More Rip-off news!

[Ecartar]

I recently purchased some very attractive halogen light fittings at a boat jumble. Anxious to establish the most suitable bulbs, I was advised they take 12v 10w halogen bulbs with what is known as a G4 fitting (two tiny pins 4mm apart).

The following single bulb prices were found:

Local Chandlers: £7.45
B & Q £3.99
Maplins 99p

Difficult to believe, but true. No prizes for guessing who got my business!

Regards,

 

[steve_cronin]

Ah but....

When you're sitting in that idyllic anchorage, bottle of soft smooth burgundy on the table half comsumed, light of your life leaning back against you on the settee, gentle fading light of the subtle spotlights giving a romantic glow on the teak, you will KNOW that you have compromised, nay, DESPOILED, the previously well maintained, well run, immaculate British Ship that it is yours to command by fitting Maplins (ugh!) lamps!

Tutt, tutt! What a cheapskate!! You don't deserve that lady and much less in those circumstances! That little saunter down into the village to visit the fellow pink-trousered yachtsmen in the "Old Slipway Chandlery" to be told "yes expensive but they are the real marine specification; the cheap ones from electrical shops last no time at all" would have preserved the traditional maritime aura much more effectively. No you've spoiled it completely!

You'll be buying them from the caravan shop (59p) next!!

Steve Cronin

 

[iangrant]

Re: Ah but....

Ah the pink trouser ploy - made even more attractive by a blue smock, breton cap and tatty deck shoes with white socks!

Musto or Gill "offshore" jacket with daglo hood deployed and you're ready for the pub!

If I get to look like that - shoot me!!

Ian

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Ah but....

consider it done!

 

[LeonF]

Do Maplin stock the halogen bulbs for deck lights? I paid around £10 for mine being told by the friendly chandlery that it was vital to get one with a splayed beam as the ordinary ones wouldn't be much good as deck lights (I mean the one on the front of the mast below the steamer) Have I been done?

L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[tcm]

the price is the same whatever the angle of the beam, innit? - i mean that's just the shape of the reflector. Anyway you bought it in a chandelry so of course you've been done- but in a very nice way by nice gentlemands hence gentleman's prices.

 

[dickh]

Try IKEA - even cheaper, if I remember correctly, 99p for two! Last time I was there I bought 6 packets of 10w and 20w for my kitchen lights - saved a fortune. OK, they are made in China but at that price who cares - what a pity they are a long way away and won't do Mail Order!
IKEA also do nice halogen light fittings which are cheaper than chandlers, even taking into account you won't use the transformer!

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[dickh]

I don't think they are any different - my deck light has a reflector anyway, but it might be difficult getting the corect rating - 50w if I remember?
Just looked in the RS catalogue and these lamps are £3.59 + VAT ea.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[david_e]

Re: IKEA

Must have a mooch around here. Friend buys cartons of bubbly, beer and wine glasses here 'cause he doesn't like using tacky plastic chandlery ones. They are so cheap it don't matter if they break, just go and get another load later.

 

[JamesS]

You're just confirming what has been known for years.

If I need something for the boat I start shopping, in the following order:

B&Q >>>>> Maplins >>>>>> Halfords >>>>> Caravan Shop.

If that all fails, I admit defeat and go to local chandlery.

Cheers

 

[Idlerboat]

If its anything like the land of Oz, in the UK, the word "marine" means "move decimal point one place to the right and add 99 to the end of the price". I have bought antifoul for one third of its retail cost by going direct to the factory and stainless bits by using a bit of creative juice, for a three hundredth of the price, from a scrap metal dealer! Working long hours to pay for "the genuine thing" (made in China and marked up to ..rude word...) is a waste of good sailing time!


marty_dean@yahoo!

 

[petery]

...and of course there\'s Screwfix

until they start a Screwfix Marine catalog, their 12v halogens start at 95p each
and a complete set of 3 with holders and transformer (which you throw away) is 'as little as £9.99'. Just a regular customer - not a shareholder!!

 

[Joe_Cole]

Re: ...and of course there\'s Screwfix

Screwfix also do some useful sets of stainless steel screws, washers etc etc.

Don't know if its strictly the right grade of stainlesss, but then we don't know if we get them from a chandler do we? A lot cheaper from Screwfix though, unlike Screw-You Chandlers

Joe

 

[Guest]

Re: Ah but....

Was Don Corleone a daglo hood?