Since we all seem to be spending lots of ca$h on our boats I thought I'd throw this out there. In the past 2 months I've bought an Ocean Series hydrostatic vest at WM and paid $300 for it, their list price. . Since then, I started using my head and the internet. I have bought a Standard Horizon HX850S floating handheld VHF, WM price $249 I took in a printout from Anchor? net sales. Their price $192 with no sales tax or shipping. Talked to the manager at WM in Bellevue and said since it's bad economic times will you match this price and I'll pay WA state sales tax on top and he walked over and grabbed the radio out of display,(in box,not demo) no questions asked. So since then I've bought flare kits, LED lighting for trailer, Sea Dog-Weatherdeck 6 fuse panel, and a few other fairly pricey items. They have accepted internet prices on everything without batting an eye. I don't know if other locations or retailers like Boaters World would do the same but if you haven't tried it, give it a shot. Find the cheapest net price without taxes/shipping and take the printout with you. I'd be willing to bet most places will do it to make the sale. And I guess I'm finding out that retail prices that we customers pay has a huge (more than a fair profit?) markup built in to the price and they still make a bundle on the lower pricing. Plus you get WM's return/repair options without having to worry about who you are dealing with on the net and whether they will fix or replace faulty items. Happy shopping Rob
Then tell them you'll take your business and your boat buck$ to West Marine, if you have one in your area that is. Print out my post and take that with you.
That's a good idea, Ski. For a great way to find the cheapest dealer on the net, try using google products at www.froogle.com You type in what you want and it brings up everything that matches, which you can then sort by price.
Oh well, I know that in the past 10-15 years I always bought from West Marine, never once stepped foot in a Boaters World. I guess not enough other boaters did either.
My guys in NY will match internet and defender and never charge me shipping either. Its usually a wash between shipping and tax so I tend to buy from them, to keep the local lights burning, on any item that is large enough to incur shipping costs.
Defender has great clearance stuff though, on a monthly basis.
Boaters World Gone ! Boat Us Gone ! ( bought out by WM ) West Marine closed 40 stores Nation wide and no longer sends the catalogues out ....
Too Late smart and that refers to both sides.... ( I was Guilty in both these first two scenarios not the last one ) Once upon a time, there were a Lot of Local owned and operated Scuba Shops and then the big bad dragon came and eat them up ( Internet suppliers) There was once a Big Strong Country and everyone who wanted a job had one.......... and then it became cool to buy stuff from foreign countries......... and over time many made up lies to make themselves feel better about their greedy attitude....
WM has been great. No complaints.. other than their stores (at least near us) look like they are going out of business (ie lots of empty space on their shelves/racks). If I have to buy something, there is a 60-80% chance it is not in stock (if it is normally stocked) and will do a 'store to door' for free, or not normally stocked item shipped to the store for free.
BUT IF I take the time to GO to the store, It is for a reason. To actually purchase and use the item. If I am going to have them match Defenders price (for example), and they have to ship it to me (2-3 days usually), I might as well cut out the middleman and buy it from Defender and get the item next day!
I don't thing I ever heard WM say no to anything. I returned a broken boat hook I had for almos 10 years, the took it back with a smile. Even took back an anchor I bought but never used, had that for 3 yrs (unopened), again took it back no problem. Price matches No problem. Price adjustments no problem. They repaired a WELL out of warranty handheld radio (broken antenna base) for free as well
Now if they could get their act together with their stock levels.. it would be great!
It would totally suck if WM goes out of business if we squeeze them too hard on price. For the most part, they offer great service, and should be compensated for it.
It is rare, at least from what I have seen, to find exceptional service now-a-days. Some few exceptional retailers I have dealt with recently are - Griot's garage, Crutchfield, Northern Tool, Moss Motors, Macy's (to a point - hate their stores, but have great C/S). All do not always have the lowest price, but I am willing to pay extra to know that they stand behind their products and have great customer service
Boaters World did not fail. They were doing a good business. Unfortunately, their parent company, Ritz Camera, got hammered by the digital camera and personal photo printing. When Ritz went, that took Boaters World.
kmclemore wrote:So... if Boater's World is indeed out of business, how come they still have an active internet site where you can, presumably, buy stuff??
Have you tried to buy anything? Out of Stoct on every item, maybe holding on to look for a come back?
As a long time Ritz Camera employee now ex for 10yrs Ritz did get caught in the credit crunch as did many retailers and manufacturers. Just before I left they started taking on debt to finace the rapid growth and to keep ahead of Wolf Camera. I quess David didn't learn from Wolf's mistakes. When the gas prices started to rise last year BW took a BIG hit and then came the credit crunch and I guess the rest is history.
kmclemore wrote:So... if Boater's World is indeed out of business, how come they still have an active internet site where you can, presumably, buy stuff??
. Since then, I started using my head and the internet. I have bought a Standard Horizon HX850S floating handheld VHF, WM price $249 I took in a printout from Anchor? net sales. Their price $192 with no sales tax or shipping. Talked to the manager at WM in Bellevue and said since it's bad economic times will you match this price and I'll pay WA state sales tax on top and he walked over and grabbed the radio out of display,(in box,not demo) no questions asked. So since then I've bought flare kits, LED lighting for trailer, Sea Dog-Weatherdeck 6 fuse panel, and a few other fairly pricey items. They have accepted internet prices on everything without batting an eye. I don't know if other locations or retailers like Boaters World would do the same but if you haven't tried it, give it a shot. Find the cheapest net price without taxes/shipping and take the printout with you. I'd be willing to bet most places will do it to make the sale. And I guess I'm finding out that retail prices that we customers pay has a huge (more than a fair profit?) markup built in to the price 
and they still make a bundle on the lower pricing. Plus you get WM's return/repair options without having to worry about who you are dealing with on the net and whether they will fix or replace faulty items. Happy shopping 
Rob
