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"The Power of Three"
An Introduction and Overview with 10 Tips on How to save Money on Avionics.Brought
to you by |
Welcome to the Eastern Avionics International - APG presentation on the World Wide Web! As a fellow pilot, I have been working in the field of avionics for 24 years. In the business of avionics, you don't grow to be one of the biggest companies in the nation by cutting corners. You do it by offering the best equipment, with the best services at simply great prices. You make your money on consistent volume of sales and returning customers, not on quick fixes and fast deals.
"At Eastern Avionics International - APG, we offer the best equipment,
With the most capable support you will find anywhere."Mike Clayton
In the pages that follow, you will find my personal views and experiences, as well as my lessons learned -- some of which I have learned the hard way. This is not a dry catalog and equipment specifications listing, but rather a dynamic document that is focused on your needs as a pilot. We know that you can always look up the technical details of a unit later -- what I offer to you is a "tell it straight" approach that gives you the inside scoop on the avionics equipment that you need.
"We are your complete source for Avionics Products with all the Information you need to make your best choices."
The Avionics Guidebook that forms the bulk of our little corner of cyberspace is a personal review of the equipment, divided by category.
Unlike other web presentations, the format will allow you to easily compare products and pricing among units. You will see numerous personal comments and "Hot Tips" in each category as I point out the current best deals and make recommendations about individual units. Each equipment category commences with an overview in which I have worked hard to point out the basic information that you, as a fellow pilot, should know before you purchase anyone's equipment.
"Everything you need to know to make the right avionics decision is right here."
Overall, we have designed our web presentation with the serious pilot in mind. Idle surfing is welcomed, of course, but we cannot possibly imagine someone spending more than a few minutes here unless they are an aviator or aviatrix with an interest in avionics.
Lastly, immediately following this note, I have written an overview and some critical tips on what to watch out for when you make a purchase. I hope that this will help to clarify and improve your knowledge of avionics.
See you in the skies!
Mike Clayton
How to Save Money on Your Avionics
And Save Yourself Lots of Aggravation in the ProcessToday everyone is looking to save money, but be careful to be sure you're really getting the best deal. It's easy to get in trouble while searching for the...
THE BEST PRICE
Following these tips will not only save you money in the long run but can save you lots of time and effort.
Tip #1: Buy from a trained avionics specialist who is a pilot himself.
Even if you call ten different places, you won't find a substantial difference in prices between major avionics companies. Nearly all avionics companies shop each other for price and the best avionics companies are generally only a few dollars higher than the marginal ones. You may spend hours on the phone all over the country in effort to find the cheapest price. And in the end, you can almost count on finding the poorest staff and customer service as well. These companies use untrained, uninformed operators, not a fellow pilot. The order taker is interested only in your credit card number and shipping address. They cannot tell you if you're buying the wrong item nor give you even the most basic advice. If you ask any questions they have to talk with a "supervisor" to get the answers. When you ask for a unit, they will blindly send it to you. They have no idea if what you're buying is going to be the best for you.
Tip #2: Buy Avionics from a company that specializes in Avionics.
Buying any avionics is a major purchase. These are not twenty or thirty dollar items. Beware of the "do it all" company that sells charts, oil, paint, clipboards, t-shirts, avionics, rivets, upholstery, etc.... A company that spreads itself thin by trying to supply all things to all pilots is unlikely to do anything well. Buy avionics from a company that specializes in avionics.
Tip #3: Buy Avionics from a company that can handle all your questions regarding installation and service.
If you think the manufacturers want to deal with you directly, remember that you are not their customers, their dealers are. Manufacturers are nice folks but they do not have the manpower to handle your problems or questions. That's why they have dealers. If you have a problem most manufacturers will simply refer you back to the dealer you purchased from. So be sure that the company your dealing with has the interest, time, knowledge, ability, and experience to give you the product assistance you need.
Tip #4: Be sure that the company your getting a quote from has the item you want in stock.
Many companies will draw you in with a low price. But if you call them to order, they don't have any inventory. Why? They don't have the money to buy the inventory. Some will wait until a number of customers send in their money before they place an order with the manufacturer. Because most manufacturers have lead times of several weeks to several months, the customer generally can wait for many weeks before the equipment finally arrives. Essentially, these companies operate on the margin, using your money to maintain cash flow and borrowing from future orders to fill yours. You will eventually get your radio; unless the company goes out of business first.
Tip #5: Be sure that the aviation company you deal with is established and legitimate.
Several years ago a new aviation company advertised some great prices on reconditioned radios. They had customers send cashiers checks in to make purchases. The problem was there were never any radios available at all. The company didn't even have a shop. After collecting thousands of dollars, they pocketed the money and moved on to another state where they did it all over again. A lot of pilots who thought they were getting the best price lost all their money.
