Navigating the AMAZON

[Wind Chime]

Navigating the AMAZON.com

Like most MacGregor owners, I am - let's say ... thrifty.

I realize that with some products you get what you pay, and other commodity type items it's just about finding the lowest price. And like most people, I will spend a little more money to buy quality when I have to - my wife has taught me this one. So, when it comes time for me to buy a more expensive quality product for safety or performance, I talk with the local experts and also hit the internet.

I also recognize the potential long term negative consequences of retail "show-rooming": people get local advice for free and also see the product in the showrooms, then shop online for price, so I don't like to feed the monster (Amazon) but with their new incredible distribution networks it’s a race to the bottom on pricing and the consumer wins - or do we? ... and does Amazon's success mean the sun is setting on the E-Bay?

So ... can we talk? - about Navigating the Amazon.

I propose that we share our collective knowledge in this thread, and map out some "Tips & Tricks" to get the best for ourselves on the Amazon site.

How can we "thrifty sailors" get the best deals on Amazon?
- When is the "right time" to buy?
- How do we know the difference between all the sellers?
- Why are there so many prices for the same item?
- Can you "watch" an item and be alerted for a price drop?
- etc ?

[Russ]

Do you mean amazon.com? Not ebay?

Amazon is the first place I go now. With their Prime membership, 2 day air shipping is free. Next day is $4. We bought a trampoline and for $4 had it the next day. 3 Huge HEAVY boxes for $4! Price was better than anyplace else. Plus with Prime you can watch (stream) many movies for free. We loves us the Amazon.

It's hard to beat prices. My wife bought a HDMI cable from Staples for $50. I was in shock and took it back. Longer/better cable from Amazon was $5. Cables and stuff, you can't beat Amazon. I'll NEVER buy that stuff from local box stores.

I look for "fulfilled by Amazon". I see more and more 3rd party vendors on Amazon. The key is the reviews. In fact, that's another reason to shop amazon. Sure, the showroom guy is going to talk it up, but I want to know what actual buyers thought. Did that thing do what it claims, did it last?

3rd party vendors are tricky. I am seeing more located in China. I bought a bunch of USB webcams for $3 each free shipping, but took a month to get here from China. Still a fantastic buy and the same junk that they sell here locally.

Different prices because different vendors. Usually it's the same exact thing. Again, if it's Prime shipping, it's probably from an Amazon warehouse or a vendor that will get it to you in 2 days.

Amazon service rocks! I bought a $130 hard drive. Needed it by Wednesday. It didn't show up on Wed. Tracked it and found it took a wrong UPS turn and was in North Dakota. I emailed Amazon, they overnighted me a new one and said if the original shows up, just keep it. Now I have 2 of them as it showed up the day after.

[Russ]

- When is the "right time" to buy?

It's not an auction site. If it's a good price, buy it. Prices don't vary much with time. There are exceptions, but I don't play that game.

- How do we know the difference between all the sellers?

Reviews
I prefer Amazon as the seller.
With that said, most sellers are VERY conscious of their reputation with Amazon. I've gotten some sellers begging me for good reviews. Some begging me to call them with issues before leaving bad comments.

- Why are there so many prices for the same item?

Different sellers.

- Can you "watch" an item and be alerted for a price drop?

You can put it in your cart and check it. Don't know of alerts to price drops.

[Jeff]

Ok, am I the only one that was disappointed opening this post?

I thought, "Wow! Someone wants to take their Mac down the Amazon river?!"
I gotta read this!

[dlandersson]

Nope, me too. I'm think a 26X with extra fuel tank might make a good Amazon cruiser.

Ok, am I the only one that was disappointed opening this post?

I thought, "Wow! Someone wants to take their Mac down the Amazon river?!"
I gotta read this!

[81venture]

X3 here Thought it was about cruising the Amazon river

I buy stuff sometimes on Amazon, mostly boat stuff actually. Supporting "local" business is fine on paper, but face it, when a local store wants say $100 for something I can get for $30 on Amazon unfortunately guess who loses out?

consumers will always go for the lower price, especially in this economy. And since it seems most things are made in China anyway, regardless of the brand name, buying the "better quality" product doesn't mean its better anymore...

I remember a long time ago when I used to do some tv repair, and found the same company (China) circuit boards on both the "cheap" tv and the better tv...

[mrron_tx]

I thought the same thing DL...lots of fuel tanks....and watch out for the headhunters LOL. Ron.

[Russ]

Yea, I was disappointed it wasn't a Mac on the Amazon. Maybe something like this.

[Chinook]

Actually, there was this guy who went by the handle Madd Mike, who owned a heavily modified 26X named Xeno's Arrow. Several years ago he posted here. He shipped his Mac down the Mackenzie River from Great Slave Lake to the Arctic Ocean and then motored back up the river, and also took her on several other very extended cruises. I believe he cruised much of the Caribbean, and I do think he reported having taken Xeno's Arrow some distance up the Amazon. As I recall, he powered his boat with a pair of 18 hp outboards, and he also attached a pair of outrigger pontoons to the sides of the hull, using retractable motor mounts, to provide added stability. He was into extreme sports and took the Mac to some extreme limits. I remember some of his last posts were talking about trying to sail his boat out to Hawaii, but I don't think he ever made that trip. While he was active on this site, it was always fascinating to read his posts.

[NiceAft]

I remember those posts. I too wondered if he ever attempted the Hawaii voyage.

Ray

P.S. I also misconstrued this string as about an amazon cruise

[Wind Chime]

Sorry for misleading everyone ... but you gotta love a good “Subject Line” that attracts attention and draws a crowd >

I am a little suprissed that more people aren’t voicing-up thier thoughts and experiences about Amazon or Ebay (or others), I still think this has potential to turn into a valuable thread for discussing ”Marine Retailing” - brick and mortar Chandlery’s verses Internet Shopping.

[NiceAft]

Is “surprissed” a new short cut for both amazed and yet angry

Ray

[Wind Chime]

LOL !
Boy was that a Freudian slip or what

Is “surprissed” a new short cut for both amazed and yet angry

Ray

[sirlandsalot]

I was hoping the amazon river too! I am working there right now!

[dlandersson]

Any updates on cruising the Amazon river?