Buying from Amazon better than Chandlery?

[LONG_KEELER]

I had an interesting experience recently with Amazon returns.

A friend of mine purchased 20 pallets of returns from Amazon . Lots of fun going through them and I've had some good stuff. Although some were clearly genuine returns , a large number were doubtful. Many items were well used and likely had probably been purchased for a specific project or job and then returned. It was all rather depressing.

 

[Babylon]

That's built into the business model. Same with shop-lifting at M&S etc where the staff are instructed to not challenge anyone doing it, as the losses through theft are 'cheaper' than employing proper security or compensating retail staff for injury or trauma. It's the New Middle Ages supercharged with MBAs and algorithms.

 

[Minerva]

I had an interesting experience recently with Amazon returns.

A friend of mine purchased 20 pallets of returns from Amazon . Lots of fun going through them and I've had some good stuff. Although some were clearly genuine returns , a large number were doubtful. Many items were well used and likely had probably been purchased for a specific project or job and then returned. It was all rather depressing.

“Returns” covers a rather large spectrum tho! It could anything from “these shoes don’t fit as expected “ right through to “this kettle died after only 9months use”.

 

[Minerva]

I had an interesting experience recently with Amazon returns.

A friend of mine purchased 20 pallets of returns from Amazon . Lots of fun going through them and I've had some good stuff. Although some were clearly genuine returns , a large number were doubtful. Many items were well used and likely had probably been purchased for a specific project or job and then returned. It was all rather depressing.

Also, why would your friend be buying 20 pallets of faulty goods? Did they find their way to the local car boot sale / eBay to be flogged to some unsuspecting buyer?

 

[Dellquay13]

Independent chandlers will always struggle to keep their prices as low as specialist online suppliers, because the online giants will be one or two stages of reseller closer to the manufacturer, with better bulk discounts.
If there are 2 more resellers and wholesalers in the chain, each marking up at just 20%, that is an increase of 44% on the costs for the chandler to buy stock in.
The online giants are often traditional wholesalers who have branched out into retail to maximise their profits.
When you are comparing prices from multiple chain plumbers merchants who sell shed loads of a certain brass widget, with a chandler who is only asked about them a couple of times every spring refit season, and can't buy direct from the manufacturer any more than we can, don't be surprised if their prices are higher.
Try asking the local branch of the plumbers merchant what size widget you need to adapt a specialist boat fitting, and you get blank stares. A good chandler will have bought in stock of the right widget, because they know the specialist boat fitting, but their limited buying power and reseller options will always make them struggle to match rock bottom prices.

 

[Stemar]

Also, why would your friend be buying 20 pallets of faulty goods? Did they find their way to the local car boot sale / eBay to be flogged to some unsuspecting buyer?

If I had a big garage and ambitions to be an Ebay trader, that sounds like a good way to get stock. I reckon that could be a better living than delivering the stuff in the first place.

 

[Rhylsailer99]

It’s like anything else...if we all buy on-line will you be happy when your local chandler goes out of business?

you can support local chandlers buying online from their websites as well.

 

[dunedin]

If only the local yachting magazine was any good.

I'll get my coat.

At best that is a bit impolite to post when using the facilities provided for free by your host, Practical Boat Owner magazine.

It is a tricky job creating the magazine content, and overall they do a pretty good job. We will miss them when paper magazines have gone

A YM & YW (online) subscriber

 

[AntarcticPilot]

you can support local chandlers buying online from their websites as well.

Indeed. Most of the big chandleries have an online presence; all the big East Anglian ones do. Small local chandleries really can't rely on people making big purchases - they can't carry the variety of stock, and if they're ordering from a catalogue, I can get the stuff just as fast as they can, and probably at the same price. I think that small local chandleries have to have other strings to their bow - for example, the chandlery at Titchmarsh runs a small local art gallery, and that attracts people other than berth-holders. It also runs a sort of boat jumble - they take a cut for selling your unwanted "pre-loved" equipment; it's mutually beneficial. Of course, convenience sells, too - but for me, I pass a major chandlery on my way to the boat, so any planned purchase is likely to be from there.

