West Marine again..

[MikeP]

I know this is a re-rant but...

I do NOT understand how this company stays in business. I went there yesterday to check the price of pink antifreeze. They had -50 pink at 5.99 gal. I said, "WOW, this stuff has gone up!" The store guy asks me how much I need and I tell him 6 cases (36 gal). He then says that he could match other store's prices and tells me the Western Auto sells it for 4.99/gal and for me to check there and THEN come back and he would match the price. Why go anywhere?

OK...so then I head up to the local Tru Value hdwre store. I'll be darned, -50 pink for 3.99 a gallon. So I bought it there. Since it was on my way back, I stopped at WM to tell them about the price difference and was told, "You should have come back here with proof of that price and we could have matched it." I said, "Why would anyone go to all that trouble? Why don't YOU GUYS match the price to start with, the store's a 1/4 mile up the street, you know what they are selling it for." His response was, "Hey, have you checked out our clothing section, we have some great sales going on!" Yeah, like THAT'S gonna' happen.

Interesting that although he mentioned that Western Auto (about a mile away) had it for 4.99, he didn't mention that the much-closer hardware store had it for 3.99.

A thoroughly disgusting company.

 

[rsmith]

That what happens when you buy up or put out of biz all the competition.

 

[Boatsb]

There is no reason to go to WM unless no other options are available.

 

[bobk]

That what happens when you buy up or put out of biz all the competition.

Amen. They have a pretty smart business model. That's why I buy on line after checking all prices via google.

 

[SeaEric]

I saw the attitude of WM change IMMEDIATELY when Boater's World went TU. They sure do earn their WORST Marine nickname.

 

[Freeebird]

Surely to God the guy who told you about the lower price and their price match guarantee wasn't a member of management. Like you said, where is the incentive to go someplace else and come back if all they are going to do is match the price?

Around these parts, it's either WM or a handful of local boat dealers who have very little of anything and sell for much higher prices. With that, I'm afraid I do find myself shopping with them from time to time.

 

[eze2bme]

The local WM in Columbia, SC said that they would match anyone else's prices including internet prices ... maybe a sign of the times ...

 

[sgharford]

I have West Marine and Ace Hardware in same strip mall. When I asked West Marine to match price they said they could not because it's not the same brand. West Marine has their own brand so who the hek else would have it!?

 

[saltshaker]

The local WM in Columbia, SC said that they would match anyone else's prices including internet prices ... maybe a sign of the times ...

That's the way it used to be. West was a better store to deal with when the competition forced them to be more competitive.

 

[34Hatt]

There was a Ace hardware near me that had it for 2.99 -50 F
And a friend said he saw some where else for 1.99 in a Hardware store!

So next year check all Hardware store near you and totally skip Worst Marine. I have a Port account and buy from them only if I have no other choice!!!!

 

[Top Shelf]

Here in South Florida, Boat Owner's Warehouse or Hopkins-Carter. good knowledgeable folks and alot less expensive.

 

[Xmeter]

I have a Port account and buy from them only if I have no other choice!!!!

Even their Port Supply prices have gone through the roof!
I want to go back to the days of Boat America. They were the wholesale division of Boat Us and had Great prices.

 

[fissioneng]

I thought it ironic that BoatUS, who claim to be advocates for us all, sold their stores and created a monopoly. You would think they could have found another buyer to maintain the competition.

Boater's World seemed to cater more to trailerable/outboard needs.

 

[saltshaker]

I thought it ironic that BoatUS, who claim to be advocates for us all, sold their stores and created a monopoly. You would think they could have found another buyer to maintain the competition.

Boater's World seemed to cater more to the trailerable/outboard crowd.

I agree. Once West took over the BOATUS stores things went down hill. Now the best prices around here are from the local marinas. If I don't need it that day, I'll order from Defender Marine or marineparts.com

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

There was a Ace hardware near me that had it for 2.99 -50 F
And a friend said he saw some where else for 1.99 in a Hardware store!

i bought 16 cases from the hardware store, i don't remember if it was 1.99 or 2.99 after asking the marina what a 55 gallon drum ran. the 55 gallon drum was close to $5 a gallon. at least i'm good for a couple of years.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Whenever I go to WM I bring the Jamestown book and the sailor type guy in the khaki shorts (15 F today BTW!) rolls his eyes cause he knows whats next... They match the price on screws, and they usually get 8-10 cents each. Ill pick out 600-1000 various screws at 100 pcs each size (thats a ruff count, ya know I cheat!) and usually pay about $4-8 per hundred.
A manager said they needed to charge me for shipping! That was a mistake. How can you do that when its an in store item, plus the fact that once a year I pay $29 for unlimited UPS ground. They also match paint prices too! ws

 

[34Hatt]

Whenever I go to WM I bring the Jamestown book and the sailor type guy in the khaki shorts (15 F today BTW!) rolls his eyes cause he knows whats next... They match the price on screws, and they usually get 8-10 cents each. Ill pick out 600-1000 various screws at 100 pcs each size (thats a ruff count, ya know I cheat!) and usually pay about $4-8 per hundred.
A manager said they needed to charge me for shipping! That was a mistake. How can you do that when its an in store item, plus the fact that once a year I pay $29 for unlimited UPS ground. They also match paint prices too! ws

Jamestown is good to deal with good Company what is even better is having a Wholesale account with them better prices and free shipping
Been using them a lot since Port Supply went crazy with prices. Plus I get it faster then from the Port warehouse on the Island Go Figure???

 

[Bob Bradley]

Whenever I go to WM I bring the Jamestown book and the sailor type guy in the khaki shorts (15 F today BTW!) rolls his eyes cause he knows whats next... They match the price on screws, and they usually get 8-10 cents each. Ill pick out 600-1000 various screws at 100 pcs each size (thats a ruff count, ya know I cheat!) and usually pay about $4-8 per hundred.
A manager said they needed to charge me for shipping! That was a mistake. How can you do that when its an in store item, plus the fact that once a year I pay $29 for unlimited UPS ground. They also match paint prices too! ws

I do the same with the Defenders catalog. They hate to see me coming, especially when there are other customers around watching the transaction. I've even shared the book with other customers in line. That's just plain beautiful.

 

[LUV'N LIFE]

I do the same with the Defenders catalog. They hate to see me coming, especially when there are other customers around watching the transaction. I've even shared the book with other customers in line. That's just plain beautiful.


EXACTLY !

 

[Passages]

I guess WM is just banking on most folks not having their catalog with them during checkout.

Funny how they never have a PC with internet around to check price. That strategy wont get too far though as most cell phones now have internet apps.