[C320-list] C320-list Digest, Vol 724, Issue 1

[Robert Seastream]

My experience with WM is that when they do price match (online or  
otherwise), they 'tare' the match price to include shipping, stating  
that one would have to pay shipping from the other vendor.  In related  
experiences, I've often been surprised that some items are cheaper at  
my marina than elsewhere.  I bought my replacement 4D wet cell  
batteries from my marina at ~170 each.  Like my wife says, while she  
does shop at Sams Club, she doesn't blindly buy all there, because  
some stuff is cheaper at our local supermarkets.  'Caveat Emptor',  
always.

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906


On Mar 13, 2010, at 12:40 PM, Larry Frank wrote:

> West Marine used to have good prices on their own.
>
> Then they purchased one supplier, E&B I think, and they raised their  
> prices.
>
> Then they did their deal with Boat US and prices when up again.
>
> The local Boater's World went out of business.  West Marine's price  
> match
> policy hurt them.
>
> Our local West Marine does not offer the same service they did in the
> beginning.  There stock levels are inadequate.  I have heard them  
> say that
> after 30 days, you have to deal with the manufacturer.
>
> What is clear is that they are running all the competition out of  
> business.
> This price matching strategy is a key weapon in their arsenal.
>
> They are taking advantage of their loyalty.
>
> If we only buy from West Marine, then West Marine will be the only  
> place we
> have to buy from.  At that point they won't care about service,  
> stock in
> local stores or prices.  They will have us.
>
> West Marine will still get the lion's share of my business because  
> of the
> convenience factor and there are many items where price isn't that
> important.  I am not anti West Marine, I just want to make sure  
> there are
> competitors to keep them honest.
>
> Larry
> WindSwept C320 #246
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of  
> Stephen Cox
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 6:16 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com; c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320-list Digest, Vol 724, Issue 1
>
>> Scott - You have a good point, and up until a few months ago
>> I was buying on-line based upon the advertised price. Problem
>> is service after the sale.  I recently bought an item from
>> that big on-line retailer with a store in Waterford CT.  A
>> few months later, I had a problem with the merchandise, and
>> their policy is after 30 days, deal direct with the
>> manufacturer. 850553/direct/01/=
>
> Well, as an international customer of said CT retailer, they have  
> gone the
> extra mile for me in the past when Raymarine were playing their  
> silly games
> of not providing warranty if the item wasn't installed in the  
> country it was
> sold in.  It was well past 30 days too.
>
>
> Stephen Cox
> Tegwen #1141
>