Help Iboats Help YOU............................

[crankbait cowboy]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

agreed on the multiple shipping , really adds up, and would like to support iboats store if they have what i need, but more than once i have gone elswhere due to cost savings because of multiple shipping charges. and every order i have placed has had the multple charges from different locations.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

It is amazing on how many people miss or ignore reading the Low Price Guarantee which is listed on every item just below the View Details button.

The customer service people will work with you. The last time I personally made an order I was buying some electrical switches, boat drains and a few other small items. I ran into the multiple shipping locations UNTIL I asked. The customer service people found similar items (yes they were a different brand) that were exactly the same at a single location and POOF! a single shipping charge. All you have to do is ASK!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

With the utmost respect I'd have to politely disagree with you on those points Bob, sorry my friend.

My personal stance is if another vendor has a lower price than they really should have my business. They have worked hard to keep their prices lower than their competitors. If iboats has a lower price, I'd love to give them my business, they've worked to earn it! A better "Low Price" policy would be to just have the lowest price in the first place:thumb: Besides, it seems like most guys use the web for ordering gear these days as it's way more convenient than making a phone call and asking to match prices of another vender. My boat gear shopping happens pre dawn, I'm not yakking on the phone with anybody at 4am.

On shipping, that should be a non issue. One flat rate and be done with it. Charging for multiple shipments on one order is offensive to a customer. After putting the order all together, placing the order, only to find multiple shipping charges is no good. Calling in to try and figure a way around that is no good either. I can't think of any other vender who has charged for multiple shipments. Maybe they are out there but I've never experienced one yet.

Not bashing iboats here. Title of the thread: "Help iboats help you" So, just have the lowest price and charge one flat rate for shipping. That would help iboats and iboats customers:joyous:

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

if you're not going to stock the gasket, what's the point stocking the thermostat?

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

I don't want to have to do anything to get a 'low price guarantee' I just want to order.


Low price helps, but ease of ordering and cust service is my top priorities. There are several places I buy from that are not the lowest but they are great to work with - both before and after the purchase.

The multiple shipping would irritate me on a principle level.


That said, I just placed and received my first order form iBoats a couple weeks ago and all went well.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

Although I try to research items prior to purchasing, at times I need to return something as it just doesn't meet my expectations. I would like iBoats to have a better return policy in regards to shipping costs which can be a big part of the item's initial cost.
I have dealt with many on-line companies that will send you a shipping label for their carrier of choice with there company shipping discount which is a substantial savings and great customer service. A recent example was that I returned an item for a UPS discounted cost of $6.06 compared to $18.49 if I returned it on my own.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

With the utmost respect I'd have to politely disagree with you on those points Bob, sorry my friend.

My personal stance is if another vendor has a lower price than they really should have my business. They have worked hard to keep their prices lower than their competitors. If iboats has a lower price, I'd love to give them my business, they've worked to earn it! A better "Low Price" policy would be to just have the lowest price in the first place:thumb: Besides, it seems like most guys use the web for ordering gear these days as it's way more convenient than making a phone call and asking to match prices of another vender. My boat gear shopping happens pre dawn, I'm not yakking on the phone with anybody at 4am.

On shipping, that should be a non issue. One flat rate and be done with it. Charging for multiple shipments on one order is offensive to a customer. After putting the order all together, placing the order, only to find multiple shipping charges is no good. Calling in to try and figure a way around that is no good either. I can't think of any other vender who has charged for multiple shipments. Maybe they are out there but I've never experienced one yet.

Not bashing iboats here. Title of the thread: "Help iboats help you" So, just have the lowest price and charge one flat rate for shipping. That would help iboats and iboats customers:joyous:

x2.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

I think there is a common theme here concerning multiple shipping cost. I too recently encountered this situation. I added items to the cart and when I went to complete the order there was multiple shipping cost, one for one shipper and a cost for another shipper since parts are not located in same place. I have never seen someone try to charge that type of shipping arrangements so I deleted my order and utilized another vendor that sold all the items I needed with only "1" shipping charge.

Another item that should be addressed are generic pictures. I dislike having to search other sites to see an actual pic of item I am looking for to see if it will fit my needs then return to iboats to see if it is the same item. Just a poor way to sell items.

Lastly, when I place an order and the items arrive I have been pleased. It is nice that you ask if we could provide a review of items purchased as many of us do read the reviews. One email request per complete order would suffice. I don't need 8 different emails for each individual item I had purchased on that one order.

 

[Gibbles]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

For me, most of the time it's about the price...
I'm not really wanting to try and get the low price/match unless it's going to save me $ over the other guy
(I would work a little for 10%(+/-) ).

Other times the shipping kills it...
Oh and a Utah warehouse would be great, I would use Iboats all the time due to shipping times... :lol:
(last item I ordered came from somewhere east coast(ish), it took a week, and missed the weekend by 2 days! )
Maybe a note like amazon has, "item location" (Knowing that helps me map the time frame).

