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West Marine Shopping Tip

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superbob
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USA
200 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/21/2011 : 09:07:14

Recently I shopped for an expensive item for the 250. In comparing prices I noticed that West Marine would meet or beat any price by any other retailer. They did just that. It was not in stock at our local WM store. WM staff placed the order for me and had it shipped to their store which saved shipping charges.

The beauty, besides saving shipping charges, if that if whatever you buy doesn't work, doesn't fit or you don't like it, that you can return it to your local WM store without having to pay shipping back to whichever internet dealer you dealt with (and without all the hassle to get a refund OR, pay a restocking fee).

This tip is from one salt to another. I do not own stock in WM. . . but I should.

Here's the details off of the WM webpage:

"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 nationally recognized retailer who has a lower advertised price on an identical, in-stock item within 10 days of purchase of that identical item from West Marine, just let us know!

How to price match:

Step 1: Visit your local West Marine Store or call us at 1-800-BOATING (262-8464) and let your West Marine Associate know that you have a price match item to discuss.

Step 2: Provide the name of the nationally recognized U.S. retailer. Also, be prepared to provide the website address, item number and price of the item which shows the final merchandise price, or to provide a copy of the advertised item.

Step 3: Please wait while the Associate confirms the price and in-stock availability of the item.

Step 4: Once confirmed we will gladly match the competitor's price.

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

Bob Watson
Sparkle Plenty
'99 Catalina 250/WK #421
Oak Bottom Marina
Whiskeytown Lake CA

Edited by - superbob on 04/21/2011 09:39:27

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2011 : 09:33:19

I do this routinely--I have a WM store within walking distance and Defender is a 15-minute drive, so WM is used to matching Defender--they have a Defender catalog hidden by the registers.

When getting a match to a web vendor, WM wants me to print out the total transaction including shipping--that's what they'll match. (Seems fair.)

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2011 : 09:33:29

Yes, whenever I'm making a large purchase at WM I now do this. (For little stuff I just use the PortSupply acct for a small discount.) Defender had my bottom paint on sale for $161/gal, WM had it for $220/gal, so I had them match. They bring the website up right on the cash register to verify price/availability.

I much prefer buying boat stuff in a bricks-and-mortar store, because it's so helpful to be able to inspect before buying. WM is about the only national chain left, so I hope they stay in business.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2011 : 11:10:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RhythmDoctor
 I much prefer buying boat stuff in a bricks-and-mortar store, because it's so helpful to be able to inspect before buying. WM is about the only national chain left, so I hope they stay in business.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Agreed--I had been looking at the Garmin 640 at WM, deciding whether I liked the touch-screen interface... Several on-line GPS stores had it for less than WM's (Garmin's) price... but when WM put it on sale, I jumped. I think the place that lets me touch and feel the product should be the place where I buy it. I hope to be ale to walk to the WM store for a few more years.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2011 : 13:26:09

If they did not price match they'd have a hard time staying in business. Their "walk in off the street" prices are horrible.

Edited by - on

mikesuej
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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2011 : 08:35:03

Once I found Defender, I've never been back to WM. WM relies on customers finding the best deal, then taking it to WM. Defender works hard every day to be the best deal all the time. I like to reward folks who work hard to be efficient and give outstanding Customer Service, which Defender does in spades. Why save a few cents at WM by using Defender's own hard work against them? But that's just me. . . .

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2011 : 10:01:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mikesuej
 Once I found Defender, I've never been back to WM. WM relies on customers finding the best deal, then taking it to WM. Defender works hard every day to be the best deal all the time. I like to reward folks who work hard to be efficient and give outstanding Customer Service, which Defender does in spades. Why save a few cents at WM by using Defender's own hard work against them? But that's just me. . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Defender does not operate 7-day/week brick-and-mortar stores with inventories, employees, rent, electricity, etc., all over the country. They have one store (with which I am very well acquainted) in the warehouse that serves their big catalog/internet ordering business, with a long loading dock for 18-wheelers and UPS trucks. If they opened stores all over the country (they once had one--in New Rochelle, NY--it's gone), their prices would look a little different. WM has nice stores with (mostly) helpful people and (mostly) decent inventories for a largely seasonal product. There's no way they can charge the same as Defender under that business model. Price-matching is trying to keep the more savvy buyers coming in, even at lower margins.

