Doug Kanter wrote:
If my local Boat US is any indication, the whole company should be up for
sale soon. The store's staffed with the worst amateurs I've ever seen in
retailing, including the manager.

"NOYB" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Check Boater's World first. Their prices are always cheaper unless West
Marine/Boat US is having a sale.



BOAT/US and Boater's World, in most locations, are staffed with clerks
who know almost nothing about boats. I used to shop at the BOAT/US
headquarters store in Alexandria, Virginia. It had one guy who was a
real boater and had knowledge of boating subjects.

Most West Marine stores have staff who know about boats.

Nobby probably gets dental patients who shop on price alone.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Doug Kanter wrote:
If my local Boat US is any indication, the whole company should be up
for
sale soon. The store's staffed with the worst amateurs I've ever seen in
retailing, including the manager.

"NOYB" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Check Boater's World first. Their prices are always cheaper unless
West
Marine/Boat US is having a sale.



BOAT/US and Boater's World, in most locations, are staffed with clerks
who know almost nothing about boats. I used to shop at the BOAT/US
headquarters store in Alexandria, Virginia. It had one guy who was a
real boater and had knowledge of boating subjects.

Most West Marine stores have staff who know about boats.

Boats, maybe. But certainly not fishing...even though they sell a lot of
fishing equipment.


There are better places to get info about boat and fishing related items
than West Marine. I took a Penn Formula 2-speed reel to West Marine to get
it spooled with new line. The guy took out his screwdriver and was ready to
take apart my reel and remove the reel spool to put on his automatic
spooling machine.

"Uh...I don't think you want to do that"

"How else do you do it?"

"This is how"...and I grabbed the reel and went to my local bait, tackle,
and rod/reel repair shop.

Nobby probably gets dental patients who shop on price alone

I'd have no patients if that were the case. I'm not the most expensive, but
I'm not in the bottom half with my fees either.

I'm perfectly willing to pay more for good service. But I don't think
"service" is an important consideration when purchasing retail boating and
fishing items. That is, as long as the store has a generous return policy.
;-)

Also Sprach Harry Krause :

BOAT/US and Boater's World, in most locations, are staffed with clerks
who know almost nothing about boats. I used to shop at the BOAT/US
headquarters store in Alexandria, Virginia. It had one guy who was a
real boater and had knowledge of boating subjects.

Most West Marine stores have staff who know about boats.

Have to disagree, in N. Seattle at least. Our West Marine is staffed
mostly by 17-18 yr old girls. Nice eye candy, but they don't know a damn
thing. Our Boaters World store is staffed mosly by middle aged
guys. Not pretty to look at, most are a bit portly and balding, but all
are experienced boaters. One of the guys only works there in the
winter, in the summer he runs a charter and guide business in
Alaska. Also, Boater's World helps out local fishing club by donating
items for our monthly raffle. Not cheap crap either, I won a hundred
dollar inflatable PFD a few months ago. For years, they've supported our
local fishing newspaper with a full-page ad, which West Marine has never
done.

The price differences can be huge. I needed a water pump kit for my
outboard, West wanted $65, Boater's World had it for $39.

Dan

--
When the world bites, there's no antidote.

-- The Gothic Archies