Kudos to Rob of West Marine in Oshkosh

[PrincessoftheLake]

I have to post this. Because of my posts about my decision to purchase the Garmin 3210C, I got an email from Rob H.. Rob is the manager of the WM in Oshkosh, WI and he asked me to call him because he was willing to help me get a good price on the equipment I was looking for. I called him and he walked me through the whole process and gave me a GREAT price. It was such a pleasure dealing with him and I would be happy to take my future business to him. So, now I'm not only excited about getting my radar, I had a fabulous shopping experience! Thanks Rob and thanks for this board!

 

[Tim R.]

Not all WM created equal

You hear a lot of complaining here about WM but I love the store in Portland. They do hire some younger kids in the summer but the manager(Dan) and asst. manager(Dan) are very knowledgable and I never pay retail. They are always willing to give me a deal. Some say I shouldn't give my money to the corporate giant and to keep it local but these are local guys I see out on the water and they need to make a living too. I do also shop at other stores and online but their service is just not near what I get at WM.Tim R.

 

[seadaddler]

WM In NEW YORK

I have found the west marine stores on Long Island togo out of their way to be very helpful.I think one of the big reasons is maybe competition ispretty heavy here with so many marine stores and the internet also.But they are local people and really enjoy helping boaters,they areall always trying to help not selling but good advice too.Good for you princess boating is so much $$$ and we need help saving some. Nick

 

[Rick Webb]

Most Always Have a Good Experience at WM

My only complaint is they seem to try to gouge us on things we are going to walk in for need right away and not think about shopping around for. Skyblazer flares come to mind even the Port Supply price is out of whack with other sources. I want them to make a profit and stay in business but I'd rather not feel I am being taken advantage of.

 

[Rob Hessenius]

Thank you

Thank you Princess, now its all up to Fed Ex. I enjoyed our conversation yesterday and look forward to many more. One question now that the deal is done, tell me youre not a Vikings fan? Rob Hessenius

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

Rob, not a Viking Fan

I'm more of a NASCAR gal.Vroom, VroomIn fact I am convinced one of the reasons my husband was so gung ho on getting us into sailing is that years ago I was nagging him to buy me a race car so I could race the powder puff class at the local track. Once we started sailing and racing I got distracted from the race car driving. Other than a brief foray into indoor go-kart racing a couple of years ago (they closed the track but I had nothing to do with that) where I banged my ribs pretty good one day, my husband flipped his car and sprained his ankle and another buddy broke his knee cap, I decided I was too old for that stuff. I am now content (mostly) to be a spectator.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

WM pricing

Rick brings up a good point, pricing on the little stuff is outrageous - that is if you care and know the difference. But, isn't this like 7-11 and similar convenience places? They charge more for that stuff, in part, because they have convenient locations that probably cost a fortune to lease? I mean, five Tylenol at the 7-11 will cost you like $10.But it's there, it's easy and we sometimes pay for that convenience. I actually like the gouging on the small stuff. Let the guys pay for it who don't care about price. That supports the profits and helps keep the stores in good locations that I can visit. I have friends who just want it, want it now, want it close and don't care what they pay. They laugh about it, partially to impress all of us that they can pay w/o caring. So I say let them!!Then again, I'm fortuniate around Annapolis that we have lots of sources for marine type stuff. But, put some effort into your purchases and you can find the deals. That helps out the little guys who are struggling to sell paint brushes, etc. No, they can't compete with WM's volume pricing on radars and high dollar items. But they can compete very well on the small stuff.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Don, you mentioning people who like to pay a lot

reminds me of my wifes ex-Porsche. That damn car was specifically redesigned that year so owners could NOT do their own repairs. Several times I had to take it to the dealer. (a 75 mile trip one way) Many of the yuppie customers at the service desk (oh hell, ALL of them) would be given OUTRAGEOUS price quotes and just stand there vibrating and nodding as if they were receiving some kind of sexual service. All the door knobs in that place were sticky too.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Hi Princess

Did you buy the whole setup or just the 3210 with radar? I have to assume you got the GPS along with it.JimS/V Java

 

[SEADANCE]

WM

Don't know if I can post this or not but our WM is having a Flea Market this Saturday advertising people to bring in their marine loot to sell. Wonder if it is nationwide?B/Seadance

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

WM Flea Market

They have one every fall in Annapolis, in the parking lot. Can get some fantastic deals, but watch out - can't return anything either....lesson learned. Anyone wanna buy a dingy cover for a round tailed dinghy???Fred, is that wife's ex-Porsche or ex-wife's porsche... I did the fancy car thing for a while, gave up on that.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

Jim, yes I got the GPS

along with the Navpod for mounting at the helm. I am giddy with excitement.