UK Chandlers ... Recommendations

[RIMCOas01]

Just sold the boat ... looking at a Bavaria 33 Sport and the dealer (no discussion there) wants to supply and fit the equivalent of £9500 for the electronics I have chosen. His costs are 40% materials & 60% labour,
ie.VHF Radio & Antenna = £993, when I can buy the equipment myself from a local chandlers for £225, or remote control search light for £765, that I can buy for £290.

These are Norwegian prices of course ... but the reason for my post.

I have trolled the internet and having problems reaching UK Chandlers willing to accept an order (in total the order is worth the norw. equip. cost of ca. £5150,-). It would be supplied by post of course, although if prices reasonable would even consider a flight over to collect and of course it would be free of VAT.

So my forumites; do you have any chandlers you recommend (email addresses please) that are in the NorthEast (could come by Newcastle ferry) or in the London area (flight into Stanstead).

Alternatively ... and I am quite serious here:
- I would pay the flight costs for someone to bring them in as "luggage" over a weekend, pick them up, put them in a hotel for the evening w/breakfast and give them £100 spending money.
AND
- if that same person was "qualified" to install the equipment (complete Garmin electronics; Radar/- 5012 Plotter/- Echo/- AIS "B" and VHF, TV, Spot, Anchor Winch, etc.) I would provide 2 nights in a hotel and pay them £1000 for their work


I would appreciate your feedback.

 

[gjgm]

try Malthouse over on MBChat. The one at Port Solent is very good, Marine supersport or something, or maybe get it from the states?

 

[trying]

Not sure if they can supply what you want but try Jan at Nautequipe - they have been really helpful and very competitive for us.

Also for electronics Redcar Electronics Marine seem competive but i've only used them once.

 

[maxi77]

One problem I find is that none of them are A giving good pricing for everything you want, and B many do not stock everything you want. Quaywest have perhaps the apparently most extensive range and reasonable pricing over many things, though their site is down at present.

 

[nimbusgb]

I suppose it all depends on what you are happy with. There are many fools here that believe that the only true indicator of a quality job or product is the price they paid.

I was recently quoted £1500 for replacing the double glazing panels (4) in 2 wooden framed double French doors in my home. £5000 for replacing the doors with Upvc ones. A few phone calls and I discovered that the replacement panels in top quality toughened, low emissivity glass complete with silicon and taped putty would cost the grand total of £286 including tax.

The first door took me about 2 hours to do. The second and subsequent ones about an hour each. This is a job I have never done before.

A few people may perhaps consider that my doors are now 'unsafe' because I don't have a qualification in glazing. I am happy with the quality of my work, in fact I am now confident in those panels. I know just how strong they are, how they fit, how they are seated and how many panel pins are in the retaining beads. I also have a virtual pile of 120 £10 pound notes to spend on other things!

How difficult can it be? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[TonyS]

Please could you let me know the glass supplier. We need to change some of our windows. Also have you any tips for making the job easier?

 

[maxi77]

I don't disagree, in my younger days if I couldn't do it myself I couldn't afford it, my cars were reliable, and I knew that the at least the parts of my house that I had built myself were properly built. Now I trade convenience for cash but on my terms

 

[reginaldon]

When I was teaching, I remember taking job to the garage as I was not totally confident that I would do the best job, only to find that the job had been given to one of our ex-'remedials'. not a slur, as in time I'm sure he could be a good workman in time - but not then!

 

[MikeJones]

ASAP Supplies in Norfolk, they may not have everything you need but service is second to none and pricing competitive

 

[doug748]

Last week I got two new tyres fitted, the "mechcanic" told me my brakes were in a dangerous condition "and may not last the day out". They were worn to the metal and one slave cylinder was seized. Cost £250 ish plus the VAT.
I nearly told him to do the work but thought I would check it out myself. There was plenty of wear left in the pads, and not only was a cylinder not seized, it did not exist, it was a single cylinder design. I changed the pads anyway, 3/4 of an hours work, cost £30.
Sorry to drift off!!! Electronics, I have always found MES Bristol, to be very good. Electronics only though.

 

[pyrojames]

I use marinestorechandlers for almost everything, except JGTech for electronics, as they seem the cheapest by a long way.

 

[youngwrinkley]

Greenham Marine, Chris Ellery, looked after me with Raymarine gear, very well, good advice, good price! I fitted the gear myself then arranged for a local installer to "commission" the gear to qualify for the two years "on board" warranty. Had a failure when on holiday in Holland and there was a local engineer there within 45 mins with a replacement board" Brilliant!

 

[FullCircle]

Mailspeed marine in Burnham is close to Stansted. I am local to them (and get a good deal) and would be willing to talk to Dave (Director) for a package price and get them shipped to you in Norway.
I could organise the courier if you want.

I would love to do the work, but I dont have the spare time.

 

[Pinnacle]

J G Tech are excellent - keen prices too.

No connection, just a happy customer...