West Marine

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["yes mom and pop made more money but I'm more worried about the folks working there. As a long life employee I don’t really care how much money mom and pop make over my salary. I worry about my salary and how much it cost me to live. Well I buy my cloths at roths and Wal-Mart because its half or less then the local clothing store. I don’t find that I get any better service from the local shops for the most part and I have to pay more. The big guys have better health care then the mom and pop shop. I have never heard of the local small store having health care or paid vacations." ]

Eu Contra ire .........

Wefings employees are some of the highest paid in our county ,have paid vacations and healthcare is a 50/50 split with employer. I have almost no turnover , yet we struggle to make the bills every month . Mom and pop cant buy products well
enough to make money anymore with the big box purchasing power and no overhead internet "stores". Pop [me] does not pay himself particularly well either .

I never worked in a West Marine store ,[spent alot of time in and around them them as a a Port Supply Rep , but I started in catalog sales before Al Gore invented the internet] but they [the stores] have something called the ten foot rule . If a customer is within ten feet of an associate , the associate is required to greet and ask if the customer needs help . Perhaps that has fallen by the wayside in some of the retail locations .

Marc
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I grew up with my dad being a Jeweler and watchmaker (repairer) in a small family operation, and know how hard it was to compete with larger stores long before the advent of WalMart and the rest, so I appreciate the position mom and pop stores are in. Their role in sales and service has been the backbone of the retail trade in America for decades.

However, my intuition tells me that the large discount super-stores are a phenomena that are a part of the evolution toward a new American retail system within a new world economy we've been discussing on the "Tough Economic Times" thread.

Times are changing on a world wide scale as many new nations join the industrialized world and enter into world trade. The rise of China typifies this trend as it becomes an industrial giant and floods the world, including the U.S., with products.

Our role in such a new world will have to be different, the force of these developments abroad cannot be stopped by artificial means at our boarders.

Joe. :disgust
 
Marc you make a good point that the larger companies SHOULD be able to provide better benefits than the mom and pop outfits for their employees. My concern is when the big boys become the only game in town what will happen to the employee's or prices? I read sometime back that the first employees of Home Depot all became millionaires due to their stock options and the rapid growth of Home Depot. Now that Home Depot seems to have the lions share of that business I wonder how the employees are compensated. I know when I go to my local family owned hardware store there is someone there that knows his business to help you. Finding help in Home Depot is pretty challenging sometimes and checking myself out really is a little much. We are definately living in rapidly changing time and for some of us dinosuars it's hard to accept.
 
Hello All--- Just my two cents, with over 50 years in the field of boating. and having done business with West Marine for some time, I find it is best to always go directly to the manager, in dealing with exchanges, especially if I bought something in N.Y. and want to do an exchange in Florida. and I can't find the receipt. This happen to me recently on an electric windshield wiper motor that overheated. the exchange was NO problem, never go on the weekends, the best time is early A.M. during the week. I always buy all my Marine and RV batteries from Sears, mainly because they actually have a decent battery for C-Dories, and they provide half way descent service. I avoid the other big box stores like the plague! Try asking ANY EMPLOYEE at Wal-Mart if they know what a C-Dory looks like. They won't have a clue unless you are parked in their lot with your boat in tow. I still try to shop Mom and Pop whenever possible. Remember most of the chain employees(except for Wal-Mart) weren't even born when C-Dories were first being produced! Rich
 
I was in the San Diego West Marine store this weekend. They claim it's the biggest store they have. Tried to find some parts. Every salesperson is walking around with wireless phones in their ear, apparently talking to people calling in, I certainly couldn't get their attention. Found one salesman, who turned out to be a cruiser spending 6 mos in San Diego. Nice guy, but do you consider him an expert? Pat knows as much or more about wiring as this guy, cause now he's done it. I have talked to the young ladies just out of business school, learning the trade. Are they experts? Finally found the Lift-the-dot snaps, a package of 4 for $8. Spent my freebie class action coupons on a fuel filter and left

Went to Downwind Marine (2 blocks away,) The same snaps were sold individually, for 1/6 the price. And the people knew what I was talking about, they didn't need a catalog number. I also found TWO good marine stores in Bellingham. So you gotta look.

There are alternatives to the Internet, but I don't think West Marine is one. Also, when I've had questions and problems with electronics, the manufactures are the best people to talk to that I've found. It's their stuff.

