Had any experiences with Spiros the chandler in Aegina?

Bertramdriver

Bertramdriver

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www.williamsandsmithells.com
I have to do this one. Love him or hate him he is one of the seriously well known characters in the Saronikas. He can produce almost anything you need in a flash. It may not be the right size, colour, or voltage but he'll bluster you into submission and then charge over the odds for the pleasure. His local nickname is Spiros The The*f . So if you have had an experience with him let rip now.
 
Bertramdriver said:
I have to do this one. Love him or hate him he is one of the seriously well known characters in the Saronikas. He can produce almost anything you need in a flash. It may not be the right size, colour, or voltage but he'll bluster you into submission and then charge over the odds for the pleasure. His local nickname is Spiros The The*f . So if you have had an experience with him let rip now.
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See my earlier postings!
 
Bertramdriver said:
<snip> He can produce almost anything you need in a flash. It may not be the right size, colour, or voltage but he'll bluster you into submission and then charge over the odds for the pleasure. <snip>
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Welcome to the old generation of Greek store owners!

They promise to get what you want " . . . from Athens" if you pay up front. Two weeks later, some older or smaller version of the thing you paid for is presented to you. Of course, it's the item from his stock which you said wouldn't do. He now explains that two of these would meet your spec, together with this adapter which his mate produced . . .

Welcome to the ultimate "salesman". His job is to move stock, not necessarily to satisfy a customer.

Satisfying customers is for the new generation - "marketing people". Harrumph.
 
jimbaerselman said:
Welcome to the old generation of Greek store owners!

They promise to get what you want " . . . from Athens" if you pay up front. Two weeks later, some older or smaller version of the thing you paid for is presented to you. Of course, it's the item from his stock which you said wouldn't do. He now explains that two of these would meet your spec, together with this adapter which his mate produced . . .

Welcome to the ultimate "salesman". His job is to move stock, not necessarily to satisfy a customer.

Satisfying customers is for the new generation - "marketing people". Harrumph.
Click to expand...

He is seriously well stocked, with everything a yachtie could want .Unfortunately little can afford..
 
Bertramdriver said:
I have to do this one. Love him or hate him he is one of the seriously well known characters in the Saronikas. He can produce almost anything you need in a flash. It may not be the right size, colour, or voltage but he'll bluster you into submission and then charge over the odds for the pleasure. His local nickname is Spiros The The*f . So if you have had an experience with him let rip now.
Click to expand...

Many a dealing with him unfortunately, he definitely comes under the saying "It,s profit that makes things expensive" He can have a mark up of at least 60% on UK prices. I do believe I remember reading that someone on this forum gave him a bloody nose for his audacity !!
And if you shake his hand, make sure to count your fingers . . . .
 
Carmel2 said:
Is this same place? Bloke in the shop follows you around the place about 3 cm away from nose and he stinks of fags?
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Never seen him smoke, Spiros is as fit as a butchers dog. He dingy sails for hours in all winds and weathers (Ex Olympic sailor I believe) that would kill us in 10 minutes.
It may be his little helper your thinking of.
 
grumpygit said:
Many a dealing with him unfortunately, he definitely comes under the saying "It,s profit that makes things expensive" He can have a mark up of at least 60% on UK prices. I do believe I remember reading that someone on this forum gave him a bloody nose for his audacity !!
And if you shake his hand, make sure to count your fingers . . . .
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Ah - not my finest moment......
 
I want to speak in his defence.

We're based in Aegina and have accounts with both Antonis and Spiros. We generally use Antonis because he's cheaper but there have been many times when we've needed something in a hurry for our boats and Spiros has come up trumps! He has an amazing amount of stuff in stock and he can be really quick getting stuff from Athens. Yes he's expenisve but he's saved us a lot of time and I don't mind paying a bit more for good service.

Also he ALWAYS produces an invoice which is more than many shopkeepers do and possibly why he is 23% more - he's actually charging and paying VAT unlike many.
 
I agree as said in my above post the place is full with everything you could possibly want A example of his pricing though I bought a orbital sander from B&Q for £79 the exactly the same model ,same number is 179 euro with him. In his defence most chandlers out here give you the RRP in the catalogued...

Spiro in Poros will now give you a 5% discount .....well its a start....

cheers bobt
 
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1bobt said:
Spiro in Poros will now give you a 5% discount
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He's always done this. I believe he is part of a big buying group so buys at a discount as well.

I think the person who compared Spiros prices to the prices in B & Q should consider the reality of running a small business on an island. It's a bit like comparing the price of a bottle of wine off the shelves in Tesco to the same thing served up in a London restaurant.
 
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