Which online chandlery do you use? if any?

[tom_sail]

Sorry if this has already been covered a million times over. But out of interest which of the above have you used or prefer?

I'm just trying to see what impact the 21st century e-commerce has on the marine industry.

If you could maybe rate your choice out of 10 below it might help others.

 

[doug748]

I have used MES for about 10 years and they have been very good, 8/10.
I spoke to a snotty bloke once on the phone but apart from that I have found them hepful.
Electronics only, I don't buy other stuff online.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

+1 for MES with similar experience.

Marine Super Store, Port Solent.
They always try hard to please and if you can quote a price from somewhere else they will usually compete.

 

[VicS]

Your poll wont allow multiple choices.

In recent years I have used Force4 and Compass24.

No probs with either.

I sometimes call in at Force 4 as well or whoever happens to own the store at Donnington.

 

[ianfr]

I use several, so a poll would be more meaningful it there was a multiple choice.

In no particular order.

Marine Superstore (Usually for high cost items)
Seamark Nunn
Marinescene
Marinestore
Gael Force

Regards

Ian

 

[Dougal]

Mostly Force 4, but through a STORE, not the online shop. I found that not only does the store (Lymington) give better service than online shop, they'll also give a reasonable discount for large orders and regular custom (IF you ask for it!)

9/10

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Force 4 and Fox's.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I've used Baseline, Compass and various E bay people.
I've not bothered to vote; the poll is poorly constructed.

 

[Novachris]

Force 4,i found the staff very polite and helpfull, i felt they were there to help me,not the other way around.

 

[chrishelen]

I find "Force 4" very helpfull and polite,The Cardiff branch in particular seem to go out of their way to help.

 

[aslabend]

seamark-nunn always seem to get me sorted

 

[prv]

I've not bothered to vote; the poll is poorly constructed.

Likewise.

Force 4 is probably my "standard" choice for comparison, but that doesn't mean I automatically buy from them. Seamark Nunn are often (but not always) cheaper, and I've also had the odd thing from Piplers at much less than everybody else. MES usually seem to be the cheapest for electronics although that's not something I buy all that much of.

Shepherd's for antifoul, because I like Jotun and they're the main supplier.

Ebay sellers for various odds and sods.

Ultimately, the point of online shopping is that it's easy to find and compare a wide range of products and suppliers, as opposed to driving to one shop and taking or leaving whatever they happen to have on the shelf, at whatever price. So the idea of having one favoured source for everything doesn't really make sense. Apart from occasional complete failures like Marine Megastore (and again, you can find and avoid such undesirables with a quick google before ordering), the service is more or less interchangeable, so you might as well follow the pricing and I do.

For physical shops, I generally go to Force 4 (ex Deacon's) at Bursledon, who are competent and helpful. The on-site chandlery at Shamrock Quay is much closer, but never seems to stock anything I need and their attitude implies they don't see why they should.

Pete

 

[Scareyclott]

Compass24 and Fox both seem to be slightly cheaper

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I put "other - please state". I'm stating that it is the cheapest! Assuming, of course, that it isn't one that has been dissed too much on here.

 

[V1701]

I do Google Shopping Search, check also ebay and Amazon, buy from whoever is cheapest, as long as it's not Marine Megastore. Also like to use small businesses, e.g. Barry Edwards for ropes, Searolf for LEDs, as long as they're competitive...

 

[vyv_cox]

Like others, I have not voted. My big electronic purchases came from Cactus. I use Baseline for almost all hardware, Barry Edwards for rope, MES for VHF. New windlass direct from Vetus.

 

[electrosys]

uk-yacht-rigging-and-supplies
on-line via Ebay etc., or Grimsby if you're passing.
Good prices, helpful people.

 

[Coaster]

I also didn't vote...

...because anyone buying online is likely to use more than one retailer.

But amongst others I've used are:

Force 4
IEM
Index Marine
Mailspeed
Marine Scene
Marine Superstore
Merlin Powerstore
MES
Piplers

And that doesn't include specialists such as Barton Marine, Leesan, Robbins Timber and of course the excellent Salty John of this parish.

 

[kunyang]

I've uses Compass, Force4 and Marine Scene. Marine Scene did a folding Dingy trailer for £159 with free delivery, same price as force4, but they wanted £50 delivery as well.

 

[Hornet_UK]

Marine Superstore in Port Solent very good choice of Chand and will do a deal.

Force4 in Chichester are my local and are pretty competitive.

uk-yacht-rigging-and-supplies - Used them to buy mooring warps. They got the order wrong but quickly sent out a replacement no quibble so will use them again.