West Marine $$$$

[swist]

Re: West Marine $$$$

Most of what has been said is also my perception. High prices, really good service, no lines, no arguments on returns, knowledgeable staff, well stocked.<br /><br />One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that not only is their target market the well-off boater with $$$, but also one with very little spare time between making money and boating. You go into one place and they take care of you quick. Will special order anything they don't have. <br /><br />I have seen people in there with a cruising chart of the Carribean in one hand pushing a shopping cart and literally throwing almost every item in the store that they might possibly need into the cart. <br /><br />The rest of us ordinary people spend time shopping around for the best deal. I must have bought my last 10 boat-oriented purchases from 10 different places.

 

[cuzner]

Re: West Marine $$$$

Nothing against West Marine, but prices are way out there on some things.Personaly I try to get what I need from the shop I trust to do my repairs, his wife can usualy order what I need.Prices may not be much better than West,but I may be helping a mechanic I trust to stay in buisness.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[18rabbit]

Re: West Marine $$$$

Fwiw, West Marine has a price matching policy. If you want them to match the prices of stuff sold on-line, just print out the web page and take it in. They’ll match the prices. Their computers at checkout have discounting codes for some of the popular online retailers. The difference: shipping cost vs. local sales tax cost, if any.<br /><br />Personally, I don’t like price matching. I think it’s better to shop and purchase from the retailer with the best pricing.

 

[MrBill]

Re: West Marine $$$$

Fortunately...where I am there is a West Marine, Boat US and Boaters World. The same stuf used to be most expensive at West, followed by Boat US and Boaters World always came through with the best pricing. When West bought Boat US, their prices immediately equaled West. Now Boaters World is the low cost provider and West/Boat US continues to be 10-20% higher. Only in an emergency do I pay the rapist prices charged by West. They could easily increase revenue if their business hours accomodated the working man.

 

[bomar76]

Re: West Marine $$$$

I have bought several things from iboats,the price was good and it's fine for stuff you don't need right away. Also use some other online boating supply houses. <br />In this area we also have West Marine. When I need something right now I scoot on down to West Marine. Their shelf prices are high, but they are more than happy to match anyone's price on anything (I take a printout with me) and I have asked about discounts on other items I have wanted and they have always given me a great deal (50% on some things!).

 

[Bahama J]

Re: West Marine $$$$

GEEZE... you spend gazillions on a boat, then rant because thr parts cost. DUH.<br /><br />They (Boat/US and WM)have multiple stores, have a very complete catalog(s), service a great web site(s)and have usually what you need and you moan they don't have Wal-Mart prices. Ever thought about supply and demand? I guess that's why my hardware is Maring grade SS and someone else has zinc that has to be replaced every 2 years.<br /><br />I live in an area where no large marine store exists (WM is 100 miles away) but am lucky enough to have a Catalina dealer that is honest and hard working. So I buy what I can "first" from him. He is faced with the same economic pressures as anyone else in business: inventory, payroll, advertising, overhead, etc. That is why I will support this business first, because tomorrow I might need something fast and if this locasl business is not there, then 100 miles away I go.<br /><br />Consider yourself fortunate to have the choices you have.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: West Marine $$$$

I asked at my local West Marine why their wobble rollers for my trailer were 2x the cost of them at boatersworld and they said that they were a retail chain and boaters world was a discount chain. (and they refused to match the prices). WM is only open till 6pm here and BW is open till 9pm. I only go to West when I only have one item to buy and need it NOW (they are 2 miles from work and boaters is 20 miles from home). I mainly order stuff online from boatersworld.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[MrBill]

Re: West Marine $$$$

DUH...please continue to support West Marine so that the market remains competitive and Boater's World continues to underprice West by a big margin...thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

[BinLurkin]

Re: West Marine $$$$

Here in Santa Cruz they seem to look down their nose at me because I am a power boater. They were like snobish sail boaters to me. They didn't seem like they cared if I bought anything or came back or not. I buy from them but they are not my favorite place. The Monterey store ain't much better.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: West Marine $$$$

They own me.

 

[Laddies]

Re: West Marine $$$$

The employees of the West marine store here in Northern Michigan treat you rather rudely if you don't have on your captains hat and topsiders on, so plus their higher prices I don't use them any more than I have to.

 

[jtexas]

Re: West Marine $$$$

Do you still have a hardware store where you can go in and say "this whatchamakallit broke off my thingamajig" and the guy will say "I got just what you need" and sell you the part and the tool and explain how to fix it and maybe "here's another part that might be broken when you get it took apart" and you can bring it back if you don't use it?<br /><br />That's West Marine. If you know what you're doing, might as well go to Wal Mart, wait in a long line, check yourself out, save a few bucks & never speak to a soul.<br /><br />Every time I've been to West Marine, they've thrown the smallest item in my bag without scanning it, like maybe a couple bolts, or a small package of hardware or a putty knife - not a lot, but enough that I appreciate it.<br /><br />I bought some trailer rollers there, then 4 months later when I got around to installing 'em discovered I had the wrong size. When I took 'em back they were 1/2 price - they gave me 100% credit. I found all kinds of things I needed, felt like a kid in a candy store. Could of got a refund but this way I got to spend some $$$$ "off-budget." This is just between you & me, right?

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: West Marine $$$$

In Portland, the drill goes like this: Fisherman's Marine (a local store) has good prices, great service, limited selection. Boaters World has good prices, great selection, morons as clerks. GI Joes (another local chain) has limited selection, sometimes good prices, clerks from the same cousin-marryin' pool as BW. West has great selection, knowledgable clerks, will price-match. <br /><br />For example, last summer I was shopping for an anchor windlass. BW clerk had no clue about electrical loads, fuses, installation. West guy walked me through the whole thing, figured out the size of the needed wire and connections. If I hadn't had his advice, I'd have made some expensive mistakes. Well worth it.