How much of a deal am I likely to get at the SIBS?

Camelia said:
The Boat Show, like shops, is for talking, pressing, pointing and playing with stuff. The Internet is the ordering process. Delivered straight from the factory free or charge at a time and place that suits you.
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I think that behaviour is utterly disgraceful. OK maybe alright if you are a manufacturers stand, but at a chandlers stand or shop, shame on you.
 
Elessar said:
I think that behaviour is utterly disgraceful. OK maybe alright if you are a manufacturers stand, but at a chandlers stand or shop, shame on you.
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Agree. I still think the boat show is for playing with stuff then ordering it later (or indeed, on the iPhone there and then), but I do my playing on the manufacturer's stand. This is better anyway, as they'll have more of the range set up to play with, whereas the chandlers will probably only have one or two in total, if that.

Pete
 
I agree with most that is said here , the days are gone when you could get a bargain , last time i when to the boat show I ended up buying a Boat , but that's what I went there for ,was it a bargain ? didn't do too bad , not been since , but this year we sailing on the south of France as it so happen the boat show is in 7 days time in Cannes , so as long as we can find somewhere to anchor , off we shall go , but this time I leaving my cheque book behind .
 
prv said:
Agree. I still think the boat show is for playing with stuff then ordering it later (or indeed, on the iPhone there and then), but I do my playing on the manufacturer's stand. This is better anyway, as they'll have more of the range set up to play with, whereas the chandlers will probably only have one or two in total, if that.

Pete
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There are quite a good few demos near southampton and portsmouth, but even if not, personally I go into the local chandlery and say i want x and can get it for £y. "I would rather buy it from you, if you can come near to the price you're on". They never let me down, I would be prepared to pay a small premium to buy locally but can't afford to be ripped off. They invariably match prices. I'm sure you can do the same to the show chandlers too.

When we used to do a lot of conventional antifoul, I told the local chandler my wholesale price. He matched it and only made a small margin, but it was something, and it made his shelves fuller and stock turnover better.

It is still there with a huge selection of stainless screws, bought individually not in a ripoff bubble pack, when I need it.

Camelias attitude reminds me of the guy who throws rubbish out of the car on the motorway. "I'm all right Jack". Or the sort of guy that mis sold insurance, or sells double glazing to 90 year olds to "make a long term saving". Rattled by his immoral attitude? Not half.
 
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Elessar:

I am known to all 3 of my local Chandalries and each of the 3 have taken a turn and I have NO problems ordering online.

1) Clutches and Auto Pilot: (1200+ pounds).
a) "I am not going to be the mug who will sell them at discount price you will never come back". He was right on both accounts he did not and I did not for long time, I still only go under-duress.
b) "It will take me a day or 2 to get prices" 3 days later I chased him.
c) No I don't stock them, this is what you want.
6 days later I got a good price online and bought them.

2) I had broken a block wanted it to go straight back sailing again. (300ish pounds)
a) Oh we do not recognize that, will have to be a special order, start taking photos etc. I start Googling on phone the brand name stamped on block. First link leads me to their website, oh well its going to take 3-5 days to get it from our other store. Second link showed it cheaper but not a reliable source.
b) Ohh what size is your boat again 35' that far to small no wonder it broke. You need this one, no you need to change to this more modern system. I explain the boat is 30 years old and block does not look to much newer same size will be fine.
Finally he comes up with price for what I spec and order (actually quite competitive). The supplier have it in stock, we got our delivery yesterday your going to have to wait a week.
In the end I agreed to pay there and then in advance, including the next day before 12 delivery charge (12 pound I think).
c) They are old and not manufactured anymore.

Sorry now I order where I see fit no local loyalty...
 
Well I'm all for local loyalty, if we all end up ordering everything from some sort of RoboChandler it won't be too handy to nip in for a shackle, and there's the people's jobs to consider.

A chandlery near my boat got a lot of my money ( £4,000 on one of many visits ) then shafted me and a few of my chums, they don't see me any more.

While I miss the small traditional local chandleries I have found Force 4 at Chichester to give excellent service, volunteering to carry heavy stuff to my car even at busy periods and efficiently keeping ordered things aside for me.

They get my money, not a difficult decision as their prices are good too !

The same goes for Marine Superstore at Port Solent.

No connection to either.
 
onesea said:
Elessar:

I am known to all 3 of my local Chandalries and each of the 3 have taken a turn and I have NO problems ordering online.


Sorry now I order where I see fit no local loyalty...
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they have to help themselves, too onesea. You tried - you didn't deliberately shaft them, it's that behaviour that irritated me.
 
Seajet said:
Well I'm all for local loyalty, if we all end up ordering everything from some sort of RoboChandler it won't be too handy to nip in for a shackle, and there's the people's jobs to consider.

A chandlery near my boat got a lot of my money ( £4,000 on one of many visits ) then shafted me and a few of my chums, they don't see me any more.

