West Marine again

[jim rosenthal]

...this may have appeared recently- if so, forgive me.

This morning I needed three additional gallons of pink AF to complete winterizing Blue Note. I had bought two cases of it for 3.97 a gallon at TruValue, but WM was on the way to the marina (their ship's store is small and doesn't have it) So I stopped at the WM on Jennifer Road in Annapolis. Guess what? it's 4.99 there, with a "mail in rebate" for a buck a gallon. This must be WM's idea of price parity, or something- offer a rebate no one will bother to send in, so you can claim that you are matching prices. The price match wasn't offered, by the way. in order not to get the salesperson in trouble, I'll spare you the rest of the conversation.

Back to TruValue, all the way across town, and an angry phone call to WM in the process.

Bottom line: this is a great and free country. WM is free to overcharge for everything they sell, offer rebates and discounts that don't mean much of anything, and have wholesale accounts that offer prices that are still higher than fair retail. We, on the other hand, are free, too: free to seek out local businesses that sell the same stuff for less, free to buy on line, free to find other sources for everything we need in boating.

Celebrate your freedom and see how much money you can avoid spending with West Marine. I don't know about you guys, but that's going to be MY New Years' resolution.

One more thing: can you think of any retailer who would buy more pink anti-freeze than WM, and who would get a better price from their wholesaler?


Neither could I.

 

[Boatsb]

Nice gripe Jim. Kind of like the one that got purged yesterday on the 3rd quater sold boats thread. Free to say or do .....

 

[Freeebird]

That was vender bashing, this is vendor bashing.

 

[captddis]

...this may have appeared recently- if so, forgive me.

This morning I needed three additional gallons of pink AF to complete winterizing Blue Note. I had bought two cases of it for 3.97 a gallon at TruValue, but WM was on the way to the marina (their ship's store is small and doesn't have it) So I stopped at the WM on Jennifer Road in Annapolis. Guess what? it's 4.99 there, with a "mail in rebate" for a buck a gallon. This must be WM's idea of price parity, or something- offer a rebate no one will bother to send in, so you can claim that you are matching prices. The price match wasn't offered, by the way. in order not to get the salesperson in trouble, I'll spare you the rest of the conversation.

Back to TruValue, all the way across town, and an angry phone call to WM in the process.

Bottom line: this is a great and free country. WM is free to overcharge for everything they sell, offer rebates and discounts that don't mean much of anything, and have wholesale accounts that offer prices that are still higher than fair retail. We, on the other hand, are free, too: free to seek out local businesses that sell the same stuff for less, free to buy on line, free to find other sources for everything we need in boating.

Celebrate your freedom and see how much money you can avoid spending with West Marine. I don't know about you guys, but that's going to be MY New Years' resolution.

One more thing: can you think of any retailer who would buy more pink anti-freeze than WM, and who would get a better price from their wholesaler?


Neither could I.

West marine would have met the 3.97 price then after the rebate the final price would have been 2.97!

 

[Walter P]

I agree with Jim totally on this issue. As a matter of fact because of a thread on this forum, I went to Ace Hardware for my "pink" this year and got it for $2.99 gal BEFORE any discounts/rebates. They only had a little on hand but promised to get me more the next day. I figured at that price I would buy addditional stock (60 gals). I was and am very pleased with dealing with a smaller mom and pop outfit (most are franchised) and made a personal vow to support my local small business whenever possible. BTW if you are so inclined, they had a rebate on some of the pink which brought it down another $1.00 per gal on the first few gals. All this and dealing with folks who appeared to truly enjoy being helpful.

Walt

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Had I needed 3 extra gallons, I surely would not have driven all the way across town to save $3.

 

[Pascal]

My biggest complaint with west marine is not the prices... Yes they are on the high side if you don't have a wholesale account but what really bugs me is the lack of inventory. This summer we lost a 24v water pump and could not find one even in their warehouse! And I m not taking about some small lakeside store but one of the new flagship store, in Newport RI! There wasn't a single 24v water pump at any store east of NYC...

Last year I had the same issue looking for a large anchor... None to be found from titusville FL to Annapolis!

Today, no 24v G4 bulbs in store...

That said for bigger boats I have to say the folks at the pro captain dpt, now renamed megayacht supplies, will work real hard to find something and get it to you at a competitive price

 

[bobk]

Find your part number and google google etc. I got impellers for my 92's for less than $40. Good deals on filters and all sorts of stuff.

