Ritz Camera, owner of Boater's World files Chapter 11.

KD3PC · Feb 23, 2009

couldn't happen to a nicer group...I have received christmas presents bought at Boater's World and they were horrible to deal with. Things broken or wrong size were simply denied. Turns out the internet store was a separate org from the bricks and mortar stores, so you had to deal with each as a separate business. Warranty was none existent.

Ritz Camera not much better in this part of the country...

maybe someone with a clue can pick up the assets and for once open a decent quality, knowledgeable chain for boaters. We could use one.

dave

Hermit Scott · Feb 23, 2009

I went there a few times. The workers seemed like the day before they were working at Krispy Kream and then all of the sudden they had a job at a boat supply store as soon as I walked in.

ITMaster · Feb 23, 2009

I also have personally experienced less than desired conditions at these establishments. This is yet additional reinforcement for me that Karma exists. I can't think of an organization that I would wish more for this to happen to, although I am certain that more will come in the future.

Thanks for mentioning this Jack since it put a smile on me

Dalliance · Feb 23, 2009

Employees from Krispy Kreme? LOL

I had a similar impression the few times I stopped in their store here. I was only there passing time while my car was in the shop across the street. Completely underwhelming and the store closed about a year ago.

Benny · Feb 23, 2009

They have different stuff; more oriented to the powerboat crowd perhaps. If they close they will be missed as that would give WM a monopoly on our market.

Don S/V ILLusion · Feb 23, 2009

Please change response title

The Krispy Kream employees make good donuts - they deserve more respect than Boaters World employees

Ross in Tampa · Feb 24, 2009

On a brighter note... look for the possibility of some great sales. Also, keep in mind that filing chapter 11 doesn't mean they're going out of business.

I have had good luck at boaters world, but it comes from knowing what they carry, and what they are good at. They were competitively priced on electronics, hardware (stainless) and electrical. Just don't expect much "expert" advice.

Larry Neese · Feb 24, 2009

we have 3 Boaters World stores in the Keys, if I find a better price there and I usually do, WM will match it. The Key West store is great with helpful employees, the Marathon store is smaller with nice but lazy staff, need the competition although it is correct they don't cater to sailors.

Terry in Naples · Feb 24, 2009

They usually have the best prices on sales on boat shoes anywhere. I buy them here at times for $10 a pair or so. Same shoes at BOATUS at $50 to $80. Have to know when to shop there though. Terry

jms707@windstream.net · Feb 24, 2009

Bunch of Dingbats

I ordered a Tarp and some other things online from Boatersworld a few years ago and gave them my Discover Card number. No problem. A week later the stuff arrives, I use it everything is just fine. Then about 3 months later I start getting calls from a collection agency about $79.00 I owe to Ritz Camera. WTF? There is a Ritz camera up at the Mall that I may have walked in and back out of a few years ago but I don't ever recall ever buying anything from them. So I tell them to stuff it. They are calling the wrong number or something.
Finally it turns out the Discover Card I had bought the stuff with had expired. (Woops, my bad) but they had accepted the card and shipped the stuff anyway? Who runs a business like that? Shipping stuff without a secure payment? I eventually paid because the stuff was never charged to the Discover but what kiind of fly by night operation was this?

r.w.landau · Feb 24, 2009

You guys are pretty rough on this company.

You may not like Boaters World, but then again you didn't have to shop there..
I have bought from them many times because the prices were great compared to WM.
If you expect highly qualified people in these stores, WM included, I should rethink your expectations.
I rarely ask advice in the marine stores. I may ask where something is, but I do not expect them to be knowledgable.
It is a shame there is another company going belly up...
r.w.landau

Ross in Tampa · Feb 25, 2009

you lost me here?

jms707@windstream.net said:
I ordered a Tarp and some other things online from Boatersworld a few years ago and gave them my Discover Card number. No problem. A week later the stuff arrives, I use it everything is just fine. Then about 3 months later I start getting calls from a collection agency about $79.00 I owe to Ritz Camera. WTF? There is a Ritz camera up at the Mall that I may have walked in and back out of a few years ago but I don't ever recall ever buying anything from them. So I tell them to stuff it. They are calling the wrong number or something.
Finally it turns out the Discover Card I had bought the stuff with had expired. (Woops, my bad) but they had accepted the card and shipped the stuff anyway? Who runs a business like that? Shipping stuff without a secure payment? I eventually paid because the stuff was never charged to the Discover but what kiind of fly by night operation was this?

Let's see if I have this right... You ordered something online, they accepted your order, but the card you gave them was expired. They processed your order, shipped it to you, you received it, used it, and they are the fly by night operation? It sounds like a pretty efficient operation to me.