 

[dozerII]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

Being from Canada, we pay a premium to order anything boat related, freight being the biggest contributor. I just did a test on a Solas Rubex prop for a couple sites other than Iboats, the price of the prop itself was in the middle between the two I checked. Freight on the other hand was $10. higher than one and $20. higher than the other. I have been an I boats member since 2009 and last year alone I spent $8000. via Pay pal on boat parts and none of it went to Iboats because of this problem. I have restored five tin boats since I joined this site and would say I have spent an average of $4500 per year and would really like to be able to support Iboats with these purchases. But if it is going to cost me 10-13% more to do it I just can't justify it.
I love this site and the great people that are on it and the ones that work so hard to maintain it. I for one know if Iboats got there ducks in a row I would buy all my boat needs from them, other than OE Mercruiser parts. And knowing as many of the members on here the way I do, I know they would do the same.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

Well said Glen.

And knowing as many of the members on here the way I do, I know they would do the same.

Yup, I would.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

As currently run, the real or perceived structure of Iboats as a retailer is as a middleman with premium pricing and shipping. As stated above, shipping gets multiplied by number of direct sellers sourcing parts. Availability and information is also lacking due perhaps to the same reasons.

If it were otherwise, we all would undoubtedly support the model given our forum loyalty.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

Here is perfect example of what we are talking about I was going to place another order from Iboats for some cup holders, rod holders and hinges. cost of items which were higher than two other sites $119.00 and then the shipping there charges $34.43 $39.44 and $31.70 for a total of $105.57 and then I will get an email in two days asking me why I didn't complete my order HMMMMMMMMMM.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

How about a " thanks" button,here is a screenshot from an antique engine forum I go to.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

How about a " thanksView attachment 227018" button,here is a screenshot from an antique engine forum I go to.

They have "Thanks" button on a Hotroddder forum I belong to also............

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

Doing some shopping this morning for a couple anchors, rope/chain, and cup holders. I remembered this thread so thought I would spend some extra time on the comparisons


Couple thoughts:

From a site functionality perspective I like to be able to order more than one qty when I'm 'adding to cart' and not be taken to my cart, change qty, then have to click elsewhere to keep shopping. Best is to enter qty I need, clikc add to cart and it keeps me in the shopping area. I don't see cart until ready to check out.

Also never really noticed before but sites that 'suggest' other or similar items makes the shopping for the correct/best item I'm looking for. For example on another site I was able to easily look at three different chain/rope options, figure out more quickly which one suited my needs, and add to cart.


Multiple shipping locations doesn't bother me, typical on amazon so used to it and but would like the charge to appear as one just on principle.



Pricing:

I searched for the anchor first and started here which I usually do not do I normally go straight to Google shopping. Found the anchor to fill my need then went to google. iBoats shows up 6th on the list when sorted to total cost (product+shipping) and only about $6 more that the cheapest. That is where I would normally just call it good an order from the place I know and trust so being slightly more expensive and low on the google list is not a bad thing - that is where reputation and loyalty comes into play.


Kept shopping iBoats and got all in my cart then I compared to two other places. Exact same anchors (2), exact same rope/chains (2), similar stainless cup holders (3, couldn't match brand).

Iboats: $632, $650 with shipping.
Other company #1: $576, $628 with shipping

In this case I'd go with the company I trust and know. Not concerned with the shipping 'cost' it all about delivered price.


Other company #2: $480, $480 with shipping. Plus got a pop up with a coupon code (I guess from sitting on my shopping cart page) telling me if I ordered in the next X minutes I would get free 2 day shipping.


That is too much of a difference to not shop elsewhere. I (now) know there is a low price match but I don't have the time or inclination to call in. Internet shopping is supposed to be just that, internet shopping. Not calling in to somewhere, probably having to go thru a set of phone prompts, spending time telling part numbers, item descriptions, competitor websites, etc. and as another poster said when he called in they found a 'similar' item which I don't want - I've spent the time on the internet comparing and deciding what I want so that is what I want.

Maybe having a low price match where we could place the order with you, contingent on reviewing an (internal) email from us (maybe a link or text box in the checkout process?) with the competitor links? If you can price match or at least get close we could then accept/reject your 'offer'? I've never seen anything like that so maybe you can be trailblazers....

 

[Gibbles]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

^ discount tires does that, it's awesome

 

[captmello]

Re: Help Iboats Help YOU............................

This should be a simple fix.

All of these are are hose connections, not thermostat housings.

Volvo-Penta Thermostat Housings - iboats

I just thought I'd bump this. Maybe someone will want to fix it.

 

[redneck joe]

this thread almost at the 90 day mark so I thought I'd type something.

Made my first official purchase from iboats and was good. Maybe they listened to this thread and changed shipping? Only one (low) shipping charge with their new Value Ship (TM)

 

[BradC-iboats]

redneck joe - Thank you for ordering from us! Our new ValueShip program provides some of the lowest shipping rates, including 2nd Day Air for $2 more than Ground. We appreciate your (and everyone's) feedback and we will continue to do whatever we can to create the best experience possible.