Bad vendors and price gouging.

[projo198]

I run an OMC and there is only ONE shop in my area that consistently carries the parts I need. Yes, I could order online, but when you're working on a boat Friday to put it in water Saturday that's not really an option.

The first time I went to these guys they charged me $205 for a lower shift cable and gasket. Not too horrible, but not great. After paying I went to a used parts room they have and grabbed some stuff, then asked if they had a military discount because I forgot to ask before. He said yes, but only on new parts. I asked if he could knock a few dollars off the used stuff since I forgot to ask the first time and he said no. Whatever.

A few weeks later they charged me $50 for a carb rebuild kit! This time I asked about the military discount FIRST and was told they don't have one, by the SAME GUY! I was even in uniform.

This last weekend I called them looking for a distributor cap and was told $75 plus tax! I ended up driving twice as far, just on principle, to another shop to get it for 50. AND they gave me a military discount.

Then yesterday I swung by to grab some vent covers I had seen in the used parts room. I grabbed a decent pair and he told me 10 bucks. Not bad at all. So I handed him my debit card and he said cash only, unless I wanted to pay $20 for the covers! I asked if I could run to an ATM and he said they were getting ready to close, so I said "no thanks" and started to return the covers to the shelf before he gave in and ran my card. He said the company charges a dollar with every card swipe. Well ok, charge me the EXTRA DOLLAR if needs be, not a $20 MINIMUM!

I guess this is more of rant than anything, but if you are a vendor or work on boats I encourage you to practice good customer service. Don't take advantage of people because it is boating season. From now on I will be getting what I can from NAPA, ordering online or driving further for what I need.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Not sure what you are complaining about
1) Obsolete marine parts cost whatever the market will handle and a local shop is the most expensive way to buy parts
2) You went back several times after you knew their prices were high
3) Credit card transactions are expensive, small vendors are not going to suck up the costs and a lot of them have minimums for charges
4) The military discount thing - they should have a policy that they stick to
5) If you head off to Napa - just make sure you are buying marine parts for anything where that matters

 

[projo198]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Sorry should have clarified; these are Sierra Marine parts for OMC applications and are still in production. I know how much they ACTUALLY cost because I always try NAPA first but they usually have to order them, this is a pretty big shop but I don't think a single credit card transaction requires $10 to make it worthwhile.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Sorry should have clarified; these are Sierra Marine parts for OMC applications and are still in production. I know how much they ACTUALLY cost because I always try NAPA first but they usually have to order them, this is a pretty big shop but I don't think a single credit card transaction requires $10 to make it worthwhile.

Cost is a relative thing

Napa - 6 bazillion locations and buys tens of thousands of units, you are ordering from their warehouse not sierra
Local Marine shop - buys a couple dozen a year from some middle man

 

[projo198]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Cost is a relative thing

Napa - 6 bazillion locations and buys tens of thousands of units, you are ordering from their warehouse not sierra
Local Marine shop - buys a couple dozen a year from some middle man

No carberuator rebuild kit should cost 50 bucks. That is price gouging.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

And to clarify - I'm not completely against buying from a local marine shop, but since I do all my own service I havn't got much of a reason to try to keep them in business by paying too much. I usually order my service stuff online and buy the mercury/quicksilver fluids at Fleet Farm.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

No carberuator rebuild kit should cost 50 bucks. That is price gouging.

And you chose to pay it for some reason. Maybe you paid for the convienience of getting it the same day. What would the kit cost you online with shipping?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

I wish I was still in uniform Thank you for your service!

You just have to be proactive in your anticipated repairs! When I was restoring cars I ordered my Parts from Victoria British in Lexana and they were the only source around. Many a time I had things shipped next day air to VT because I needed I needed it. I feel your pain. We end up paying for availability based on need

iboats has many parts and if you do it online depending on the part you might be offered next day air but it depends on where it is coming from. iboats is my first choice.

Napa sells sierra and usually (in my area) can have it the next day .

Do I think you got ripped off on some of the parts and prices - YES. Do I agree with the stores policies? - NO
If I were in your boots I would investigate more and see what is available closer to you. Yes the OMC Johnson/Evinrude in my VT is hard to get too. My nearest dealer is over an hour away by car and he is the nearest game who does not stock anything either.

 

[projo198]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

And you chose to pay it for some reason. Maybe you paid for the convienience of getting it the same day. What would the kit cost you online with shipping?

