Re: were do you shop and recommended.
Sorry, but price matching is so lame. I never go through the trouble anymore to call in and price match. The lowest price gets the business.
Exactly, I feel the same way on their price match thing. they advertise this, but you have to jump through hoops to get them to do it! seems they always have some caveat that their price match does not apply too. I also gave up trying to get iboats to price match. Not worth the time and effort.
West Marine carries mostly crap made in China at double and triple the prices. But when something breaks and you need it now, they have a store not far from where ever you are. They are also great for their sales at the start of the season. They sell a lot of needed stuff real cheap like flares, vests, cleaning stuff, boat shoes etc as door buster specials in those early flyer's to get you into the store. Sign up on their website for their flyer's.
Overton's used to be good until they merged with Gander Mountain now they both have mostly crap made in China.
Cabelas is about the same as the others but they have become more camping and clothing oriented.
Bass Pro is the same, nice stores but mostly junk quality.
Walmart has a decent online boating selection too and free shipping to a store for local pick up. Amazon ships free over $25 as long as you don't buy from one of their other vendors.
Ebay is great too for finding hard to find boating items. I get my down rigger items off Ebay, lures, flashers, weights etc
I always check in with iboats because they sometimes surprise me as to how low they can be for certain items, but I've had bad luck with them ordering parts like carb kits, outboard parts etc. I get the motor apart and find they sent me the wrong part and then I have to send it back again. They do pay for the shipping back though when it's their error.
At the start of each season I usually make a list of the items I need and put one order in with the store that has most of the items in stock. Most stores give you free shipping anyway when your order is over $100. Most will give you a 10-20% discount if you just call in and ask them for one with a big order, especially at the start of the season, like a bimini top etc
During the season, I usually just google the item I'm looking for and go with the lower cost provider. Watch out for shops that low ball a price for an item, but then inflate the shipping (you also don't get the inflated shipping back if you return the item).
Overall iboats is competitive and they ship fast with good customer service. But I find all shops offer good customer service, fast shipping, some free shipping and no sales tax. They know boaters don't just buy one item. I probably spend $1000 on accessories at the start of each season! I get swamped with catalogs each year from many vendors and I always enjoy going through them looking for new stuff . . . They make for excellent toilet reading material
