I'm really sorry that so many of you have had bad experiences with west
marine. I'm probably going to get my lashes by mentioning this, but I'm
going to. I work for west marine. It upsets me when I walk into a west
marine store that I don't work at and don't get any help or lack of
information. It upsets me when their are those working there just for a
job and don't own or know anything about boating. A lot of people know
more about their own type of boating. Diversity is the answer in that.
The company does try to teach us different aspects of boating, but if
you aren't self motivated to do it, then it doesn't help.

A little clairification on west marine. West Marine is the main retail
company with more than 400 stores. Port Supply is the wholesale
division of west marine. I am unaware of the specific qualifications of
becoming a wholesale account. I do not work in that division of the
company. The discount varies from item to item. The Boat U.S. stores
are now all called West Marine. The stores switched names this year.
They were still called Boat U.S. even though they have been part of the
company for a few years. E&B was before my time with the company so I
am unsure about the acquiring of them.

A few policies that may help the boaters out.

There is a price match policy. Bring in a written quote (ie. print out
from internet) that includes any possible shipping. It must be the same
exact item and be for a new item. If it is more than what it cost for
West Marine to purchase, it will be priced matched. I have seen some
items be priced matched even though it fell below West Marines cost.

There is a satisfaction guarantee policy. All returns are usually at
the managers discretion, but for the most part just about anything will
be taken back; especially if you have the receipt. There is a product
performance guarantee that can be purchased with the majority of the
items sold in the store. This is a very good program and basically
guarantees that if anything goes wrong, then it will be repaired or
replaced with no charge. Usually, it is just replaced. For all the
cruisers in here. The program also offers free shipping to and from
anywhere in the world. Not sure of the turn around time, but it is nice
knowing you can get the item you need when you need it free of charge.

Hopefully, this will help some of you. Again, I'm sorry that so many of
you have had bad experiences with the stores. When you do please let us
know so that we may fix our mistakes. If we don't know, we won't
change. To end: I would please ask you not chastise me too much for
working for the "man".