west price matching getting limited

[Cest La Vie]

I continue to be amazed at how many brain cells are wasted each week/month/year on this same topic. Is there anyone out there who thinks WM is a bargain? Is there anyone out there that does not recognize that you can buy oil at WalMart cheaper? Somehow, people seem to think that if they say something longer or louder, it makes it more real.

When I had the luxury of time while looking for a truckload of gear to outfit my new boat, I took the opportunity to look at WM, Defender catalog, SBO, and a host of other internet sites. I built my list, compared the total dollars for each item (including tax, shippping, etc). That was great for those items that I did not need within the hour. Do I wish that WM would just lower their prices to a more competitive level that would allow me to stop by their store on the way to the boat, absolutely.

Unfortunately, as one who does not live in an active coastal area with Hamiltons, Defender, and a host of other brick buildings in which to brouse and shop, WM is the only such venue for me. Afraid that the local WalMar, Academy, and other similar stores don't carry 2% of the items that I tend to need.

Living in an area where we generally don't pull our boats for the winter, winterization consists of plugging in a couple of small thermostat-controlled heaters. Due to a major drought in my neighborhood, we had to move our boat from its home slip to a courtesy dock. When making the move, I ended up with only one 30A power supply instead of the two I had on my home dock. One 30A supply will not support multiple heaters kicking on at one time, so I needed two power lines. As Murphy rules the world, there was a hard freeze approaching the evening my boat was moved. The only option I had was an emergency, non-planned trip to the boat, with a stop at the local WM on the way. Sorry, WalMart does not carry a 30A pigtail/splitter. Sorry, Academy does not carry a 30A pigtail/splitter. Sorry, Defender, SBO, or any other online supplier could not deliver a 30A pigtail/splitter in less than 4 hours. While WM may be evil and overpriced, they could deliver the required item on the spot.

Bottom line, the only gas station in the middle of the desert charges more for gas than a gas station in the big cities because they have something we can lay our hands on when we need it. It seems that we have beat this horse to death so many times that there is little left to beat any more. I certainly wish that WM would grow up and become competitive on their own volition, but that has not been the case so far. Until then, use the common sense God gave us to shop where you save money and appreciate WM for those times that FedEx and UPS cannot deliver a needed product within the hour.

As always, high calorie junk food for thought.

 

[HukilauMike]

I too am amazed at this continuing topic of conversation. Not because I can't believe that evil, nasty WM won't lower their prices, but because some people continue to compare apples to oranges and find WM lacking.

It costs money to build, stock and staff a brick and mortar store. More money than it costs to run an internet warehouse business. WM's prices reflect the fact that they have a higher cost structure than a place like Defender that is primarily an internet/mail order retailer. I agree that some items at WM are priced higher than I can understand (a tiller at Defender was about $62; the same tiller at WM was almost $100), but in general, I have found that the prices at WM aren't crazy higher than Defender or Hamilton. We pay for the ability to walk into a store and ask someone questions in person, and to have the ability to pick something up on the way to the boat. We may not like the higher prices, but frankly I think it would be much worse if the WMs of the world went out of business. And anyone who buys acetone or sandpaper at a marine store is just nuts.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Let me say from the outset that I really like West Marine. I am lucky to have a huge WM on the route to my boat and a smaller, but pretty well-stocked one right on my marina reservation about 100 yards from my slip. What I like about WM is that the stores are clean and these two stores carry just about everything I need -- when I need it. It is certainly no surprise to me that WM prices are higher than outlets that don't have a brick and mortar presence. It can certainly be no surprise to WM that customers will look for, and expect, prices to be competitive. We live in a digitally price-competitive world. To me, retail sales reflect the Darwinian concept of the survival of the fittest. If you can't beat the competition, at least you have to stay even with them. Sailors, particularly the ones who cruise websites like this one, are an interesting breed of people. I would hazard the guess that more readers of SBO than not are sailors who like to do a lot of their own work on their boats, depending on skill levels for the tasks at hand. Such people will always be looking for competitive prices for what they need to get the job done -- as well they should. This does not mean they won't pay full retail prices now and then when the circumstances require it. But it does mean that any retailer who can't, or won't, maintain competitive prices is in serious trouble.

 

[AXEL]

I remember the days before the WM monopoly. Seriously...I do and I'm not that old. I was still able to get all the stuff I needed and prices were reasonable. One by one I saw all those local marine supply shops fall. I have 2 WM literary 5 or 10 minutes from my house. Two more are 30 minutes away in either direction. Am I supposed to accept the overpriced WM stock for this convenience?
As far as this thread goes, I had no idea WM wasn't going to price match this season. Thanks to the OP for the heads up!