Electronics
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613 Posts
I guess it depends on a lot of things:
1) Your ability and skill as a negotiator.
2) The dealers willingness to sell
3) The item you purchasing. (hot item or slow mover)
So for example you want a GPS/Fishfinder combo. Do your home work. What's out there? Furuno 1850 DF combo unit, Lowrance LCX-15MT combo, Lowrance LMS-350-A , Garmin 168, Garmin 188C, and I'm sure a whole lot more by Hummingbird, etc.
I try to look around locally and check out as many units as I can and check all the features. Post a Question here on a unit and see who has it and the replies you get.
OK. I made my choice: I want a Garmin 188C GPS and Fish Finder combo with the Transom mount dual frequency transducer with temp. Now I price it out, trying to compare apples to apples: http://www.onlinemarine.com: $1,139.00, GPS Discount, Inc. - Scott Farris $1129, www.consumersmarine.com: 1199.00,
BoatFix.com: $1,175.19, Boater World $1,254.99, /www.thegpsstore: $1195.00, http://www.gpssignal.com/$1300.00 , Three river Marine (TRME): $1200,
dbmarine.com/garmin dbmarine.com: $1,123.19
Now I go to the show. I know what I want, and what I be willing to pay for a local dealer.
I am in a similar situation, if you haven't guessed. This is how I am approaching it. I have done the same thing for a VHF and Antenna for the VHF.
My boat is a 17 foot Proline. So space is a consideration. You may have a bigger boat and also need Radar. In which case you can make a package deal for everything. I plan to install it myself. If you want installation that also becomes part of the negotiation.
So to go back to your original question, I guess my recommendation would be to do your homework BEFORE you go to the show. Shop around and gather info and prices. Then go to the show. You can them make a well thought out decision. Hope this helps
BoatGuy
1) Your ability and skill as a negotiator.
2) The dealers willingness to sell
3) The item you purchasing. (hot item or slow mover)
So for example you want a GPS/Fishfinder combo. Do your home work. What's out there? Furuno 1850 DF combo unit, Lowrance LCX-15MT combo, Lowrance LMS-350-A , Garmin 168, Garmin 188C, and I'm sure a whole lot more by Hummingbird, etc.
I try to look around locally and check out as many units as I can and check all the features. Post a Question here on a unit and see who has it and the replies you get.
OK. I made my choice: I want a Garmin 188C GPS and Fish Finder combo with the Transom mount dual frequency transducer with temp. Now I price it out, trying to compare apples to apples: http://www.onlinemarine.com: $1,139.00, GPS Discount, Inc. - Scott Farris $1129, www.consumersmarine.com: 1199.00,
BoatFix.com: $1,175.19, Boater World $1,254.99, /www.thegpsstore: $1195.00, http://www.gpssignal.com/$1300.00 , Three river Marine (TRME): $1200,
dbmarine.com/garmin dbmarine.com: $1,123.19
Now I go to the show. I know what I want, and what I be willing to pay for a local dealer.
I am in a similar situation, if you haven't guessed. This is how I am approaching it. I have done the same thing for a VHF and Antenna for the VHF.
My boat is a 17 foot Proline. So space is a consideration. You may have a bigger boat and also need Radar. In which case you can make a package deal for everything. I plan to install it myself. If you want installation that also becomes part of the negotiation.
So to go back to your original question, I guess my recommendation would be to do your homework BEFORE you go to the show. Shop around and gather info and prices. Then go to the show. You can them make a well thought out decision. Hope this helps
BoatGuy
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13,099 Posts
jbalzamo, I was just at the N.Y. Javits Show, and most of the companies have show specials. I thought there were some very good deals. I found consumers to have the best price and they did not charge shipping. A couple of thoughts, like Boatguy mentioned, do your homework before you go. If you buy from an out of State company, or, have it shipped to an out of State address, you will not be paying sales tax.
Something else maybe worth trying, I have not done this at boat shows, but because of the nature of what I do for a living, I attend other kinds of shows, and I know many companies do this. If you go on the last day of the show, at the end of the day, they often times sell all their dispay products at GREATLY reduced prices, cash and carry. Maybe someone can chime in on this and verify if that happens at boat shows, I don't know.
MakoMatt
Something else maybe worth trying, I have not done this at boat shows, but because of the nature of what I do for a living, I attend other kinds of shows, and I know many companies do this. If you go on the last day of the show, at the end of the day, they often times sell all their dispay products at GREATLY reduced prices, cash and carry. Maybe someone can chime in on this and verify if that happens at boat shows, I don't know.
MakoMatt
Joined
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3,953 Posts
PRICE IT AROUND
Well like the oothers told you price it around then you have an idea of your savings. Also the AC show is becoming one of the better shows in the tri state area so i bet you could get a great deal there. Just know what you want and the price.You did not state your boat name or size or type of electronics your loooking for? I bet many guys here can give you good feed back so this is a good place to start! Try it you may like it
Well like the oothers told you price it around then you have an idea of your savings. Also the AC show is becoming one of the better shows in the tri state area so i bet you could get a great deal there. Just know what you want and the price.You did not state your boat name or size or type of electronics your loooking for? I bet many guys here can give you good feed back so this is a good place to start! Try it you may like it
Joined
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10,097 Posts
I like a few of the mail order guys . . .
I especially like Bob at Dbmarine - very good pricing and a helpful source of "Inside" info as to what's the very latest piece in a particular type of electronics as well as what might be coming out in the next month or so. Sometimes its better to wait a bit for a better piece. His pricing is usually the most aggressive of the bunch.Bob's shop Bought my little beauty of a plotter, my garmin 182E from him last Spring.
