Buying electronics online

[sharono]

Am looking @ a Garmin gpsmap 545 on many online stores with huge price differences. Any advice on reputable or 'stay away from' sites?

[bogdog]

hey sharono, I've been wondering the same thing. We are wanting a larger display/screen (58 year old eyes) and some better resolution. And are the gpsmap for cars any good, or programmable for water? I'll be checking in to sailnet off and on, but not anymore tonight. Hope we get some good advise from the group. Bogdog

[chef2sail]

I like Hodges and/ or Northeast Marine. I have ordered from both with great results.

Dave


northeastmarineelectronics.com
Hodges Marine Electronics - Marine FishFinders, GPS, VHF, Radars, and more!

[brak]

I got my Garmin from Defender. I waited until they had a big sale - they usually have sales during boat shows and such. Got boat show pricing on a whole bunch of electronics. This was the lowest price I had ever seen anywhere for similar stuff. So, they have good prices usually and even better ones during sales. And they are certainly a major retailer, not too many problems with them so far.

[lbdavis]

I recently bought my Garmin 3206 of the internets.

I poked around for the cheapest overall price (including shipping) and that day it was from a company in WA called Cascade GPS. Check them here. I called them on the phone before I placed my order and asked some questions about the unit. The CSR seemed very knowledgeable, friendly, and businesslike.

This is how I role with any sizeable e-purchase. I find the cheapest one available, then I call to try to get a sense of whether the company is run out of a van down by the river or not.

Certainly not fool-proof, but I haven't been burned yet.

Where's some wood!?! I need to knock on wood!!

[lbdavis]

Oh!! And I forgot to add the best part of my plan:

As you are talking to them and trying to get a feel for their company, you can also sometimes build a quick relationship and try talking the price down; as I did that day for my Garmin. I got it for a price I was VERY happy with.

[camaraderie]

Sharono...the prices of name brand marine electronics are generally heavily discounted by the major internet marine sites...like sailnet/defender etc.
I also know that there is very little profit margin in marine electronics for the dealer...something that sells for $100 on the major discount marine sites will typically cost around $90. So....any site that is more than 10% less than the major discounters should be viewed with skepticism. There are a number of sites out there that just want your credit card number and personal info and they get it by offering prices that legitimate dealers can't.
Be careful and shop at sites you know or come recommended to you by friends.

[JiffyLube]

I've purchased a couple of electronic items through the internet before, and had good results. I didn't search for the lowest price though, I searched sites selling for reasonable discounts...and sites that were recommended to me by others that successful purchasers.

[sander06]

I just got a factory refurbished Garmin 540 for $399.99 at
SKU:010-N0614-00 Garmin GPSMAP 540 Chartplotter (Factory Refurbished) - GetFeetWet Navigation BV5

No problems!

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

I like Hodges and/ or Northeast Marine. I have ordered from both with great results.

Dave


northeastmarineelectronics.com
Hodges Marine Electronics - Marine FishFinders, GPS, VHF, Radars, and more!

I'll heartily second the nomination for Hodge's Marine. I bought our Garmin GPS & sonar transducer from them last summer and was thoroughly pleased with both the price and the over-all transaction. Would not hesitate to buy from Hodge's again.

Jim