Chandleries

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MakinWaves

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Ok, so in this day and age we all like to use the internet to find ourselves a good old bargain or two, but when your down at your boat and need parts and equipment there and now and have to use the local chandlery, what would you like to see stocked? What are the good points or bad points about chandleries?

Also, any recommendation for privately owned 'local' chandleries in the UK?
 
A good chandlery should combine all the best attributes of a harware store, DIY shop, electronics emporium, mini-mart and fashion boutique (in that order), plus stock good quality safety gear and all the little boaty things you never thought you'd need until you did. Prices should be internet level, service inpeccable and knowledgeable and anything not in stock should be ordered and delivered withing two working days.

There are very few around!
 
And they should have some kind of internet presence, even if they do not sell online. When I'm looking at stuff on the internet I have to decide whether to buy online or from the local chandler. But the local chandler doesn't have any kind of website, so there's no knowing what he sells and at what price. So unwilling to gamble, I'll order online (even though I would prefer to pick locally).

Of course I could pick up the phone, but that's a pain and it takes more time etc...

Marc.
 
Good points:
They have everything boaty and non-boaty that other half could possibly want to browse round under one roof

Bad points:
They have everything boaty and non-boaty that other half could possibly want to browse round under one roof
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Sharpe and Enwright, Dover. All the staff know their stuff. Good indication is screws, bolts etc loose in drawers rather than overpriced blister packs. Oh yes, and Pirates Cave on Medway Trading estate.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Also, any recommendation for privately owned 'local' chandleries in the UK?

[/ QUOTE ]

You don't say where you are, but on the East Coast I've used both Fox's and Seamark-Nunn.

Seamark-Nunn is usually the most competitive on price (they also let you buy on-line) and are my first port of call for anything dinghy/outboard related.
Fox's stock a wider range of items and have some knowledgeable staff (if you manage to avoid the odd spotty on work experience). If you've got a loyalty card you van pick up the odd bargain.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Good indication is screws, bolts etc loose in drawers rather than overpriced blister packs.

[/ QUOTE ]

To my surprise - Aladdins Cave at Port Hamble has a stand of blister packs, and then just next to it a big stand of drawers of bits - great! I needed 16 M12 Nylock Nuts - only £1.20 - that impressed me! (Shame the rest of the chandlery is so small and doesn't have a great range - but now we're no longer in Hamble it won't worry me!)

Jonny
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like the Deacon's Boatyard branch of Aladdin's Cave.

[/ QUOTE ]

They certrainly have the kit, the knowledge and, usually the delivery times, but the prices???

Yacht Parts in Plymouth is another well stocked shop but without the mini-mart - excellent advice too.

Edit: The best small chandlery I have known is the Aladdins Cave at Mercury Yacht Harbour - too small to stock everything but has a selection of most things including nuts, screws, washers and bolts; and Graham, if he is still there, knows everthing and goes to endless trouble.
 
I love to look round the privately owned chandleries, and like to give my support by spending there rather than online, but i have to wonder how they survive during the winter months, especially if based in areas that rely on tourism.
Is this the reason that they sell leisure wear, because i really don't see the point - far to expensive! Would it not be better for them to stock a wider range of chandlery items, but if so what? The blister packs mentioned are expensive, but convenient, especially when sending in the other half, but they always seem to never have the sizes i require!
 
[ QUOTE ]
A good chandlery should combine all the best attributes of a harware store, DIY shop, electronics emporium, mini-mart and fashion boutique (in that order), plus stock good quality safety gear and all the little boaty things you never thought you'd need until you did. Prices should be internet level, service inpeccable and knowledgeable and anything not in stock should be ordered and delivered withing two working days.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tanks full, all checks complete, yep, the pigs are ready to fly! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
You can whinge - but try doing anything to your boat whithout a chandlers close by and you'll soon realise their value.

I've stuggled to get 10mm countersunk bolts in the past few days.
And when I went to buy 10 x 25mm spit stainless pins in our Turkish cahndlers yesterday - and first they did not have any - then when found - turns out they cost 50 pence EACH.
'Split pins very expensive in Turkey, sir.'

So count your blessing guys - I wish I had a UK chandlers close by.............

JOHN
 
I remember when a pal of mine was refitting a boat in Malta, the fun he had checking in at Gatwick with a Jabsco toilet as part of his baggage!
 
Pigs flying indeed! Realistically, on line will always be cheaper but chandleries have the instant availability. It's a bit like us all lamenting the price of cornershops and then flocking to Tesco's! Soon enough, chandleries will either fold or have to reduce their stock holdings. We can't have our cake and eat it so..... support your local chandlery! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Maybe it's asking too much, but could they be a bit more cheerful? Sometimes you get a smile, but usually it's "oh, here's another yottie who doesnt know quite what he wants, and will ask questions."

And please, don't tell me you are out of stock of something necessary and basic, and use the excuse "it's a busy time of the year."

Why is spring a surprise to chandlers?

Chris
 
[ QUOTE ]
We can't have our cake and eat it so..... support your local chandlery!

[/ QUOTE ]

Do agree with you fully. We all go to our local chandlery to buy the bits and pieces but then turn to the Internet for larger purchases. I have in the past gone back to the 'local' to ask if they can match an on-line price from somewhere else, but they have not always been able to or prepared to compete, cant blame them either way.
 
Chris

Maybe they are acting in direct response to our mood. Have you seen yourself some weekends? Up to your armpits in jobs to do, not got the right tools with you, the bit you were fitting are wrong and you have to be home to SWMBO by not later than 16.00.

All you wanted to do was to go for a sail! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Is buying online really that much cheaper then buying instore? It appears that when you compare online prices, you pay for what you save in the postage. Online retailers can be quite sneeky too by selling old stock at a reduced rate than it originally was and in comparison to up-to-date / newer stock that you get in a local shop because they carry less stock so order in more frequently.
 
I've found on-line retailers to be far better value when you're ordering major, expensive items. Mainly electronics.

Early in the new year I was in the market for a TackTick windex (great bit of kit BTW).
1. Local (retail only) chandler (Fox's): 639
2. Local (retail + on-line) chandler (Seamark-Nunn): 549
3. On-line chandler - Marine Superstore: 504 (After Boat Show discount)

This week, I've been looking for a possible replacement for my inboard autopilot.
One of the pilot's I'm considering is the Furuno NAVPilot 511.
Local electronics supplier (R&J): 1809
On-line chandler (Cactus): 1539

I want to support local; but 330 quid? That's a lot of beer tokens!
 
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