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

[P & B Sheerin]

Very good point Larry. This big store strategy seems to be up and running in 
Australia now. Lets keep the competitors in business! Peter, Jaraman 1096.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Frank" <WindSwept at stx.rr.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>; <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 3:40 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320-list Digest, Vol 724, Issue 1


> 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
>
>