In article ,
nobody wrote:
They have driven out almost all their competition with drastic price
reductions. ONce that is accomplished they raise their prices to a
level much higher than anyone charged prior to their dominance.
They only stock what moves quickly. They stock nothing for the
convenience of their customers. If they can not turn it around for a
big profit in very short time they will not stock it.
We used to frequent the Delaware BOAT/US store. It got expanded about
the time of the takeover -- and now has less useful equipment. Stuff
that I bought one year wasn't available the next. Now, we only stop by
for auxiliary stuff we need "now".
I have to say that that store and the Rock Hall WM have quite
knowledgeable staff. Most of them are there for the discount. One's a
frequent contributor to various sailing mags.
I've started using the local *marina* stores as my first choice. If
nothing else, if they have it in stock, I've spent at least an hour
less traipsing back and forth to the "low cost" store.
Each one soon gives me a "professional" discount comparable to most web
prices when I factor shipping in. That seemed strange until I asked one
owner. Yes I asked a thousand questions and chewed the fat for hours
some times, but I actually bought and sometimes helped him sell.
I get into Fawcett's about once a year, usually for some thing(s) that
broke on our annual trip. Of course, we browse in that boaters' "candy
store" and chat "a bit". Last year, it was just a battery, which was
easily found. The cashier remembered us and gave us a pretty nice
discount. Checking later on the web for the same battery, I found that
the price difference was more than eaten up by shipping and the
convenience of only having to drag the battery 50' to their dock.
I was happy to find out that when I buy at some of the marina stores,
I'm supporting Fawcett's, their supplier. If they don't have what I
want, they have the catalogs and will order it. Often, it's there the
next day. Once, I ordered at 4:30 pm and it was there before 9 the next
morning. Almost always, they get it by the next weekend, which is fine
for most things.
I'm not so cheap that I shop entirely by price, but in the few cases
where I didn't automatically get the discount and I knew a price, they
cheerfully matched it as best they could. I don't sweat the small
differences as their service is far superior. I know my marina guy made
several calls to Raritan last year, getting them to make up a rebuild
kit for our Cricket. That sort of service is priceless as I just don't
have the time to call during business hours.
Of course part of that is *my* attitude. While chewing the fat, I've
heard some stories of their more obnoxious customers.
--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages:
http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics)
http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/