NPMR
Well-Known Member
My first novice 'post' was querying the high cost of a simple mixing elbow on a Yanmar 1GM10. The forum suggested variously that the dealers needed the price so they could stay in business or that the part could be sourced cheaper from Europe (but this was not that simple).
In the end, I got one, from the USA, where I have 'rellies'.
The cost was a mere $114, (about £80 after p&p) compared to £146 UK. The catch was that the dealer in the USA could not send this to me direct, as he had been 'ASKED' by Yanmar not to sell outside "his area". Hence the need for my brother-in-law's help - he lives in Illinois
I took this up with Barrus and was given some reasons as to why the price was OK. But I went further, and followed the process back to import duties, local taxes, VAT etc etc. and took that up with Barrus.
Today, I have a letter from them, advising that there is now a new UK price for this unit of £63.26 plus VAT.
I am pleasantly surprised by the change of price and attitude and so I take my nautical hat off to the Parts Manager for seeing the consumer point of view.
But equally, knowledge is power and if it were'nt for the Internet giving us more information I doubt that this change would have been achieved.
OK I know its a small victory, but I thought it was good!
Gentle niggle now going on in my head - how many other prices are like this, simply because we moan about the costs to each other, but actually, don't DO anything about it?
In the end, I got one, from the USA, where I have 'rellies'.
The cost was a mere $114, (about £80 after p&p) compared to £146 UK. The catch was that the dealer in the USA could not send this to me direct, as he had been 'ASKED' by Yanmar not to sell outside "his area". Hence the need for my brother-in-law's help - he lives in Illinois
I took this up with Barrus and was given some reasons as to why the price was OK. But I went further, and followed the process back to import duties, local taxes, VAT etc etc. and took that up with Barrus.
Today, I have a letter from them, advising that there is now a new UK price for this unit of £63.26 plus VAT.
I am pleasantly surprised by the change of price and attitude and so I take my nautical hat off to the Parts Manager for seeing the consumer point of view.
But equally, knowledge is power and if it were'nt for the Internet giving us more information I doubt that this change would have been achieved.
OK I know its a small victory, but I thought it was good!
Gentle niggle now going on in my head - how many other prices are like this, simply because we moan about the costs to each other, but actually, don't DO anything about it?
