Buying Electronics - The Hull Truth

Mikew · 05-18-2002, 09:38 AM

I recently purchased VHF,Ant, Ant Mount, FF, GPS 162 and Blue Chart CD from Online Marine, the cost was a couple hundred dollars cheaper that local marine stores. They shipped order within 3 days. I was missing the Blue Chart CD, called them and they stated it was being sent from Garmin and I should have it within 3 days. Third day I don't have it and called Online Marine since they would noT respond to my emails. Rod briefed me that they were out of the Blue Chart CD's DUE TO GARMIN miss labeling them. Rod also briefed that Online Marine had not had CD's instock for several weeks. Online Marine should have briefed me when I placed my order over the phone to this fact. If I had known this at that time I would not have order the Garmin products. I sent email to Garmin and they responded in three days stating there was a problem and they would not have the CDs printed until June 1, 2002. Online Marine did not offer to refund my money. If I had known up front the hassle of doing this I would have gone with Lowrance products over Garmin because I have never had a problem with Lowrance. Buyer beware when dealing with Online Marine or Garmin.

All Relative · 05-18-2002, 01:53 PM

Thanks for the heads up, I hate when they pull that Sh^! !!!!

Good luck. If i had the Blus Chart CD I would burn it for you! Ask around, maybe someone can help out.

Mumblerone · 05-19-2002, 09:20 PM

The Garmin BlueChart has been delayed but I just got mine...The current issue of 'Boating', page 68, says it all. Garmin is ahead of the pack. It's worth the wait, I have several GPS's (they become outdated about ever three years), the latest is the Garmin GPSMAP76S. This is my backup handheld. The BlueChart is great but can get a little pricey. You get one code with CD. This Code can be used with two GPS's ONLY that you own. It's worth the wait.

Blacktuna · 05-20-2002, 01:31 AM

You probably used a credit card. Contact your card company and ask for a chargeback.

John_Madison CT · 05-20-2002, 08:15 AM

Ah yes, another Online Marine horror story. Add it to the list.

From what I've read, I wouldn't buy a darn thing from them.

John

Reelescape1 · 05-20-2002, 08:48 AM

Try VIT online out of Florida...they not only had the best price, he had it on my door in 2 days with $8 shipping/no tax. I bought the Garmin 182 grey and large Bluechart.

Thom · 05-20-2002, 12:11 PM

You know, I wouldn't sweat it either. You're gonna own the thing for a couple of years, what's acouple of weeks matter? I fully understand how annoying it is and yes, they should have known and let you know that there would be a delay, but in the end you're still better off than you would have been by buying anything, anything at all, by Lowrance.

Oh, I returned my original Blue Chart to On Line Marine and had it replaced with another one (had to go to one of the large data set Blue Charts because the normal one didn't give the off shore coverage that I needed). I had absolutly no problem with them at all. Understanding that for the most part they are a drop shippment shop it isn't at all suprising how things work out when there is any sort of problem with product supply, but in the end the savings make it worth it for me and in the greater scheme of things it all works out in the end. Sort of zen-like-shit, I know, but so it goes ....

Thom