CARVER OWNERS CLUB
This site is owned by, managed by, and exclusive to Carver, Californian, and Trojan owners.

February 2010

More and more boaters are shopping on the Internet as retail marine supply houses close and as the very few that remain charge exorbitant prices for the few items they have in stock.  It turns out that shopping the Internet has its own problems.  I'm still waiting for a refund on a $400 galvanic isolator that the e-tailer promised me three years ago.  Fortunately, he's out of business now.  I received a note from a member who told me about a new scam.

"I went to Google looking for a vendor for (a horn). As usual, there were several offerings with (this company) giving the best price although by not much. Neither (two other well known on-line distributors), both of which I have used, offered the wanted item. I placed the order with (the company), paying with PayPal.

I receive e-mail confirmations of the order from (the company). When the item did not arrive, I attempted to go back to the web site to seek customer service. My computer said the web site is infected and would not open it. I then tried to place a telephone call from a number with the e-mail confirmation. The phone has been disconnected.

I am now in the process of dealing with PayPal. The process has just started, so I don't know yet how it will be resolved.

I have e-mailed (another company) to see if they can special order the horn. "

The club mentioned in an earlier newsletter a company that made replacement dashboards.  I had never heard of anyone replacing a dashboard.  I should have listened better.  This member tried to get more information about that company in Missouri and there was no more information to be had.  Here's what he reported the Chamber of Commerce saying about them, "Their guess, and it sounds plausible, is that it is a home business started to fill a perceived need. There is a great need for that kind of work. Those of us with older boats, I have a 1989 27' Carver Montego and a 1989 32' Carver Montego, have watched the printing on the dash panels slowly fade away. An opportunity to replace the panels for around $300 is most tempting. I have not yet decided to send the panels for duplication. If something happened to the panels, I would really be up the creek with no paddle."

Here are some suggestions about using an on-line retailer:

1. 1. Only pay with a credit card.  The reason is simple - you can protest a credit card charge and immediately stop the charge, especially if there is no proof of delivery.  While this is somewhat riskier because you are providing a credit card number, you still have the best overall protection.  PayPal lets anyone sign up for an account.  Credit card companies perform a credit check on the companies accepting cards to make sure that they are legitimate businesses and that they have the means to pay back the charges received.
2. 2.  Try to avoid new companies.  It is too easy to set up a website and pretend to take orders.  Again, companies who accept credit cards usually have to have been in business for more than a year.  The horn company was relatively new, less than 6 months old.  The company that screwed me with the galvanic isolator was an established firm that, unknown to me, was going broke.
3. 3.  Protest the charge immediately.  My problem was that I let the company keep me from filing a protest by having them promise me to do something in 30 days.  Then another 30 days.  I should have filed the protest immediately, rather than waiting for them to do something.  Filing a protest is not an easy job.  You'll need a copy of the terms and conditions of sale, the company's return policy, and any proof of purchase.  I had all of that and still blew it.
4. 4.  Ask around.  Most of the good e-tailers have a customer near you.  Find their existing customers and learn about the company.  I save a ton of money by buying my zincs on-line.  Who would have thought that buying heavy stuff on-line would work?
5. 5.  Have good anti-virus software and use it.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I also use Google Chrome as a browser, rather than others when I am buying because it is safer in my opinion.  My anti-virus software has protection from malicious websites, but I have to search for or go to the site before I know the site is infected. I think Chrome gives me better protection.

Let me know of your experiences in using on-line retailers - good and bad. 

We're starting to receive reports of boat shed collapses from the mid-Chesapeake Bay north.  Apparently, several boats have been sunk due to the weight of the snow and, in some cases, the sheds falling onto the boats.  If you have photos of shed collapses due to snow, send them along and I'll post them.

Here's a deal.  If you submit a newsletter story and we publish it you get an additional year added to your membership as payment.   Story ideas that I especially like are about things like your favorite cruises, anything to do with insurance, maintenance/repair tips, or pets on-board.  You can call me or email me by using this form http://carverownersclub.com/emailForm.htm.  Everybody has a story to tell - now tell the world.  Note that we cannot publish stories with adult themes.  I might enjoy hearing about them, but can't publish them.  Photos are always appreciated.

No events are currently planned.