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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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WM vs WM

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/09/2008 : 06:03:13

I was at Walmart the other day and picked up some 3M Marine Boat wax for $10.47. Later that day, I was in West Marine and saw the same bottle of wax for $20.99. I was tempted to show a worker there my Walmart receipt.

One more thing. With the price of VC17 skyrocketing the last couple of years, I'm beginning to wonder if instead of copper, they're now using gold dust.

Don Lucier

North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 06:47:04

You aren't kidding about the VC. I need about 8 quarts for 2 coats on the O'day. Another guy I work with just bought a boat and he gets the WM new owner discount. We combined our purchase, even with the 10% and the sale price the total came to just under 900 bucks after tax........ouch!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 09:12:16

I live about 10 miles from Defender and walking distance from WM. The WM store keeps a Defender catalog by the register, and when I ask, they pull it out and match the price. If they didn't, the difference would usually be worth the trip!

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 10:15:14

Hey, WM will dicker. Went in the other day and said 36 bux is way too high for this deck brush. If you sell it to me for 25, I'll buy it. He went a penny lower than that.

Edited by - on

tchowes
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 10:58:39

I went in the other day, mentioned I was getting my sailboat ready for outfitting. The manager practically begged me to get him a list of everything I needed. They would give me a wholesale or "outfitting" discount.

I only buy from West Marine if a. they are running a sale (which they are doing today) or b. they are the only ones that have it and c. if I need it NOW for some project.

Back in the 80's and early 90's, there were a few discount marine chains that actually offered lower prices than the local marina or boatyard store. I believe West was one of them. They seem like the overpriced marine store now. Something tell me that people are catching on and demanding lower prices.

I use a local Commercial Marine Supply store that outfits commercial fishing boats. I have a commercial account there which entitles me to a wholesale (Defender-esque) price on most items. Not only do I prefer doing business with a local establishment, but the prices are cheaper. I go through alot of Collinite Cleaning and Waxing products. They are 40-50% cheaper than WM.

Internet works too. I bought a gallon of Micron CSC for $157 with free shipping from a major vendor on Ebay. No having to deal with a $50 mail in rebate from West Marine just so I could pay $179 after rebate.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 11:09:24

I like West Marine. You get free shipping on orders over $99 and I get $10 back for each $200 I spend. They also have a terrific return policy which I have used more than once. If I order on a Sunday I have my stuff on Thursday. For expensive stuff I wait until one of ther frequent 10% off sales.

I do also order from defender, hamilton, overton, and others as well but for most of my purchases westmarine.com is the place I go.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 11:22:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">With the price of VC17 skyrocketing the last couple of years, I'm beginning to wonder if instead of copper, they're now using gold dust. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Check the price of copper it is approaching what the price of gold was a few years ago, and gold has gone through the roof. Maybe the way to beat the high price of VC-17 is to ask the manufacturer to sell the just liquid part and then empty your penny jar into a grinder and use the powdered pennys in the liquid; because the copper in the pennys is worth more that the penny.
Seriously, I think West Marine is going he way of the Big Box hardware stores. Where the customer gets great deals while two chains are battling for supremacy until one of the chains eliminates all of the competition and then they stick it to you.

Edited by - Renzo on 04/09/2008 11:23:39

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 11:37:15

Yup--WM knocked out (and bought) #2 BoatUS retail, and the game was over.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 15:09:37

I prefer WM cuz of the service. I got 2 stores within a mile of one another so if one does not have what I want, the other usually will. One exception is a clip for a pin I needed that neither store had so I went to a store at the marina where I keep my boat. And that had it. I was blown away. I think I found a new friend.
But I didn't know that WM would match prices at Defender. I will give that a try.
Steve A

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2008 : 08:27:53

If I need it now, it is WM. If not, it is the Internet. It has as great way of leveling the playing field. I came to sailing from R/C Airplanes and it was the same. Bought at the local hobby shop if I needed it now, but bought from the Internet when I had the time for the shipping. Most internet stores will have free shipping in some shape or form.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2008 : 09:23:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 I live about 10 miles from Defender and walking distance from WM. The WM store keeps a Defender catalog by the register, and when I ask, they pull it out and match the price. If they didn't, the difference would usually be worth the trip!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Once they bought Boat US Retail (or merged or did whatever the heck they say they did) things have gradually gone down hill.

They are the place of last resort - even for need it right now items. I will stop at Home Depot, Costco, KMart, Napa auto parts, and will search a million online locations with Froogle.com before I go the WM.

They have downsized the 2 stores in our area and are becoming more powerboat oriented of late.

