Best Online Store for Boat Stuff ?

[dennisail]

Living in Australia we enjoy some of the best cruising grounds in the world, but with that comes some of the highest prices for boats and boating accessories in the world too. Its frustrating to see electronics and hardware at twice the price of the same thing in countries like the US.

So what are some of your favorite online stores you all look at when just browsing or purchasing? Do you trust online purchases from overseas? Are you getting around the taxes somehow?

[KDH]

Here in the US the tax is charged for online purchases if the buyer and seller are in the same state or if the buyer's home state has enacted legislation requiring the recovery of the tax for internet transactions.

I have had no problems ordering from Defender.com or WestMarine.com and they are large, well established reputable firms. However, I live in the US and the shipping is reliable. Defender states on their shipping page that "INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
There may be duties and taxes (VAT or other non-shipping charges incurred in the destination country) imposed on your order that aren't reflected in our prices. We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Check with your local Customs office for those charges. In addition, some countries may charge an additional handling fee for delivery within that country." I have no commercial interest in either site. Perhaps you have already received a personal response from other members as it is unusual to get no response at all.

[skipmac]

Hi Dennis,

KDH mentioned Defender Industries. I have used them for years and spent thousands there, including occasional returns. Never had a problem, even when returning an item because I wanted a different model or some other reason that was not due to defect or mistake by the seller.

Very reliable, trustworthy and prices are usually the lowest or close to it. BUT, as they say on their web site, duties or other issues in the country shipped to are beyond their control.

[Kashmir cat]

Defender Marine. Period. I just returned 2 Balmar alternators that I had purchased several months ago because I decided to go with Volvo. They took them back and gave me a full refund.

[Libertyhere]

I never had anything shipped internationally, but would add my vote to those for defender.com

[beau]

I live in Brisbane, Australia.
I buy most of my stuff from WMJmarine.com in Carlsbad California.
Great service and great prices I have been dealing with them for years.
Not only do you avoid state tax but also the GST etc if the price is under $1,000.00

[Pblais]

I spend a lot at Defender too. If you need something special that they don't have and need from another source or think it might be a better deal just email the site and explain. Lots of sites can provide good service if you ask for it in advance. It helps if you need something shipped to the end of the earth do research a little and see who ships where you are often. It may help someone trying to get you something faster.

[Cotemar]

Dennisail,

Have used both of these online. Great with shipping and returns.
www.defender.com
www.jamestowndistributors.com

[SaltyMonkey]

Drat. Cotemar beat me to Jamestown. I second it along with defender.

www.jamestowndistributors.com

[felixqld66]

Hey Dennis

I am in Noosa and needed to replace the electronics on my yacht in Thailand I got onto these guys after much searching

Online Shopping | Discount Medical Supplies | Buy 3tailer

I got a quote in Australia for a lower spec'd Raymarine set up then the one I ordered form the States. International shipping with these guys is expensive because they use a third party shipping company but I just shipped to a mate in the states who forwarded it to Langkawi for me where I am going to do the refit.

It was going to cost me $22k in Australia for new ( all lower speced equipment as well
plotter GPS C120 wide screen can fully intergrate with all instruments including autopilot
Radar
Autopilot with corepack control head and pump
Wind/depth speed instruments
Epirb with GPS

From States $9k plus $1k shipping

You have to know what you want whoever you order from thou as it is difficult to sort stuff on the net if you are undecided. Tried west marine and the others listed but none could compete on price.

Will have to buy local charts for plotter as it is preloaded with the states rather than this region so another $300 to spend on that.

Cheers Alex

[matauwhi]

G'day, mate. Ditto on Defender. Cheers.