do we get value for money?

[DERF]

We all accept that boats in the UK are expensive..from small sports boats to the large stuff... we all gripe and complain about so many many aspects of ownership from aftersales service, to servicing and ancilliary services(with few exceptions).

I've just returned from the Genoa boat show(which I think is better organised and much better value than any in the UK.... sorry TCM) and I wonder if our European bretheren have it any better?

Higher quality manufacturing, far superior after sales service. A "can do" attitude rather than "might do" and generally, a far more helpful and professional approach to their industry than in the UK... All IMHO of course, albeit with more expensive diesel...

So why do we put up with it here...

Is it because we have cheaper than cheap diesel, so are quietly thankful ? is it because we feel we have no real choice? Is the British boater conditioned to buy British in the belief/hope that it will be easier to service... and probably in the long run easier to sell on??..is it patriotism or are we all just being sold a "pup"

I like some others, think we're going to see a diesel hike in 2006.. what excuse will we have to keep the status quo - then?


Answers on a post card please........

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[DepSol]

Dont have to travel that far just come to Guernsey its all here (although the fuel at the moment aint that cheap in comparison to some places) and no VAT.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>
MMS - Discount Chandlery

 

[tcm]

um, no argument regarding Genoa boat show - that wasn't oldgit's question- he asked about the area. But anyway dusseldorf boat show is better than any in europe, imho.

Not quite sure that blanket rules apply: some aspects of foreign boatbuilding are beter, but some aren't.

In fact, I think i'm even coming to the conclusion that in small-scale boatbuilding (so, not production line stuff like yanks etc) that it depends on the individual person making individual parts of the boat. The exhaust on our boat has just been discovered as not fittng and the source of oodles of problems, But the very proud eyties , cos other parts of the boat are whizz - wouldn't entertain the possibilty of something being a bit wrong.

Having bought the boat in the med and brought it temporarily to the uk, i must say that the service aspect is variable as well. The french won't work through lunch hour, period, but value their tourism industyr - a boat that works is one in which the holiday can proceed, and one that doesn't work, so no holiday, has precedence. Brits in spain and balearics seem quick, ready to help and entrepreneurial. Real boatyard types in southampton can do almost anything and don't see turning up when they promised as a favour.



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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Went to the Genoa show last year and agree its good but I dont know how you can extrapolate that to saying Euro boaters get better service than UK ones. My experience in the Med is that there are just as many useless b******s as in the UK only you cant argue with them 'coz the bill comes in a foreign lingo you cant understand. Also there's a breed of Brit shysters out there selling boating services doubtless on the run from Plod/Inland Revenue/creditors/ex wives who make UK providers look like models of perfect rectitude
And the fuel costs 3 times as much

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