Consumer Marine Electronics is also a company that I've done biz with - got my big Sitex FF from them, also nice to deal with and can offer much in the way of installation advice. Consumer Marine Electornics
Lastly, And I have not used them, but their rep is just sterling with some of my e-buddies on other boards - but do give Clint at Three Rivers Electronics a shot - he's supposed to be the best of the lot as far as customer support goes. Clint's place
This electronics by mail is not a bad idea. Unlike patronizing your local tackle shop for your seasonal needs which we've discused many times here, I feel no such obligation to give West Marine or Boater's World any more of my money than they already get over the course of a long season. And I'd LIKE to give the biz to Freeport Marine, but other than a very occasional special, their pricing on electronics is MUCH higher than elsewhere. Too bad, if they would price-match, like WM does (Or used to do), or even get within 10%, I'd give those guys at FP my electronics biz in a heatbeat.
FWIW - check out the newest FF'er from Lowrance - the LCx19 and the LC104C - same outstanding resolution as the units from last season, but a brighter screen and MUCH faster processor to run the various functions. Look like winners to me and if I didn't have some other expenses to deal with on the boat this Winter, that 104 would be front and center on my dash this coming Spring.
rgds, Leprechaun
I especially like Bob at Dbmarine - very good pricing and a helpful source of "Inside" info as to what's the very latest piece in a particular type of electronics as well as what might be coming out in the next month or so. Sometimes its better to wait a bit for a better piece. His pricing is usually the most aggressive of the bunch.Bob's shop Bought my little beauty of a plotter, my garmin 182E from him last Spring.
Consumer Marine Electronics is also a company that I've done biz with - got my big Sitex FF from them, also nice to deal with and can offer much in the way of installation advice. Consumer Marine Electornics
Lastly, And I have not used them, but their rep is just sterling with some of my e-buddies on other boards - but do give Clint at Three Rivers Electronics a shot - he's supposed to be the best of the lot as far as customer support goes. Clint's place
This electronics by mail is not a bad idea. Unlike patronizing your local tackle shop for your seasonal needs which we've discused many times here, I feel no such obligation to give West Marine or Boater's World any more of my money than they already get over the course of a long season. And I'd LIKE to give the biz to Freeport Marine, but other than a very occasional special, their pricing on electronics is MUCH higher than elsewhere. Too bad, if they would price-match, like WM does (Or used to do), or even get within 10%, I'd give those guys at FP my electronics biz in a heatbeat.
FWIW - check out the newest FF'er from Lowrance - the LCx19 and the LC104C - same outstanding resolution as the units from last season, but a brighter screen and MUCH faster processor to run the various functions. Look like winners to me and if I didn't have some other expenses to deal with on the boat this Winter, that 104 would be front and center on my dash this coming Spring.
rgds, Leprechaun
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4,148 Posts
I'm on a very tight budget - still in college, hourly pay and a fishing obsession that borders on insanity. What I do, before I buy anything expensive, is reference at least BOATUS, West Marine, and Cabelas. That gives me a ball park and lots of choices so I have a feel for what a good price is. These large "WalMarts" of boating equipment are not quite the cheapest, but are allways relatively competitive. They all have huge catologs available, and online listings as well; the catologs are nice becuase you can bring them anywhere. Most stores (BOATUS and West Marine do) will also price match with others catologs, this is handy if the cheapest store doesn't have what you want in stock.
Jon
Jon
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10,097 Posts
Are you the same jbalzamo from the old wmi.boating board?
Is this the Joe with the Cabo31? DId you sell that boat?
rgds, Leprechaun
Is this the Joe with the Cabo31? DId you sell that boat?
rgds, Leprechaun
Yes its me
Leprechaun I see you have a good memory, it is me and I sold the Cabo 2 years ago and have not fished a day since. I'am happy to say that I will be back on the water this season and looking foward to posting my fishing reports once again. Hope to see you out there one day and I will also enjoy reading your posts as well.
Leprechaun I see you have a good memory, it is me and I sold the Cabo 2 years ago and have not fished a day since. I'am happy to say that I will be back on the water this season and looking foward to posting my fishing reports once again. Hope to see you out there one day and I will also enjoy reading your posts as well.
Joined
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10,097 Posts
Joe . . .
PM me in June and we'll get together for some back-bay bass chummin'.
Later, Leprechaun
p.s. - you didn't say what boat you bought - com-on, out with it.
PM me in June and we'll get together for some back-bay bass chummin'.
Later, Leprechaun
p.s. - you didn't say what boat you bought - com-on, out with it.
Cabo 31
It was difficult for me to have to sell that boat, but I had a partnership with my Father on her and after the first year he lost almost total interest in the fishing/boating thing so I had to make the choice of taking on the expence on my own or find another partner who was willing to come up with there share. Unfortunatly I could not find anyone close enough that could fit that kind of expence into there budget so up for sale she went. At least I have some great memories and pictures.
Heres one from spring launch 2000
It was difficult for me to have to sell that boat, but I had a partnership with my Father on her and after the first year he lost almost total interest in the fishing/boating thing so I had to make the choice of taking on the expence on my own or find another partner who was willing to come up with there share. Unfortunatly I could not find anyone close enough that could fit that kind of expence into there budget so up for sale she went. At least I have some great memories and pictures.
Heres one from spring launch 2000
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