Have Boat Show bargains disappeared?

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samwise

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A post elsewhere on this forum asks for bargain hunting tips at LBS. In my recent experience (not this year) they are few and far between. Unless I am falling into the trap of selective memory where all summers were hot etc. the boat shows were good places to nab a good deal, especially on big ticket items such as ouboards, electronics, oilies and other clothing. I don't think that is true any more. Based on my recent show visits, Southampton did turn up a few deals worth considering, but my LBS experience was that I could find more competitive prices at my local chandler -- worth even more if you factor in the cost of travel to show and entry fee etc.

My motive for asking this question is that I have to invest in a set of good quallity oilies for my son who is about to embark on a career in sailing and I was contemplating a run to Excel to do some haggling but I have deep doubts that the hassle wil be worth the saving.
 
samwise said:
A post elsewhere on this forum asks for bargain hunting tips at LBS. In my recent experience (not this year) they are few and far between. Unless I am falling into the trap of selective memory where all summers were hot etc. the boat shows were good places to nab a good deal, especially on big ticket items such as ouboards, electronics, oilies and other clothing. I don't think that is true any more. Based on my recent show visits, Southampton did turn up a few deals worth considering, but my LBS experience was that I could find more competitive prices at my local chandler -- worth even more if you factor in the cost of travel to show and entry fee etc.

My motive for asking this question is that I have to invest in a set of good quallity oilies for my son who is about to embark on a career in sailing and I was contemplating a run to Excel to do some haggling but I have deep doubts that the hassle wil be worth the saving.
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You may well be better toodling off to the Musto Outlet Store at Bicester, Oxon.

I only really use the show for researching my next projects, so I can talk to some experts, and confuse myself with the conflicting design opinions based around the equipment they are selling.
 
samwise said:
A post elsewhere on this forum asks for bargain hunting tips at LBS. In my recent experience (not this year) they are few and far between. Unless I am falling into the trap of selective memory where all summers were hot etc. the boat shows were good places to nab a good deal, especially on big ticket items such as ouboards, electronics, oilies and other clothing.
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When I was living in the sarf and a regular attender of both Earl's Court and Southampton, I found bargains only at the latter. The London show always seemed dedicated to flogging the new season's must-have gadgets at high prices: Southampton was about unloading last year's for less.
 
FullCircle said:
You may well be better toodling off to the Musto Outlet Store at Bicester, Oxon.

I only really use the show for researching my next projects, so I can talk to some experts, and confuse myself with the conflicting design opinions based around the equipment they are selling.
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Thanks for the Musto outlet tip. I rang them and sadly the only items in stock was XXL size. They said they might have more stock nearer the season start but I need the stuff by mid Feb. I was amazed at the prices. £195 for an MPX jacket , against £350 list price.
 
Oilies

My wife got a new Musto HPX stretch fabric jacket in yellow for £200 (< half price) in Gael Force in Inverness in September but they did not have every size or colour on the sale rail. However they do carry large stocks and do have some great footwear and clothing bargains from time to time so perhaps worth ringing them, particularly if you size is not L.
I used to know a marina manager who could get anything from Henri Lloyd at wholesale price, might be the same where you are.
 
samwise said:
Thanks for the Musto outlet tip. I rang them and sadly the only items in stock was XXL size. They said they might have more stock nearer the season start but I need the stuff by mid Feb. I was amazed at the prices. £195 for an MPX jacket , against £350 list price.
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For those who like such stuff, the Henri Lloyd outlet in Street had a fair selection of men's and women's proper sailing gear - as well as the chav oriented stuff - last week. Generally going for 1/2 list price.
 
My feelings exactly. A few years ago our favourite game was to see who could save the most over shop prices on show purchases. Sadly have given up in recent years as |I get a better deal at the local chandlers. Won't stop me giving it ago at XL next week.
 
I've never really seen serious discounts on oilies at the LBS, though you might get a freebie thrown in or a tenner off. I did get some excellent deals off the Harken stand (clothing) last year though. Cowes chandlers after Cowes Week are a better bet, and I often go to the place at Port Solent for sale items and discounts.
 
Ubergeekian said:
For those who like such stuff, the Henri Lloyd outlet in Street had a fair selection of men's and women's proper sailing gear - as well as the chav oriented stuff - last week. Generally going for 1/2 list price.
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I bought my sailing gear from the shop in Street. The discount on the trousers was much greater than that on the jacket. When I asked the salesman about that he said that jackets are much easier to sell than full sets as they are bought for things like dog walking etc. Nice people there and very good prices.
Allan
 
samwise said:
Thanks for the Musto outlet tip. I rang them and sadly the only items in stock was XXL size. They said they might have more stock nearer the season start but I need the stuff by mid Feb. I was amazed at the prices. £195 for an MPX jacket , against £350 list price.
Click to expand...

Check out Helly Hanson store at Bicester too. I got a bargain there on wet weather gear just before Christmas.
 
Swindon have a Musto and a Henri Lloyd outlet. Henri seemed to have more stock than the Musto shop and some quite nice offshore stuff. Was there last weekend and seem to remember a good selection of offshore jackets etc and some serious discounts.

Although musto had a good selection of fleece deck jackets and a reasonable discount.

Best tip, spend the extra and get Gortex, you wont regret it.

As to boat show bargains. There are some, but I think fewer and farther between. internet has killed that off. You can be at excel at a stand and google search best price on your phone!
 
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