If I recall it was around 20.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Cost is a relative thing

No question, and supply and demand is definitely a major factor here, but I think his gripe is with the apparent absence of consistency with regard to pricing, or heck, anything for that matter at this shop. As he said, it's not unreasonable, especially for a small merchant, to pass a transaction cost on to a customer, but it's absurd to arbitrarily double the price of a part on the spot. That would certainly upset me. Maybe they're just trying to run you off, projo.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

No question, and supply and demand is definitely a major factor here, but I think his gripe is with the apparent absence of consistency with regard to pricing, or heck, anything for that matter at this shop. As he said, it's not unreasonable, especially for a small merchant, to pass a transaction cost on to a customer, but it's absurd to arbitrarily double the price of a part on the spot. That would certainly upset me. Maybe they're just trying to run you off, projo.

True - they should have the $20 minimum charge posted by the register, that is what you normally see when places have transaction minimums

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

True - they should have the $20 minimum charge posted by the register, that is what you normally see when places have transaction minimums

Exactly. My local fishing shop has a sign to that effect. Ten bucks is the minimum I think, and no AMEX. I assume that's because AMEX's merchant fees are so high, but I've never asked him. Lack of consistency is a major killer of small businesses, at least around here. If he treats everyone that way he must have a captive market or I'm missing something.

 

[projo198]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Thanks all.

I guess seeing a shop take advantage of avaliability is my sticking point here. I posted this to illustrate a point; you are free to charge what you want, but there are consequences. This shop lost a customer. Even if they had been somewhat friendly I would have maintained some level of loyalty, but overall these guys are just rude.

I am new to boating, but it seems that these guys just know they have you by the... throat.. during boating season and are taking full advantage of it. After doing some research I have read several similar testimonies. Apparantly they have no problems back-seating a job if another comes in that will bring more money. Several people have actually taken their boats back mid-completion because they have waited so long.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Since you are new to boating......... Most Johnson /Evinrude dealers can get your parts........

Instead of doing PT this weekend take a walk...... through your local yellow pages and browse the internet. I see there are about 4 or 5 dealers withing 30 miles of you

 

[888]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Id say you paid to much,not that they charged to much.

 

[projo198]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Since you are new to boating......... Most Johnson /Evinrude dealers can get your parts........

Instead of doing PT this weekend take a walk...... through your local yellow pages and browse the internet. I see there are about 4 or 5 dealers withing 30 miles of you

Ha ha! PT on the weekend? I'm under 4 years until retirement, there is no more PT on the weekend lol!

But yes I did search, quite frantically when I needed that shift cable. Most places either couldn't get the parts I needed or would have to order them, taking the same amount of time I could order online myself. Ironically most referred me to this particular shop for what I needed, although several warned about the prices.

I'll keep looking though. I didn't have much luck at Cabelas but the boat shop at Bass Pro seems like a good bunch of guys and were able to help me out once before.

 

[projo198]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Don't throw anything at me but,,, when I hear people say things like this my response is, "Sounds like a real opportunity for you to go into competition with them. If they are that bad you'll run them out in no time".

Ha ha! Once I figure out my boat from a hole in the ground I may just do that! I need a retirement plan!

 

[emoney]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

The only way to "complain" about a local establishment is don't go back. And, make sure your friends and family know the same. If your experience is consistent with others', then it's just a matter of time before they're out of business....problem solved.

Well, you'll have to get better at "waiting for parts", but other than that...problem solved.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

i use marineengine.com for my evinrude as they have diagrams from the motor number and the price is fixed, they deliver in my area in 2 days so that saves a trip. when i was buying resin the local boat yard got my buisness as the postage on poly had additional charges due to the cemicals. when i asked about 2 part foam the price changed 3 times in a 5 min conversation $138 for under 2 gallons was the final price so i ordered it on line and it was here the next day. i do not see that as him ripping me off i see that as me being a smart shopper and knowing that $70 for 2 gallons on line seemed a better price. when you enter a shop where 90% of the stuff doesnt have a price tag then its a game of what you are willing to pay compaired to what they think you are willing to pay thats why my wife ended up paying $20 extra for a 5 gallon bucket of resin that i asked her to pick up for me. i never go shopping with out already having a idea what the online price is then i decied if the price is close enoght to buy now or order later.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Bad vendors and price gouging.

Personal choice as to what you pay and what convenience you want.
Go do your grocery shopping at the corner convenience store compared to one of the big grocery stores and compare the prices, selection and availability.
You have 3 things to consider when purchasing stuff.
1, High quality
2, Delivery time
3, Cost

You get to choose 2 of those 3 items.