Why are Yamaha parts so expensive in the UK?

Gobuchul · 23 August 2019, 19:44

I have had to head to the US for a couple of weeks with my work.

Over here the Yamaha spares are half the price they are in the UK. It's crazy, not a slight difference buy half the cost.

So I've stocked up on impellers, a new cam belt, fuel filters, etc. I have enough to keep me in routine servicing for a couple of years.

One of the biggest differences, a water pump repair kit in the US $52, (£42) in the UK, £127! Just an impeller is £42 in the UK!

Absolute rip off.

Obsidian · 23 August 2019, 20:16

Interested to know the answer to this, its not only Yams.

I have routinely bought spares from the US, they have many times arrived quickly contrary to an anticipated delay of weeks. Import duty can be a pain, but thats not usually so bad either.

Gobuchul · 23 August 2019, 21:10

Quote:

its not only Yams.

Well I had a look for some Suzuki spares for a friend and they are about the same price in the USA as in the UK.

An impeller for a DF250 is $33 in the US and £27 in the UK. No significant difference. Yamaha are taking the piss!

jwalker · 23 August 2019, 21:41

Britain is greedy. It applies to most sectors. Most every business is a chancer, maximum gain rather than maximum service.

I frequently buy outside Britain and even including import duty and vat costs are cheaper. Even for products made in the UK! I can buy UK products exported to the USA then imported by me back to the UK, including import taxes, for less than bought here in the UK. It's nuts, pure greed. These UK businesses don't deserve our support.

Yamaha spares from USA or Canada.

Maximus · 23 August 2019, 21:41

'Twas always Thus' I'm afraid ....pricing in the U.S. Is a pleasant shock to the system when you first encounter it on Trips across the pond....even stuff made in the EU is generally much cheaper Stateside!!

We get Shafted in the UK ....end of!
Hopefully Boris and his New Best'est Friend can level the playing field a bit!

And...If (when) the pound has a Bounce in the near future

...we will be quids in

!
You seen the U.S. deals/prices they do for complete Outboard motors...JAP & US Made!??

HDAV · 23 August 2019, 23:51

Does the new trump tariff apply to parts? As it does boats and engines?

Like many a U.K. Distributor they rely wholly the talent of another company to make a great a product then claim a hefty overhead for selling into a certain market.....

carldalmas · 24 August 2019, 04:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobuchul

I have had to head to the US for a couple of weeks with my work.

Over here the Yamaha spares are half the price they are in the UK. It's crazy, not a slight difference buy half the cost.

So I've stocked up on impellers, a new cam belt, fuel filters, etc. I have enough to keep me in routine servicing for a couple of years.

One of the biggest differences, a water pump repair kit in the US $52, (£42) in the UK, £127! Just an impeller is £42 in the UK!

Absolute rip off.

They use alot more spares there and have big aftermarket supplys compete with boating is massive in the usa !
The uk market is a tenth off one state mate
Outboards are a third less but import duty at 21% still makes it a good deal
But the shit hits the fan on warranty over here the dealers know they are not uk spec and are not they callem grey imports jet skis are ££££cheaper !but there models are differant without EU labels on !!!!

jonp · 24 August 2019, 08:02

Probably lack of demand. In my state alone there are over 250,000 regestered boat owners, when you consider Yamaha is the most popular selling engine, it makes sence that spares are pretty cheap. I pay around £80 for a full service on my F70 which includes oils, filters and impeller replacement.

boristhebold · 24 August 2019, 08:55

Got to agree I find parts crazy priced in the UK, and when adding import duty even worse, dont think it will change anytime soon, its just the way it is, wish there were more boat salavage places, the chadlery barge on the hamble river is good for parts both new and used, thats usually my first point of call if I need something.

Orwell boy · 24 August 2019, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonp

Probably lack of demand. In my state alone there are over 250,000 regestered boat owners, when you consider Yamaha is the most popular selling engine, it makes sence that spares are pretty cheap. I pay around £80 for a full service on my F70 which includes oils, filters and impeller replacement.

ha ha ,that would be £420 at a genuine uk dealer with full francise rights ,thats after 100 hrs boating and just to keep the warranty going .

Obsidian · 24 August 2019, 14:56

If Jonp's price includes labour I am moving!

Gobuchul · 24 August 2019, 15:25

Quote:

I pay around £80 for a full service on my F70 which includes oils, filters and impeller replacement.

With labour? How is that possible?
An oil filter and impeller is going cost about £30 if using Yam parts.

Pikey Dave · 24 August 2019, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobuchul

With labour? How is that possible?

An oil filter and impeller is going cost about £30 if using Yam parts.

I’ve just paid circa £400 for a service on a DF 140 [emoji849]

Hydro17 · 25 August 2019, 20:21

It is Yamaha Europe, they are ripping us off. The prices have been 50% lower in the USA the last 15 years or so. It was a pleasant surprise to move to the dark side and I have not looked back. I bought a Mercury 90 Optimax new, a Mercruiser 377 Mag new, a Mercury 200xs new and now a Mercury 150 ProMax ss used - parts are cheap in comparison.

C-NUMB · 25 August 2019, 20:47

For Yamaha on Tohatsu parts i manly purchase from US(boats.net), usually cheaper than locally, even when added VAT and duty. For Mercruiser and mercury the difference is there but not so significant(boat.s net does not ship dark side parts to EU but there are others)

jonp · 26 August 2019, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian

If Jonp's price includes labour I am moving!

That's from one of the most respected Yamaha mechanics on the south coast. He mostly services commercial boats, such as oyster farmers, sea urchin and abalone boats. And yes the price I quoted was both parts and labour, not only that but he is mobile, the work is done at my home. He will happily show you through all steps of the service and answer any questions on maintaining the engine myself but for the price he charges why would I risk damaging a thread on a bolt etc. He also has a far more lucrative buisness which is why I believe he keeps his prices down on engine services.

Obsidian · 26 August 2019, 09:35

I am speechless, and trying to remember if I have enough points to emigrate!

jonp · 27 August 2019, 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian

I am speechless, and trying to remember if I have enough points to emigrate!

I certainly don't worry every time those 100hrs come up. In saying that some dealers will charge $350-400 simply because they can (£180- £250).

mhb100 · 27 August 2019, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonp

I certainly don't worry every time those 100hrs come up. In saying that some dealers will charge $350-400 simply because they can (£180- £250).

I have yam hpdi and tend to import for higher value parts. There are also bucket load of second hand parts from stripped engines, some freshwater. I would have to buy from usa mainly on hpdi availability if I ever needed something major like a new powerhead or lower leg, vst, hp fuel pump, etc. $ rate not helping now though.