Suncoast vs Pelican Coolant tank price

[Jake D]

Originally Posted by jcb986

Suncoast Porsche sells only Porsche parts. I have found them more aggressive in replacement parts than most other dealers. You can buy a water pump from them for nearly $100 bucks less than other suppliers.

Thanks for the response. I was wanting to help contribute to the site and by from Pelican, but like I said, the car is for sale and the guy seems pretty interested in it. Either way its going to have a new tank in it now so he will be happy with that. Otherwise I will be. I just can't afford to throw an additional $100 on the same part regardless of how much I like this site.... I'm Porsche rich and cash poor, the reason why I have it for sale in the first place

[Wayne 962]

Some Porsche dealers have been very competitive on price lately, trying to win market share. This has happened at various times over the past 13 years, and typically lasts until the dealership realizes that it can't sell stuff for that cheap and eventually raises it's prices (or goes under). In this case (just guessing), Suncoast would have to order the part, get it in, and then ship it out several days later. Pelican has 36 available to ship right now. In addition, I think Suncoast charges a 15% handling fee + shipping costs on top of that ($32 shipping when I checked out their site). With the purchase of a tank from Pelican, you get free shipping, and this tank would also qualify for free 3-day shipping anywhere in the continental US.

We're constantly reviewing our pricing on various lines. In this case, I did some more research and discovered that our current supplier for this part is way overpriced! So, I have lowered the price on this part down to $250. Not as low as the other guys, but now in the ballpark. You can order the part here: Pelican Parts - Product Information: 996-106-147-08-OEM

Thanks for pointing this out to us,

Wayne

[barkinfool]

Wayne - IMO your response quite clearly explains why you are successful in your business!

[Jake D]

Crap.... Well thanks for the response Wayne. I appreciate it. Unfortunately, I got antsy as I have the first possible serious buyer wanting to look at the car so I pulled the trigger on Monday evening. With the tank and a new cap and I guess shipping I got everything for $272.45. Received an email this morning saying it shipped today.

I will continue to shop your site and hopefully next time, if there is a next time, I will be purchasing from you.

Thanks again.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

Some Porsche dealers have been very competitive on price lately, trying to win market share. This has happened at various times over the past 13 years, and typically lasts until the dealership realizes that it can't sell stuff for that cheap and eventually raises it's prices (or goes under). In this case (just guessing), Suncoast would have to order the part, get it in, and then ship it out several days later. Pelican has 36 available to ship right now. In addition, I think Suncoast charges a 15% handling fee + shipping costs on top of that ($32 shipping when I checked out their site). With the purchase of a tank from Pelican, you get free shipping, and this tank would also qualify for free 3-day shipping anywhere in the continental US.

We're constantly reviewing our pricing on various lines. In this case, I did some more research and discovered that our current supplier for this part is way overpriced! So, I have lowered the price on this part down to $250. Not as low as the other guys, but now in the ballpark. You can order the part here: Pelican Parts - Product Information: 996-106-147-08-OEM

Thanks for pointing this out to us,

Wayne

Wayne, good job on your price adjustment. That's good business.

Places like Sunset Porsche and Suncoast Porsche are excellent vendors and parts suppliers to the Porsche community. I have NEVER been charged a "handling fee" of 15%. Their shipping charges are very competitive, and can be fast ($$$$) or slow ($) depending on the customer's requirements. For very common, every-day, routine maintenance parts, they are in-stock and can be shipped the same day.

IIRC, Sunset and Suncoast's pricing model is approx 15% over thier costs. No sales tax (if you live outside of thier State). Most of our local dealerships charge double the price paid to Porsche.

The last few years, I have almost exclusively purchased from Sunset. Phil Coy has my cars on file, and credit card number. I send him an e-mail with my request. Within hours he confirms everything, and ships the part(s). If I find the same item on the internet, for a lower price (does not happen often), he will price match it or beat it slightly. Drama free. If I order a part they don't have, I am not charged until the part arrive to them, and they ship it to me.

I only purchase OEM Porsche parts.

[unavita]

Wayne, thank you lowering your price and offering free shipping. Is the free shipping still being offered? When I go to place my order, the Pelican website asks me for a zip code and is charging me $14 for ground and $35.50 for 3-day shipping.

Do I need a coupon code or did your prior free shipping offer expire?

Thanks,
~Seppe:dance:

[jcb986]

I have made several purchases from Wayne in the past, not because he's cheap. He is usually fair in pricing and competitive. I have made a couple of purchases from Sun Coast and also have had a good experience. I trust both for my Porsche parts. Now, with Wayne you do get choices, with Sun Coast, it's only Porsche parts. Your choice.