Unfortunately some aviation companies operate on a shoe string, offer prices too low, get you to send them money for radios, and end up going bankrupt. You end up losing your money. Be sure that the aviation company you deal with is established and legitimate.
Tip #6: Buy only equipment built by well established Avionics manufacturers.
Several years ago a new company introduced a low cost handheld transceiver. It was the cheapest, lowest quality handheld on the market and it even came in a nice case with a bunch of accessories. After selling thousands of them, the company went bankrupt and closed their doors. Pilots who had purchased the units were left without any factory to supply accessories or replacement battery packs. Today these used units are worthless.
Not long ago, another company took out a full page ad for a handheld GPS with moving map at an unbelievable price. Pilots blindly sent their money in. After waiting months they got what looked like an electronic calculator. The company quickly went out of business.
If these customers invested, for example, in ICOM or GARMIN equipment, they would have had a far better unit in terms of performance and quality. In addition, the current resale value of these units are still in the hundreds of dollars. Furthermore, factory support and parts availability are assured, as you would expect from such leading avionics companies.
Trying to save money is fine, but never skimp on the quality of the equipment nor on the company manufacturing it. Buy only equipment built by well established Avionics manufacturers.
Tip #7: Avoid "Working When Removed" Avionics.
Unfortunately there are many degrees of "working". A working used radio is not the same as a freshly reconditioned radio. Many working radios will not meet FAA serviceable specifications which means your shop cannot sign it off in your aircraft. Furthermore, a radio that was "Working When Removed" three years ago may be worthless today.
Tip #8: Always get a Warranty.
Promising that you can return the radio for a refund if it doesn't work isn't very much, particularly if you go to all the trouble and expense of installing it in your panel first. Unless you're dealing with a big, well known company you should consider that you could send the unit back and still end up without a refund!
Tip #9: Avoid Salvage Avionics.
Salvage operators are nice folks but they are not experts in avionics. They are experts at tearing apart and selling off parts of wrecks. Most salvage operators offer a "if it doesn't work send it back" warranty and a harness which is basically the unusable tangle of wires hacked out of the wreck. The risks associated with salvage are generally not worth the little money you might save on these radios.
Tip #10: Avoid any deals that are too good to be true.
In the avionics business, margins are razor thin on new and used radios. If the price is too low, the radio is either someone else's lemon, out of a wreck, missing critical parts, accessories and cables, or stolen.
PURCHASING NEW OR RECONDITIONED EQUIPMENT
One of the most commonly asked questions is whether to buy new equipment or save a few dollars and go with a reconditioned unit. Certainly if the model you are looking for has only been on the market a short period of time, the likelihood of finding a reconditioned model is nearly impossible. It's akin to looking for a used 2003 automobile. However, for the majority reconditioned equipment makes a lot of practical and financial sense.
The biggest benefit of buying reconditioned equipment is that the previous owner got to take the depreciation on the radio. After that initial depreciation most radios tend to depreciate only very slowly.
Even the best new radios may fail or require adjustment in the first ten hours of service. Reconditioned radios are beyond their initial service period and generally have excellent reliability.
We recommend you ask your avionics shop about reconditioned equipment alternatives -- or just call us. We have an extensive stock of reconditioned units, with our inventory always moving. We recondition most of these units to NEW manufacturer's specifications and even provide you with a 90 day warranty. We trust our reconditioned units so much that we will even offer you the warranty benefits of a new radio for a full year for only an additional 10% in cost.
Reconditioned radios can't be manufactured, so not all models are available at all times, but when available they can be one of the best ways to save money on your avionics package.
IN SUMMARY...
Personally, I recommend that you only deal with:
- A fellow pilot who can understand your requirements on a pilot to pilot basis.
- A professional in avionics who knows the equipment and can make sure you make the right choices.
- A secure company with a many years in business so you can be sure they'll be around when you need them.
At Eastern Avionics International - APG we are committed to giving our customers the best in equipment and customer service. We have been in business selling avionics for nearly 23 years and are a permanent fixture on the aircraft electronics scene. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.
Interested in Eastern Avionics International - APG's distant past? Click here to see this Avionics Magazine Story from 1985.
Contact us for special offers and the latest pricing!
Phone: (941) 637-8585
Prices are subject to change without notice.
We will not be undersold!
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AVIATION PARTNERS GROUP, INC.
28260 Air Park Rd., Charlotte County Airport (PGD)
Punta Gorda, Florida 33982 USAIf you are in Southwest Florida,
Visit our showroom!!
Or call us today!
Phone: 1 (941) 637-8585
24 Hour FAX: 1 (941) 637-0388
ORDERS ONLY: 1 (800) 628-2667
or 1 (800)"NAV-COMS"
Mike
Clayton
Boris Nekrasov
© 2007 Aviation Partners Group, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
