Who you should buy a bimini top from

When you do a search for Boat Tops or Bimini Tops you are given a lot of websites to choose from. Go one step further and search for something more specific like Pontoon Bimini Tops and a new set of websites are displayed. Refine your search more to something like Replacement Bimini Tops for Pontoon Boats and another set of websites is revealed. On some of those searches the same websites come up.

There are a lot of companies out there trying to get your business. Some have name recognition that makes the buyer feel good about buying from because they've heard of them. Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Wal-mart, Overtons, and West Marine just to name a few. All of those companies have one thing in common - they are all distributors of boat tops. None of them manufacture them. In fact many websites you buy bimini tops from do not manufacture them - they distribute them.

There is nothing wrong with buying from a distributor. They know the products they are selling well enough. Service after the sale may be a problem though. If you have any trouble with your purchase and contact them for help they will more than likely either send you on wild goose chase to contact the manufacturer or they will have to get back to you so they can contact the manufacturer. Of course you are going to also pay a bit more for the bimini top if you buy it from a distributor. After all they have to mark it up to sell it to you.

They are in business to make money. Bottom line though...you trust the name Overtons. You trust the name West Marine. You trust the names Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Wal-Mart. You are willing to pay more for that piece of mind. But do you have to pay more for piece of mind? Is it really worth it? After all it is just bimini top for a boat. It just needs to keep the rain off of your head and the sun off of your back. Oh yeah, it should look good too.

If you invest a little bit of time into researching exactly what you are buying and who is making the product you will be able to save yourself a bunch of money. Everyone knows cutting out the middle man will save you money. The same is true in the aftermarket and replacement bimini top industry. Cut the middle man out. Cut the distributors out and buy from the manufacturer whenever possible. When it comes to service after the sale I know I would rather speak with the person that designed and built what I bought instead of a salesman.