T&T: My West Marine doesn't price match any longer

[Albin43SDtr]

'Lo All,

>Went into my local West Marine yesterday (Clear Lake, TX) and was going to
>buy some zincs. Had my quote off the Internet from
>http://www.boatzincs.com/, whose prices were about half of West's.

Price matching often results in trying to match prices on generally 
similar, albeit different products. Zincs are a good case in point. 
Based on my own experience, there are great differences in the 
qualities of the various brands of zincs. These differences are 
primarily in the precise composition of the zinc alloy, and, 
therefore, how well it works and how long it lasts. Also, some have 
inserts to assure good electrical contact, others don't. Some have 
metal (non-zinc) tabs moulded into them to keep them in place (so the 
zinc wont disappear around the attachment points resulting in the 
zinc falling off), others don't. Any deviation from the "perfect 
alloy" results in a different alloy - with the electrical and 
chemical properties of that alloy. That is why all zincs are not the same.

An interesting read is the series of postings found at:
http://www.bertram31.com/bb/bbs.cgi?noframes;read=66070
This is a forum, something like here, where folks give their opinions 
based upon their experiences - some posts are informational and some 
are not.....

Panama Marine Supply, located in Panama City, FL, sells Camp brand of 
zincs, as they contend that their customers - primarily commercial 
operators - complain mightily when they get a "bad" zinc, as 
evidenced, by how long it lasts and the protection they give - 
primarily evidenced by damage to the props. The store manager said 
that they (the store) carry only Camp zincs, as the result of many 
years experience based on their customers' experience and complaints.

I have no idea what brands were being compared in the email above, 
but if a cheap zinc is being compared to an expensive one, there 
should be a price differential and price matching would not be 
appropriate. Boatzincs appears to buy their zincs from various 
sources, as stated on their website:

"BoatZincs.com is the leading online distributor of marine corrosion 
control products
for North American recreational and commercial boaters. We specialize 
in the sale of
sacrificial zinc, aluminum and magnesium anodes at the lowest possible prices.
All our products are manufactured to the highest quality standards, 
conforming to
U.S. Military specifications.

Our boat anodes come from leading North American foundries that 
collectively supply
over 90% of the U.S. pleasure craft market. These are the exact same products
you find at major boating supply stores and local boat yards."

In other words, there is apparently no way of knowing who makes the 
zincs. They may be the best - or not. I prefer to know for sure.

Just my thoughts....YMMV.


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck