Chandlery in USA?

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HONEYMOMMY

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Looking for some help.

My son works for an airline and takes trips to the USA quite regularly. Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, phoenix are the main places.

I am looking to buy a few bits that are cheaper there but need to know the names of the stores to send him to with my list.

Does anyone have knowledge of any? especially helpfull if they have a website.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
I too would recommend West Marine. I have brought a few items back from them on my trips to the States. On one occasion I even telephoned them in advance to ask then to get an item in for me and hold it for collection and they were very helpful.
 
HONEYMOMMY said:
Looking for some help.

My son works for an airline and takes trips to the USA quite regularly. Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, phoenix are the main places.

I am looking to buy a few bits that are cheaper there but need to know the names of the stores to send him to with my list.

Does anyone have knowledge of any? especially helpfull if they have a website.

Thanks in advance. :)
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Be careful with safety gear from West Marine.

Bought some harness strops a few years ago, when returning on a delivery from Long Island. The 'snap hooks' bent easily, when offshore.
 
West Marine is all over the States. They do, you NEED to know, have PRICE MATCHING. Defender is located in Connecticut with only one store but a very good web presence, and usually lower prices. West Marine will honor PRINTED OUT competing prices. Have you or your son find what you want and check prices out, not only with these two outfits, but all over the web. Then find it at WM.

It would also be helpful for you to let us know what you are planning to purchase, maybe we can help some more, since many of us have our own "favorite places" for certain gear.
 
Particularly at present exchange rates a lot of sailing kit in the US is not cheaper than here. Do proper price checking in the UK first so that you do not get caught out and remember that for expensive items there may be customs charges back in the UK. West is good, but there is also a 'hunting shooting fishing' store in many locatiions which caryu a lot of boaty kit a decent prices. Other interesting stores are Walmart and Sears who both cary basic boaty kit often at very good prices.
 
Thanks everyone. I had looked at defender before but because of the location it wasn't any good. I will definately be checking prices before buying.

I actually started looking out of interest dur to being told things were cheaper, but am not necessarily finding that.

We are at the point we don't actually NEED anything, but would like to improve perhaps.

I looked at MOB packs, stainless steel cup holders for the fly, and stacking galley equipment. So far I have come to the conclusion it's not worth it.. ;)

I also looked at LED lighting, but thats definately cheaper here.

If theres anything we need I will post here for you experienced bargain hunters to guide me... :D

Thanks...
 
My understanding is that you can bring goods to total value of around £400 back (not able to join two individual's sums to purchase an £800 item) without problem. Or I hope i'm right because i've done that on several occasions. West Marine have a pick up scheme where goods will be delivered to a store convenient to your hotel. They have one in NY, for example. Prices are not as attractive as they used to be - bring back the days of $2 to the £, I say.
 
The big plus of West Marine is the vast catalogue (also available online). You can buy just anything there. If it's not on the shelves, they generally manage same-day delivery.

I last bought their own-brand life jackets. Excellent quality for the price, BUT the rearming kit (which is supposed to be refitted annually) seems only available in the US and I wasn't allowed to take them home by air, neither in hold or carry-on luggage. :(
 
HONEYMOMMY said:
Looking for some help.

My son works for an airline and takes trips to the USA quite regularly. Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, phoenix are the main places.

I am looking to buy a few bits that are cheaper there but need to know the names of the stores to send him to with my list.

Does anyone have knowledge of any? especially helpfull if they have a website.

Thanks in advance. :)
Click to expand...

Also don't forget, in the US, they add the TAX afterward, its not included in the offer price.
 
I too travel to the US (am here at the moment) and have used mainly West Marine. Always found them helpful and they have stuff you just cannot buy in the UK. So long as you keep within your duty free limit there are no issues with VAT or duty on arrival In the UK and also as has been said already, don't forget they add sales tax which varies by state
 
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