How can a California reefer get a good price from Marine Depot?

[corrado007]

I live in California and unless I'm missing something, it seems that for us Californians, Marine Depot ends up being a bit more expensive for RC members. I've placed several large orders recently and plan on another $300-$400 more very shortly but every time I price things out on the top 2-3 reef equipment sites, Marine Depot ends up being the most expensive due to sales tax so I end up ordering elsewhere.

Each of the major sites offers free shipping on large orders so shipping is not a factor.

Since Marine Depot is in California, us Californians have to pay sales tax of about 8-9% which adds up, especially on large orders.

Some other reef equipment suppliers offer a discount of 5% or so for RC members but as far as I know Marine Depot does not.

Marine Depot does have a "no sales tax" coupon code that eliminates the tax but it can't be used with any other discounts so it's still at least 5% more than competitors since listed prices are pretty much identical on these sites, the other sites have 5% off, and you don't pay sales tax for out of state vendors. I once called and asked if I could use the "no cal tax" discount along with some other discount that was being offered at the time but unfortunately was told they couldn't do it. I ended up having to place an $800+ dollar order with another vender half way across the country. I'd love to be able to shop with Marine Depot but in this economy most of us try to get the best price possible.

So, is there something I'm missing or do I have to pay extra to buy things from Marine Depot just because I live in California? I'd love any hints, tips, or RC discounts I missed. And please everyone, don't take this as a Marine Depot bash because it is not intended in that way, I've ordered from them in the past and have been satisfied with them which is exactly why I'm asking about this. I'd love to be able to shop with them more in the future.

Thanks

 

[aleonn]

I'm also in CA and face the same dilemmas. If I need something fast and there's no online discount elsewhere, I purchase from MD (with the tax discount code). It would be great if MD would allow codes to be stackable!

 

[ir_danno22]

the no tax discount was a better deal when i ordered a book and some stuff from there. i could saved $15 using the book discount or $21 with the no cal tax discount. final prices with free shipping and no taxes is usually lower than paying for the same products elsewhere at a lower price and having to pay for shipping. i always try to make my orders worth while by meeting the minimum for free shipping.

 

[GTR]

Being in SoCal I add in the advantage Marine Depots offers me that I'm contributing to my home state economy.

Really I order from them because I get my order the next business day since I rarely plan ahead. :lol:

 

[corrado007]

That is a true benefit, it's nice getting things quicker here in California. Then again, it's going to cost me an extra $40-$50 on my next order if I go through them. I plan on getting an Apex controller and some other stuff. I guess ordering through them would be best done by using the no Ca. Tax coupon code but I'd still end up paying 5% more than elsewhere since they don't offer an RC discount and don't allow coupon stacking. 5% is quite a bit on large orders. Decisions, decisions...

 

[crsandoval]

That is a true benefit, it's nice getting things quicker here in California. Then again, it's going to cost me an extra $40-$50 on my next order if I go through them. I plan on getting an Apex controller and some other stuff. I guess ordering through them would be best done by using the no Ca. Tax coupon code but I'd still end up paying 5% more than elsewhere since they don't offer an RC discount and don't allow coupon stacking. 5% is quite a bit on large orders. Decisions, decisions...

Have you considered asking for a price match? Also I believe that if you price match and place the coupon code in your order that is not considered stacking. Just a suggestion.

 

[d0ughb0y]

Have you considered asking for a price match? Also I believe that if you price match and place the coupon code in your order that is not considered stacking. Just a suggestion.

You have to call to get a price match, which makes your order a phone order, which is not eligible for no cal tax coupon.

 

[crsandoval]

You have to call to get a price match, which makes your order a phone order, which is not eligible for no cal tax coupon.

Price matching can also be done online by clicking on the logo, this adds it to your cart, before you checkout there is an option where you can add notes to your order. This is where you can ask for the tax coupon to be applied and add additional items to price match.

 

[d0ughb0y]

Price matching can also be done online by clicking on the logo, this adds it to your cart, before you checkout there is an option where you can add notes to your order. This is where you can ask for the tax coupon to be applied and add additional items to price match.

I don't know if you have actually done it or not, but I am pretty sure you cannot do that.

read the price match terms page, its spelled out very clearly there in black and white
http://www.marinedepot.com/help_marinedepot_price_match_guarantee.html


MarineDepot.com coupon codes are not redeemable with orders containing price matched products.

 

[corrado007]

Price matching can also be done online by clicking on the logo, this adds it to your cart, before you checkout there is an option where you can add notes to your order. This is where you can ask for the tax coupon to be applied and add additional items to price match.

That would be great if they would allow that but unfortunately I've had a few conversations with them about getting a price match to someone else's price who I would use a 5% coupon with.
The prices on all of these sites are pretty much identical, it's when you tank into account coupon codes and tax that it becomes an issue.

You can use the no cal tax code but then they will not allow you to use any other promotions including price match. I've tried asking over the phone and the rep told me so very specifically. They also said they can't apply coupon codes over the phone so it would have to be done online.

I ended up placing an order through MD today even though it cost me $20 more than it would have through a competitor since I had to use the NOCALTAX code with MD and could have used a 5% off code with the competitor. Both places would have qualified for free shipping because of the amount I spent. I really wanted to get my shipment quicker which is why I did. I may be placing another large order but that one may be though a competitor since I can save $40+ with the extra 5% discount.

 

[MarineDepot]

Hello California Reefers!!! Sorry for the inconvenience here, but tax is something we have to charge all our California customers. With that said, we can price match other vendors as long as we can verify it. If they don't charge you tax, we'll pay the tax for you. We all have to keep the great state of California afloat right?

Just give one of our AWESOME customer service representatives a call and we'll take care of you. Our current online shopping cart doesn't allow for this, but if you call and we can verify the match, we'll gladly help you. Unfortunately, we can't offer this to any past orders.

Happy Reefing Everyone!

Ben - Head Fish Nerd

 

[samuelkl]

weird, yesterday i put in an order with a price match, and also used the nocaltax code. unfortunately, they only allow one price match per order

 

[MarineDepot]

Samuel, did you place your order online? our current shopping cart will only allow for one price match per order. However, if you give us a call, we'd be able to price match multiple items.

If you called to place your order, let me know we'll be able to fix it for you

Ben

 

[GlenG]

I think your problem is with Arnold, not MD.

 

[gofor100]

One thing to mention is also being able to use multiple gift cards online... I tried doing this after getting multiple gift cards after Christmas, and had to call in (which wasn't bad, but kind of a pain if you're trying to use the NOCALTAX code since they "technically" can only use this online).

Just another suggestion that is kind of related to this thread.

Thanks,

Chad