Posted by Deemo on September 03, 2002 at 20:48:54:
In Reply to: Re: looking4dive/fishkayak posted by jas on September 03, 2002 at 08:37:28:
>: Could you be specific and tell us which stores >(or name one or two) are rumored to be doing this?
I don't want to damage anybody's reputation or livelyhood. If you are getting a really great deal on a brand new hull I would make sure that it does not have defects of any kind and that the sales person is acknowledging that it is not a second. If you are buying it on ebay, try and inspect it before you bid on it.
>Is this 1st hand knowledge? Respectfully, it's >almost like saying don't drink bottled water. >Well, which bottle, there are hundreds out there.
The discount cobra boat I just bought has only one defect, thin plastic on the bottom part of the hull that is directly under the bottom of the seat. The long straight lines have been interrupted by a depression 3 inches long by about 18 inches wide. I hope it will not crack. If it does I'll have to pull my fishfinder and rod holders and take advantage of my warranty I guess.
>: I don't think "good" pricing is synonymous with >being ripped off. I surely don't thing HIGH >pricing is synonymous with good value. I've seen >some Cobra dealers only stock fully or partially >outfitted kayaks making the price well over >$1000-$1500. Though "Bait and Switching", even >when it comes to kayaks, sounds pretty illegal to >me.
>: Did your source or preferred kayak shop tell you >how people should look for evidence of a kayak >being a factory second? If it's true, it would be >nice to prevent someone from getting the "Bait and >Switch).
After I bought my new boat and had a conversation with a different retailer and I was told to look for thin spots, soft spots (undercooking), crooked portions of the hull.