Dealer Parts Rant

So I have the day off, thought I’d get the boat ready to float and see if the flats are awake yet or not this weekend. I picked up lube at Fleet for a great price, but they didn’t have plugs or an oil filter. I checked at the auto place, no plugs, they could order. Swung by the local marina, $13 a plug and $21 for the filter. Really? No, I mean really really? Give me a fricken break. I really don’t have a lot of sympathy when I see these places hurting, and yes I appreciate overhead and all. In fact that is why I stopped, support the local guy, but this is absolutely ridiculous. Two clicks and done, less than $30 for all and here tomorrow. Go figure. Money is tight for most folks now days, when are these places going to get a clue? And as far as the customer service experience goes, I can do without the ‘wow, yer f’d’ routine and gladly save my money. Ok, better now. Thanks.

How much higher was their price on the plugs compared to what the auto part store sold them for?

“Really? No, I mean really really? Give me a fricken break. I really don’t have a lot of sympathy when I see these places hurting, and yes I appreciate overhead and all. In fact that is why I stopped, support the local guy, but this is absolutely ridiculous.”

According to your own words you looked elsewhere for the parts first and only went to the dealer when you couldn’t find them. Pay to play.

I knew ballpark. A 300% markup is a bit much. I’ll pay to play but I’m not stupid either.

$4.80 at the parts store, about the same online. $13 at the local “ah jeez mister, that’s alot, I’m just the middle man” marine supply. Somehow the link between the customer and being employed is missing, but no fear as that typically resolves itself in time. Again, no sympathy here.