On Fri, 27 May 2005 09:36:30 -0400, Larry W4CSC wrote:

I was in Waste Marine scavenging for electrical and plumbing parts for a
friend's sloop, yesterday. Inside the front door on top of the overpriced,
no-name, Waste Marine TC-W3, there was this little plastic box fan about
12" wide/tall plugged into a deep cycle battery in a black battery box.
(Wonder if they dispose of this USED battery when they're done or put it
back in stock with the other batteries someone returned?)

There was a little plastic blade and little plastic switch with 3 speeds on
a little plastic DC motor, all made by slaves in some Asian sweatshop.

Now, Wally World sells a 20" AC box fan much larger and heavier-duty than
this little piece of crap for $20-30. Sometimes it's on sale for $14.99 or
less...and Wally is still turning a profit.

THIS LITTLE POS WAS $80.99! OVER EIGHTY DOLLARS!!???

Yachtsmen must bet much stupider than I previously suspected.......

I guess Waste Marine figgers if they'll pay $1,500 for a 4HP, 1-cylinder
outboard, they'll pay $81 for a box fan....

Larry,
I too groan at "marine" prices. When I see a giszo made of plastic, and
obviously injection molded...read manuf cost of maybe 25 cents...and the
price tag says $19.95, my BP does go up a bit.
Norm B