
Case Studies:
The cases below are based on actual events but the some of the names of the
parties may have been changed for privacy reasons. Feel free to contact
GetFeetWet Navigation Inc to inquire about more details about any of the
cases below.
Case: 12001: The Australian
Sonar Experiment
Client is based in Australia and is in the business of installing sonar
equipments on boats owned by high-end clientele. Client has strong background in
sonar technology and in constant touch with AirMar Technology. AirMar Technology
is the premier developer and manufacturer of transducers in world and is based
in the United States. Client has opted to implement a dual AirMar transducer
solution for several installations. Client contacted GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc.
to source out the transducers. GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc has direct
relationship with AirMar Technology via their distribution arm GEMECO.
GetFeetWet Navigation, inc was able to negotiate a additional discounts for the
client based on projected sales to the client. Package was shipped to GetFeetWet
Navigation, inc for consolidation. Client did provide customs instructions but
more important, the customs duties were drastically reduced when GetFeetWet
Navigation, Inc was able to use lower rate tarriff classifaction of the
transducer as "unassembled merchandise". Shipping was also significantly
reduced due to GetfeetWet Navigation Inc. deep FEDEX discount as well as the
consolidation of all client orders (transducers and other supplies) into one
shipment. With consolidation, small items such as panel instruments were shipped
at pracically no cost. The final tally shows that client realized 40% savings on
the transducers cost and over $800 in shipping cost.
Case: 12002: The Australian
Sonar Predicament
Same client in Case 12001 who received and installed the transducers started
getting reports from his clients that the transducers are having problems in
deeper depths. Client verified the problem and made Airmar aware of the the
situation. Due to the time disparity between USA and Australia, the parties had
a hard time communicating directly with each other during business hours. Client
was under pressure to fix the problem but with no easy access to Airmar
technical support, the progress was painfully slow. Client contacted GetFeetWet
Navigation, Inc for assistance. GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc who has long standing
relationship with GEMECO (Airmar wholly owned distribution arm) contacted
a GEMECO technician who based on their experience is the most knowledgeable and
most pro-active resource when it comes to situation like this. The GEMECO
technician was briefed by GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc and a plan of action put in
place within a few hours of contact. Client in Australia was given an update and
provided with contact information of the GEMECO technician. Direct
communication between client and GEMECO technician ensued and client shipped one
of the transducers having a problem to GEMECO for testing and analysis. GEMECO
worked with AIRMAR and eventually identified the problem and devised a solution.
Acting in behalf of the client, GetFeetWet Navigation, inc was able to work with
GEMECO to ship the replacement transducers to client in Australia in record time
time. Client in Australia did not have to pay for shipping and customs duties
due to arrangement with GEMECO and the proper customs declaration of the
package.
Case 120305: When the
dogs needed to be tracked.
Client is in Norway and runs a small business that sells hunting
equipment and supplies. Client needed some Garmin Astro dog tracker and
collars. Client contacted GetFeetWet Navigation Inc about his requirements.
Client indicated that there is strong interest in these Astro units but they are
hard to find and even when they are available, they are sold at a premium. There
was a huge business opportinity but client cannot commit to a very large volume
due to insufficient funds. GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc who is an authorized
dealer of Garmin was able to come up with a solution whereby client is quoted
Garmin manufacturer cost pricing with a purchase commitment of 100 Astro units
but delivery will be in fulfilled four shipments within a 4 month period. Client
has the option to cancel remaining shipment at anytime but a price adjustment
will be processed on the shipped orders based on a pre-agreed price schedule.
With agreement finalized, GetFeetWet Navigation, inc was able to source out the
initial shipment not with Garmin but with a partner distributor who was able to
negotiate a bigger discount than the standard Garmin dealer discount by
combining GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc requirements with the distributor's own
requirements and qualifying for higher tierred discounts based on quarterly
sales volume. Client was able to easily sell the 100 Astro units and repeated
the process successfully for 3 years.
Case
120305: When dogs disappear
Same client in case 120305 in Norway had some problem with Astro units he sold
to his clients. Client contacted GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc and client was
advised to talked to Garmin technical support directly to facilitate
communication and also make sure that nothing is lost in the translation. Garmin
advised client to send the units for warranty work. Garmin is willing to ship
back the units after warranty work to any address in the USA but will not ship
directly to an international address. Client contacted GetFeetWet Navigation,
inc about the situation and GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc offered to accept
delivery of the package from Garmin and ship it to the client with the
appropriate customs declaration to eliminate any customs duties.
Case 125360: When more
grocery list runneth over
Client is based in United Kingdom. Client purchased some marine equipment from
the GetFeetWet catalog. Client's is also a collector of vintage guitars and
found an collector's item costing more than $1000 on eBay. eBay seller
will not shipped directly to an international address but suggested a forwarding
company that will ship the guitar for a minimum service charge of $150 plus
shipping cost. Client contacted GetFeetWet Navigation, inc and inquired about
the Parcel Forwarding Service that is built into the account of all GetFeetWet
Navigation, Inc clients. Client contacted eBay seller and had the package
shipped to GetFeetWet Navigation, inc. The package arrived and was inspected and
photographed. GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc shipping department recommended that
the package be re-packed with sturdier materiials to lessen the risk of damage
while in transit. Client sent Custom instructions which was declared on the
paperwork as instructed. Package was consolidated with the client's marine
equipment purchases. Shipping cost only increased by $45.00 compared to the
standard FEDEX rate rate for same weight and dimensions calculated at $230.
