Westmarine - the good and the bad

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by labatt

I don't know if this was mentioned before - one of the other reasons I'll often pay higher prices at WM is that they've made the investment in my local community. They hire locally, they use local resources (space, construction, etc.), pay taxes in my state, offer free classes locally, etc.

That is generally my exact philosophy, too. Usually, given the choice, I'll go with small, independently-owned specialty store; then chain store with local presence, then Internet. But even I sometimes violate my own policies. Case in point: The GPS/chartplotter/sonar for our boat. The Admiral put her foot down (and it was her money), so... I found the absolute lowest price I could find from a reputable on-line seller and went with it. We're talkin' $600 vs. $1000.

Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do

Jim

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by artbyjody

I know there is alot of bashing that goes with WM as obviously by the research I did - every item was higher (in some cases ridiculously so) ...

As some of you may know from reading another thread: I'm considering the purchase of a Delta 10 kg for our boat. Just to see what I'm looking at, price-wise, I did a bit of superficial research this morning. I found the lowest price at West Marine, believe it or not.

Jim

[TAK]

Man o man I nearly bit the head off of a WM salesman the other day.. went in to buy a replacement handle for the Igloo - package of 2 for $23! Right next to it was a new igloo on sale with the same handles for yes.. you got it $23!

He actually expected me to buy the new one..

Bought the handle - at Defender for $5.

I like WM for a lot of things - thier prices however suk.. So I always plan.

[camaraderie]

SEMI...That's funny...cause it is a MAP item and everybody has to advertise it at above 172.99 which is West's price. Actually if you put it in your shopping cart at Defender...the price is $154!! The same thing does NOT happen at West...higher as usual.

[RAGTIMEDON]

I am glad to see that WM has re-instated the price match policy. During the absence of said policy, I needed to replace a Beckson porthole which was broken. WM wanted list +10%, defender was less than list, sailnet 5% below Defender. Since I enjoy the sailnet forums, I ordered my port from them. They charged me 14 dollars shipping. Those of you who are familiar with Beckson ports may know that a polycarbonate port, with screen, in the 5x8 size, weighs about 10 ounces. Put that in a box, send it UPS ground anywhere in the USA, and your actual shipping cost is about 3 bucks! In the past, I have used Defender and been charged the actual UPS cost. But now with the price match program, I can go back to supporting the local WM. I don't go to other local boat stores, because I once asked an employee where they had their line, and he did not know what I meant. He asked what it was used for, and I told him I wanted to replace a worn line on my boom vang. Talk about a blank look! When I finally asked for rope, I found they only stocked pre-made dock lines! Typically, in this area, if it doesn't have an outboard and rod holders, it can't possibly be a boat! West Marine is the only game in town, other than the St Louis Sailing Center, which has even higher prices, and an arrogance to match!

[labatt]

Don - I'm surprised about the line. Most of the West's I've visited have a bunch of spools on a rack at the back of their stores with all sorts of line.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

SEMI...That's funny...cause it is a MAP item and everybody has to advertise it at above 172.99 which is West's price. Actually if you put it in your shopping cart at Defender...the price is $154!! The same thing does NOT happen at West...higher as usual.

Ah hah. Well, like I said: It was a superficial check. (Basically: Hit "Google Shopping," and checked a couple on-line resellers specifically.) Didn't think to try putting anything in a shopping cart anywhere.

Jim