I hope somebody at WM reads this string. It perfectly represents the public
sentiment I've heard around the marina for some time now.

Until they change, we can vote with our purchasing power and letters. I save
all the business I can for Fisheries Supply in Seattle. Great physical store
AND online store. Price is never an issue and the staff knows "stuff."

"nobody" wrote in message
...
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.

They suppress innovation in the industry because they will not stock
newly invented or innovative products. They will not stock anything
new unless they are certain there are people waiting to snatch the
product off their shelves.

Their pricing is predatory. When I am in South Florida where some
competition remains I regularly note that every other dealer sells the
same product for less money than they do.

They really the "K-Mart" of the marine industry. I was pleased when
they first appeared but I now wish I had never heard the name.

I have never owned a Marine supply store. I hold no stock in any
marine supply business. I have never even known anyone who owned a
marine supply store. I just think that West Marine is really a lousy
outfit.

You shareholders, employees (no idea how they treat their employees),
and defenders just fire away because I, for one, will drive an hour
out of my way to buy from any other store. Unfortunately I only able
to do so in south Florida. Elsewhere they have destroyed the
competition.

Absolutely agree with the sentiments expressed here. I'd rather do without
than buy from West Marine, or fix it with duct tape, or sell the boat, or
sink it: ANYTHING to avoid buying from West Marine. Someone mentioned
Fisheries Supply in Seattle, and I'd certainly endorse that outlet, too.
But my favorite online chandlery is Go2Marine. By their own admission, this
is a bunch old broken-down Alaskan fishermen, but migod do they know the
business. They'll suggest the BEST alternative, even if it's lower in
price, or even--believe it or not--if some other retailer stocks it. Great
guys to work with, typically the lowest price for standard items (not quite
always), courteous and quick service. First rate. Check the website:

http://www.go2marine.com/main.jsp

(No, I don't own any stock in the company, don't know personally any of the
staff. Just the testimony of a very satisfied customer. AND THEY AIN'T
WEST MARINE!)

Dick B.
MV "Annie"



"nobody" wrote in message
...
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.

They suppress innovation in the industry because they will not stock
newly invented or innovative products. They will not stock anything
new unless they are certain there are people waiting to snatch the
product off their shelves.

Their pricing is predatory. When I am in South Florida where some
competition remains I regularly note that every other dealer sells the
same product for less money than they do.

They really the "K-Mart" of the marine industry. I was pleased when
they first appeared but I now wish I had never heard the name.

I have never owned a Marine supply store. I hold no stock in any
marine supply business. I have never even known anyone who owned a
marine supply store. I just think that West Marine is really a lousy
outfit.

You shareholders, employees (no idea how they treat their employees),
and defenders just fire away because I, for one, will drive an hour
out of my way to buy from any other store. Unfortunately I only able
to do so in south Florida. Elsewhere they have destroyed the
competition.

R.W. Behan wrote:
Absolutely agree with the sentiments expressed here. I'd rather do without
than buy from West Marine, or fix it with duct tape, or sell the boat, or
sink it: ANYTHING to avoid buying from West Marine. Someone mentioned
Fisheries Supply in Seattle, and I'd certainly endorse that outlet, too.
But my favorite online chandlery is Go2Marine. By their own admission, this
is a bunch old broken-down Alaskan fishermen, but migod do they know the
business. They'll suggest the BEST alternative, even if it's lower in
price, or even--believe it or not--if some other retailer stocks it. Great
guys to work with, typically the lowest price for standard items (not quite
always), courteous and quick service. First rate. Check the website:

http://www.go2marine.com/main.jsp

For a bunch of broken down old fishermen, they sure have figured out a
sophisticated Web site.

I too tended to avoid West Marine, but in many places it's either there
or do without.

I will also second the RV dealer for parts. When building a boat, I
found that I needed to avoid the marine stores for everything I could
and try alternative sources such as the RV places. The prices are
dramatically different.

-paul

You know, folks, on the basis of all this testimony, it occurs to me West
Marine is offering us a fantastic investment potential here. I'm going to
call my broker and short the hell out of its stock. LMAO.


"nobody" wrote in message
...
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.

They suppress innovation in the industry because they will not stock
newly invented or innovative products. They will not stock anything
new unless they are certain there are people waiting to snatch the
product off their shelves.

Their pricing is predatory. When I am in South Florida where some
competition remains I regularly note that every other dealer sells the
same product for less money than they do.

They really the "K-Mart" of the marine industry. I was pleased when
they first appeared but I now wish I had never heard the name.

I have never owned a Marine supply store. I hold no stock in any
marine supply business. I have never even known anyone who owned a
marine supply store. I just think that West Marine is really a lousy
outfit.

You shareholders, employees (no idea how they treat their employees),
and defenders just fire away because I, for one, will drive an hour
out of my way to buy from any other store. Unfortunately I only able
to do so in south Florida. Elsewhere they have destroyed the
competition.

