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panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/20/2016 : 15:15:17

I am not real impressed with Online Outboards. I called several days ago and no one had any information on our discount. Went online today and did not see any place where to enter my boat or hull#. I called again this gentleman had no idea about a discount. He said he would have sales rep call me. I waited 45 minutes and no one called. Now I placed the call at 5:15 PM so I called again and asked why no one returned my call and was told they left at 4:30. Has anyone else had this much trouble with them?

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2016 : 20:41:31

When I ordered my Tohatsu many years ago, I ordered directly from their site using these instructions (found in the Member's Area under discounts):

2hp - 3.5hp: $30.00 OFF PUBLISHED OUR PRICES
4hp - 5hp - 6hp: $40.00 OFF PUBLISHED OUR PRICES
8hp - 9.8hp: $50.00 OFF PUBLISHED OUR PRICES
15hp - 18hp: $60.00 OFF PUBLISHED OUR PRICES
ALSO SPECIAL PRICING ON THE SAILBOAT MODEL 9.8HP (25inch ULTRA LONG SHAFT)
TOHATSU MODEL: MFS9.8A3EFUL $75.00 OFF OUR PUBLISHED PRICES
NISSAN MODEL: NSF9.8A3EF4 $75.00 OFF OUR PUBLISHED PRICES
How do you get these discounts! -- Read on...
In the onlineoutboards.com order form, there is a place for additional comments/questions. This is where members type in their discount code. Discount code is the boat type (c-250/c25/Capri-25) and the hull number eg. C25#401 . The order totals will not reflect the discount immediately but when a human processes the order and verifies membership the discount price will be honored. Members who know longer own a boat may utilize their old number. Members could also phone in their orders - though online ordering is quickest and the most accurate method of getting info to us.

OnlineOutboards.com was the first online retailer to offer Tohatsu and Nissan outboards on the internet, back in 1997. Since then lots of competition has cropped up but we remain the online leader in sales volume and customer service and satisfaction. We have remained an exclusive Tohatsu/Nissan retailer during this time. We are glad to have helped so many of the Catalina 25-250 Association members.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - delliottg on 06/20/2016 20:41:53

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2016 : 05:53:33

When I went online I didn't see the comments/questions area to put in the info so I called and no one seem to know a thing about it.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2016 : 07:51:20

You said in another thread a local dealer would match their price... Why not take him up on it? You might get a bench-check you won't get from Online, and you'll be treated like a customer when you need service. OK, there's sales tax... But you're *supposed* to pay that anyway, right?

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2016 : 09:03:26

Well I finally got some answers for online Outboards. They said they would honor that discount but Technically it is no longer in effect. That is what I was told.

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1786 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2016 : 17:51:54

Considering how many Association Members have taken advantage of the discount over the years (including me) I would hope that you were again given incorrect information and/or they would officially communicate any change/discontinuation of deal to the Association. Back in 07 the "list" price before Association discount was @$100.00 less than Defender's price during their spring warehouse sale -- before sales tax. I haven't checked prices in recent years but if your local dealer will match the price it would be a more convenient option.

As far as service, my first year no one wanted to touch the Tohatsu engine. I then printed out that it was the same manufacturers of Mercury 9.8 XXL engines and the Mercury dealer is happy to service mine.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Commodore
Russ Johnson

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USA
715 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2016 : 07:11:56

quote:
Originally posted by panhead1948

Well I finally got some answers for online Outboards. They said they would honor that discount but Technically it is no longer in effect. That is what I was told.

The Association discount with Online Outboards was setup years ago (at least 10 years).
For the past 5 years, we have not received any communication from them, but members report they get the discount.
I think Online Outboards has so many discount groups they can't keep track.
I'll contact them to see if their policy has changed.

Russ Johnson
Commodore

Russ Johnson, Commodore 2009-2025 (commodore at catalina-capri-25s.org)

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2016 : 08:27:52

If they are no longer offering a meaningful discount, we should remove them from the Members' Area page. We shouldn't be promoting a particular business that doesn't offer us something in return. (If it's $75 off $2200, I'd support the local business--I'm old-fashioned that way.)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/26/2016 08:28:53

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1786 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2016 : 18:17:44

Russ:

For al of the members, thank you!

