Hidden economy in marine products
- Details
- Category: Discount Marine Supplies and Items
- Published on Tuesday, 31 May 2011 07:28
- Written by George Boase
- Hits: 326
The other day I found myself in need of replacing a laptop computer. I did the due diligence of a web search to find the product that would fill my needs at the best price. There was a Gateway listed for $198 at one of our local electronics retailers so that's where we went. Looking over the display area I didn't see anything less than $250, so I asked a salesman about the one on their website for less than $200. Turns out it was store policy to not put that one on display. They had them in stock, but they just don't promote them.
Several years ago I was looking for some handheld marine radios. There was a certain model by Cobra / Midland that retailed at $80. I called and got a list of the dealers in the area and went to the closest one to me. They had a lot of handhelds on display, the cheapest one was $218 for the pair, none for $80. I asked and sure enough, they had them in stock, just not on display.
This is more common than most people realize. When a store agrees to sell a brand or product line, they often have to agree to buy the entire line. There's nothing in the agreement about promoting the entire line, they just have to buy it. Many times the only items that are displayed or promoted are the most profitable items. The economy items are left in the stockroom to collect dust or to satisfy anyone who asks.
Price does not equal satisfaction with a product. I'm happier with my $200 netbook than I was with the $800 laptop it replaced. The netbook has a better operating system, is faster and the batteries have a much longer life. When choosing a computer for use on the boat, battery life and power consumption are key factors.
The Cobra handhelds have lasted longer than a more expensive radio they replaced, and have more of the features I wanted in the first place. They are waterproof and come in a bag with a lanyard that attaches to my life jacket. The old one was not water proof and was far to bulky to carry all the time.
I'm not hot on purchasing things on the internet. I prefer to support a local retailer and bring the item home with me. What I do appreciate about the internet is the ability to shop and compare in the home without a salesman urging me to buy the biggest baddest and newest item there is. There is a far larger selection, and it's much easier to comparison shop for features and price. There is also the factor I mentioned above. You really need to KNOW all the products, not just what's on display, and ask if you don't see it.
A boat is nothing more than another form of RV. We all know the old saying that BOAT is an acronym for Bust Out Another Thousand. It does seem that way at times. If you get past the idea that everything you buy must come from a boat store, you can save a lot of money.
Our boat doesn't have a shower in the head, nor do I have hot or pressure water when not at the dock. It's fun to talk like a pirate, but smelling like one is another thing. A few days at anchor and you may notice boats downwind pulling up anchor and moving upwind of you. I decided it was time to get some kind of shower installed. There's a simple device used by campers for years called a solar shower. It's nothing more than a 5 gallon bladder with a clear side and a dark side. Kind of like "the force." You set it out in the sun, clear side up, and the water can reach temperatures of 125 degrees. There is a plastic tube terminated with a shower head and valve. With a bit of ingenuity, I extended the plastic tube, set it on the cabin top and ran the hose inside through a port. Instant shower ... just add water.
The price difference I found when shopping for this was eye opening. In one of the largest most well known boat stores, they were $24.95. I know that's not earth shattering for boat equipment. Then I went to a discount retailer which had an RV section and found the exact same item, same model and everything, for $10.95.
There are items that can only be found in a boat specialty store. There are also a lot of items that share function with other RVs. More often than not, they will also be priced considerably lower in a non boat store. It's just one more way to keep you going, for a whole lot less money.
