$27 for a primer bulb?

[Elkins45]

Went to the WalMart in Frankfort KY yesterday to pick up a new primer bulb. They had about a dozen of them on the rack. All were Atwood brand, and all were priced at $27!

That's just the bulb, mind you, not a full replacement hose kit! On the bright side, it is approved for use in California.

Surely they just have them priced incorrectly?

 

[jasper60103]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

Went to the WalMart in Frankfort KY yesterday to pick up a new primer bulb. They had about a dozen of them on the rack. All were Atwood brand, and all were priced at $27!

That's just the bulb, mind you, not a full replacement hose kit! On the bright side, it is approved for use in California.

Surely they just have them priced incorrectly?

Attwood has had some price increases (like others), but whole the gas line assembly is about $25 online...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Attwood-O...0000003260410&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=14150748

Also, I notice the attwood 6 gallon plastic fuel tank is about $30 bucks at Walmart. I know it sold for less than $25 last year. Heck, I bought one on sale for $16.99 at my local FleetFarm a couple years back.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Attwood-6-Gallon-Fuel-Tank/14150745

 

[bassman284]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

Apparently a new EPA reg requires only low permeability primer bulbs after 1/1/2011 and these appear to be way more expensive than the old ones. I was trying to find out just what material change was involved to accomplish this but no luck so far.

Link is a FAQ for boat builders.

http://www.nmma.org/assets/cabinets/Cabinet103/Evaporative_Emission_FAQs.doc

I see that iboats has the Attwood for 17 bucks but show them being out of stock.

 

[Elkins45]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

I think I'm going to snatch up a few of the older ones from the local stores that have some in stock while I still can. I doubt the few extra ml of gas that might evaporate will kill too many polar bears.

 

[Dutch552]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

They are the same price at the WM in Louisville, KY. I bought the same bilb for less than $7 right here on iBoats. Just sayin...

 

[bonz_d]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

Bass Pro Shop, $10.00

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

I got one at a store near my house today for $6.99. The whole set-up was $24.99. Are you sure they didn't just mis-mark them?

 

[wifisher]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

I bought a whole line assembly about a week ago for $25 from fleet farm

 

[Elkins45]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

They are the same price at the WM in Louisville, KY. I bought the same bilb for less than $7 right here on iBoats. Just sayin...

I got one at a store near my house today for $6.99. The whole set-up was $24.99. Are you sure they didn't just mis-mark them?

If so then they seem to be doing it statewide. I think bassman 284 nailed it when he said the new low-permeability stuff is what's so expensive. I found some of the regular ones at Meijer for $6.99 and laid in a 20 year supply.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

Good hedgebet. Just hope they don't dryrot on you.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

I seem to have to replace mine every year or two now because they get hard. I used to have them last at least three to five years before replacing.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

I just bought one yesterday at our local Wal Mart for $7.99, it is a seasense brand and it is what is called a multi fit, came with fittings for 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" seems to be a good one...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

Because of the flapper valve that sits in gas all the time, they recommend replacement annually. They are 8.99 at Wal-Mart here.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

atwood bulbs stink glad i have a nerc dealer around the corner

 

[Elkins45]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

Good hedgebet. Just hope they don't dryrot on you.

I thought about that. I'm going to store them inside the house away from UV and temperature extremes. Maybe that will preserve them longer. If only one of them survives it will still be cheaper than the $27 ones.

I think the ones people are finding at 'normal' prices are older ones manufactured before 1-1-11. It seems pretty clear from reading that EPA reg that all newly manufactured ones will have to be low perm. Hopefully prices will go down once they start making them in quantity...or maybe a change in the political winds will rescind the reg.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

For anyone thats in the Detroit metro area, I went by Wilson Marine on Haggerty and they are clearing out the old ones. I bought the whole set-up, bulb,hoses and fittings for $9.99! They are the Atwood brand.

 

[Treager]

Re: $27 for a primer bulb?

I never liked the Attwood bulbs (pre 2011)... they were made from PVC and didn't seem to do well with ethanol. The Seasense bulbs were OK, but some of the older bulbs seemed a bit thin and would take a while to recover after squeezing. I think the issue may have been fixed with the low-perm bulb.