Trying to save money on parts

R

redbaronace

New member
Im in the Seattle area and about to do a major maintenance on my outboards (twin f100 yamahas). The question I had was if if anybody had a place they like to go for parts which saves money. I am not opposed to ordering online and waiting if the overall cost is less. The items im purchasing is below.

Oil for upper and lower units, fuel filters, fuel water separators, spark plugs, impellers,

Thanks,
 
I have been a SIM Yamaha customer for over 4 yrs and Andy is excellent and knowledgeable, answers questions quickly, their web site is well organized and easy to locate parts without assistance, has a Hull Truth forum and the flat shipping free for the entire order is less than $10.

m2cw Andy is to Yamaha OB parts like TabMan is to Bennett Tabs

others like Boats.Net for parts which is the equivalent
 
BrentB":2vjibc6x said:
I have been a SIM Yamaha customer for over 4 yrs and Andy is excellent and knowledgeable, answers questions quickly, their web site is well organized and easy to locate parts without assistance, has a Hull Truth forum and the flat shipping free for the entire order is less than $10.

m2cw Andy is to Yamaha OB parts like TabMan is to Bennett Tabs

others like Boats.Net for parts which is the equivalent
Click to expand...

Thanks for that recommendation. I once tried to purchase a set of gauges from them and Andy was very helpful. Never completed the purchase as it was just too uncertain whether I had the old or newer engine.

Question I have is whether their prices are less than local guys. I get some discount from Harbor Marine in Everett, but everything is so darn expensive to begin with.
 
We have a place on Charlotte Harbor FL and 2 local companies (Ingman Marine and San Carlos Marine in Ft Meyers) where I purchased items over years and both charge list price for Yamaha parts so comparable shopping is easy.
Keep in mind that Andy ships once a day at 9am or 10am in the morning

One time Scott Rush owner of San Carlos gave us 20% off parts and 10% labor b/c we dont have a trailer and dont live in FL full time and arranged for service to performed when we left. He accidentally brought a small trailer thinking we had a small boat instead of a Parker pilot house and made a quick call for an employee to bring the truck and a larger trailer. I liked him before and after this event. He is a stand up guy and self made businessman and customer satisfaction is number one b/c he thrives off of repeat business just like Andy

Sorry way off course now.

Best
 
The facts are that boat parts are expensive. One just accepts that. Also, there is a conundrum: Do I want to have local parts providers for those times that I simply can't wait? If so, then local providers should be given a priority for buying parts. My rule of thumb is to check on line first with the many providers there. Find the lowest price, then add shipping. If that number compares to the local parts supply, than I for sure go to the local. However, even if the local comes in up to 10% more, I'll go to him to make sure that he has a chance of staying open. Now, if it is 10% of a 2300 dollar lower unit, then, no, I'm going on line for the best price possible. But for lubes, plugs, props, filters and so on, I'm personally willing to pay a small retail penalty to the local.
 
I don't go to my closest dealer for a number of reasons. Saving money was not really part my motivation to no longer give them my business. After doing business for them for years you never could get an appointment to get something done. It was always bring over the boat and leave the boat there for a couple weeks. If they were busy you could not get a definitive answer. I now am happy to pull the boat a 100 miles to someone who can do things by appointment. A much bigger dealer who seems to be more current on changes or product improvements. I buy extra oil and filters online and try to plan ahead. Our Yamaha's have not been random parts eaters yet. I never burned the bridge with our local dealer, I just don't want to do any more business with them period.
D.D.
 
potter water":2khqnkrb said:
The facts are that boat parts are expensive. One just accepts that. Also, there is a conundrum: Do I want to have local parts providers for those times that I simply can't wait? If so, then local providers should be given a priority for buying parts. My rule of thumb is to check on line first with the many providers there. Find the lowest price, then add shipping. If that number compares to the local parts supply, than I for sure go to the local. However, even if the local comes in up to 10% more, I'll go to him to make sure that he has a chance of staying open. Now, if it is 10% of a 2300 dollar lower unit, then, no, I'm going on line for the best price possible. But for lubes, plugs, props, filters and so on, I'm personally willing to pay a small retail penalty to the local.
Click to expand...

Appreciate all the responses and I do agree with much of what has been said.