Bobk

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Not to defend them, but, they do put stores where a boat owner may need boat supplies, their return policy is excellent, their prices are high and they don't stock a lot of stuff for the larger yachts, but, they seem to survive and grow, there are times when I have been happy they exist, (only in Florida)
in Vancouver, their prices are just out of sight yet they survive.

That's life..be thankful you have something to complain about....lol...

 

[z28jimi]

I'll agree with everyone that the prices at West Marine are high, but since most of us spend a fair about of time on the internet anyway, I've found it pretty easy to use their price match policy. Yeah, it would be simpler if they just had lower prices, but they don't. So, I search for the best price I can find online, then go to the conveniently located store and get them to price match. I ordered a new Raritan head this way, and saved almost $200 off their price. I've purchased bilge pumps and switches, Racor filters, a VHF radio and a whole boatload of other stuff. Only once did they refuse to price match, and I forget now even what the item was or their reason.
They are close, they're usually open at convenient hours, and I usually don't have to wait more then two days for the things that have to come "from the warehouse".
Not trying to defend them, just my experience.

 

[Freeebird]

I have a novel idea... if you don't like West Marine, don't shop there. That'll show 'em!

Seriously, I have to get tickled at those who constantly complain about West while constantly going there to purchase this, that, or the other. I've always had good luck in dealing with them myself, but that's just me.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Well, there are NO marine store here in Fernandina Beach.... Best we have is a Wally World, although the marina can/will order anything we want... Still a 2 day wait.

 

[Boatsb]

So by shopping there you are showing them it's OK to gouge as long as they price match some things when you find it cheaper? That's a pretty clear signal that you are not willing to support another local store that has better inventory or just buy on line where you get to have it delivered in a day or two.

West has gone out of their way in my neck of the woods to push other wholesale distributors out of business by undercutting the prices through the Port supply side. Recently they were $20/gal cheaper on Micron 66 so we ordered it. Guess what. No inventory. We had to wait until they got some shipped in. They have aggressively gone after the other companies in the area to make price the only issue and then they deliver when they can. It's not a good way to do business but they are trying to put the competition out of business so they can then raise their prices.

I bet the day we lose the local guys the port supply prices rise 20%. Then we pay for the convenience just like in the stores.

 

[After Shock]

You know, I have been doing the price match thing with West for just about everything lately. The management at my particular store is key to the whole warm fuzzy feeling when you leave, and also the convenience of walking to the store from my boat. So I'm pretty happy with their service, but I do understand your gripe and have been in your same shoes with countless other retailers, and it is upsetting and disappointing. I guess I'm lucky with my arrangement and I'll continue to use them. I can't think of any other boater supply that is local that would go to the lengths that these guys do to please me (the customer). Just in the past five years I've saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars, not to mention, not having to drive around all over the country to find something, and if that alone doesn't justify a little heftier price I don't know what does. My time is worth more than that, and hell they price match. What more could you ask for??? BTW, my West Marine store was price matching years ago before they were even advertising it... It's all in the management.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I agree, and it isn't about three dollars. It's about the way they act as a company, and the fact that they didn't offer to price match.

We have another local outfit, Fawcett's, which has at least as good a stock as WM, is locally owned, etc. I spend a lot with them. And, FWIW, everyone in the store is knowledgeable about what they are selling, which also means a lot.

Boat globally, buy locally, I guess.

 

[Boatnut]

I think most have their good points on this WM thing, you do have a choice, convenience usually cost more.

I can't help but wonder why anyone can bad mouth a vender like WM, but when a member screws another member it is not allowed to be discussed. Many are aware that one of our fine members has been accused of cheating another member with an excellent reputation out of payment. This is a site for boaters to help boaters, if we can't point out a dishonest member we leave a lot to be desired. What is wrong with a little self policing?

 

[saltshaker]

I have a novel idea... if you don't like West Marine, don't shop there. That'll show 'em!

Seriously, I have to get tickled at those who constantly complain about West while constantly going there to purchase this, that, or the other. I've always had good luck in dealing with them myself, but that's just me.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

 

[Freeebird]

Speaking of doing the same thing over again and expecting different results...

I think most have their good points on this WM thing, you do have a choice, convenience usually cost more.

I can't help but wonder why anyone can bad mouth a vender like WM, but when a member screws another member it is not allowed to be discussed. Many are aware that one of our fine members has been accused of cheating another member with an excellent reputation out of payment. This is a site for boaters to help boaters, if we can't point out a dishonest member we leave a lot to be desired. What is wrong with a little self policing?