Fox's boat painter made redundant:

[Otter]

Never understood the thinking behind this.
We will offer you a competitive price only if and when you bother to check prices elsewhere first.
What is this? Some sort of tax on the stupid?

I much prefer to spend my hard earned at a place that can be troubled to offer me a good deal right off the bat.
These days, more often than not, that is Seamark Nunn.

Let's make a conservative assumption that Foxs chandlery - way the biggest on the East Coast - have 1,000 different items in stock, got to be more than that but that's the minimum. What you're expecting them to do is each day check all of those prices against every single chandlery within an hours drive. How exactly? And who is going to pay for the person hours each day, even laughably suggesting that it's possible?

Instead they try to get it right but say up front that if you've spotted cheaper elsewhere they'll at least match or better that price. What on earth is wrong with that? And each time I've asked if there's room for a discount on a large ticket item I've had an honest yes/no answer. I needed a fridge and a cooker, I said how much the online prices were and they matched on the fridge and still made a few quid but couldn't match anywhere near the cooker price without loosing money. Not their fault, some offshoot of marine megashop had bought a couple of hundred at el cheapo prices.

If Foxs were routinely more expensive than elsewhere I'd say you had a point. And I agree, henry is the business.

The brokerage on the other hand is an acquired taste, I've tried to buy two boats through them and both times they didn't bother to put my increased offer to the vendor. They think they know best. Titchmarsh are the complete opposite, the most helpful and tenacious brokers around. A real shame SWMBO wouldn't let me buy the Trintella. Actually she was right

 

[pvb]

A real shame SWMBO wouldn't let me buy the Trintella. Actually she was right

They always are!

 

[pvb]

Never understood the thinking behind this.
We will offer you a competitive price only if and when you bother to check prices elsewhere first.
What is this? Some sort of tax on the stupid?

I much prefer to spend my hard earned at a place that can be troubled to offer me a good deal right off the bat.
These days, more often than not, that is Seamark Nunn.

Have to agree that "price matching" isn't a nice process. I too prefer to buy from Seamark Nunn, whose prices are hugely competitive, and who still offer an excellent personal service and - importantly - excellent aftersales support if something goes wrong.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Just one of the reasons I am not considering Beta for a new engine. I prefer to deal with companies which state an honest price than companies which try to screw what they can out of you on the day. See also: Crusader Sails, World of Leather.

Interesting - when I fitted a new engine some 10 yrs ago, I went to the SBS, checked out Beta, Yanmar, Vetus and Nanni. Vetus was the cheapest but NO modifications at all and access to seawater pump was v poor, no oil drain pump. Nanni was too expensive as was Yanmar. Beta had an oil pump, access to seawater pump was at the front, made engine mounts to suit my bearers, threw in a spares kit + other bits and with a good price; excellent aftersales service. I have not regretted my decision.

 

[steveeasy]

Not just boatyards-any industry that relies on keeping costs to the absolute minimum to keep in business, let alone make a profit. The service industries around the South East may be showing "strong growth and a recovery" as the Government crows, but tell that to the 400 just made redundant at JCB or the 1300 at Redcar. The real slump, not a recession, could be just around the corner.

While so many businesses struggle with fixed costs such as rates and 100s of jobs are being lost in deprived areas all along the east coat, our government are handing out 100s and 100s of thousands of £s to the very wealthiest and asset rich business around the country. they have been doing it for years. We ran a business and eventually found out all our competitors had received huge funding. A three year parliamentary investigation found the government guilty of sig maladministration. Some of the wealthy farmers were found to have committed fraud. of course let off quietly. Now if any of you run a rural business and can justify creating a job or two for significant funding, try your local RDPE centre. they don't publicise it, but due to the investigation, it is now available to any one. awards up to 500,000.

Steveeasy

 

[Daydream believer]

Never understood the thinking behind this.
We will offer you a competitive price only if and when you bother to check prices elsewhere first.
What is this? Some sort of tax on the stupid?


.

Well said

 

[Daydream believer]

If a particular trade is laid off it is because it is not economical to continue with it. Either owners need to use the service in sufficient quantity or pay a price that makes it worthwhile ( can you imagine that?)

It is just simple economics. A lousy deal for the bloke who has lost his job, but do forumites actually think that loads of owners are suddenly going to put their hands in their pockets & come forward with enough work for him?

Sad but the hard truth. Let's wish the chap good luck & be thankful it is not us