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2016 : 14:21:47

I bought from them because they had the product I wanted. I never checked for the discount.

Frank Hopper

Commodore
Russ Johnson

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USA
715 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2016 : 14:54:17

quote:
Originally posted by Commodore

quote:
Originally posted by panhead1948

Well I finally got some answers for online Outboards. They said they would honor that discount but Technically it is no longer in effect. That is what I was told.

The Association discount with Online Outboards was setup years ago (at least 10 years).
For the past 5 years, we have not received any communication from them, but members report they get the discount.
I think Online Outboards has so many discount groups they can't keep track.
I'll contact them to see if their policy has changed.

Russ Johnson
Commodore

I contacted On-Line Outboards on July-12 and again on July-21
I'm waiting to hear back from them to discuss the future plans for our members.

Russ Johnson, Commodore 2009-2025 (commodore at catalina-capri-25s.org)

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5903 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2016 : 15:09:19

Good move Russ. That brings the matter to the attention of a company official and gives them an opportunity to think about whether they want to continue or end our long standing relationship with them. Our members have certainly sung their praises for years. That has to be good for them.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2016 : 16:24:08

Could be but back in the day when online anything was a fledgling business they were willing to give discounts to stay afloat. Present day they probably do a good business and really don't need the sale of a few motors that they get from the association so...
I might be inclined to think that they just aren't interested anymore.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2017 : 13:28:26

Any update on this? I may be looking for a dinghy motor.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2017 : 20:17:39

quote:
Originally posted by TakeFive

Any update on this? I may be looking for a dinghy motor.

Aren't you glad you're not a local dealer trying to make a living letting people touch, see, discuss, and get a pre-delivery set-up, tank-test and future service for their little motors--at a "premium" of $75(?) over On-line Outboards, who ships it to you in the factory crate and wishes you well. (Don't forget to add oil!) Yup--internet commerce is putting everyone out of business... Look at the .JPG and press "add to cart."

Curmudgeon out.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/26/2017 20:24:57

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 03:11:31

Thanks, Mr. Curmudgeon.

I'll spare you my rant on how I've been waiting 3 days for call backs from 2 "local" dealers (2-3 hours away from me) to give me availability on this outboard that neither one bothers to have in stock. Apparently they're too busy selling their $50,000 Sea Rays.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 03:54:35

Dave,

I agree with you regarding supporting the local manufacturer but each of us probably wrestles with this, buying some things locally and other things via web/mail-order. In some instances, the cost difference is substantial. Obviously, as a single individual, buying online is not going to put anyone out of business and so this then becomes a philosophical type of thing trying to support locally..for a cause.

I bought my Honda 9.9 locally and if I had to replace it, I probably would buy it locally again and for some of the reasons you stated - pre-delivery checkout, tank test, etc. I am soon going to replace my genoa sheet with same as I have now - Sampson XLS Extra T. West Marine has a sale going on this week but not that line. I probably will consider buying from Defender (on-line) since they generally are a lot less expensive on items such as line compared to WM.

You are fortunate, you can buy many marine supplies from an online supplier that offers fairly decent pricing and still claim you are buying locally since Defender is located near you. Many of us are not that fortunate. But...another way to look at it, at least in regards to Defender.......Those of us that buy from Defender (online) are actually supporting your local boat store ! So....not so bad ! In the case of Online Outboards....I did not check where they are located and perhaps they only deal with online sales.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 04:08:14

Rick - I have to laugh a bit because I feel the same way regarding dealing with some local outfits and especially marinas or marina type companies. The local, one store only, marine outfits have their own issues that sometimes can hurt sales and has nothing to do with losing business to an online supplier. But sometimes they are not bad stories. The local marina, oldest marine store in the Wash, DC area is Washington Marina. That is where I bought my Honda 9.9 back in JAN 2006. You would think that placing an order for a small outboard would not be a big deal for a local store to support in Nov-Dec timeframe. I mean...who the heck is buying an outboard at that time of year - Should be easy to just order it and pick it up in a few days. Not so !! Turns out this local marine store//marina had a Homeland Security order to fulfill upwards of over $1M for Coast Guard inflatables with Honda Outboards. They had to set up the inflatables and outboards, water test them and then repack and ship them out. My Honda 9.9 order was fulfilled but I had to wait about 1 1/2 months. It was not a problem for me at that time of year....but who would expect they had an order like that to fulfill...I just thought it rather amusing at the time.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 06/27/2017 06:56:42

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 07:36:23

quote:
Originally posted by OLarryR

Dave, ...You are fortunate, you can buy many marine supplies from an online supplier that offers fairly decent pricing and still claim you are buying locally since Defender is located near you... Those of us that buy from Defender (online) are actually supporting your local boat store!

