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The Rebellion still lives!
May the force be with you. http://www.sailnet.com/collections/cruising/index.cfm?articleid=boyles0002&tfr=fp
May the force be with you. http://www.sailnet.com/collections/cruising/index.cfm?articleid=boyles0002&tfr=fp
Next step the internet sales........
I follow West Marine's fortunes via Boating Industry's online newsletter (if you want to get it I can provide link- but is a trade only thing). They are still making a loss and their stores have not being doing well but their INTERNET and other mail order sales have been keeping them from doing worse. To parody something else about another time and series of events. They put (nearly all in CA) small retailers businesses out of business. One ofthe techniques was to be a wholesaler (Port Supply) but with whoselae prices that gave little margin to the independants. They they started to shaft the suppliers (using monopoly power, and "West Brand"). Then they took over E&B, now Boat US (leaving only Boater's World who do, by the way treat their suppliers well but still push their own brands of cleaners). You will see a lot of brands at Boat/US disappear from now on I know mine will (the WM buyer will make sure of that). OK where is the competition? - really only one place left- the other mail order (now mainly internet) retailers. Sailnet, Boats.com. I predict that WM will start chat groups, forums etc and temporary price deals that will start to take away that part of their competition too. Then what? They can do what they want and charge what they want (remember microsoft and Netscape etc?). There are "great" products that you will no longer be able to get easily (because WM want to sell only a limited inventory with large margins). They already charge suppliers for advertising, catalog placement, shelf space etc! Thee is only one way for customers and suppliers to fight back: co-ops! In fact I think that there is one Co-op wholesaler of marine supplies that supplies some of the remaining small chandleries (name escapes me at the moment). This is the sort of True Value, Ace Hardware system. The other way is for suppliers to sell direct to the public but they will have to front large marketing costs unless they all co-operate. Just a little rant and trying not to be too negative. Jim W
I follow West Marine's fortunes via Boating Industry's online newsletter (if you want to get it I can provide link- but is a trade only thing). They are still making a loss and their stores have not being doing well but their INTERNET and other mail order sales have been keeping them from doing worse. To parody something else about another time and series of events. They put (nearly all in CA) small retailers businesses out of business. One ofthe techniques was to be a wholesaler (Port Supply) but with whoselae prices that gave little margin to the independants. They they started to shaft the suppliers (using monopoly power, and "West Brand"). Then they took over E&B, now Boat US (leaving only Boater's World who do, by the way treat their suppliers well but still push their own brands of cleaners). You will see a lot of brands at Boat/US disappear from now on I know mine will (the WM buyer will make sure of that). OK where is the competition? - really only one place left- the other mail order (now mainly internet) retailers. Sailnet, Boats.com. I predict that WM will start chat groups, forums etc and temporary price deals that will start to take away that part of their competition too. Then what? They can do what they want and charge what they want (remember microsoft and Netscape etc?). There are "great" products that you will no longer be able to get easily (because WM want to sell only a limited inventory with large margins). They already charge suppliers for advertising, catalog placement, shelf space etc! Thee is only one way for customers and suppliers to fight back: co-ops! In fact I think that there is one Co-op wholesaler of marine supplies that supplies some of the remaining small chandleries (name escapes me at the moment). This is the sort of True Value, Ace Hardware system. The other way is for suppliers to sell direct to the public but they will have to front large marketing costs unless they all co-operate. Just a little rant and trying not to be too negative. Jim W
fight back with information
The best way to fight a monopoly is not to patronize it just because it's there. Rather to look for and share information about alternatives. I look first on this site for products it carries, for obvious reasons. Sharing experiences we've had with other sellers is key. Anyone purchased from www.marine-parts-online.com? Their prices for electrical parts (e.g., Heart Link Battery Monitor) are substantially less than WM's.