There are a few good things. They will match online prices less any online shipping costs, much like Dave mentioned regarding matching Defender. They'll give you those discount coupons, give you 3% off if you use their credit card and you can ship to their store for free. I just wish there was some realistic brick and mortar competition.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2008 : 20:11:42

I have used WM Internet store and found their technicians to be very helpful, full of advice, and only sell what is needed.

I have bought from the WM local store as well but only when they have items on sale.

Sometimes I search the Internet. I am not convinced there is a one store that meets all criteria: best prices, best customer service, best selection, best return policy, the best of the best of the best.

I do know that as my time for shopping becomes replaced with time for sailing, that I tend to pay more for something in order to gain more time for sailing.

Deric

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2008 : 21:32:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Deric
 ...I am not convinced there is a one store that meets all criteria: best prices, best customer service, best selection, best return policy,...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'd say Defender comes closest... WM beats them in some areas of selection, but they're hard to beat on the rest.

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 15:18:32

West Marine controls a huge percentage of the market since buying Boat US, and their prices certainly reflect that. I only use them for convenience.
Willy

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 19:07:22

WM will match prices od defender.com and others. Here is their policy:

We Won’t Be Beat – Low Price Guarantee
Our Low Price Guarantee assures that you are always getting a competitive price. If you find a competitor with a lower price on an identical, in-stock item within 30 days of purchase, just let us know. Shop with confidence at West Marine.

Step 1: Call us! 1-800-BOATING (262-8464)

Step 2: Provide a print out or web address of the advertisement to share with us

It's that easy! See details below:

When on the phone with us, simply ask the manager to match the advertised product price of nationally recognized U.S. retailers. You may be asked for a copy of the advertisement or catalog which shows the local or final delivered price. After confirming the price and availability of the item, the price will be matched.

Please note that price matching cannot be combined with coupon or other promotional offers. Prices, offers and our price matching policy are subject to change without notice. Price matching does not apply to auctions, shipping charges, taxes or promotions such as mail-in offers, gift-with-purchase, financing offers, installation services, or typographical errors.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 19:29:14

?I must say that I was in a local store recently and they had a whisker pole on the shelf. It had been there for a while. The guy came up and asked if he could help me and I said: "Make me a deal on the whisker pole." He knocked $35 bucks off of it and I now have 6-12ft whisker pole. The folks at the 3 stores I frequent are friendly and helpful.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 20:22:49

I've also found that WM stores will match internet prices if you ask. Although I think that match might be tempered by how well they know your face and which store you go to. The WM close by where I work recognizes me when I walk in, remember what kind of boat I have, and go out of their way to be helpful. The one closest to my house I tend to avoid, they're pushy, snobby, and ill-informed about their products. From that I take away that it's not necessarily the chain store that makes the difference, it's the people that staff it. However, I still find myself going to Fisheries Supply (local to Seattle), they have better prices overall, I get a steep discount through my marina that WM won't offer, and they won't match FS's prices because they're not "advertised". For instance Fisheries price for the Garelick bracket I just bought was right at $300, and within a dollar or two of WM's, but with my discount, the actual price was 2/3 of that, and I'd never get that discount from WM. So I tend to shop at WM when it's convenient or I need it right away, for everything else, I shop the internet & Fisheries Supply.

Edited by - delliottg on 04/19/2008 20:23:44

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 22:38:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 ...We Won’t Be Beat – Low Price Guarantee
Our Low Price Guarantee assures that you are always getting a competitive price. If you find a competitor with a lower price on an identical, in-stock item within 30 days of purchase, just let us know. Shop with confidence at West Marine...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Just don't expect WM's regular prices to be competitive with anybody. You have to take the iniative. Example: A tiller for a C-25, when I was looking, was $50-something from CD and $160-something (also on order) from WM. Same exact product from the same maker. I recommend that if you have a C-25/250 and you want to keep somebody in business for your benefit, support Catalina Direct--not West Marine.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/19/2008 22:41:27

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2008 : 00:04:06

The local WM manager has all but given up on their corporate entity. She knows that her store is gone after the lease is up this year. It also seems as if WM is consolidating all their stores into large super stores, The one here will go away as a new larger superstore will open in the twinsburg, ohio area.

That may be a new trend in lower prices.

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2008 : 13:58:45

Randy,
Wish I had known about the guarantee last weekend when I ran out of StarBright PTEF halfway through. It cost me 38.00
Willy

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2008 : 20:17:33

Dave,

Last week, I purchased over 150 bucks of items from CD. Once I receive the merchandise, I am back on the job list of items to perform in order to get the boat ready and safe for launch. Seems like I am supporting everyone.

Deric

Edited by - on

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