OK, nuff said, Boris
 
journey on":1y298eir said:
Every salesperson is walking around with wireless phones in their ear, apparently talking to people calling in, I certainly couldn't get their attention. Found one salesman, who turned out to be a cruiser spending 6 mos in San Diego. Boris
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That is when you call the store up on your cell phone and after you reach one of them, you ask them where they are standing in the store. While still talking to them on the phone, walk over to them and continue one on one with your questions... :wink
 
This is something I don't understand.

Does West Marine actually make more money by talking to the phone-in customers than they do helping a customer who is already in the store?

If I drive to a store, I am most likely there to buy something. Why should a phone-in caller have precedent over me?

If the salesman answers an on-ear phone while helping me I think that is rude, and I might take my business elsewhere.
 
West Marine is one of the biggest retail chains in the US. Their overhead costs are no different than Lowe's or Academy's or Walmart's. If they want to charge double for a product I can buy elsewhere, then they loose my business. It's not big store vs mom-and-pop. It's not retail outlet vs internet. It's pure greed.

The local West Marine here is going under because of there pricing policies. So be it.
 
AK Angler":n780xi4e said:
Resurrecting a 5 year old thread just to complain about West Marine? Really? :roll:
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everyone has the right to their opinions
what I get from this is that West Marine isn't any better 5 years later
 
Yes, we agree that the prices at West Marine is greater than at LFS, Reddin Marine or some of the bigger box stores. However, when they've got a super duper sale going on, sometimes it's hard to match. Ruthie picked up a pair of Sperry boat shoes for $20. Flares recently replaced were on sale, too. Just have to watch their ads....and there's some excellent prices on their Garmins.

For six summers Ruthie and I hosted the C-Brat Rendezvous at Bellingham's Squalicum Harbor. During that six years Bellingham's West Marine supported us by donating hundreds of $$$ in merchandise (such as PFD's valued at $130 each) that was won by C-Brats on those weekends. Quite often West Marine donated more towards our C-Brats gatherings than the boat manufacturer.

The Friday Harbor West Marine store has been there to support the C-Brats during the annual get-together which is hosted by Barry and Patti (C-Cakes). While at FH WM, we purchased a couple of items that were less expensive than the marine stores in Bellingham and that didn't include the 10 per cent discount that we received that weekend.

PS: One of the best experiences we've ever had at West Marine (Anacortes) was meeting our friend, Roger SENSEI, over a decade ago. He was leaving the store just as we were entering.....and because his hat had a C-Dory on it, we naturally had to ask him what kind of C-Dory, etc...So, good things can happen at a WM store even if you don't intend to buy anything :D

:D Happy shopping wherever you go :D

Joe and Ruth, C-Brats #22
R-MATEY
 
West Marine is a very big chain, (maybe not Walmart big, but think Radio Shack). It is still made up of people, no matter where the store is. They are who the store is. In my case, the most local store is 40 miles a way. Most of the folks there, and certainly the manager, know my name. Not everything I buy comes from there, but I do buy occasionally, and every CBGT where WM is a sponsor, I participate buy purchasing something, Maybe not a $200 VHF but I'll find something I "need".

My WM store has done returns, "No questions asked", and done special orders for me. On one occasion, they chased down a local electronics tech phone number, and then got Raymarine tech support for me, while I was turning circles off the ferry dock at Friday Harbor, because my Raymarine decided to take a vacation. Are their prices high? Yes, some but so is their service. My preference, go face to face when possible, and support local if you want to be able to use that resource again.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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As a retired WM manager I appreciate all the kind words. We always tried to support good events, like CBGT's and others We always tried to make sure our prices were comparable to local competitors. This was communicated to head office. Sometimes we won sometimes not. We could always offer the match though. One of the big advantages was the ability to replace a defective item for someone when it was bought a long way away. I replaced a complete C120 system once for a guy from Dallas on his way north to Alaska. in Raymarine's days of challenge. We struggled with pricing all the time but overall I always said if a guy spent one boat unit ($1000) at WM and the same $1000 at the competitor on "stuff" his cart would be about as full. Excluding electronics. As Joe suggests keep an eye for bargains and ask to match others. The team makes the store as Harvey says. George
 
Had a nice chat with a young sales associate at the local WM today. She did not know what a TM258 transducer is. Or a 10-pin connector. She had never heard of Airmar. She had never heard of Furuno.

I will say this: She was very apologetic for not knowing about any of the things I asked her. She actually seemed quite bright and was very eager to learn what she could about the world of transducers beyond the Garmin showcase and the few transducers in the store. She said she would call me tomorrow and and tell me how much a special order would cost. We shall see.

I gave her another project. I pointed out, as I have over the past several months to other WM employees (there seems to be quite the turnover), that there is a certain irrationality in their battery section inventory. None of the half dozen or so terminal protectors on display fits any of the batteries they sell. She is the first employee to register some surprise at this, and she promised to look into it. Again, we shall see.