Beat you to it. Sold long ago.

Go2MArine sold my little Nobeltec trainer for a few years. Great folks to do
biz with. And those poor suckers have to live and work on Bainbridge Island.
Whatta life.

"R.W. Behan" wrote in message
...
You know, folks, on the basis of all this testimony, it occurs to me West
Marine is offering us a fantastic investment potential here. I'm going to
call my broker and short the hell out of its stock. LMAO.


"nobody" wrote in message
...
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.

They suppress innovation in the industry because they will not stock
newly invented or innovative products. They will not stock anything
new unless they are certain there are people waiting to snatch the
product off their shelves.

Their pricing is predatory. When I am in South Florida where some
competition remains I regularly note that every other dealer sells the
same product for less money than they do.

They really the "K-Mart" of the marine industry. I was pleased when
they first appeared but I now wish I had never heard the name.

I have never owned a Marine supply store. I hold no stock in any
marine supply business. I have never even known anyone who owned a
marine supply store. I just think that West Marine is really a lousy
outfit.

You shareholders, employees (no idea how they treat their employees),
and defenders just fire away because I, for one, will drive an hour
out of my way to buy from any other store. Unfortunately I only able
to do so in south Florida. Elsewhere they have destroyed the
competition.

Hey, Dan, I can't complain. We live on Lopez Island in the San Juans.
Buzz by Bainbridge now and then on our ole Vic Tug, "Annie."
Cheers,
Dick


"Danny" wrote in message
...
Beat you to it. Sold long ago.

Go2MArine sold my little Nobeltec trainer for a few years. Great folks to
do biz with. And those poor suckers have to live and work on Bainbridge
Island. Whatta life.

"R.W. Behan" wrote in message
...
You know, folks, on the basis of all this testimony, it occurs to me West
Marine is offering us a fantastic investment potential here. I'm going
to call my broker and short the hell out of its stock. LMAO.


"nobody" wrote in message
...
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.

They suppress innovation in the industry because they will not stock
newly invented or innovative products. They will not stock anything
new unless they are certain there are people waiting to snatch the
product off their shelves.

Their pricing is predatory. When I am in South Florida where some
competition remains I regularly note that every other dealer sells the
same product for less money than they do.

They really the "K-Mart" of the marine industry. I was pleased when
they first appeared but I now wish I had never heard the name.

I have never owned a Marine supply store. I hold no stock in any
marine supply business. I have never even known anyone who owned a
marine supply store. I just think that West Marine is really a lousy
outfit.

You shareholders, employees (no idea how they treat their employees),
and defenders just fire away because I, for one, will drive an hour
out of my way to buy from any other store. Unfortunately I only able
to do so in south Florida. Elsewhere they have destroyed the
competition.

"nobody" wrote in message
...
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.

They suppress innovation in the industry because they will not stock
newly invented or innovative products. They will not stock anything
new unless they are certain there are people waiting to snatch the
product off their shelves.

Their pricing is predatory. When I am in South Florida where some
competition remains I regularly note that every other dealer sells the
same product for less money than they do.

They really the "K-Mart" of the marine industry. I was pleased when
they first appeared but I now wish I had never heard the name.

I have never owned a Marine supply store. I hold no stock in any
marine supply business. I have never even known anyone who owned a
marine supply store. I just think that West Marine is really a lousy
outfit.

You shareholders, employees (no idea how they treat their employees),
and defenders just fire away because I, for one, will drive an hour
out of my way to buy from any other store. Unfortunately I only able
to do so in south Florida. Elsewhere they have destroyed the
competition.



I generally price shop between Boaters World, Wal-Mart and West Marine and
buy where it is the cheapest when I need something fairly fast. When time
is no problem I try to shop and then buy over the internet.

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/

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 used that WM in RH, and concur. While I agree with the general
tenor of the posts, I'll put my kudos in for the WM staff in Deale,
Being right in the midst of all the boatyards they stock heavily on
maintenance items, the kinds of things you'll dash off to a store to buy
'cuz you need it right now while working on your boat. I've also had the
staff advise me of upcoming sales, including spcial, not advertised
sales.

Those stores excepted, I concur with the rest of your post.

In article ,
260780 wrote:
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 used that WM in RH, and concur. While I agree with the general
tenor of the posts, I'll put my kudos in for the WM staff in Deale,
Being right in the midst of all the boatyards they stock heavily on
maintenance items, the kinds of things you'll dash off to a store to buy
'cuz you need it right now while working on your boat. I've also had the
staff advise me of upcoming sales, including spcial, not advertised
sales.

Those stores excepted, I concur with the rest of your post.

Well, not trying to bash all WM stores... the one in Sausalito is
top-notch. I can't say all of the same for others in the area.


--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com