Example:
Pekican Parts: 4 new Balo rotors, Mintex Pads, 2 liters of Gold brake fluid...$300.00
Sun Coast: OEM Porsche Parts would have bee around $1000.00

[bmx672]

Originally Posted by unavita

Wayne, thank you lowering your price and offering free shipping. Is the free shipping still being offered? When I go to place my order, the Pelican website asks me for a zip code and is charging me $14 for ground and $35.50 for 3-day shipping.

Do I need a coupon code or did your prior free shipping offer expire?

Thanks,
~Seppe:dance:

I just ordered mine last week and I had to pay shipping...

[Pdwight]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

Some Porsche dealers have been very competitive on price lately, trying to win market share. This has happened at various times over the past 13 years, and typically lasts until the dealership realizes that it can't sell stuff for that cheap and eventually raises it's prices (or goes under). In this case (just guessing), Suncoast would have to order the part, get it in, and then ship it out several days later. Pelican has 36 available to ship right now. In addition, I think Suncoast charges a 15% handling fee + shipping costs on top of that ($32 shipping when I checked out their site). With the purchase of a tank from Pelican, you get free shipping, and this tank would also qualify for free 3-day shipping anywhere in the continental US.

We're constantly reviewing our pricing on various lines. In this case, I did some more research and discovered that our current supplier for this part is way overpriced! So, I have lowered the price on this part down to $250. Not as low as the other guys, but now in the ballpark. You can order the part here: Pelican Parts - Product Information: 996-106-147-08-OEM

Thanks for pointing this out to us,

Wayne

I know this is over 5 years old but now it is $372

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

I know this is over 5 years old but now it is $372

$320 on Suncoast. Prob even less at Sunset Porsche.

Suncoast Porsche Parts & Accessories Coolant Reservoir

[Meir]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

$320 on Suncoast. Prob even less at Sunset Porsche.

Suncoast Porsche Parts & Accessories Coolant Reservoir

Not really
Reservoir for 2002 Porsche Boxster|996-106-147-08 : Genuine OEM Porsche Parts | ************************************************************************.com

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

I know this is over 5 years old but now it is $372

Genuine parts prices fluctuate and change over time, as you can see this pricing was posted about 4-5 years ago.

Here are other options: Pelican Parts - Coolant Expansion Tank

For reliability on the brands other than Genuine, I did a search in our system to back in 2014 and 2015. 996-106-147-08-Y-INT has no returns due to failure. It does come with a 12 Month / 12,000 Miles warranty as well. It is ordered from us often.

[Pdwight]

Originally Posted by Luccia at Pelican Parts

Genuine parts prices fluctuate and change over time, as you can see this pricing was posted about 4-5 years ago.

Here are other options: Pelican Parts - Coolant Expansion Tank

For reliability on the brands other than Genuine, I did a search in our system to back in 2014 and 2015. 996-106-147-08-Y-INT has no returns due to failure. It does come with a 12 Month / 12,000 Miles warranty as well. It is ordered from us often.

When I do this I will use a Genuine Porsche, I have a question one you have listed as German is even more expensive than a Genuine Porsche ???

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

When I do this I will use a Genuine Porsche, I have a question one you have listed as German is even more expensive than a Genuine Porsche ???

The one listed as German is $220, which is over $100 cheaper than the Genuine Porsche part price listed.

[Gelbster]

Plug in this part number to Fleabay and you can find one for $50 !
About a year ago I did that. What a fiasco . There were many faults with the tank and it may have caused catastrophic overheating. For example :- the tank is assembled from several different mouldings. These are bonded together.There are a variety of orifices that connect the various chambers. Unfortunately these holes did not align .Some were effectively blocked One other just leaked.
If I had not examined the tank very carefully before fitting it ,the consequences could have been expensive.
My point is this - the cost of the tank is a trivial issue. The question is the difference in price between tanks that work correctly. That difference is small.
The other point is the labor in R&R of the tank.It is a horrid job because of limited access to the hose connections on the other side of the firewall.
If you go to all the trouble and expense of fitting a defective tank and then having to return it and replace with a good one, you will waste a lot of time - at best. You will certainly get a trunk full of coolant and if you overheat the engine....it will be a very expensive mistake.
The other expense to factor in is the cost of a Mayhew plier set for the impossible-to-reach connections, an Airlift to burp it and lots of fresh coolant.
You did check the water pump for leaks/weeps didn't you ?
At least if you buy from Pelican, the parts are good, they are decent about any problems and they are fast. The Fleabay guys, not so much.
I still have the old defective tank that I use for Show-and-Tell. Pelican should have a Show-and-Tell type response to these Threads. Dickering about part costs is fun but it is only a (small) part of the story. Pelican (and Forum members) would benefit from reading the rest of the story. It would make for a great YouTube video !