There are some things that they are priceless for. One of those is providing equipment and space to affordably assemble stays and shrouds. Another is for having an on-hand and reasonably diverse assortment of rope. I got a pair of leather Sperry Topsiders on clearance and sale for $12, and some nice PFDs for a very modest price. I have gotten a few knuckleheads, but by and large they do fine. Certainly better than the other retailers that fit this niche of which there are none.We have two WM stores in our area. Both are nowadays staffed well with boat-knowledgeable folk. Over time this does vary some, tho; about a decade ago the larger store had a number of "sales droids" that knew nothin' from nothin'.....
Even better, the mgr at the larger WM and the mgr at our only brick-n-morter marine electronics store/shop are both sailors.