Got to love West Marine
- Thread starter Jim Seamans
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I think it's more a case of they lost (perceived) profit. If Defender can afford to sell something for $30 and still make a profit, why does WM have to sell it for $60? And I’m not making this up, this was an actual price match. I for one have made several purchases this season so far that normally would have been price matched at WM. But I bought elsewhere and to my surprise found these items at even better than Defender prices. IMO, WM will lose even more "profit" this year as a result of their new price matching policy. And as a result have enlighten consumers to the benefits of shopping on-line for the best deals.
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Another example; You know those Sealand holding tank filters you're supposed to replace every season. I needed to replace mine this season. WM = $130, Defender = $90. A guy on eBay who sells a kit to mod filter and replace charcoal = $27. Once mod is done it will cost $5 per season to replace charcoal. Had it not been for WM’s new price matching policy, I would have gone to WM, price matched and bought for $90. Now thanks to WM, I saved big time by looking elsewhere.
West marine comment
Im not down on west marine Unfortunately the store in my town is small The stock on hand is limited. Ive been in there for any number of Items and what I usually hear is, Its out of stock, but we can get it for you from the warehouse. My thinking is this: I can get it myself from any number of on line retail warehouses for less and in the same amount of time. Im not against buying from West and Im willing to pay more for an Item if they they have what I want then and there. If not I look elsewhere
Im not down on west marine Unfortunately the store in my town is small The stock on hand is limited. Ive been in there for any number of Items and what I usually hear is, Its out of stock, but we can get it for you from the warehouse. My thinking is this: I can get it myself from any number of on line retail warehouses for less and in the same amount of time. Im not against buying from West and Im willing to pay more for an Item if they they have what I want then and there. If not I look elsewhere
Very true... Lucky we have the huge San Diego store we can go to for a fun excursion .... Along with 3-4 other sailing stores right there too.... But at home we Have a really small WM 2 min away for emergency stuff .
We did enjoy this recent sale... Spent lots of $$$ at triple points and now we have cool new shoes, shorts, gloves, fender covers, reload cylinder for PFD, joker valve .... All that we could try on or touch ..... All good! Can't wait for our $$ coupons that we'll put toward new batteries!
It's not their fault, the days of that kind of customer service have gone by the wayside with the advent of computerized cash registers. Stores can't sell you a piece of bubble gum when the power is out, and a clerk can't count change unless the register tell him how much to give you back.
My dad worked in retail and if a customer showed up at the locked store door 10 minutes before you open, you let him in. Now the employees just ignore you, and why not, they can't ring you up until 9:00AM anyway.
It's just the way it is.
My dad worked in retail and if a customer showed up at the locked store door 10 minutes before you open, you let him in. Now the employees just ignore you, and why not, they can't ring you up until 9:00AM anyway.
It's just the way it is.
Exactly right. I incorrectly remembered I needed 1/4" (ah, the joy of aging) and that's what I had on hand.
West Marine to the rescue. On another forum I referred to the emergency drive to West as the trip of shame. My shame.
On another matter,
I stand by every word I've posted on this or any other forum as the truth. I call 'em the way I see 'em just like I did on this thread. While I'll not be rude, neither am I trying for Miss Congeniality.
There is no West Marine that is convenient for me but there are 5 stores in a relatively small area from Eatontown to Perth Amboy. What I don't like about them is that they are 5 very small stores and basically all of them are under-stocked. I'd prefer one larger store ... such as the Defender store in Conn ... that has a decent stock.
I'll always support the local store whenever I can. They're there when I can't wait a week or more, and when I screw up and get the wrong part, it's no hassle to return it for a refund. Sure, WM may be more expensive, but that's the price you pay for people and convienance.
15 years ago there were several windsurfing stores in my area... Now there is only one, because most sailors decided to save a couple of bucks by purchasing online.
There will come a time where you're stuck on the beach or the dock because you need a part now... That's when you'll appreciate a brick and mortar store near you.
15 years ago there were several windsurfing stores in my area... Now there is only one, because most sailors decided to save a couple of bucks by purchasing online.
There will come a time where you're stuck on the beach or the dock because you need a part now... That's when you'll appreciate a brick and mortar store near you.
I've found that the crew at Santa Cruz West Marine are awesome. Helpful and friendly. Thanks Amy (manager) for helping me on several (OK, more than several) projects.
My beloved wife found and mounted a plaque on a bulkhead. It states, "Like a woman, the rigging costs more than the hull." I used to come home with a little brown bag containing a few hundred dollars worth of "Marine" hardware. Buying a boat is only the first step. Then you HAVE to have all the gofasters and doodads to go with it. You won't sail any faster but you will sail prettier. West Marine hear in Las Vegas has a limited supply of stuff but it's the only game in town. Pardon the pun. Over the years I probably could have bought a new car with money I've spent. Miss living near Marina del Rey. Does anyone remember Noya on Lincoln Blvd? And of course Minnie's in Newport. Yeah, and letting me loose at West Marine in San Diego is like locking a junkie in drug factory.
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