Defender
V700 Windlass
$735.99
$15.95 ups ground
Total: $751.94
West Marine
$839 + sales tax
Price Match:
751.94 + sales tax
Savings:
$87.06
Plus, the West Marine Ho Hassle Guarantee: no charge, but priceless
There are two ways to save big time at West Marine: price matching when you buy, and how you handle returns. The savings on either end of the transaction can be substantial.
When buying, probably the best place to get information for price matching is defender.com. You can go to other sites if you want, but this is the best place to begin. Have a detailed list of what you want to buy at West Marine, and then locate each of the items at Defender, enter your quantities, put the items in your on-line basket, and when you have them all, have the shipping and tax calculated. Then, and only then, print the result. As noted below, it’s also worth your time to print the Defender basket before having shipping added.
If you group everything together, you minimize the shipping that would be charged. Be sure that all items on your list are shown as in stock, and that they are identical to items available at West. Identical means same item, same mfg. part number, same everything. Don’t mess around with “close”, “similar” or the like.
If you want to go to other web sites, that’s fine, but bring the Defender info with you to West Marine, because that will be accepted without question.
If you want to make this worth your while, you have to be going after high-margin items on which the price can vary. The markup on electronics (radios, radar, gps) is low, and some items have prices set by manufacturers. You won’t same much there. But, items such as electrical components (wire, fuse and breaker panels, etc.), plumbing, hardware, anchoring, etc. have very high margins, and you can expect substantial price differentials on these. Bottom paint price differentials can be more than substantial.
Some West Marine stores will match the Defender price without charging you for the shipping that Defender would have charged – others add the shipping. So, you’re best off to take two Defender printouts: one before shipping is added, and another with shipping. Try to use the no-shipping one first and see if that works. If West Marine wants to add shipping, see if you can get them to add it at the rate they charge, which is highly discounted. If all fails, go with the other Defender printout.
West will add state & local sales tax at the register, which you probably wouldn’t have paid at Defender. You can do the math in advance, but if you’re buying the right items, the savings will still be worth your while.
At the register, make sure the purchase is run through on your West Advantage/Boat U.S. number number. First, you get points for the amount paid, and, second, the transaction goes into West Marine’s computers, so there’s a record of the purchase, detailing each item, and the price paid. Whether or not a member, keep all receipts for purchases at West Marine. You’ll find they come in handy later.
Now, for the return. Virtually every product at West Marine comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. If you’re interested in the term of that warranty, check the catalog. If there’s any problem during the warranty period, bring the item back, with your receipt. If it’s more than 30 days since the purchase, your best bet is to replace with a new unit, or to offer to take a gift card back for full amount paid. The credit will include sales tax, and should also include shipping for which you were charged, but which West Marine didn’t actually pay. You might or might not be successful on the shipping, but that’s not a big deal.
But, this is where the return process gets interesting. Read the West Marine “No Hassle Guarantee”, and try to figure out what it means. Here’s what it says:
“Satisfaction Guaranteed: We’ve had the same “No Hassle Guarantee” from our very first day in business. If you are ever dissatisfied with any purchase you make from us, simply return it. We’ll replace the item or issue a company credit for the items you return. We want you to have complete peace of mind on every purchase you make from West Marine."
Store managers hate the No Hassle Guarantee, because what it means in practice is that merchandise that is within, or outside, the manufacturer’s warranty period is taken back, full or near-full credit given the customer, and the item is then hit a few times with a hammer, painted yellow, and thrown in the dumpster. The bolder customers simply say “I’m not satisfied with this”, while those with more discretion say “my friends say there’s static whenever I try to transmit, and sometimes it won’t transmit at all.” Most of these customers are telling the truth.
Some store managers, and a few sales associates who are trying to save the company from itself, will try to tell you that once the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, you’re out of luck. Others will tell you that during the warranty period, your only recourse is through the manufacturer. But, few will resist a customer who says “The company has a no hassle guarantee policy, and I want another unit (or, a credit for the purchase price), and if I can’t get it here, I’m going to call corporate and ask why store #___ won’t honor the guarantee published over the signature of Randy Repass.” If all else fails, stop by another West Marine store in your later travels. You’ll have no trouble finding one more cooperative.
This Guarantee is a real reason for shopping at West Marine. They make up for it’s cost with sales of other items. It’s in their best interest, and yours.