I purchase locally if the price is the same or only slightly more. I am more price sensitive when the item is high dollar as the online source is likely to be cheaper and the possibility exists to save more. When I need something quick, its off to the local shop.

I am a member of some Toyota forums and several of the vendors provide parts for somewhere in the neighborhood of 20% off on OEM parts. The service from those dealerships is also very good as they see the online segment as an important part of their business. So im hoping to find some of those places for Yamaha or boats parts in general so that I have a go to starting place when looking for parts online.

We all know that time is money, but sometimes I have more time than disposable income and saving $20-30 on an online order means enjoying another cheap dinner out with the wife that month.

So any recommendations of places to reliably purchase items at discount is greatly appreciated. My current purchase may only end up totaling $200, but I'm also asking for purposes of future purchases as well.

Thanks,
 
I also purchase parts from the factory, ebay, Craigs list, ... other items like epoxy directly from RAKA

From Gander Mountain, I purchased several Racor 2 micron fuel filters 2 years ago with free shipping for $22 each

I wish DealNews posts boat parts deals
 
I struggle with this issue. The local dealer has to be supported if he is to stay in business but when the guy at the counter is embarrassed by the prices you know you're being gouged.
 
I agree that it can be difficult for the local store to compete due to overhead. But some have embraced it and compete locally and online like Nordstroms as an example.

Some of the local stores have an advantage in that they can have parts shipped directly to their local store for pickup. Since they already have shipments going to the store, there is sometimes no additional shipping cost.

Stores do not necessarily need to compete with themselves because the customer who is looking online is probably not going to purchase locally anyways, so why not try to compete for those dollars as well even with smaller margins.

In my line of business, I do my best to offer the best service possible thereby earning the pay. Still I am not oblivious to the fact that other businesses will undercut and offer a lower price than I do for my real estate services. I would be a miss to turn that business away. So, given that everything is negotiable, I discount when and where necessary to remain flexible and competitive.

I am trying to save some bucks where possible in order to fund my interests or fill my numerous fuel tanks. Its expensive and in the end, money saved is as good as money earned.

Any good leads for saving money on parts with some form of good service is much appreciated.

Bryan
 
Even for a small retailer, the best defense is a good offense. Out here on the coast, in a town of 10,000, several small businesses are set up and doing well online ... an office supply store, two boutique coffee roasting operations, couple computer repair/retail hole in the walls, and (finally!) Englund Marine is on the verge. My spouse works in the back office at EM, and the overhead for setting up and maintaining an online catalog is unbelievable ... if you plan to track inventory and have a secure payment system, anyway.

The future for even small businesses who do not have an online mechanism for sales is gloom, gloom, gloom. I like to buy boat parts OTC, but sometimes can not, even via a larger outfit like EM. Things are changing.
 
First of all, you want good parts, those Yamahas are both good and expensive. Aftermarket parts tend to be from overseas and I want to keep my motors as good as when they left the factory. So, the only parts I'd use are factory parts. And the best place I've found is Boats.Net Yahama as mentioned above. If you can't find it there online, call and they'll work with you. Even down to the latest part update.

I've found that local shops don't stock all the parts you need and since they have to order, why don't you and save something?

Boris
 
"Oil for upper and lower units, fuel filters, fuel water separators, spark plugs, impellers, "

Of the list, the filters, separator and impellers are best to stick with the "brand".

As far as oil for both upper and lower units--it is usually not that much difference in cost for the "brand", but these oils are not made by the outboard motor company--they are standard spec. items I will buy the brand names when the motor is under warrantee, but after, I just buy a high quality oil--and stick with one brand. Buy the best price on the plugs.

I agree, it is important to keep the small outboard shops around you in business. We lost one nearby a couple of years ago, and it makes getting repairs more difficult and there is a longer waiting time.
 
I have used Amazon for a lot of stuff. However, for the parts you mention, the impeller is really the only thing I've found much of a savings on going on line. (That and Props...) The Oil and filters all seem to be pretty comparable rather I go online or just purchase from a local West Marine or dealer. This year I did find a fuel filter a bit cheaper at Amazon than the dealer. But it really wasn't much of a savings. You might do better by just price matching. I have done that with West marine several times, and they have price matched online stuff. Colby
 
Does anyone have an online source for Honda parts???

I have found though that by the time shipping is added local prices are pretty close.
The local guys need to be supported but when gouging starts he is on his own.
 
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