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What's it worth to you? Online v. Local Electronics
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Random Quote: whatever it is...... the details make the difference
What's it worth to you? Online v. Local Electronics
I purchase alot of things online. If you can buy your marine electronics, stereo equipment, engine parts or boat accessories online from say a "non-certified" vendor, avoiding local and State sales tax and still be much much cheaper, even with the shipping charges, then the local certified dealer or anyone else for that matter, why wouldn't you? I mean is there a dollar amount of savings that you would not trade or forego for using the "certified" or "authorized" seller? i.e. a savings of 50% off the authorized dealer price. Does that savings change per item/is it different for say electronics, stereo equipment, compared to say Yamaha or Mercury outboard engine parts, or say LED lighting or a VHF or PLB? I often hear the horror stories of don't buy that from Ebay, or from anyone online, because you don't know whom your buying from and the product is fake or damaged. But do I really need to know whom I'm buying an item from when the local marine store may sell the exact item and tell me: We don't warranty that item either - you need to send it directly to Starbrite, Garmin or Raymarine or Furuno. "Most" local places don't warranty items anyways - NO RETURNS, unless they have a very strong relationship with the Mfg. I mean sure there is a risk for online purchases - but isn't there a risk in every purchase? can't we use a credit card with the ability to retract payment or claim a dispute or use paypal for purchases and reduce the risk? are those comments by people not to purchase from a "non-certified" or not an "authorized" dealer, hype from the certified vendors?
I'm not "in the business" I am just interested in the answer. So, what's your defining rule or your savings threshold for when its OK to buy online (non-certified/non-authorized) and not at the local store?
we usually run 5-10% over the web prices...if you just want the stuff and are going to install the stuff yourself and are good at it. It''s the way to go.
but many do not have the the time or skill to do their own installs, or want tweaks that they are not prepared to do, due to that lack of fabricating facilites. For those people we exist. A full blown install on a mid 30 foot CC can be 50 hours. Many do not have that kind of time. Furthermore we are consultants, and everyone in our operation is salary so we try to do what's right, not sell you a ton of stuff.
Also, if we do it it's certified and we come to the boat to fix it. one call....but the world does not revolve around THT readers and the skills that lie herein....
What Glen said. But with the twist that you don't have to buy from grey market dealers just because you are buying from an internet store.
There are a lot of factory authorized dealers who sell via the internet, and they will even stand behind the products.
I wouldn't buy from a vendor if I had any question about warranty support, so I stick with factory authorized sales agents.
In a lot of cases, they also install and service in their local area (Jim at BOE does for example). So while my "local" dealer doesn't get the coin, the dealer is still a local business somewhere.
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Terry Jason 35, Yanmar 370 hp, Lots of fun at a leisurely pace
The more I read, the more I'm learning that the "authorized" and "unauthorized" dealer things is all a steamy pile of bullsh!t. I've bought items from places that were clearly NOT authorized "dealers" and places that clear were.
I've submitted the rebate for both and given the serial number to the factory for service/support and never, ever, ever, had a single problem.
"Authorized dealer" is a euphemism for "Authorized to charge you more".
IMHO
If you think it isn't a big deal... look for my thread on the Garmin 4210 that I got for $1400 and the GSD for $378.
I've talked to Garmin at LENGTH about both these units... down to the SN number... and they have been nothing but helpful.
I'm an online dealer. Glen E described the differences well.
The term 'factory authorized' can be misleading. The fact is, most dealers (online or brick and mortar) buy from the same wholesale suppliers. Warranties are covered by the manufacturer as long as your serial number is legit. The serial number of the radar you bought from someone on Ebay (not a dealer) will be revealed as a 2nd hand purchase. (A guy on THT had a huge thread about this a few years ago....he bought a Raymarine product from someone on Ebay claiming "new in box" and tried to get a warranty repair. Raymarine checked the serial number and learned that it was a 2nd hand sale and denied the warranty).
Brick and mortar stores allow you to touch and feel equipment and some offer display models to play with. Some offer installation services as well. If you are a DIY'er you can save a lot of money buying online. If you want installation wrapped into a single purchase transaction the brick and mortar store is the better option.
I make a lot of my purchases on-line but only from established vendors. Defender gets a lot of my business. BOE is another. genuinedealz.com is one I use for electrical parts and wire.
I bought two Racor filters from an on-line vendor and when I got around to installing them a couple months later, one was defective. Now my choice is to spend $10.00 to return it or discard it. So much for any savings over buying locally.
I saw a windlass I wanted on e-bay. I e-mailed with a couple questions and the seller didn't know the answers. So much for that deal.
