Rip-Off France

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've recently had to buy some Catterpillar engine parts for my boat from a company called Navigair based in Antibes who are authorised Cat agents. I decided to compare prices with those quoted by the UK Cat distributor, Finnings


Air Filter........ Finnings £123.96/ Navigair £245.33
Outlet Gasket ....... Finnings £19.04/ Navigair £51.62

Navigair's prices have been converted to Sterling @ €1.42/£

Unfortunately for me, I authorised Navigair to fit these parts before checking the prices so I'm screwed and, no, there is no labour element in these prices as I've been charged separately for this (@ £39/hr). I've tackled Navigair about this discrepancy and all they will say is that their expenses are possibly higher than the UK. Yeah, right

So the moral of the story is, for anyone keeping their boat in the Med, check parts prices before you authorise any repairs

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[ccscott49]

Could you not contact Cat direct? This sounds ridiculously high markup, maybe they will have something to say, it's in their interests to stop this kind of thing, it gives them a bad reputation, something the Americans are a little funny about.

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[PGD]

Sorry to hear it but don't we have the same problem with Volvo???? It's an industry problem I feel not a company specific one IMHO.

Peter

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