Who says W. Marine is overpriced?

[kwaltersmi]

I just picked up a Garmin GPSMAP 76CS Plus from West Marine for $165. This unit retails for $389.00 but was in their clearance section for $199.00. On top of that I used a $5.00 coupon and was given an additional 15% off for the sale that starts tomorrow.

This unit is very similar to the newer GPSMAP 76CSx, but does not have a slot for an SD Card. The 76CS Plus also has a few additional software/interface tweeks like "Sailboat Mode" and a "Marine Log".

I generally find WM to be overpriced, but I was pleasantly surprised with this purchase.

[speciald]

They will match any price - the company president sent an email verifying their policy. They do argue about shipping costs vs. tax cost in my experience. There given prices are much higher than Defender or Sailnet on identicle items.

[Faster]

Good for you, Kwalt... nice to come out of a good deal like that once in a while.

Locally we have had no issue with competing outlets matching prices - so since we have West and another outlet a block apart, a few minutes research will get the better deal no matter who you wish to deal with!

[Islander30Bahama]

It also makes boating very affordable when you work there. My mom made my dad get a job there years ago to support his sailing habit. Now I work there too part time. Its fun and I work in such a small location the crew is very small so it makes it fun.

[Pamlicotraveler]

Not to spoil the fun....but I can tell you what I think is going on there.

Garmin is selling the new handhelds (Colorado 400c) with pre-loaded coastal charts for about $500. So they are probably forced to discount the 76's to move them since they include only a basemap. I have a 76csx and this pricing model has been perplexing...the micro SD cards are expensive - prohibitive when you consider the price of a new Colorado which is preloaded. I think they have changed their pricing to a " charts included" model. Coastal charts on micro sd for the 76cs are a bunch more ... knocking its price to above the preloaded Colorado.

Oh, congratulations on your deal.

[DrB]

their WM brand clothing and shoes, pretty decent.

My wife has the Third Reef jacket that she got for $100 on sale . Lot's of features for the $100 Jacket, that are usually found on the more costly versions of Gill, HL, Gul, etc. I just picked up a pair of the Explorer bibs for $88; same thing, full of features that are found in similar bibs from other manufactures for significant more $.

DrB

[arbarnhart]

I don't think they are overpriced necessarily, but they often only stock top tier brands. I can get decent 4:1 epoxy intended for laminations shipped to me for around $60 a gallon total from a number of places. West charges almost $100 a gallon just for the resin and you still have to get hardener and pay shipping (or tax in my case, since there is a store nearby). I will concede the point that you get higher quality product and better support at that price, but the lower quality stuff doesn't fail. It is usually just about the same, but sometimes the 6 hour might take 7.5 hours to set and I have to clean amine blush off between coats. And if I wonder if it is okay that it took an extra 90 minutes to set and has a hazy surface, there is no one to call. I am okay with that on some products and want to be given the option.
The same is true with a lot of their accessories. I can see their side of it; they don't have to apologize much. And I know people who shop there because they are confident that they will be getting quality stuff even if they might have saved money elsewhere.

[sailhog]

I got a 22 lbs. Delta anchor for $173, which I thought was a pretty good deal.

[TAK]

?? Why call a marine GPS Colorado - anything??

Love the state .. dont get the name!

[kwaltersmi]

Originally Posted by Pamlicotraveler

Coastal charts on micro sd for the 76cs are a bunch more ... knocking its price to above the preloaded Colorado.

I agree, when you consider adding the cost (usually $159) of BlueCharts (CD version) to a 76 series handheld, you get awfully close to the prices of the newer Colorados.

I was planning on just getting the base model GPS 72 with no chart plotting function and the B/W screen for just basic coordinate navigation. However, I couldn't pass up the deal on the 76cs Plus for only about $35 more. I still probably won't purchase BlueCharts until I start to wander away from Lake Michigan waters.