I wouldn't buy anything that might need warranty support from an on-line auction unless the vendor had an established retail business.
And if the price is close I'll just buy locally to help support the local vendors (even if they are a chain).
BTW: I do not go to the local vendor, ask for a demo on something, take up the staff's time, ask questions, etc. and then leave and go home and order it from an Internet vendor. That's just not right.
I've talked to Garmin at LENGTH about both these units... down to the SN number... and they have been nothing but helpful.
Don't fall for the BS.
Talked? Garmin will talk to anyone in that can get through to them. It when you want a no charge replacement for your broken unit that it might matter.
Talked? Garmin will talk to anyone in that can get through to them. It when you want a no charge replacement for your broken unit that it might matter.
Not in the least. The honored the rebate and have acknowledged that it was shipped from an authorized distributor (which is where everyone (pretty much) ships from). The "you didn't buy from an authorized service center" scare is wasted on me.
There's several advantages to buying from your local guy that haven't been listed.
On most of my product, if it is under 90 days or pretty close after your purchase and something happens - I swap it. No questions asked. No sending back waiting a few weeks for warranty repair, etc. I've had several cases where an amplifier has went bad and has to be sent out for warranty. I'll loan out an amplifier until the defective unit arrives back from service.
With your online guys, IF you get he warranty, you have to ship to them, they have to ship to whoever they purchased from legitimately, and then the actual dealer has to send it back to the manufacturer. You'll end up having to wait longer to get your product back. Boating season in my area lasts pretty much mid April to mid October, so time is limited. I've also heard of some of these online companies having their own repair center which is how they can offer you some sort of warranty.
You can save tons of money shopping online but you are taking a risk.
And rwidman - thanks. I have tons of people who use myself and fellow guys as personal shoppers and it drives me nuts. What's worse is when you cut someone a deal with prices slashed on product and labor, they go pick up the product elsewhere and expect the same price on labor. Will not happen on my watch. In fact I charge more and if their product goes defective, I charge to remove and reinstall. While on my product out of my stockroom I back 100%.
With your online guys, IF you get he warranty, you have to ship to them, they have to ship to whoever they purchased from legitimately, and then the actual dealer has to send it back to the manufacturer. You'll end up having to wait longer to get your product back. ....
It does not work that way at all, at least with my company. I also think you may be confusing returns and warranty.
If a customer has a warranty problem they ship it directly to the manufacturer with their proof of purchase.
If a customer wants to return a product for any reason, they ship it back within 20 days with an RGA number issued by me. Once receipt is confirmed I issue a refund....it's simple. There are rules...special order items may not be returned. Opened and/or unsealed DVDs, CDs, and cartography are not returnable unless defective. Pretty standard things that typically apply at brick and mortar stores....
Brick and mortar vs. online stores offer different services. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
Not in the least. The honored the rebate and have acknowledged that it was shipped from an authorized distributor (which is where everyone (pretty much) ships from). The "you didn't buy from an authorized service center" scare is wasted on me.
Pete, just realize it is very possible to buy grey market items here in the US, sometimes from very large suppliers. These units aren't shipped from US distributors, and they don't come with US warranties.
Yours did, and you got a great deal. But if it had been purchased in Taiwan, and bulk shipped to an internet only sales site in Ohio, then Garmin may very well have said we will help you on the phone, but can't provide warranty support for your unit.
It's happened before. Many, many, times before.
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Terry Jason 35, Yanmar 370 hp, Lots of fun at a leisurely pace
In Charleston..do we have "local vendors"? We have West Marine..but those guys get paid whether I come in the store or not.
Sure we do. Chris V at Charlelston Marine. He wasn't "rock bottom" with prices but cheaper than 98% of Internet prices and close enough to rock bottom to make supporting a local business an easy decision.
I find it online ,print it out run to my local WM and buy it.you don't know how many times I have had my boat in the parking lot of WM so they could upgrade it or help me trouble shoot.
I have to tell you, as I get to know them, the people at the West Marine by me are really proving to be very nice people that know their stuff (most of them, anyway).
The more I read, the more I'm learning that the "authorized" and "unauthorized" dealer things is all a steamy pile of bullsh!t.
I've submitted the rebate for both and given the serial number to the factory for service/support and never, ever, ever, had a single problem..
There definitely WAS a problem back "in the day" with Garmin and rebate from non-authorized online sources. Don't know if that's still the case. As far as I know, there never was a problem with warranty. Likewise, there still is a problem with Escort radar detectors (I know, that's not marine, but it's fairly high-buck electronics.)
What's it worth to you? Online v. Local Electronics 
