guarantee, and match it.
Additional Exclusions:
  1. We guarantee that the price you pay will be the lowest price advertised or posted for an in-store purchase. If the price charged is higher than that price, you will receive the item free if the lowest price is $5.00 or less, or you will receive $5.00 off if the lowest price is greater than $5.00.
  2. There are items that West Marine will not price match; Coupon offers, Refurbished products, open box, damaged goods, auctions, which includes eBay, Amazon Marketplace, financing, deferred interest programs, freight, delivery and installation, in-store services, warranties and PLUS plans, Tax promotions, expired advertisements and ad errors, West Marine Pro prices for retail customers, competitors outside the USA, BOGO, Flash Sales, or Cyber Week Promotions, clearance products and going-out-of-business sales, loyalty promotions, rebates and gift with purchase.
  3. West Marine reserves the right to change one or more of the polices noted above at any time without prior notice and the policy in effect at the time you either return the product for refund or request a price match will apply.
 
techmitch said:
https://www.westmarine.com/CustomerService/Price-Policy

Price Match Guarantee
If you find a lower price on an identical product at a local retail store, West Marine will match that price within 30 days of purchase.

We will price match:

  • Local Stores within 50 miles
  • Amazon, direct from Amazon only
  • Sale and regular prices before shipping, handling and/or sales tax charges
  • Retail prices for wholesale Customers
What do I need to do to get a price matched?
  1. Make sure that the product you are wishing to purchase qualifies for our Price Guarantee.
  2. Visit your local West Marine store, chat with an associate online or call 1-800-BOATING (262-8464) and let a West Marine Associate know you have an item to price match.
  3. Provide the name of the competitor, the item price and the advertisement, store or online location where you saw the price.
  4. The West Marine Associate will confirm the price of the item and that it meets all requirements for our price match guarantee, and match it.
Additional Exclusions:
  1. We guarantee that the price you pay will be the lowest price advertised or posted for an in-store purchase. If the price charged is higher than that price, you will receive the item free if the lowest price is $5.00 or less, or you will receive $5.00 off if the lowest price is greater than $5.00.
  2. There are items that West Marine will not price match; Coupon offers, Refurbished products, open box, damaged goods, auctions, which includes eBay, Amazon Marketplace, financing, deferred interest programs, freight, delivery and installation, in-store services, warranties and PLUS plans, Tax promotions, expired advertisements and ad errors, West Marine Pro prices for retail customers, competitors outside the USA, BOGO, Flash Sales, or Cyber Week Promotions, clearance products and going-out-of-business sales, loyalty promotions, rebates and gift with purchase.
  3. West Marine reserves the right to change one or more of the polices noted above at any time without prior notice and the policy in effect at the time you either return the product for refund or request a price match will apply.
Click to expand...

So does Amazon sell any boat parts "direct"?
 
Nuwave Marine has an online store along with a brick and motar strore. I just ordered a new starter last week from their website and received it 2 days later. I live about 45 minutes from the store and try to go to them as much as possible.Great prices and super fast shipping.
 
Usually try n buy from locals - West Marine / Auth Merc Dealers / Marinas / etc. April 8th, headed to West Marine, just 30 min away to replace AC Groco strainer. Showed them the price difference between them and Wholesale - $102.00 difference, they honored it. Tried the same with Group 31 AGMs - Not Happening. Just don't understand why WM pricing is so much higher on most items. Their Group 31 AGM is the exact same battery that BatteriesPlus sells $100+ less. I own a local business, celebrating our 40th year and encourage "shop local", but my pricing is in line with my competitors, local and online. If the local guys pricing isn't reasonable, and I give them the opportunity to at least get close, Amazon or whomever is where I go.
 
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