Went to West Marine yesterday to buy shaft zincs.

[Chuck R]

Sometimes you don't even mind paying a little extra when,,,,

You run into a store that actually cares about it's customers. Sailors who are familiar with Western lake Erie Island area may know of BRAND'S MARINA of Port Clinton Ohio. There is this sweet senior lady there who greets and wants to help. Last time there it was for a half dozen or so new clevis pins for the shackles on the rigging of my O222. The smallest ones on the wall cards were to big. She asked for the shackle and went to a bulk box and got 8 pins, and when she tried one or two she found one that was to thick and then proceeded to try every one to make sure I had eight that were good ones. She is an owners wife, who knows here stuff. Anyone I've ever talked to who knows her says she is outstanding and likes her. It's about 35 miles for me to get there so not on my way.. However I do enjoy going when I can.

 

[Paul Brinkley]

It pays (or saves) to shop around...

I wanted a am/fm antenna; found the same one at West Marine ($39.99), Defender ($27.99), and Wholesale Marine ($25.20)- same manufacturer, same model number. It would be hard for me to justify buying it for over $14 more than I could get it somewhere else. I do buy some things from West Marine- if the price is reasonable compared to others, or if I can pick it up quickly and save freight. Its a lot like grocery shopping- every store has some things for good prices and some things for not-so-good prices. I generally look at buying boat stuff like I do anything else; compare and save; I can't afford to do otherwise. -Paul

 

[Fred Ficarra7897]

Paul, anymore, the only time I go into a grocery store is for

the honey-do list. About 4 times a year. Costco! That's it for me!

 

[Paul Brinkley]

Fred, I'm retired...

...but my wife isn't. Guess who does the shopping and most of the cooking? Oh, well, it keeps me out of trouble! -Paul

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

WM's annual report

If anyone is interested (and in fear of perpetuating this thread): West Marine released their financials - net sales of US$113.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, compared to net sales of US$125.8 million a year ago. Same-store sales decreased 9.4 per cent compared to the same quarter a year ago. West Marine also reported a net loss of US$17.6 million, compared to a net loss of US$11.3 million a year ago.

 

[Fred Ficarra7897]

Net loss huh?

Can you tell why Don? Is it Republican book kee,,,,, oops, sorry. Let me rephrase that. Is it creative book keeping or are they reaping the results of a free market? (people buying elsewhere)

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Fred

It's a relatively small publicly traded company and therefore highly doubtful someone is cooking the books. It is curious how the loss this year exceeded that from last when they bought out and closed 40+ BoatUS stores. No clue why.If anyone is paying attention, it should read the quarter ending March, 2008, not 2007.

 

[Fred Ficarra7897]

We knew what you meant Don.

 

[Maine Sail]

Random price checking.

Just checked prices on a few commonly used items I purchased this year at catalog retail pricing for WM, Hamilton & Defender. If you can plan ahead and mail order you can save some money..Interprotect 2000 GalWest Marine 92.99Hamilton 82.99Defender 69.99Ultima SR Ablative - GalWest Marine 219.99Hamilton 199.99DEfender 189.99Epifanes Gloss QuartWest Marine 37.99Hamilton 24.99Defender 33.99Cetol West Marine 35.99Hamilton 31.99Defender 25.993M 4200West Marine 19.99Hamilton 14.99Defender 12.99West System Epoxy - GalWest Marine 94.99Hamilton 91.95Defender 74.993m 101 PolysulfideWest Marine 23.99Hamilton 16.99Defender 14.71AwlCare Awlgrip SealantWest Marine 69.99Hamilton 48.99Defender 50.99Ancor 14-2 wire 100' spoolWest Marine 119.99Hamilton 76.99Defender 81.49Butt Connector 100pkWest Marine 41.99Hamilton 29.99Defender N/AGroco Seacock 3/4"West Marine 152.99Hamilton 119.00Defender 91.95

 

[Old Salt]

Looks like Fred wants socializism

and fixed pricing.Sure it sounds good now but give it a generation and all you will end up with is inferior products in every aspect of your life. Why would any enterprising person go to extraordinary means to produce an exceptional product if the government is going to mandate how much he or she can make for that product.Its called Capitalism boys and girls. Stop whining unless you want to have government regulate every aspect of your life. Remember no great things were ever developed under communism, socialism or other tyrany ruler unless it was on the back of the masses of people in virtual slave labor in that countryWhether you like it or not West Marine does a service for millions of boaters a year in having stores all over the place. Not everyone can be as lucky and have a great chandlery around the corner. It costs WM money to build and maintain a store for your convenience. So grow a pair and do what others have suggested and vote with your feet and shop elsewhere. If you were caught last minute and didn't plan and need the zincs right this minute then why is it West Marines fault that it has a store nearby for you to buy the part. If you don't like the price then don't buy it.

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Main Sail, bad thing about it here in Chicago

Is that you get hit up with a 10% sales tax on top of it when buying at WM.

 

[Old Salt]

Main Sail How much lost savings are we going lose

by having to ship a gallon of any of those items from Maine or CT to the Gulf.West Marine never claimed to be the cheapest but when I need something I just go around the corner and pick it up and if I have a competitive price they will match it. Whats wrong with thatUntil Hamilton and Defender builds a store around the corner from all of us they will still not meet the needs of everyone in boating

 

[Maine Sail]

If you..

