Anyone know when Great Lakes Boat Top runs their winter sale?

R

rwf

Member
Oct 16, 2010
232
Boston, MA
Boat Info
2008 310 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 GPS/Radar
Engines
350 Mag MPI DTS SeaCore w/Bravo IIIs
I just missed the december sale and don't want to miss again. Does anyone know when the winter sale starts and what they typically discount? Thanks!
 
BryanOnTheBay said:
See this thread: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/63771-25-off-at-Great-lakes-boat-tops. This exact question was answered. I don't remember it all, but I do remember that the 25% was unusual. Don't hate me, but I have a new cockpit cover sitting in my basement, awaiting spring.

Bryan
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Umm, I read it three times. Either I am blind, or this exact question was not answered. I thought I was pretty clear I missed the December sale and was asking when the next one was.

Thanks, Scott.

Rich
 
MonacoMike said:
Just call as Scott suggested, they will always tell you when sales are coming if you ask.

MM
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I asked the group because they wouldn't tell me when I asked them (when I missed in December). Maybe it was too early, or just the rep I got.
 
I was just reading either the Boat US magazine Cheseapake Bay Magazine, or Southern Boating Magazine, and Great Lakes had an ad in there with a discount showing, and how to ask for it. I'll check and update later.

Mike
 
Timeflys said:
Do these tops fit without to much fuss? I believe they are OEM correct?
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Mine fit perfect, like Scott said just had to add snaps, But I had a custom camper canvas made after market and the forward canvas did not match so I had to have the camper redone. I should have asked for color samples first:smt101
 
rwf said:
Umm, I read it three times. Either I am blind, or this exact question was not answered. I thought I was pretty clear I missed the December sale and was asking when the next one was.

Thanks, Scott.

Rich
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Scott,

I thought the following covered it:

AFD said:
the rep i spoke with said they usually have a 20% sale in the spring but not every year. i figured timing was perfect. doesn't matter if the spring sale is 25%. it wont be more than that so now was the time.
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Bryan
 
Maybe we are lucky that we have a great canvas guy in our area. He is less expensive than Great Lakes, produces a comparable product, customizes however you want and installs the finished product.
 
JimT said:
Maybe we are lucky that we have a great canvas guy in our area. He is less expensive than Great Lakes, produces a comparable product, customizes however you want and installs the finished product.
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Your custom canvas guy that will make new canvas for my 97 270DA for under $1300. I'm guessing that would work out closer for bigger vessels, but for the under 33 crowd GLBT is likely the cheapest, especially with the off season discount.

MM
 
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Mikemapva said:
I was just reading either the Boat US magazine Cheseapake Bay Magazine, or Southern Boating Magazine, and Great Lakes had an ad in there with a discount showing, and how to ask for it. I'll check and update later.

Mike
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OK, I found the ad I was thinking about on page 28 of the February/March issue of Boat US Magazine. It mentions a 25% discount discount using promo code BOATUS2014. Expires March 31,2014.
 
Mikemapva said:
OK, I found the ad I was thinking about on page 28 of the February/March issue of Boat US Magazine. It mentions a 25% discount discount using promo code BOATUS2014. Expires March 31,2014.
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Nice work, makes being a sponsor so cool for the value we all get here.

MM
 
Thanks! This is exactly the type of detail I was hoping for.
 
rwf said:
I asked the group because they wouldn't tell me when I asked them (when I missed in December). Maybe it was too early, or just the rep I got.
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This is the customer service I received from Great Lakes also. So, I didn't give them my business. As Jim T said, we have a great local guy that does canvas.....so path of least resistance!

I also never understood the whole wait for the discount thing. It means Great Lakes is just screwing their customers and jerking their chains when they should be just offering a proper price to begin with.
 
islandhopper00 said:
This is the customer service I received from Great Lakes also. So, I didn't give them my business. As Jim T said, we have a great local guy that does canvas.....so path of least resistance!

I also never understood the whole wait for the discount thing. It means Great Lakes is just screwing their customers and jerking their chains when they should be just offering a proper price to begin with.
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My service was top notch from them and they were helpful with the discounts. As for path of least resistance, what could be easier than just ordering what you need and it be shipped without having to wait for a measurement and a material order from a custom canvas shop? You don't understand the "discount thing"? How about they offer it to build up orders in the winter slow season and offer it as a perk to BoatUS members etc. for a discount on advertising? Maybe they do the discount offers at break even so they don't have to layoff their employees in the slower months. I could list a dozen other reasons they may do discounts but I am sure of one thing, there is a valid business reason for doing it and no one gets ripped off if they do not get the discount, they just pay market rates.

MM

MM
 
MonacoMike said:
My service was top notch from them and they were helpful with the discounts. As for path of least resistance, what could be easier than just ordering what you need and it be shipped without having to wait for a measurement and a material order from a custom canvas shop? You don't understand the "discount thing"? How about they offer it to build up orders in the winter slow season and offer it as a perk to BoatUS members etc. for a discount on advertising? Maybe they do the discount offers at break even so they don't have to layoff their employees in the slower months. I could list a dozen other reasons they may do discounts but I am sure of one thing, there is a valid business reason for doing it and no one gets ripped off if they do not get the discount, they just pay market rates.

MM

MM
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I just had a custom camper enclosure made. This was Sunbrella canvas including the metal frame installed for $1800. There was no waiting. Met the guy at the boat on 1/14 and explained what I wanted. He called yesterday that it was finished and installed. Granted this is the off season so the turnaround was faster than the summer when he is sometimes 3-4 weeks out. I like his product better than Great Lakes as he uses more glass and less canvas which improves visibility. He also makes 3 panels for the aft curtain where Great Lakes makes one. Custom means you get what you want - if you want screens you get screens, if you want zipper windows you get them. The guy I work with has a mobile shop and is at the marina 2-3 days each week. If I have a problem or want to make a change all I have to do is walk out to the parking lot and get him to look at it.
 
How about some pics.
 
JimT said:
I just had a custom camper enclosure made. This was Sunbrella canvas including the metal frame installed for $1800. There was no waiting. Met the guy at the boat on 1/14 and explained what I wanted. He called yesterday that it was finished and installed. Granted this is the off season so the turnaround was faster than the summer when he is sometimes 3-4 weeks out. I like his product better than Great Lakes as he uses more glass and less canvas which improves visibility. He also makes 3 panels for the aft curtain where Great Lakes makes one. Custom means you get what you want - if you want screens you get screens, if you want zipper windows you get them. The guy I work with has a mobile shop and is at the marina 2-3 days each week. If I have a problem or want to make a change all I have to do is walk out to the parking lot and get him to look at it.
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Beat me to it Jim.

Not bashing Great Lakes as much as wondering why put up with a company that didn't help me without special tricks? OR worse made me believe I had to have the secret code to get the discount pricing. Shouldn't it be enough I could give the canvas code to prove I had their canvas? Our canvas guy treats you with respect, and gives you exactly what you want.
I wanted zippered roll up windows, with screens in my side curtains, and my aft curtain......GL told me they wouldn't do it. Initally I was under the impression that only GL could perfectly match my stock canvas, not so.
As Jim said, can't be easier than talking to him and coming back to the boat and the job is done.

If you are happy with GL that's great. My message is some canvas guys will surprise you.
 
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