There was no service fee charged except for nominal $30 imposed for repacking
the package Package was received by client in good condition. Since then
client has utilized the service several times not only for his own
shopping needs but also for those of his associates.
Case 128736: When you simply
gotta have it
Client is in the USA and is a much in demand installer of marine electronic
equipment. The initial requirement was for an KVH antenna that will be used for
Latin America. Client ordered the package based on information provided by his
client. The package was delivered in time for the scheduled install (Saturday).
The day before the installation (Friday), client called GetFeetWet Navigation,
Inc and indicated that his client somehow assumed that any KVH antenna will work
in the USA and that specifying Latin America is just in addition to what comes
automatically with any KVH setup. Client already talked to KVH and was told that
there is no way to build a correct tri-America model before end of business
Friday. GetFeetWet searched its product database and contacted all partner
distributors that carry KVH. Unfortunately, the particular KVH model needed is a
special order item and no distributor happen to have one sitting on their
shelves. GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc, called KVH and consulted with KVH engineers
and a sales order desk. A solution was hatched which involved shipping the
Tri-America LNB to the client who was given instructions on how to replace the
LNB in the dome already in clients possession with the Tri-America LNB.
GetFeetWet Navigation, Inc arrange for the overnight shipment with Saturday
delivery. Client received the package and completed installation in time for sea
trials.
Case 128765: When
planning works to your advantage
Client is in the USA and buys boats, outfits them, and sells them for profit.
Client is the midst of escrow for his latest acquisition. He has a grocery list
of what he needs to refurbish the boat. The list includes multiple MFD
chartplotters, radar, sonar, VHF, refrigerator, power supply, auto-pilot, etc.
Client is familiar with Raymarine and Furuno equipment but has not
implemented a Garmin solution previous projects. He is clear about his
functional requirements but has not had the time to translate those requirements
into Garmin part numbers. Client gave GetFeetWet Navigation, inc the grocery
list of non-Garmin part numbers that he is familiar with which he knows will
meet his functional requirements. GetFeetWet Navigation, inc took the list and
created a Garmin solution that will be comparable to the feature set of the
system the client has listed. Client reviewed the proposed configuration and
made some minor changes to avail of enhanced features. Client was not expecting
to close escrow for at least another 30 days. He indicated that he will
prefer Garmin Factory Refurbished units if they are available due it lower price
point. GetFeetWet Navigation, inc only has one of the 5 major items in the
list as available as factory refurbished. A quick scan of the GetFeetWet
Navigation, inc showed that a partner distributor has 2 of the remaining 4 units
left to be sourced out in stock.With the last 2 remaining items still to be
sourced out, GetFeetWet Navigation, inc called Garmin representative in charge
of factory refurb inventory and asked about the remaining items. Garmin
representative indicated that there is nothing on the shelves currently but a
work-in-process report shows some units becoming available in 2 weeks. Client
received all the items in the Garmin solution well before the escrow close and
in the process, due to his planning, GetFeetWet Navigation, inc was able to save
the client more than $2000 versus brand new alternatives even if offered at
manufacturer cost.
Case 129827: What is in it for me
Client is in the USA and has been a professional installer for many years.
Client has accounts with many of the major manufacturers of electronic
equipments and has been buying direct from the manufacturer for years. Client
relishes the advantage of having direct access to manufacturer's technical
support and engineers. Client was bidding on a new project that comprise
the installation of more than 15 hardware components from at least 5
different manufacturers. Client contacted GetFeetWet Navigation, inc to get
pricing information. Client originally intended to use the GetFeetWet
Navigation, inc as a fast way to submit a quote thinking that while the price
should be competitive, he can still expect a windfall from project since he can
purchase the items directly from manufacturers. Client eventually won the
contract and was ready to source out the hardware requirements to manufacturers.
When reviewing the final cost,, he realized that his final total cost if he
sources out direct to manufacturers than the quote submitted by GetFeetWet
Navigation, inc. Upon analysis, he noted that the some of the major items where
quoted lower than manufacturer cost by 1%. He also noted that the shipping cost
incurred to ship from the 5 manufacturers increases the cost significantly.
GetFeetWet Navigation, inc quoted FREE shipping. Moreover, two of the items
needed for the install is backordered from the manufacturer and will not be
available in time for the installation. Client has spent more than a day
sourcing out the products and talking to various manufacturers and distributors
to make sure that all the hardware will be delivered in time for the
installation. Finally, considering all options, client called GetFeetWet
Navigation, inc and inquired order fulfillment of the original quote. GetFeetWet
Navigation, inc scanned its consolidated database and gave client confirmation
that the complete quote will be delivered within 3-days of payment receipt
availing of FREE ground shipping. The client was also given the option to have
the whole order of over 145 lbs shipped overnight for a flat rate of
$45.00. Client subsequently cancelled all pending orders with manufacturers and
placed the entire order with GetFeetWet Navigation, inc.
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