While I miss the small traditional local chandleries I have found Force 4 at Chichester to give excellent service, volunteering to carry heavy stuff to my car even at busy periods and efficiently keeping ordered things aside for me.

They get my money, not a difficult decision as their prices are good too !

The same goes for Marine Superstore at Port Solent.

No connection to either.
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again you tried.
A local chandlery can be big, but marine superstore suffers from bubble pack plague for small hardware and electrical items otherwise its good and it's a good place to buy electronics - lots on display. Force 4 is very good indeed and have a lot of small, local outlets.
 
Throughout the time I was refitting Kindred Spirit, I was a three minute drive from Shamrock Chandlery and a half hour or more from the nearest Force 4. Yet after several abortive trips to Shamrock on which they never had what I was looking for, I stopped bothering and drove all the way to Force 4 instead. When I say "never had", I literally never came away with everything I had gone for, and about 30% of the time I left entirely empty handed. And I wasn't looking for exotic stuff - one time it was a tin of varnish, nope, none in stock. Another time I wanted some kind of deck socket and plug, didn't really matter what kind - again, nada.

I was frankly delighted when they were bought out by Force 4 and I stopped having to drive over to Bursledon.

The staff are more cheerful and helpful too.

Pete
 
photodog said:
Shopping at SIBS is a excercise in masochism...

After sitting in a line of cars with your screaming kids in the back, found a parking stall and handed over your credit card to pay for it, then When you have manouvered yourself and your wallet past the grockles and hippie families, been sneared at by the sales guys on the boats, bought yourself a £30 cheeseburger and had to arm wrestle for a table... You then find the electronics stall you need, get ignored for a while whilst the sales guys make you feel like a idiot, and then finally fight your way to the front of the que to purchase what you think is a bargain.... You suddenly realise shopping online is far better value.
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Thats why if I go it's not a weekend. The price is the same but very little queuing!
 
The only thing I'd criticise about Force 4 is the bubble pack, rather expensive fastenings.

Then again I worked as a stop-gap job in a traditional chandlery years ago, and it's a major PITA when customers pick up a load of nuts and bolts, then one has to go back with them and do it all again pricing everything !

I tried to get the manager to provide snap seal bags and a pen to write prices as in other places but he preferred going bust.
 
Seajet said:
The only thing I'd criticise about Force 4 is the bubble pack, rather expensive fastenings.
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Both the Shamrock and Deacon's branches have four-sided cabinets of little drawers, with individual nuts, screws, washers and bolts. I'd prefer pozi-drive rather than exclusively slotted, and I don't understand why they won't provide little bags to put them in, but overall it's a pretty good service.

Is this not universal in all their branches?

Pete
 
At Chichester it's just bubble packs, unless I've missed said cabinet; can't see the point of having both but I'd be happy to be proved wrong.

Still an excellent chandlery though.
 
prv said:
Both the Shamrock and Deacon's branches have four-sided cabinets of little drawers, with individual nuts, screws, washers and bolts. I'd prefer pozi-drive rather than exclusively slotted, and I don't understand why they won't provide little bags to put them in, but overall it's a pretty good service.

Is this not universal in all their branches?

Pete
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There are often little bags on the top of the one in Deacon's but if there isn't, just ask for a few bags from the till before you start.

If you want a selection, its worth taking the whole tray to the till and doing the bagging there. I've done this quite often and nobody seems to mind. Especially if you offer to put the trays back for them after.
 
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I think the main advantage is that you can view so much within walking distance and make comparisons,talk to specialists. Some big manufacturers do a Boat Show Deal on some stuff,sometimes. I also suspect that there is a bit more wriggle room on a £5k item, than a £500 one.
The big internet+bricks companies are about as cheap as it gets unless you can find a promoted deal. The exhibitor has to cover his costs, to be fair !
 
Manufacturers will be discounting products that are:
1 aren't moving as they have over estimated demand and sitting on stock.
2 stuff that is about to be replaced by a newer model.
3 stuff with a sell buy date. i.e. Battery shelf life
4 to be competitive with the competition

Whatever the Boat Show offer I would still take your smart phone and check out the online deals.
 
Elessar said:
I think that behaviour is utterly disgraceful. OK maybe alright if you are a manufacturers stand, but at a chandlers stand or shop, shame on you.
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Why should the boat show be any different to anything else in life?

I buy everything this way. I go into my local camera shop and and fiddle with stuff and say thanks John, we are on first name terms, "I'll go and buy this from your online shop". Its cheaper than he sells it in the shop and it is part of his business model.

Many years ago I worked for a firm of Chartered Accountants and when going to a meeting in London the Senior Parner he quizzed me about this Internet thing and how it was another flash in the pan. I confidentally told him that in 10 years time we would be doing everything on the Internet and that he should be telling his clients to get onboard now, before it was too late. He was not impressed. The rest, as they say, is history.

From the evidence I've seen chandlers and shops have taken my advice.
 
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