West Marine closing in Canada

C

chimoii

New member
I did a search on this but I am sure that the topic must have been covered here already, or maybe nobody really cares.

The one in Sidney will likely be the last to go, maybe even as late as 2018 when the lease runs out. I tend to give my business to the local chandlers wherever possible (95% of the time) so I won't miss them much.
 
charging significantly higher prices than all your competition always seemed like an unsustainable business model to me. WM is only useful for that thing you gotta have right now - on Sunday - when your favorite shop is closed.

jd
 
The rumor here is what ever the cost at West Marine add another zero to the price.

I worked for them part time for 7 years at minimum wage. The only advantage was I refurbish 2 sail boats and took advantage of the associate cheap pricing.

They finally threw all part timers under the bus and also raised the associate pricing.

I now buy items online from Defenders, Overtons, Eastern Marine in Newark, Delaware or Wal Mart, pay shipping and the price I pay is less.
I only buy from West Marine when I need it right now.
 
A West Marine superstore is great to wander 'round in. They have a lot of stuff on display. However, their prices leave something to be desired. I guess they have to pay for all those big stores.

In some cases I have found items at WM that are twice the price just down the road.

That said, they sometimes have items on sale at a very good discount. I have bought some stuff from them when it was on sale, but it is not an everyday sort of store IMO.
 
Chimo: The topic of West Marine has truly been beaten to death on the forum. It's always their pricing vs the convenience of a nearby store, those who don't care what they pay vs those trying to stretch their boating dollars.

To bad. I love West Marine. I use their great catalog to find what I need, then order it from a site on the net that charges half the WM price. It's not that I can't afford their prices, it's a matter of principle. It's refusing to be taken advantage of. Perhaps a change in management is in order.
 
To bad about West Marine Canada. I picked up a Garmin 740s and 18" radar for $1600 Canadian at WM last year. I thought it was a good deal.
In the last while in Canada we have lost or are losing:
West Marine
Target
Best buy

It doesnt make sense to retailer in a vast country like ours with one tenth of the population of the US.

I support my local marine supply store now and hope they don't close down one day. All you internet shoppers, get the price online then try to haggle with local suppliers. Nothing beats the convenience of being able to return something easily and get advice from your local (whether they are a US chain or a mom and pop store) bricks and mortar stores. Where will I get marine supplies on a Sunday when WM is gone?

Stefan
 
There's a marine supply in Nanimo that I've visited several times: The Harbour Chandler Ltd. It's the equal of Waste Marine but with a friendlier attitude and lower prices. Just for the service, I always buy something.

One of the things I dislike about WM is the sales persons attitudes. They act as if they're doing you a favor, which really, really doesn't make me happy. And whilst they're talking to you, they answer the phone on their headsets. Listen, buddy, I'm here, in front of you, trying to buy something. What's with the chatting on the phone?

Fortunately, we have Downwind Marine, one of the San Diego Marine Exchange retail stores. They are willing to help without answering the phone. And their prices are lower. Though I buy electronics on the Internet.

Finally, my name is:

Boris
 
We are not short of good local chandlers in the Victoria area. My favourite is AllBay Marine on Allbay road here in Sidney. Very helpful and good prices. Open on Sunday in the summer too.

BTW: Apart from Target announcing the departure from Canada with the loss of 17,000 jobs, Sony announced they will close all their stores here. That one definitely a loss to on-line shopping.
 
My parents had a mom and pop store that we lived above. They sold and repaired all kinds of stuff, like a combo hardware, appliance, and sporting goods store. It, like all the other stores on the street, went out of business when the big box and chains came in. While I take no pleasure (well maybe a little) in these chain store closings, maybe it will come full circle to a friendlier, more knowedgable, if a little more costly, place.
 
In looking over the list of exhibitors for the Seattle Boat Show I noticed that West Marine is not listed. Seems odd they wouldn't be there. Could their financial struggles be more significant that just needing to close Canadian stores?

jd
 
Wandering Sagebrush":3qwv6fpp said:
I have found that the local West Marine will negotiate and meet reasonable internet prices.
Click to expand...

I do recall a price match from WM. When the small boat show was on in Victoria the Zodiac guys had a deal on the 8' 6" inflateable. I mentioned it at WM and they matched. It saved me about $150.

Off over to the mainland at the weekend and the Vancouver boat show. I will take the chance to visit Steveston Marine while I am there. Locally owned and very helpful. They do a good deal of online stuff. My preference is still to support the local guy as much as possible. I want him there when I need that part or whatever in a hurry.
 
Sagebrush, that's interesting. Several years ago they did say they'd meet internet prices. However, last year when I asked the San Diego store about a radar and the internet price, the reply was "we don't negotiate on internet prices." He was both firm and happy to tell me so.

Not a clue as to the official policy.

Boris
 
Nimrod,

Actually, West Marine didn't have much of anything last year at the SBS either so I don't think its indicative of financial issues w/ their company.

I know - maybe two years back - they had a humongous display w/ all kinds of stuff. With that in mind I went to the SBS last year expecting to use a gift certificate I had received and hoping to combine it w/ their SBS special prices to buy an inflatable life vest only to find they had nothing but a bare minimal display.

Maybe they pulled out entirely this year since you did not even see them listed as an SBS vendor.

Oh well, plenty of other vendors there selling everything you can imagine boat related!

Take care,
Dan, Tanya, and Hannah on C-Renity
 
True all closing. Sidney likely first this summer. Having been a WM manager for 8 years I know a bit of the challenges. The huge one was all freight came weekly out of head office. No local distribution. Huge added costs as each store paid its share of the freight. Truck every week all the way up I5 from California
Many of our local places like Harbour Chandler ( great people great store I was there 11 years), have prepaid freight from Local wholesalers a huge benefit
Even local items made in BC like Scotty down riggers first were shipped to Watsonville Ca then put on a truck to come back to BC. We tried a bunch of ways to get local stuff shipped local but to no avail. Same as prices We comparison shopped, we yelled, stomped our feet etc to lower prices but no go.
Internet match is done daily to bona fide other major retailers. Likely no one matches Bob's discount boat stuff however. It needs to be a marine player not a guy selling stuff out of his truck.
Having seen our numbers as one of the successful Canadian stores, at the end of the year if we had 7% return after all bills were paid, we done real good. It is not a hugely profitable business model. But there are 4000 jobs, excellent return practices and good quality products. They will match prices. The magic phrase if you are meeting any challenges is "could I please have your Regional Managers name and number?' Thank you. They will make you happy! I enjoyed the challenges of working at WM and have fond memories. I prefer being a retired manager however! George
 
Maybe it's because I live in the desert, but I've been real happy that there's a WM in Reno. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and they have items that would be otherwise hard to find here. For large ticket items I would certainly price shop, but I otherwise don't mind spending a little more for good selection and service. I would be bummed if they closed.

Shannon
 
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