If you don't want stores in your neighborhood where you can see what you're buying and ask questions, buy from the internet (and Walmart). One day, they'll be gone.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 04/22/2011 10:08:02

jhinton
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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2011 : 11:55:05

I had a WM store refuse to price match a 100' spool of Ancor 14 gauge primary wire this past winter when I was rewiring our C25. WM price was $68.00 while Defender price was $26.00. No kidding, they refused to price match because it was too much of a discount. $68.00 for a spool of wire? Give me a break.

They eventually gave it to me at a discounted price but that was only after I spoke with two managers and pulled out the phone to call their corporate office.

So be forewarned, it obviously isn't a blanket price match guarantee. Only when it's convenient will they "gladly match the competitor's price".

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2011 : 14:44:44

John, to buy from Defender, do you need it shipped? If that's another $10, then $36 is the number to compare, and generally the lowest WM will go. Comparing to Defender's price at the warehouse is only fair if you plan to drive there, and their overall business model is very different.

To repeat myself, it cost a lot to stock and run a big retail store 12 months a year for a six month marketplace. Nothing against Defender--I do business with both. But comparisons can be somewhat unfair. BTW, WM's sale price on PCA Gold bottom paint (re-branded Pettit Ultima 40) this year was lower than the Ultima in Defender's big warehouse sale, which I attend every year.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 04/22/2011 15:00:02

jhinton
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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2011 : 15:18:51

I understand the costs of running a retail location but can't justify paying more than twice as much for some things as basic as wire. I have and still will, however, pay a bit more to physically touch some big ticket items such as a GPS.

Speaking of the warehouse sale, how was it this year? I didn't make it out this time. Anything fun?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2011 : 17:01:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jhinton
 Speaking of the warehouse sale, how was it this year? I didn't make it out this time. Anything fun?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The crowds are the most fun (in a perverse way). I go on Thursday afternoon when people are leaving, so I don't have to park out on the highway. There were a bunch of vendors--like a boat show... I almost bought a very nice folding slatted teak cockpit table from one vendor--$27 as I recall--less than the little teak binocular holder I was thinking about. The spread of inflatables and RIBs was really something--more than I've seen in any other place, including boat shows.

Edited by - on

mikesuej
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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2011 : 06:36:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mikesuej
 Once I found Defender, I've never been back to WM. WM relies on customers finding the best deal, then taking it to WM. Defender works hard every day to be the best deal all the time. I like to reward folks who work hard to be efficient and give outstanding Customer Service, which Defender does in spades. Why save a few cents at WM by using Defender's own hard work against them? But that's just me. . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Defender does not operate 7-day/week brick-and-mortar stores with inventories, employees, rent, electricity, etc., all over the country. They have one store (with which I am very well acquainted) in the warehouse that serves their big catalog/internet ordering business, with a long loading dock for 18-wheelers and UPS trucks. If they opened stores all over the country (they once had one--in New Rochelle, NY--it's gone), their prices would look a little different. WM has nice stores with (mostly) helpful people and (mostly) decent inventories for a largely seasonal product. There's no way they can charge the same as Defender under that business model. Price-matching is trying to keep the more savvy buyers coming in, even at lower margins.

If you don't want stores in your neighborhood where you can see what you're buying and ask questions, buy from the internet (and Walmart). One day, they'll be gone.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Walmart has done more to extend the buying power of middle class Americans than perhaps any other. Yours is a fair point about WM walk-in stores, but I live in KY and there are no WM walk-in stores. But for most items that I purchase, I don't have to feel them. There is most times adequate information online, through this forum, etc. I don't think buying a shackle is quite the same as buying shoes. WM has some good things, but I've found them not just to be a bit overpriced to make up for the business model you're talking about. BEfore last year, their prices were easily 30%, sometimes 50% more than Defender. I'm willing to pay a bit more for convenience, but I'm not willing to be ripped off. Some of what WM had been charging had been in the precincts of "rip off."

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2011 : 15:43:00

The closeset WM to me is 130 miles...so Defender is a lifesaver. I'd hate to think I had to pay WM's normal prices, plus shipping, plus tax...

Edited by - on

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