Not all online transactions are processed instantly. The card number was probably accepted automated, but not run until they had a batch of orders. Sounds like an example of excellent customer service that turned into a leap of faith for them that you would pay the bill. I am glad that you paid the bill.

By the way, they have an excellent boaters reward program.

Carry on.

bw man · Mar 12, 2009

you dont get it

just to let you boaters world employee knocking folks know for what us employees of bw get paid you cant expect us to be boat experts unless you can afford a boat lifestyle at $10bucks an hour if so join us with your knowledge i cant but someone gotta work at 130 stores mostly students who cant make a true living here plus if bw goes out enjoy west marine jacking up prices since there is no longer competition

BBC16385 · Mar 13, 2009

I knew there may be a problem when the 2004 yacht built by the Boater's World owner went on the market.

http://www.luxist.com/2006/12/21/sea-bowld-yacht-for-sale/

I tied up across from this ship in 2005 in Baltimore. Really nice. Looks like a white navy ship. Lots of crew. Saw the owner also. He looked like he'd been working in the bilge all day.

This ship is one of those overpowered fast boats. Can go about 40 kts.

Hermit Scott · Mar 13, 2009

bw man, when I see people working jobs like that, I wish I could impart to them a little knowledge. If you want out of your financial rat race you have to find a new way to make money. If you have $250 and a will to learn, go to mbtrading.com start a forex account. Then go to fx360.com, look at their recomendations and then watch the charts. In 8 hours you can turn $250 into $1000. Imagine what you can do with $1000. You can start a practice account for free to test my recomendation. You can trade 24 hours a day 5 days a week so no need to quit your day job.
If you keep doing the same thing you have been doing you will keep getting the same results.
After you are rich you can buy a yacht, gain some experience, bail out boaters world, then go back to work there and you will have all the knowledge you need to assist sailboat owners in their quest to repair their own boats.
I wish some one would have given me a plan like that when I was 18!

sailaway78 · Mar 14, 2009

My Take

I think that this is going to be repeated over and over again. But in the long run it is going to hopefully help all of us. I spent most of my working life in a service oriented business, and the ones that do not do their best to satisfy their customers are going to fall by the wayside. The times when the economy is booming, and everyone is spending money, and almost all businesses are doing well are over and done. You can no longer just sit someone at the register to take money. I do not care that much if a salesperson is extremely knowledgable, but I do expect a smiling face, and a pleasant tone when I walk in that door to spend my money. Many many years ago, I worked for an older Jewish gentleman, who had spent his early childhood in Auschwitz. He beat into my head that when a customer walked in the door, he had our money in his pocket, and if you couldn't meet him with a smile on your face, and make him feel welcome, you would no longer work there. I also totally agree with Hermit that if your not satisfied with your position in life, do something about it, instead of bitch.

Ron20324 · Mar 21, 2009

Things were strange at my local Boaters World a couple Fridays ago. Maybe this is why. This just sent to me by email. I only forward it, and do not state it as fact:

Subject: T&T: Boaters World sale

A source in the employ of BW shared this tonight. Boaters World was sold yesterday to a liquidator and will close Boaters World in 90 days. Every thing is starting at 10% off and will go down as far as 60%.

Boating and fishing retailer Boater’s World has begun a chainwide going-out-of-business sale at its 129 locations, including one in Portland. Boater’s World was founded in 1987 by Ritz Camera, which filed for bankruptcy reorganization last month, partly blaming a drop in business at Boater’s World. Boater’s World has stores in 27 states. The retailer says prices have been cut by up to 30 percent on more than $100 million worth of inventory. The chain is also hoping to sell store fixtures and equipment. The going-out-of-business sale is being managed by Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon Brothers Group. The liquidation will not impact Ritz Camera’s retail business, which the company says continues to operate under Chapter 11 reorganization.

Ron20324 · Mar 21, 2009

Indeed, the local BW is now having a G.O.B. sale at 10 to 30 pecent off.

Tim R. · Mar 22, 2009

BW Man, even the manager at our local store isn't qualified to make donuts let alone recommend a good varnish or through hull sealant. Don't come here and whine about being paid too little to be bad at your job. Good customer service costs nothing and learning about the products you sell should be your responsibility. In my profession I would get laughed at if I did not constantly retrain myself(on my dime and personal time). Did you ever wonder why you can't get a better job?

That being said, I just picked up a gallon of Interlux Micron Extra for $175.00. Like what has already been said, know what you want and take advantage of the sale.

Ritz Camera, owner of Boater's World files Chapter 11.

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