I actually would like to see a mix of local, big chain, and internet businesses, but I don't know how it will play out. It's just not feasible for a brick and mortar retail store to stock inventory that is used primarily as a showroom for somebody else's internet business.
 
Personally, I don't care what WM charges. All I know is when I want it, I want it. I'm a busy guy and my days off must be productive. So, five years ago when I moved to Friday Harbor I decided (wanted) to by a boat. I had recalled C-dory from some time back and you just don't forget them. So I ended up buying my bare bones 16ft'r and headed to WM (where else do you go in FH?)for line, bumpers, rode, chain, anchor, flares, life jackets etc. So I tell the guy I'm a new boat owner and would like a catalog. He asked if I had a WM card and I said I didn't. Well, a catalog will cost you $5 unless you have the card. I told him I didn't want a card, just a catalog. So, they made $5 on me that day, but that's all they will ever make off me. I bought line and fenders at the WM in Anacortes on one of my trips off island, and the rest has come from other places. :monty
 
Bill, I can relate to your experiences--and I also agree that things may be even worse at WM than it was 8 years ago. At least in our case, the larger of the two W M in Pensacola lost their long time manager, who was excellent, and had a sequence of a number of short term managers. I recently had a good experience with a young college student associate, who was a boater and knew his stuff, and took the time to look up and call the manufacture what he didn't know.

Several of my friends are "assistant managers" at the smaller of the two WM stores. They are both very knowledgable, and are only part time workers (No benefits of any sort), even though both want to work full time. With only 2 employees in the store this creates stress because of the lack of ability to keep an eye on the merchandise.

I needed a couple of #18 to #22 female spade connectors--and none were to be found for a number of months, despite several hundred of the male fittings which were worthless without the female connectors. Even the store manager was not able to get the stock refilled--the answer I got was "the home office decides what we get"--hard to believe. Yes, I finally got some.
 
Bob, yes, it is pretty distressing. In effect, West Marine IS my local store. I do try to throw business at the truly locally-owned marinas and other stores in town. That said, I have to drive an hour or more to visit a store that might have any serious inventory of electronics let alone anyone knowledgeable to talk to.

We are definitely in some kind of significant retailing shake-up.
 
West Marine started out being the discount marine supply store and put a lot of local stores under. Times change; as an example of where they are now, I stopped by to buy a 1/2" nylon tee. $3.29 at West Marine, $2.19 at the local, non-discount hardware store. Same thing. And in San Diego, Downwind Marine is cheaper than West Marine by some amount.

I'll certainly grant you their service is friendly, but so is the local hardware.

When I buy anything of significance (V700 windlass to plastic tubing,) I can get the same stuff at an internet house, cheaper. That's plus shipping less sales tax, waiting a week. FedEx delivers to all the places I cruise; that's how I got my windlass in Lummi Island, saved a couple of hundred. And I don't need to drive 70 miles (RT) to the nearest West Marine when I'm home in San Diego. And, at least with Defender, I can still return stuff. Not just walk in, but I've returned/exchanged. I just have to plan ahead. West Marine and Downwind are there for emergencies.

I'll be interested to see how the brick and mortar stores compete with the internet stores. Either there's a lot of people who want it now, or West Marine may be in trouble even though they've captured the majority of the local market. And they're not cheap any more.

Boris
 
I once lived on a boat in a marina near New Orleans. I was in West Marine weekly. The manager and I joked about the "Jewelry Counter", that was their hardware section, but with $10.00 coupons I would receive in the mail once and a while, their prices were bearable. Those days are gone. Their prices aren't just excessive, they're insulting.

Like everything else on this forum, (one axel vs two axels, one motor vs two motors, propane vs charcoal), where one shops is a personal choice.

Personally, I would rather shop where I don't feel I have been taken advantage of. To each his own.

I do feel bad for the generally, great sales folks who work in the stores. They are caught in the middle, between corporate greed and the shocked look in their customer's faces when they are told the price of an item.
 
I've had similar experiences w/ WM, frustrated not only by absurd pricing, but also a variety of customer service issues I don't want to rant about here.

But the yacht club crowd is probably their target demographic (with those prices, it must be!), whereas C-dory owners, fishermen, etc, are more frugal, want a better selection, and are willing to shop for the best bargain.

I will say, back in the day (1980s), before the interwebs, WM was competetive on many things and we would even make the occasional drive from Bellingham to Seattle just to shop there. Kind of like REI, then and now.
 
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