Conference unifix::sailing

Defender Industries
255 Main St
PO Box 820
New Rochelle NY 10802-0820

(914) 632-3001

In the course of purchasing rather a lot of equipment from Defender
over the last several years, I have discovered that some of their 
business practices leave something to be desired. 

  Cash only.

  Mail orders only (no 800 number anyway).

  Returns are difficult.

  If you don't send enough for shipping, they send your shipment COD for 
  the balance (and you get to pay the COD charges). If you send too much, 
  they don't refund the excess.

  I once inadvertently ordered some Merriman genoa blocks from the previous 
  year's catalog. The price was lower in the current catalog, but Defender 
  didn't refund the difference. 

If you know exactly what you want and Defender has the lowest price, and
you don't mind a bit of hassle, then go ahead and buy from them.
Otherwise, go elsewhere. I prefer West Marine and Boat/US -- they accept
charge cards and have 800 numbers for ordering. Defender doesn't always
have the lowest catalog price -- you may have to show them a lower quote
when asking them for their price. 

Alan

I'm glad you commented on Defender. I was unaware of the ordering problems.
A good friend of mine speaks well of West Marine. West's catalog is the about
the best I've ever seen for providing information on products.

Ed

Re: .2

I have had the same experiences, repeatedly, with Defender. I can't figure
out why I ever go back. They are good for big ticket items where you can
clearly figure the shipping charges.

This summer I bought a CNG stove and regulator from Shipmate through them. This
was a new product and the regulator price wasn't firm when I placed the order.
As a result I overpaid $98.00. I received a refund but only after I called and
requested it. The customer service rep said that it was a good thing I called
because she had noticed herself that refunds are never sent unless requested.

Be especially careful when purchasing low price/low weight items, you will
probably pay as much as buying at a boatyard when shipping is added. Buy 16
items weighing 1 oz each and you'll most likely pay for 16 lbs shipping rather
than 1 lb.

I second the recomendation for West Marine and BOAT/US. Slightly higher prices
but much better shipping procedures.

John

There have now been 2 recommendations for BOAT/US and WEST. I have a WEST
catalog but am unfamiliar with BOAT/US. Would someone please supply a phone
number and/or address for them?

Thx. Bob

BOAT/US is a 'club'. You have to become a member in order to order from
the catalog. Annual dues are $17.00. If you send me a mailstop I can send
you an application. They may take membership over the phone although that
isn't apparent from the catalog.  Try 800-336-0266 or 703-823-9550

JohnOP

I HAVE USED DEFENDER INDUSTRIES TO PURCHASE SOME BOAT BUILDING SUPPLIES IN
THE PAST.  I AM CURRENTLY REBUILDING A BOAT THAT HAD A FIRE.  I APPRECIATE
THE INPUT ON DEFENDER,  I WILL USE OTHER SOURCES IN THE FUTURE.  THANKS

LEE BRODEUR

Hey Leroy....Dont give up on Defender. Some of the stuff you need may be hard
to locate in another catalogue. I agree that the best way to deal with Defender
is to drive to New Rochelle, but the folks down ther arent thieves, just trying
real hard to keep the overhead down. The things they do best for the catalogue
shopper is save money on big items and provide a source for boat building
supplies that you folks who dont live near stores which supply the boatbuilding
industry.

By the way I have a catalogue for Jamestown Distributors (Jamestown RI) which
only caters to boat builders (no teak drink holders in their catalogue). I
have only done business with them in person, but its a family operation with
reasonable prices, so I suspect they might be worth a look. Let me know if
your interested, I will mail you the last catalogue I have.

Walt

re .8
Let me put in a plug for Jamestown Distributors. They've been very helpful
on the two orders I put through with them this Fall. One of the orders had
a shipping problem (they use UPS) that was resolved in a matter of hours.
It turned out the missing package had been damaged by UPS. Jamestown had
a replacement package on the way the same day.  They have an 800 number you
can use to get their catalog.

Jamestown Distributors
28 Narragansett Ave.
Jamestown, R I 02835

IN Rhode Island  401-423-2520

Out-of-state  800-423-0030

I do business regularly with Jamestown Distributors. They are reliable and
helpful, and seem to deal equally with large and small orders. Unlike
most suppliers to the boatbuilding industry, they take plastic money
(visa and mastercharge).

Ross Faneuf

    Sign at the Defender booth this weekend at the Annapolis Powerboat
    Show (and not displayed the week before at the sail show):
    
    "Defender now takes phone orders with Mastercard and VISA, sorry
    it's taken us so long."
    
    No indication of an 800 number though; and their booth was staffed
    by the same, less than helpful crew that answers their phone.

moved by moderator
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Note 1154.0                     Defender "tales"                      No replies
MPGS::KTISTAKIS "Mike K."                             9 lines  20-MAR-1989 15:26
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    Defender did it again.Today thru the mail I received five,yes five of 
    their 1989 catalogs.But to be fair to them I do believe that they do
    add my name on their mailing list each time I call for their new
    catalog whitout any crossreference of my name to their list for dubli-
    city.Well between last year and this year I probably have called five
    times but now I am not going to call anymore.Anyway I have three
    catalogs for anyone who wants one,I already gave one away and I am
    keeping one.Please send mail if you want one.First come first served.
    

We were very disappointed in quite a few purchases from Defender
to the point that we no longer use them. The final straw was a
Chelsea clock and barometer which we returned to the manufacturer
after only four months of use for relacquering. We were informed,
with the relacquered and returned equipment, the tehy were nine years
old, by the serial numbers. Two letters to Defender asking for an
explanation, went unanswered.