Where do you buy your parts?

[DarkJester]

Good morning/afternoon/evening!

I'm sure it's been asked before, but dang if I can find it.
Where do you guys like to buy your parts?
I'm talking mostly about maintenance parts. Oil filters, fuel filters, PCV Valves, Oil, Drive Lube, Trim and Tilt oil, cables, Antifreeze, Holding tank Flush Fluid, Oil Change Pumps, stuff Like that.
I like to buy OEM, ie I have a MerCruiser, and I like to buy Mercury Oil, filters, etc. And, yes, I realize I'm paying some for the name. I'm cool with that.

SO,

Where do you guys (or youse guys, or better yet, y'all since I live in the South) get your stuff?
Online? Walmart? West Marine? Your local Mercury Parts Dealer/Boat Dealership?

I'm genuinely curious, not trying to start a war, I just want opinions.

If you can back it up with facts and experience, then bonus!

 

[BillK2632]

Mostly on-line from Wholesale Marine (they are a CSR Sponsor) but I was buying from them before that. Some things come from Ebay, there are several marine stores there that have good prices. Around here (Lake Norman / Lake Wylie) the WalMarts near the lakes have a pretty good marine sections and carry Mercruiser oil/lubricants/filters etc. Also, NAPA matches up to a lot of Mercruiser marine parts pretty well.

For me, my first stop for oil and filters is WalMart / NAPA, then Wholesale Marine for other stuff.
If they don't have it and I can wait, I order from Wholesale Marine, or sometimes Ebay depending on price availability.
If it's broken and I can't wait, then West Marine.

 

[Sous]

Like Bill, I mostly use Wholesale Marine. I generally do 2 orders a year the stuff for spring (zincs, cleners/wax, etc.) and then the stuff for fall (AF, filters, oil, etc.). Obviously the specific stuff might end up going through the dealer. WM is used when they they have their big sales and prices are good, or for the emergency stuff... like the split raw water cooling intake hose last year.

 

[Tomco]

I have purchased the larger MerCruiser parts from Performance Product Technologies (www.perfprotch.com) and have been very happy with pricing and service - I emphasize the service part because they have been very helpful in solving/answering questions, something you do not get from others.

Being in Canada the cost difference with the exchange is not worth the headache sometimes so I tend to buy through our marina or from a local SeaRay dealer

 

[scoflaw]

Do your homework, research your part #'s, get on ebay and see who has what for how much. The heavy stuff, oils ,etc better to buy local.

 

[cfd95]

X2 for Ebay. There are multiple vendors selling the same parts. Most have free shipping.
Wholesale marine is a great place too and they list alot on Ebay.
Like was said do some research and write down the part numbers for your Engine and outdrive.
I keep a log book for all the maintenance i do, with dedicated pages for part numbers.

 

[Tonka Boater]

Depends on what I need and how quick I need it. I research part numbers and buy most everything online...mostly Amazon and eBay. However, if you need a particular part and have the number you can find some great prices just by Googling the part #.

For anything that I need immediately I just go to West Marine out of convenience and pay the 1000% markup.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Wholesale Marine, eBay, and occasionally Overton's if I am in no hurry. Like everyone else, WM or local if absolutely necessary.

Bennett