 

[Shaddickp]

I would only buy from Amazon as a last resort. For several reasons, their prices generally are not that much better than other online specialist retailers, often not as good. They often do not have very obscure parts that other specialists do stock. Their reviews are fantasy and cannot be trusted, hence buying unknown brands is fraught with uncertainty over quality. They are against unionised workforces. They want to put over 2k more satellites into orbit.
I don't live near a chandlers so seldom buy from a physical store, but I am more than happy to because although you might pay a little more it is convenient, quick, no postal costs, you can see the quality (or not) of a product, and you support a dwindling business sector.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Personally, I value customer service and convenience more than anything else when purchasing good such as VHF, Chartplotters etc. It appears that the big multi store chain chandlers have two ways of selling their goods; walk-in purchase directly from the store or purchase from their on-line store.
Returning goods that they were purchased from their on-line store its straight forward, however, returning good that they were purchased directly from the store can be difficult because you have to deal with the store staff who put more value to their suppliers rather than their customers.; big mistake.

 

[STATUE]

I had bad luck recently with the purchasing of electronic equipment/VHF. I bought electronics from a big marine supplier and also from the big marine chain chandlery.
In both cases I was messed about when I needed to return goods that failed to operate properly; customer service in both cases was very poor initially, despite that the electronic goods were returned within two weeks of purchase. Eventually, I received replacements, however, next time I will buy from Amazon mainly because they replace faulty goods without any quibbles and hassle free.

How many millions do you think Amazon still hold of those poor souls who hit the 'buy' button for a pair of socks, not realising Amazon had hidden behind that button YOU ARE BUYING PRIME AND WE'RE TAKING YOUR £75 AND WILL NEVER TELL YOU.

I use E-BAY.

 

[[70521]]

At best that is a bit impolite to post when using the facilities provided for free by your host, Practical Boat Owner magazine.

It is a tricky job creating the magazine content, and overall they do a pretty good job. We will miss them when paper magazines have gone

A YM & YW (online) subscriber

Impolite, no. It's my opinion of the magazine and am sure we are still allowed an opinion? It has been some time since I 'pulled my forelock' to anyone. I am more than happy to share my thoughts with the production team if they are interested and if that upsets them they can ban me. (I would miss the interaction with many of the excellent contributors here as @Sandy, but could easily create other accounts and post to my heart's content).

Somebody in the distant past took the decision to create the forum. They will have had their reasons for doing so; I am sure we can all think of several. I have no idea how much it costs to run the forum, but expect it to be a tiny percentage of their annual IT budget. Their bean counters (my wife holds membership of two professional accountancy institutions and knows my views on accountants) will have done the cost/benefit analysis.

There was a light hearted comment, I'll get my coat, as I knew the post would ruffle a few feathers; I have a reputation, in the real world, of saying what I think and it has always worked for me.

 

[Taliesin]

I don’t spend a fortune and probably don’t really keep anyone in business but I enjoy going into a Chandlery so tend to shop in them although sometimes I do mail order from an East Anglian Chandlery that has a big online presence. TBH it never occurred to me that I could buy boat stuff from Amazon.

 

[The Q]

if you don't subscribe to your local yachting magazine.

Jonathan

We had a local magazine "Anglia Afloat" which started off OK then gradually turned into a latest clothing fashions for those who pretend to sail and huge multimillion pound Motor yachts magazine.. I guess the articles were mostly Advertorials from the companies that could afford to pay.
When the Broads, the coastal sailing and motorboating in East Anglia is mostly secondhand boats bought by people who want to be on the water not pose by the side of it, it didn't take long before the magazine sank without trace..

As for Amazon and Co, I do use Amazon Ebay and direct purchase online.. Also using the nearest two Chandleries both of whom are online (Norfolk Marine and Boulters) and also Ropes Direct, who shed I pass on the way to go to the sailing club. So online can be local...

