Barrus.

[mattyorke]

This is one of my first posts here, but I felt motivated to bring to everyones attention how much barrus have just ripped me off. Almost every time I buy a genuine part from them I get left feeling with a bitter resentment of the company.

Part No : 27-863724.
Mercury Parts express list price : $7.83
DollerOffshore list price (Genuine part) : $7.05
UK list price from Barrus, quoted through 2 different dealers : £21

That is in the region of 400% mark up. If there are any Barrus employees here I'd be interested to hear how such an obscene mark up is justified. I firmly believe in everyone taking their cut, but this is unreal.

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[Dave_Snelson]

Very common in the UK boating business. I have bought a number of things from the States over the years and almost always found them cheaper - a good example being my Garmin Etrex GPS. 3 years ago I bought it for £85 and I think with shipping it came to £90. They are still more than this today, even though the price is meant to drop on electronic goodies. My ski-boat seats were £750 over here and imported were £285, and that included shipping.

Not sure whether your part was shippable but I would sure have given it a go!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[mattyorke]

Just because it is common doesn't mean we should put up with it.
I've had enough of Barrus taking the mick.

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[dieselhead]

try mercruiserparts.com youll find their prices in $ equivilent ie if £70=$70 !!also ebay i got a new starter motor for £89-95 much better than the £700 i was quoted

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[duncan]

you will get volume volume volume duty and volume quoted back to you. this includes the dealer margin element of course.

as a quid pro quo I don't think the US guys are too happy about the VP parts prices they have to pay!

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

It wont account for the whole difference but Barrus' price would also include shipment costs to the UK, VAT and any customs duty payable
Does'nt stop it being a rip off though

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[PaulF]

Hi,

Yes it does make you feel resentful. Companies often buy for x$ then sell for x£ this covers shipping duty, if applicable and will end up with about 35% margin. That is acceptable but 400% is taking the mickey.

So now we have the internet and credit cards that work across the pond, circumvent them. If under warranty Barrus could decline support if they did not import the item, but it is worth taking the chance. In the seventies I used to buy parts for the Amercan made outboards we used to use, and even after paying duty it was well worth the effort. If you need the service support on an item it may be prudent to take a different view.

Raise a glass to alternative sourcing folks!

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[pistonbroke]

Hey Matt, I couldn't agree more.

If more people made a fuss and sourced alternative/overseas supplies maybe the fat bloke would take note.

Barrus buy their parts from Belgium, (Marine Power) and there are plenty of Belgium dealers who are more than happy to take your money, at much lower prices. Nico Bertels (bernico) is a good starting point, although Italy is pretty cheap at the moment You could also try Keypart, not only do they stock Sierra, which I don't like, but they also stock genuine Mercruiser, and normally undercut Barrus by quite a bit, not that it should be that difficult!

On a similar note, a few years ago Mitsubishi dealers wouldn't entertain working on a grey import, now they've got no choice, either that or their workshops would be empty for half of the month!



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