I don't get it either. They were bought out by a private equity firm a year of so ago. Since then they have been trying with lower prices sometimes. They do have flash sales and the prices are pretty good on those sales, but it is hit or miss when you want something.
So that we may reminisce during the winter
- Thread starter Skipper
- Start date
So your saying... Sometimes their marketing works...
@Will Gilmore It is the Dory take off on the famous “Talking Dog Doug...”
when I've been in WM lately, if I need two, they have one, if I need three, they have two And one is the wrong size. But hey- the clothing line is expanding nicely
West Marine, since being bought out they will match any legitimate competions pricing. Best part is they'll ship to your local store for free. This summer I bought 90' of 1/4" G4 chain. WM wanted $4.99 ft, we went to Defenders web site walked out of the store paying $2.64 ft. for the same chain. Sales rep told to come back anytime & they'd match the price. Doesn't get much better than that.
I'm jealous. The hardware store nearest my boat is 15 miles away. The nearest big box hardware store is 20 miles away. The nearest boating store of any size is 45 miles away and WM is about 60 miles away.
On the plus side I can order from Defender by 4 pm and have it the next day without paying for overnight delivery.
I think WM serves the Marine industry. It is up to us consumers to decide if it is the best resource for our need. Certainly it has saved me time when I needed something to solve a boat problem. And occasionally i have found great deals.
I know that SBO member @Stu Jackson has gotten his monies worth over the lifetime of his boat binocular usage. I was there to observe and participate (perhaps my mistake) in the return replacement of a record 8th unit.
SO love them or hate them, I am glad they are there...
I know that SBO member @Stu Jackson has gotten his monies worth over the lifetime of his boat binocular usage. I was there to observe and participate (perhaps my mistake) in the return replacement of a record 8th unit.
SO love them or hate them, I am glad they are there...
WM bashing aside, they had some pretty good deals recently. 15% off of a Mantus anchor on BLK Friday. Also got my Lehr dingy outboard for half price that day. Also got their brand of PG (-60 and -100) for a reasonable price earlier this fall plus free shipping. Don't have any of their stores locally, and I buy more from Defender on a regular basis, but the deals are there.
I just received an email notification from WM containing a survey of the “how are we doing” variety. One of the questions obviously concerned their pricing, followed by questions regarding frequency of shopping, and where else I shopped. (I wonder if they might be attempting to become more competitive.)
I have noticed the stores “creeping” more and more into the clothing business. It kind of reminds me of the way Land’s End went back in the day.
Then there is the inventory problem already mentioned; when you need two of something, they only stock one, etc. Also sailing related hardware is becoming nearly noexistant.
I have noticed the stores “creeping” more and more into the clothing business. It kind of reminds me of the way Land’s End went back in the day.
Then there is the inventory problem already mentioned; when you need two of something, they only stock one, etc. Also sailing related hardware is becoming nearly noexistant.
@DougM I heard rumors of that marketing direction last year before the Canadian investors took over. They saw their future more as a boat sports store than a nautical chandler. There was a change in stocking with more paddle board equipment, expanded display of clothing, shoes, etc.
There has been a real emphasis on impulse buy displays as you approach the checkout and a marketing effort in “lowest price” and use of in-store online shopping with staff using their stocking inventory system to move product to you from nearby by warehouse or other stores.
Time will tell if this strategy will prove successful. The online surveys are a way to judge if the strategy is working.
There has been a real emphasis on impulse buy displays as you approach the checkout and a marketing effort in “lowest price” and use of in-store online shopping with staff using their stocking inventory system to move product to you from nearby by warehouse or other stores.
Time will tell if this strategy will prove successful. The online surveys are a way to judge if the strategy is working.
are you sure they were Canadian? Because WM has closed all Canadian stores about two years ago.
Hi Justin, ditto here. Needed a SS fender washer to complete a repair while docked in Anacortes due to a hard landing during a blow awhile ago. Could not find one in my parts bin, so trucked over to WM. Price for one was just under $4. Sheesh! Had to choke, but bought it anyway because it was needed. A few days later I stopped by Harbor Marine in Everett to pick up a few extras for my parts bin at a more acceptable $0.45 each.
@dziedzicmj
No I am not sure. It is what I heard from a Regional Manager. He may have been misinformed.
I do see that in 2017 an investment company bought the shares of WM. There was a proxy fight at the beginning of 2017 summer, then nothing. So I would suspect the buy out went through. Monomoy Capital Partners was the “private investment firm” buyer.
https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2018/11/06/sudden-change-west-marine/
No I am not sure. It is what I heard from a Regional Manager. He may have been misinformed.
I do see that in 2017 an investment company bought the shares of WM. There was a proxy fight at the beginning of 2017 summer, then nothing. So I would suspect the buy out went through. Monomoy Capital Partners was the “private investment firm” buyer.
https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2018/11/06/sudden-change-west-marine/
Last edited:
WM was bought out by Monomoy Capital Partners their main office is in NYC.
About the same time they were bought out WM had decided to focus on "Lifestyle" products. The new CEO has experience in the retail clothing market.
About the same time they were bought out WM had decided to focus on "Lifestyle" products. The new CEO has experience in the retail clothing market.
another point, at least for me- it's a 180 mile round trip to the closest WM outlet. Makes MUCH more sense to shop online.
Edited cause I only use a one way mileage
Edited cause I only use a one way mileage
Dave... there business is changing still again. The former CEO was a former Lowes Exec with retail experience. He just left WM in November. The folks at Monomoy Capital Partners are again looking for a CEO.
The Admiral and I are taking a road trip to the WM superstore in Jacksonville tomorrow. I need to use their rigging bench to make a couple sail pendants, and I want to put eyeballs on some binoculars I asked Santa for. I doubt I (she) will buy them there though, unless they will match Amazon.
As a bonus, our route will take us right past Monkey Fist Marine, a cool little sailboat scrap/salvage type place in Green Cove Springs. Might score some rigging toggles I need.
As a bonus, our route will take us right past Monkey Fist Marine, a cool little sailboat scrap/salvage type place in Green Cove Springs. Might score some rigging toggles I need.