If you mail order from Defender you won't pay the sales tax though legally I bet you're supposed to.If it's a slow day I usually just have WM match the prices for the fun of it so they can see how out of line they are. It's funny that Hamilton Marine grew, right under their noses, in a state where West Marine has two stores.Don't get me wrong I still buy from West but every product I buy is price matched. I have no problem with and profit but some of WM's are just insulting.. Generally of the price is within 5-8% I generally won't bother price matching but if it's over that I do..And they wonder why profits are down? People are voting with their feet!!So far this season WM has earned about 15% of my business and Hamilton and online vendors the rest..

 

[Paul Akers]

WM is terrible...for pricing!

They have really gotten out of hand. Hamilton and Defender are pretty good! But Boat zincs can be bought online(Hint: get a few people involved, order and have it shipped out-of-state for no tax).http://www.boatzincs.com

 

[Ross in Tampa]

there is a place for West Marine...

I have to say this, and I am sure that many of you all have thought this too.There is a place for West Marine, they are the goto store when you gotta have it. When my engine was broke down in the Keys with a cracked spark plug, I was thankful that there was a West Marine 3 blocks from the marina that I had just been towed to. Yes, I should have had an extra spark plug on board, I do now, and a shiny new socket to drive it with. Shopping online is great, I get all the catalogs, West, Boaters World, Hamilton, Defender you name it I get them. It is a hoot to compare prices from one to the other. It's not really fair hold a brick and mortar store to the same price point as an online vendor. Granted, I am thankful that West will price match. But, if it's something that I want, a new Magma Grill, versus something that I need, turnbuckle, shackle, I am really glad that Tampa is West Marine rich with numerous stores. I will continue to support West Marine, but will also shop online when my time permits.Just my 2 cents.Ross in Tampa1979 Oday 25

 

[NautiDuck]

WM Price Match

Will WM price match when you shop online? How do you do it or do you need to call the 800 number?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

very redundant issue

Same old people complaining about the same old subject using the same old examples, to what purpose I have no idea. Some people dislike WM's marketing strategy, others accept it for what it is and apparently some just want to complain.It obviously is somehwat of a chat room subject but is this supposed to be informative or somehow otherwise constructive?

 

[Fred Ficarra7897]

Hi Old Salty. I can't let this go. Your method of debate,,,,

is exactly what the right wing does. First YOU make the assumption that what I want equals what YOU say it is, then I'm a Socialist/Communist and all the rest of the tripe you spout afterwards. Your method will eliminate the middle class in the FREE WORLD. China IS NOT FREE!Oh, and West Marine DOESN'T build stores. They move into strip malls. Ugh!Oh, and read your history book! Regulating Capitalism is MANDITORY to prevent all sorts of crimes against the public. Regulation broke up the oil monopolies at the turn of the previous century and made this country the GREATEST! And that's all going away. Back to what it was before. Why? There's oil men in the White House. Duh! Why do you think the price of oil under this dork sitting there has nearly quadrupled on his 'watch'?

 

[Old Salt]

Fred + this discussion = Rathole

Hey freddie. This is no right wing debate. (never voted for a republican president in over 30 years). This is ME talking to YOU. This is me making an argument that shoots holes all through your whiny crybaby post *cry right out of the water(which has been written about a million times before)Of course you are the one that took this thread political and twice mind you ! (There's oil men in the White House, etc etc.)You are probably not man enough to admit that.Fred Look in the mirror and take the trash to the bilge. No one wants politics here and you obviously don't have enough command of yourself or the posts to do any less. Its so easy to blame everyone else. Grow a pair and NEVER and I mean NEVER step foot in a West Marine or go on line to their site again. Then you will never have to complain about them again.

 

[John Nantz]

I don't get ulcers, I give 'em!

Those were some of the favorite words that one of my old bosses used to say.In the case of West Marine, for the most part their prices are pretty competitive. Unlike some, I plan my projects out ahead, spread sheet them, compare costs, get everything I need lined up and go to it. On some projects I even use a Critical Path program so that is geting organized. So when checking prices I'm also looking at the trips to get the items as well as the time to get them. In our area, which is also Fred's, there is one West Marine and a couple blocks down the road there is Boat World (that caters to the small power boats). Other than these two relatively small brick-and-morter stores there are only a few very small mom-and-pop stores and one here in Poulsbo that is like an outlet store for Fisheries Supply, a huge independent based in Seattle, and Fleet Marine, and arm of West Marine. So, needless to say, there is *some* competition but not a whole lot. Since zincs are somewhat of a staple in the marine world, to have such a price increase after years of relatively marginal, more or less inflationary, price increases, it would seem alright to flag such a large increase to the community. If one hasn't shopped for zincs in the last several months it would be a good thing to know. My last zinc(s) purchase was from the diver a couple months ago and the price wasn't *that* high at that time, and he probably has his own source. Anyhow, if someone wants to highlight a major price increase on a particular item I would consider this more of a service. Will I check zinc prices for next month when they need replacing? You bet I will. No one likes costly surprises.A "complaint", according to wikipedia.org (see link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complain), "is an expression of displeasure, such as poor service at a store", and that's a direct quote. The expression of a complaint can be a way to alert others but also be a way to vent rather than keep it bottled up (and get ulcers!). A price spike for a commonly used item... yes, that can cause displeasure. Now that I'm aware of this fact I can more easily avoid it myself, should I choose to do so.Personally, I like West Marine. I like going in there for the free magazines and looking around. Can't say I spend very much there but they are well organized, efficient, clean, have nice sales people, they are helpful, etc. The 'other' store down the street, though, I hate to go in. Definitely an absolute last resort and in all the years they've been there I've hardly spent anything there. Providing a 'buy it now' selection is a service and it pays to patronize your local stores and the independents have a really rough time because of the lack of buying power so try and give them a chance whenever possible.