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21-12-2012, 18:37
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#1
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,865
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Good Experience with Defender
I recently bought a lot of marine electronics equipment for a complete replacement of my systems.
I emailed my BOM to Defender commercial sales, on the off chance they might take a large order through that department. Bingo! I had a quote within a couple of hours, and I was assigned a nice lady who with great energy and dispatch put together my order. I was given a considerable discount without even asking -- later I understood it's a "refit discount" -- and the prices are basically wholesale, as I understand the market. In any case, they are less than half of the best online prices available in the UK.
I received it all today -- Christmas came early! Well done, Defender. A thoroughly satisfactory experience.
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21-12-2012, 19:17
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sailing QLD, Australia
Boat: John Pugh Windsong sloop 38ft
Posts: 167
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
We have always had excellent, personalised service from Defender too, and no problems shipping to Australia.
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21-12-2012, 19:27
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#3
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,306
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
Have purchased most of my parts and gear from Defender and find them a great company to deal with. Also visit their store occasionally when I'm in CT. Not only good service and good prices but if you have any problems with anything purchased with Defender returns are no hassle.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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21-12-2012, 19:32
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sailing QLD, Australia
Boat: John Pugh Windsong sloop 38ft
Posts: 167
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
I should add as an example that we had all sorts of problems with our Lowrance Radar (not Defender's fault - Lowrance Australia were the culprits) and Cheryl at Defender went above and beyond to sort it out with Lowrance in the US directly. Very impressed.
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21-12-2012, 20:42
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,865
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueSun
I should add as an example that we had all sorts of problems with our Lowrance Radar (not Defender's fault - Lowrance Australia were the culprits) and Cheryl at Defender went above and beyond to sort it out with Lowrance in the US directly. Very impressed.
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It was Cheryl who helped me. She was great!
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21-12-2012, 20:48
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Annapolis MD
Boat: Building a Max Cruise 44 hybrid electric cat
Posts: 3,198
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
I've worked with her as well. Great asset for the company... very helpful
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21-12-2012, 21:25
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Branched Oak Yacht Club, Wife is an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy
Boat: Clipper Marine 32 CC Aft Cabin Ketch
Posts: 1,211
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Mom told me once, if you have nothing good to say, keep your pie hole shut. Mom was right.
__________________
W.I.B. Crealock when asked what he thought of the easily trailerable Clipper Marine sailboats by a naval design collegue, Gentelman Bill responded, "I am very proud of them".
www.clippermarine.org & www.clipper-sailor.net
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21-12-2012, 21:33
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Boat: Carver 3207 Aft Cabin, 32'
Posts: 289
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I had a good experience with Defender too. I needed to replace all eight acrylic portlights on the Carver. I called Carver, no help at all. Called Bomar, the original manufacturer, no help at all either and then they finally quoted $119 each. I finally tried Defender, they researched the size and number to confirm they fit my old boat, and then quoted me $69 each.
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21-12-2012, 22:14
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: La Marque, TX
Boat: Mac 26X
Posts: 713
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
I have had 2 good purchases from Defender as well and would never put them down. But then I found out 2 local chandleries will match their prices, and I like putting the money into the locals if I can.
But if I didn't have a lot of local choices I'd be a diehard Defender guy.
I've found a company called Hodges that does even better on electronics.
__________________
------------------
Gordo
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21-12-2012, 22:28
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Boat: SAnta Cruz 27
Posts: 6,734
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
The shocking thing is how expensive boat parts are in England. I went to the London boat show once, and the only thing I bought was a Guinness,
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22-12-2012, 11:39
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
Always interesting to see who has the problems with a dealer.
FWIW, I have great service from these guys.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
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22-12-2012, 12:30
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 793
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
Defender is the first place I look when buying anything on-line. West Marine is the last.
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22-12-2012, 13:55
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: daytona beach florida
Boat: csy 37
Posts: 2,976
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
been dealing with defender since the 1970's. never a problem.
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22-12-2012, 14:26
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Punta De Mita
Boat: Vagabond 39 Hull # 1
Posts: 1,842
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
I've probably made 50 purchases from them, large and small. If there was ever a problem the took care of it immediately and always did more than I expected to make it right. I just wish that they'd start another warehouse someplace in the Western half of the country.
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22-12-2012, 14:36
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#15
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Elvish meaning 'Far-Wanderer'
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Boat - Greece - Me - Michigan
Boat: 56' Fountaine Pajot Marquises
Posts: 3,489
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Re: Good Experience with Defender
I've had good experiences with Defender also. Reading Dockheads post about getting a discount makes me think they should have some sort of loyalty program though. I've purchased maybe $8k from them in the last 3 years and didn't get so much as a free beer koozie.
__________________
Our course is set for an uncharted sea
Dante
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