BETA Marine Take the P for the Key

[WoodyP]

I recently asked for replacement keys having lost mine. I have always been an advocate of supporting them for parts, a little extra mark up for the free technical advice is a trade off. I didn't know that they used a standard Kubota key switch which would start just about everything on the Kubota list, from tractors down.

I was surprised that the quoted £11. 50 for the keys, plus vat plus £5.50 translated to an invoice total of £20.40 on my invoice number when they arrived. Given the keys were in an envelope that was franked for £2.60. I asked for a discount, but none offered, and not knowing the ignition switch they used thought it would be cheaper than a new switch from somewhere else (quoted over £80 from them, £30'ish elsewhere)

I was even more surprised to find out that the self same keys can be obtained for £1.60 each plus standard UK delivery of £2, making the cost £5.60 for 2 keys from Key King UK ltd.

This sort of mark up is profiteering, they may be having a laugh but I was not very amused, and will be telling their MD the same thing.

 

[NickRobinson]

Boats probably do not need ignition locks at all?
Anyone keen enough will bypass in seconds any trad, non ecu boat engine.
My boat has any old key in a non secure barrel - key in permanently.
Security via isolator below decks. I plan to replace with a switch at some point.
Digger owners used the dipsticks as a starter key-
Commiserations though-
Nick

 

[MASH]

I didn't know that they used a standard Kubota key switch which would start just about everything on the Kubota list, from tractors down.

I was even more surprised to find out that the self same keys can be obtained for £1.60 each plus standard UK delivery of £2, making the cost £5.60 for 2 keys from Key King UK ltd.

Sigh.

Caveat Emptor, as ever...

 

[lustyd]

I've heard it argued that a key could be a safety issue in an emergency too if you can't find it or it's bent etc. with a lee shore approaching.

 

[Plevier]

Think yourself lucky.
4 years ago a single key for a VP engine was £26.

 

[WoodyP]

The ignition key is the same as the locks, there to deter people who don't want to break in and take the boat. When under way it remains in the iginition switch. The switch also has the function of controlling other gauges and switches.

The trouble with caveat emptor, is that the knowledge, just like experience occurs just after you needed it.
Anyway, off to the boat now to see if they fit.

 

[BERT T]

I recently asked for replacement keys having lost mine. I have always been an advocate of supporting them for parts, a little extra mark up for the free technical advice is a trade off. I didn't know that they used a standard Kubota key switch which would start just about everything on the Kubota list, from tractors down.

I was surprised that the quoted £11. 50 for the keys, plus vat plus £5.50 translated to an invoice total of £20.40 on my invoice number when they arrived. Given the keys were in an envelope that was franked for £2.60. I asked for a discount, but none offered, and not knowing the ignition switch they used thought it would be cheaper than a new switch from somewhere else (quoted over £80 from them, £30'ish elsewhere)

I was even more surprised to find out that the self same keys can be obtained for £1.60 each plus standard UK delivery of £2, making the cost £5.60 for 2 keys from Key King UK ltd.

This sort of mark up is profiteering, they may be having a laugh but I was not very amused, and will be telling their MD the same thing.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "WE LIVE IN RIP OFF BRITAIN".

 

[Aeolus]

No point moaning about it after you've agreed to pay Beta's charges. All you've done is prove to them that they have priced the keys about right - there are people out there prepared to pay silly money.

All private sector companies charge as much as they think people are prepared to pay. The only way to change it is to not buy things that you think are overpriced.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I don't think £20 is desparately over priced. It's not bargain basement price, but what do you expect?
Try losing the master key for a car and see what you get charged.

 

[PhillM]

When my son locked himself out of his new car it cost £90.

Getting a key cut for our office door cost me £16 at our local locksmith.

I don't think Beta are being unreasonable.

Sorry, we all like cheap or better free but I also want my supplier to be profitable, healthy and still there when I want them.

 

[Paddingtonbear]

Try buying a Beta head gasket set!

 

[LittleSister]

I bought a key (a couple actually, to be safe) from Beta a few years ago. Just rang them up, and they were on the doormat the next morning.

I knew beforehand that I could probably get them cheaper elsewhere, but it saved me having to try to find out what I needed, where I could get it from, wait to find whether the supplier was fast or slow at despatching orders (could easily have been a weekend's sailing missed), and I could have still ended up with the wrong thing. I thought they could have been cheaper, but it was still money well spent.

Think of it as a fiver for the keys, and £15 for knowing what you wanted, having them to hand, and caring that you got them in good time!

 

[prv]

Think yourself lucky.
4 years ago a single key for a VP engine was £26.

...whereas my nearly-new VP engine has no key

Pete