Be Sure and Check Those Prices

[barfwinkle]

Well I have been comparison shopping the last few days. I am about to order some new chain for the anchor rode. I looked at West Marine and the 1/4" Proof Coil (galvanized) manufactured by Acco sells for 2.79 per foot.

For grins I (and because I dont have to pay sales tax) I checked Defender. The exact chain from the same manufacturer is, you guessed it, 1.49 per foot. WOW

I am still looking (shopping). Does anyone have another lead for a vendor? I just cant believe the price of some of WM's stuff!

Fair Winds (awaiting the snow here)

[Sea Hunt]

Bill:

On those occasions when I have needed (wanted) something from West Marine (a hand bearing compass, sailing gloves, tackle box, etc.), I have always gone to various websites (Defender, etc.) to check their prices.

If there was a reasonable (significant) price difference I would go to the local West Marine store and tell them what I wanted to buy but that the price on the "XYZ" website was much less expensive. They would then access the website, confirm what I told them and sell me the product at the equivalent lower price (plus our 7% sales tax ). I do not know if this is "store policy" or just what they do as a practical matter.

The only additional advantage for me is that I get the item immediately at the local WM store (or Boaters World, etc.) versus waiting for shipping which, depending upon the product can cost additional for the shipping charges. Sometimes the shipping charges are offset by the sales tax, sometimes not. I bought a Mustang PFD from Defender at a substantial savings over either WM or Boaters World (I forget which) and Defender did not charge any shipping costs and, of course, no sales tax.

I do not particularly like WM. Their prices are HIGH. But, you can usually get them to match a legitimate website price.

[bottomscraper]

Usually Defender has the best prices. I am not a great believer in taking advantage of WM's price matching. Why not give the retailer with the advertised better price the business? Why should WM get rewarded for price gouging?

Defender does have a lousy return policy so be sure you only order what you are sure you will keep.

[Cathy Monaghan]

Bill,

If you can, try to find a local distributor of chain. It's very heavy and you'll pay big time for shipping charges so you need to factor that into the price.

Closer to home you may want to try:

• Edwards Wire Rope, Oklahoma City, OK --
  http://www.edwardswirerope.com/chain.html
  
  Samco Sales, Inc., Houston, TX --
  http://www.samcosales.com/

Not in Oklahoma, but cheaper than Defender, try:

• WebRiggingSupply.com, Lake Barrington, IL --
  http://www.webriggingsupply.com/
  
  Safeland Industrial Supply Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA --
  http://www.safelandindustrial.com/
  
  Replacement Parts Specialists, Inc. Solon, OH --
  http://www.rps-state.com/ or http://www.steelchain.net/

I have no idea of whether they sell to the general public or not, but your can try The Crosby Group, Inc. of Tulsa, OK:
http://www.thecrosbygroup.com/


Good luck with your search. Tell us where you find your best price and how much it cost for shipping.

[tartansailor]

On two occasions I bought chain from from 2 different suppliers. (My mooring is a 3 point 3 anchor configuration in brackish water.)

The chain that came with a price tag that made my knees weak held up beautifully.

The low price bargain chain rusted! to the point that there was no galvanizing left after 1 season. Junk, just plain junk.

I would like to see a chain supplier specify or guarantee galvanizing protection.

Bmail me if you would like to know the suppliers.

Dick

[Cathy Monaghan]

Also, you need to know what you're buying. Chain is available as 'bright', 'electro zinc plated' or 'hot dipped galvanized' and transport chain also comes with a 'yellow chromate' finish. Make sure you know which is which and what is appropriate for it's intended use.

Personally, I'd go with BBB or G4 Hi-test over G3 Proof Coil.


Anyway, add this one to the list:

1st Chain Supply, Lowell, IN
http://www.1st-chainsupply.com/

[yamiracer]

Usually Defender has the best prices. I am not a great believer in taking advantage of WM's price matching. Why not give the retailer with the advertised better price the business? Why should WM get rewarded for price gouging?

Defender does have a lousy return policy so be sure you only order what you are sure you will keep.

defender always took back my stuff. even when it was past the 30 day window. just my experiences.

rw

[bottomscraper]

defender always took back my stuff. even when it was past the 30 day window. just my experiences.

My experience was they wanted a 15% restocking fee and that was within 30 days. Maybe it depends on the item, my item was an electric bilge pump that just wouldn't fit where it needed to go. Don't get me wrong I'm a big Defenders fan. I'm just very careful about what I order now.

[Dean Abramson]

I just bought an Achilles inflatable from Defender, and the salesperson on the phone told me that it was flat non-returnable. She said I should inflate it as soon as I got it, and if it was defective, then I could "talk to them about a return."

But if I just thought, "whoa, it's too big," or didn't like the color, or found some undesirable feature, etc., I was out of luck. Fortunately, it seems okay. But it is yet to actually be used.

On the other hand, last spring, I bought an 85-foot piece of Sta-set line from my local West Marine store and used it as a single continuous yankee sheet last season. When I decommissioned in the fall, I found that the core of the rope had "blown out" at the point of the larkshead knot. I took it to WM a few weeks ago and they replaced it, no questions asked, no receipt. They know me there. But I am not sure I would have had that experience if I were someone who generally dickered for a lower price there.

Dean