The best way to fight a monopoly is not to patronize it just because it's there. Rather to look for and share information about alternatives. I look first on this site for products it carries, for obvious reasons. Sharing experiences we've had with other sellers is key. Anyone purchased from www.marine-parts-online.com? Their prices for electrical parts (e.g., Heart Link Battery Monitor) are substantially less than WM's.
WM vs BUS
OK, I have heard all the negative responses here. Now I will let you in on just the facts that I know. For those of you who are fans of Boat US stores, you will be happy to know that they are staying two separate businesses. WM will continue to operate BUS as it is, with the price differences included. The only thing that will be combined will be the wholesale division, only because Port Supply is not doing as well as they had hoped. The only thing that WM bought was stores, catalog sales and wholesale. Boat US still owns Insurance, financing, Tow Boat US, and the boating advocacy group. I am a livaboard sailboater (3yrs now), Assistant Manager of a WM, I enjoy my job, take it seriously and do it well. For those of you that have questions or concerns, reply back and I will do my best to address them correctly. Valery
OK, I have heard all the negative responses here. Now I will let you in on just the facts that I know. For those of you who are fans of Boat US stores, you will be happy to know that they are staying two separate businesses. WM will continue to operate BUS as it is, with the price differences included. The only thing that will be combined will be the wholesale division, only because Port Supply is not doing as well as they had hoped. The only thing that WM bought was stores, catalog sales and wholesale. Boat US still owns Insurance, financing, Tow Boat US, and the boating advocacy group. I am a livaboard sailboater (3yrs now), Assistant Manager of a WM, I enjoy my job, take it seriously and do it well. For those of you that have questions or concerns, reply back and I will do my best to address them correctly. Valery
Phil, can we expand the chandlery here
to include products shown in the WM, BoatUS,and other catalogs? Sailboatowners.com is a site that I visit at least once a day and would find it very convenient to price-match what WM has in its catalog with what could be available here. Is there any way that a buyers co-op could start here? Just asking... Tom
to include products shown in the WM, BoatUS,and other catalogs? Sailboatowners.com is a site that I visit at least once a day and would find it very convenient to price-match what WM has in its catalog with what could be available here. Is there any way that a buyers co-op could start here? Just asking... Tom
Yes, Valery, but for how long?
The two stores are a block apart in Port Clinton and, as I see it, it is only a matter of time until the BoatUS store is gone. I don't see WM duplicating inventories in one location for very long because of the cost of doing business that way. I have an idea that noone but the corporate officers know just what lies ahead for BUS stores long term. Tom
The two stores are a block apart in Port Clinton and, as I see it, it is only a matter of time until the BoatUS store is gone. I don't see WM duplicating inventories in one location for very long because of the cost of doing business that way. I have an idea that noone but the corporate officers know just what lies ahead for BUS stores long term. Tom
Tom, They Already Did it Here
There was a WM and an E&B not 50 yards from one another in adjacent strip malls. They both continued to operate as WM stores. One has more sailing gear the other more fishing gear but not exclusive to one or the other.
There was a WM and an E&B not 50 yards from one another in adjacent strip malls. They both continued to operate as WM stores. One has more sailing gear the other more fishing gear but not exclusive to one or the other.
Odd Thing on Same Subject, Tom:
WM in MDR, CA, opened a second store about 1/4 mile from the first (large) store. The second store specializes in fishing and motor yachts, dinghies and motors. But, lots of inventory is duplicated. In fact, on some items, I'm told they will compete with each other. OTOH, the BUS store that was going to move nearby is likely toast. There was an oversupply anyway. RD
WM in MDR, CA, opened a second store about 1/4 mile from the first (large) store. The second store specializes in fishing and motor yachts, dinghies and motors. But, lots of inventory is duplicated. In fact, on some items, I'm told they will compete with each other. OTOH, the BUS store that was going to move nearby is likely toast. There was an oversupply anyway. RD
I spoke with the manager of the BUS store today
and she said that for at least a year nothing will change. After that, who knows? Tom
and she said that for at least a year nothing will change. After that, who knows? Tom
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