Never thought I'd compliment WM...

[MikeP]

I have never had what I'd call a happy experience at West Marine - well, at least with boat stuff though they have a nice selection of clothes/shoes.

However, to be fair...

A marina neighbor took a two-year old 12V batt that would no longer hold a charge back to WM here in Chester, MD. He expected them to give him some minimal credit on a new batt; to his (and my) shock, they exchanged it for a brand new batt at no charge!!!! I also noticed yesterday that their zinc prices were actually within a dollar or two of the hardware store zincs. They used to cost nearly double. So it appears WM is improving.

OTOH... the electrical switch I needed yesterday to repair my cable master was 7 bucks at the hardware store (out of stock) and 14 at WM so they still have some work to do.

 

[Glory]

Like Grainger, it's just convenient.

JM

 

[Angela]

The key to a successful WM experience is having an immediate family member who works there - the employee discount on a most of the items is stunning. Electronics, not so much.

 

[SEVEN]

Have you signed up for a port supply card? It gets you 30 to 50% off. Has anyone ever approached West Marine and asked to set up an account under the Hatteras Forum? If not I will ask if that's possible.

 

[Boatsb]

Have you signed up for a port supply card? It gets you 30 to 50% off. Has anyone ever approached West Marine and asked to set up an account under the Hatteras Forum? If not I will ask if that's possible.

Port supply is their wholesale side. It's for business a d resellers. Depending on the store getting signed up can be easy or a pita but discount is based on volume and multiple users on an account can get it shut down.

It's not only the price. The biggest issues I have with Wm is product knowledge and service. Basically a complete lack of is more correct.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Port Supply doesn't give much of a discount, I have found. They DO give more to their larger customers- in other words, the more you spend with them, the better the discount is. If you think about it, this gives the best deal to the largest firms- and denies it to the small ones who probably need it the most.

WM is where I get something that no one else has, that I need right now, and for which I have no choice but to pay too much.

I don't go in there too often.

If they decide to give a discount to members of the HOF, I hope I'm sitting down when I hear about it, because I am likely to collapse from astonishment. I think I'm in relatively little danger.

Around here I shop at Fawcett's. They are local people, they know their stuff, and they have very useful free seminars about topics of interest to boaters. Bacon's is also good, and they have a huge selection of USED stuff as well. We are lucky in Annapolis- three big marine stores, only one of which is WM.

 

[holtcl]

Our WM in Chester has had really good service for the past several years. Helpful folks and if they don't have it they order it and comes in a few days later.

On the Eastern Shore I also really like Western Auto. I think due to the amount of boating around here they have gotten more into that side. There are a few guys in there very knowledgable and can get filters, etc for the DD's. Between that and Parks we can get almost anything without going over the bridge.

Cheryl
Cinderella
1971 53 MY

 

[bostonhatteras]

Was in the need of 1/4" 316 ss machine screws a week ago. Stopped into WM. guy didn't know the difference between the alloys and said '18-8 isn't good enough'. They had 316 nuts and 316 flat washers but no bolts of any sort in 316 Interesting assortment. Ultimately came from Hamilton marine with a relatively wide selction of 316 hardware.

 

[Avenger]

I discovered one way to get ahead by buying from WM, but I guess it would work with any company that has a rewards program. I wanted a GoPro, but while shopping I found that the market is controlled. Nobody discounts them. It's all fixed by the factory. So in lieu of discount I bought mine at WM. I get points for it and eventually get some $10 coupons.