Hippocampus
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2020
- Messages
- 4,182
- Location
- Plymouth
- Vessel Name
- Hippocampus
- Vessel Make
- Nordic Tug 42
For me the fundamental problem is I like to see, hold and examine the things I buy. Pretty much true for fruit, clothes, switches, marine supplies, tools. In short everything. On a boat often when I want to fix or replace something I don’t know the vendor nor the part number. Nor do I know if there’s a better product that could substitute or a cheaper product that’s just as good.
In the distant past I’d remove the failed or broken part and go to my friendly chandlery. Put it on the counter and have a chat with the owner or a family member or long time employee. They’d check it out. Often tell me of alternative better or cheaper equivalents and instruct me as to reinstalling it correctly. Going to the chandlery was an education and fun. It was a social spot as well as you commonly ran into friends there.
I’ve had similar experiences in hardware stores that carry a lot of marine stuff for the commercial fishing fleet and boaters. Most recently in Virginia Chesapeake and low country South Carolina but never in a WM and only occasionally in Defenders before the buy out.
My main disappointment with internet shopping is the inability of any internet vendor to come even close to that experience. Even if you take the time and effort to get someone on the phone unless it’s a specialty shop the person (if they’re in this country doesn’t matter as well) usually has no idea what you’re talking about.
Recent example- the faucet fo the galley sink failed. Doesn’t leak but the switch to make it spray or stream has failed. There’s no discernible markings on it. Go to the internet and try to compare pictures and dimensions. After awhile think I have a match. Order it and have it shipped to my dirt dwelling in MA. Boat in VA. Will find out in a month if I picked correctly. In the distant past would have removed it and brought it to a chandlery. Gotten the same thing or an alternative that was better. Would have zero concern if it would fit.
In the distant past I’d remove the failed or broken part and go to my friendly chandlery. Put it on the counter and have a chat with the owner or a family member or long time employee. They’d check it out. Often tell me of alternative better or cheaper equivalents and instruct me as to reinstalling it correctly. Going to the chandlery was an education and fun. It was a social spot as well as you commonly ran into friends there.
I’ve had similar experiences in hardware stores that carry a lot of marine stuff for the commercial fishing fleet and boaters. Most recently in Virginia Chesapeake and low country South Carolina but never in a WM and only occasionally in Defenders before the buy out.
My main disappointment with internet shopping is the inability of any internet vendor to come even close to that experience. Even if you take the time and effort to get someone on the phone unless it’s a specialty shop the person (if they’re in this country doesn’t matter as well) usually has no idea what you’re talking about.
Recent example- the faucet fo the galley sink failed. Doesn’t leak but the switch to make it spray or stream has failed. There’s no discernible markings on it. Go to the internet and try to compare pictures and dimensions. After awhile think I have a match. Order it and have it shipped to my dirt dwelling in MA. Boat in VA. Will find out in a month if I picked correctly. In the distant past would have removed it and brought it to a chandlery. Gotten the same thing or an alternative that was better. Would have zero concern if it would fit.
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