Starter motor: $60 online, $350 in local store!! WTF??

[DJ_Allatoona]

Mid-80's Mercury outboard. Needs a starter rebuild or replacement. DB Electrical has the part for $58 with free shipping. Other online suppliers have it for $65 to $69 and higher. Local marine parts/service shop? $359. Exact same part, same SKU. I understand markups and brick & mortar vs. online sales, but come on. Takes some balls to charge that much for a _____________ starter.

 

[Scott Danforth]

one goes thru proper channels coming in from the OEM in indiviual packaging with 3-4 distribution stops between. one comes in a crate with thousands of others to a wharehouse.

no differnet than buying a carburetor thru Holley for $300 and the same one thru Volvo for $1100.

 

[robert graham]

Sounds like standard operating procedure for marine/outboard parts....Yamaha gets $8.50 for a lower unit drain screw!....and it goes on and on....

 

[Chinewalker]

Also could be the online ones are some cheap Chinese knockoff, not OEM. OEM may still be made in China, but are (usually) held to a higher spec.

 

[Faztbullet]

DB Electrical has the part for $58 with free shipping. Other online suppliers have it for $65 to $69 and higher. Local marine parts/service shop? $359. Exact same part, same SKU

The OEM is not same part/SKU is not made in China and magnets don't come unglued from heat.....

 

[redneck joe]

one goes thru proper channels coming in from the OEM in indiviual packaging with 3-4 distribution stops between. one comes in a crate with thousands of others to a wharehouse.

no differnet than buying a carburetor thru Holley for $300 and the same one thru Volvo for $1100.

Dunno..... if im a local i can get ups to deliver the online one for a couple bucks. Still in for under a hundred bucks.

 

[Willyclay]

The problem is not limited to Chinese "junk" or marine parts. Recently, our son needed a replacement grab handle for the glass tailgate on his 2005 Tahoe. Only available via dealer with new glass for $700+. He found just the handle on Amazon for $60 with free shipping. They all want your money!

 

[roscoe]

good luck with a $60 starter.

Even an Arco or Sierra aftermarket sells for $150-$200.

 

[DJ_Allatoona]

I wound up getting my OMC rebuilt. $100.

 

[southkogs]

^^^^ Did the same. $45