Pre Online it was mail order (remember to allow 28 days for delivery!!). when you live in the remote areas of the UK there's little choice. But even if you buy Local ish there's no way of knowing where it's coming from.. I ordered some antifouling from a old established east coast chandlery , it was delivered from their warehouse up Sheffield way!!

 

[slawosz]

I am trying to buy local, then eBay/online shop. Sometimes, when time is crucial I use Amazon, but I have a lot of concerns about them - mostly due to their impact on the economy. I never had issues with products I bought but if I would buy something critical I would gave myself a lot of time to test it and allow for exchange.

 

[peter gibbs]

I am trying to buy local, then eBay/online shop. Sometimes, when time is crucial I use Amazon, but I have a lot of concerns about them - mostly due to their impact on the economy. I never had issues with products I bought but if I would buy something critical I would gave myself a lot of time to test it and allow for exchange.

Over the years I've had loads of good advice from knowledgeable chandlery staff. They've added to my sense of satisfaction even assured me my puchases are the best fit going and won't let me down at sea. Experience shared has great value. Likewise with manufactures who've come to the phone and discussed my problems, made recommendations, saving money and irritation.
My favourite chandlery has a reputation for finding bits that can resurrect equipment otherwise " no longer supported" by the original manufacturer. Big savings here.

All this service is of course unavailable through Amazon today. It is not part of their volume model so never will be.

Wise chandlers will discount the commodities to maintain footfall but must capitalise on basic trade by providing service to recoup the margin sacrificed. (Viz PBO forum site model) Well managed businesses have adapted to pressures, consciously improved their service, hired the right staff and have good prospects.

Price is never the sole determinant of business success. We in turn as customers know that if we have paid a little more at the chandlery but been well cared for we have not lost out or been ripped off. And we have helped maintain a supply model that Amazon can never replicate.

 

[DanTribe]

The last time I went to Excel Boat Show I was chatting to the boss of one of the few chandleries still exhibiting. I knew him well because his chandlery was based in my home port.
He went off to attend a customer. I met up again later and he said that he had spent 1/2 hr demonstrating some gadget, opening the box and fitting batteries, offered to meet any internet price the customer found and deliver for free if he didn't want to carry it.
Later he said the bloke never bought it and would probably order on line but he got a free demonstration and personal attention.
The chandlery folded soon after. There used to be 3 chandleries in my sailing centre, all closed now.

 

[Refueler]

Amazon .... Boy oh Boy ..... if you look at the sellers via Amazon instead of just seeing Amazon label - then many of the silly posts above will be seen for what they are ... daft !

Amazon is not a seller ............. they are a conduit for businesses to sell via ............ and if you are buying chandlery - then just take time to scroll through the alternative sellers they offer ... THAT can possibly save your local shop !!

 

[Refueler]

Over the years I've had loads of good advice from knowledgeable chandlery staff. They've added to my sense of satisfaction even assured me my puchases are the best fit going and won't let me down at sea. Experience shared has great value. Likewise with manufactures who've come to the phone and discussed my problems, made recommendations, saving money and irritation.
My favourite chandlery has a reputation for finding bits that can resurrect equipment otherwise " no longer supported" by the original manufacturer. Big savings here.

All this service is of course unavailable through Amazon today. It is not part of their volume model so never will be.

Wise chandlers will discount the commodities to maintain footfall but must capitalise on basic trade by providing service to recoup the margin sacrificed. (Viz PBO forum site model) Well managed businesses have adapted to pressures, consciously improved their service, hired the right staff and have good prospects.

Price is never the sole determinant of business success. We in turn as customers know that if we have paid a little more at the chandlery but been well cared for we have not lost out or been ripped off. And we have helped maintain a supply model that Amazon can never replicate.

Thats all fine as long as you are not being served in the shop by a non boating person .... sadly when I return to UK and visit chandlers for the bits and bobs I cannot get in Latvia - the level of knowledge shown by average chandlery shop assistant is appalling !