Well, I bought my Honda 2 kicker from Mystic River Boathouse, not from Defender (10 minutes further, where it was a few $$ less). I'll lay off the folks who don't (or no longer) have the local resources. I admit, living in a sailing/boating Mecca is unusual. And if a local guy ignores you, you might as well ignore him (and maybe let the owner know about it).

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 07:47:52

I decided to stop waiting for a call-back, called one of the unresponsive dealers. The reason I did not get a call back is because he is no longer a Suzuki dealer. And he's not really interested in doing small outboards. So I'll cross him off and have to look even further away. At least he hasn't gone out of business because of his unresponsiveness.

My question about onlineoutboards.com is still out there: is there still a discount? It's starting to look more attractive, no matter what the price.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Edited by - TakeFive on 06/27/2017 07:48:49

dasreboot
Admiral

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804 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 08:04:03

quote:
Originally posted by OLarryR

My Honda 9.9 order was fulfilled but I had to wait about 1 1/2 months.

you can also go to eds marine super store in ashland. they had my 9.9 in stock. a bit more of a drive for you.

Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 09:18:53

Hey Dave - A win win is for someone to come visit you and also stop and buy supplies at at Defender !!! Mystic Seaport is a such a nice area...Like being at a vacation resort year-round.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2017 : 12:42:46

quote:
Originally posted by OLarryR

Hey Dave - A win win is for someone to come visit you and also stop and buy supplies at at Defender !!! Mystic Seaport is a such a nice area...Like being at a vacation resort year-round.

It's not "like being..."--it is being...

(...although a little less resort-y in Jan-Feb!)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/27/2017 12:44:22

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2017 : 13:09:19

FYI, I finally found a dealer who has the Suzuki DF2.5 in stock, and I went down and bought it this morning. (Edwards Boat Yard in Middle River, MD, owner's name is Bill) He prices the ones under 30 hp to compete with the online sellers, but also sells under similar terms to the online sellers: "cash and carry" purchase, no oil in the crankcase, no test run at the dealer (unless you pay for shop hours), etc. He said that this is the only way he can afford to compete with the small outboards. He take minimal profit in hopes that he can generate enough volume to supplement his sales of the larger motors. Most importantly, he always keeps a couple in stock, and said if I have an immediate problem when I get it home to come in and he'll swap out the other one that he has.

He's a real nice guy, and runs a busy working yard right on the waterfront. The kind of guy that I want to keep in business.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2017 : 20:58:05

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by TakeFive

...He prices the ones under 30 hp to compete with the online sellers, but also sells under similar terms to the online sellers: "cash and carry" purchase, no oil in the crankcase, no test run at the dealer (unless you pay for shop hours), etc. He said that this is the only way he can afford to compete with the small outboards...

Totally fair! We should get what we pay for if we want local resources.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2017 : 21:17:18

quote:
Originally posted by Stinkpotter

quote:
quote:
Originally posted by TakeFive

...He prices the ones under 30 hp to compete with the online sellers, but also sells under similar terms to the online sellers: "cash and carry" purchase, no oil in the crankcase, no test run at the dealer (unless you pay for shop hours), etc. He said that this is the only way he can afford to compete with the small outboards...
Totally fair! We should get what we pay for if we want local resources.

Agreed. I'm thrilled I found this guy, because I want to keep local guys in business, especially if they're willing to compete aggressively with the online sellers instead of just giving up.

One correction: When I went to add the 15 oz of oil this evening, fill port immediately overflowed. It had actually been pre-filled, and I had to suck a bunch of excess oil out before starting.

Otherwise, my 2 hour break-in (in a trash can at my house) went flawlessly. The motor is surprisingly quiet.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

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