Sounds like the folks at 3M needs to start a campaign like
Miller High Life and start taking back inventory from the
'gougers' Rick White notwithstanding...!

Spoken like someone that has no idea how a retail business runs... Interesting how you use Ricks "free" site to knock what he does without knowing "how" he manages to do it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Maybe the "Aisa" has a free site to go along with their cheap products! Ever try talking to support personnel that speaks a different language than you? Hope you get what you order!

C

Correct. Immediate availabilty, many alternatives to compare, possibility to touch, feel, smell and hear the product and geographic proximity are features that add value to the merchandise. Their West Advisor also adds value: pre-purchase advice.

A block may be worth more to you in a store next door than in an online store in certain circumstances. But those things are relative. If you are not in a hurry and already know what you want, an online store may add more value: no need to drive, no lines, delivery to your front door...

It is difficult to determine how much value is actually added to goods by a merchant. Ultimately, the market determines what is fair or unfair. A regulation could increase the effectiveness of this process, but at the cost of more government intervention.

Conclusion: I favor markup regulation only under a fair government. But as a second thought, this probably means "almost never"...

Looking to save a few bucks on trailer components? Check out this site.

I just replaced the drum brakes on my stink potter trailer with Tiedown Stainless disc brakes and save over $100 over West Marine.

http://www.championtrailers.com/

I have never been a willing west marine customer, but my friends say there has been a loss of knowledgeable people working there. They are probably reducing wages, which is a good way to send your stock down 27% (loose your best salesmen).

Matt

I don't prefer fast food as my lunch choice, but if they are located at the corner when my stomach says "eat", it will most likely be where I stop.

Kind of the same thing when shopping for marine products. If something breaks at a regatta, and a chain store is nearby, they'll be taking my cash for replacement parts.

I will give Kudos to Rick Bliss, who used to have the "N20 Store On Wheels" at select events (Tybee 500), and the convenience, expertise, and pricing were outstanding and worth any margin he wished to charge.

In defense of West Marine. Let's not forget the good they do. West Marine provides a $25 discount coupon to all US SAILING members on any purchase of $100 or more, each year. Of course, all you US SAILING Members were aware of this membership benefit. This is also good during their many sales. One of my favorites is the West Marine Men's Performance Boat Mocs, very comfortable, often on sale at about half the price of the similar Sperry Top-Sider.

But, as with any store in up to the customer.

Caleb

West Marine is also the presenting sponsor of US Sailing's Junior Olympic Sailing Festival program, and has been since the program started in 1997. Since then 21,000 junior sailors (up to age 21) have participated in these events that are hosted by clubs and community sailing programs around the country. This year alone, 4,500 juniors were expected to participate in 24 JO's. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

How much is your time worth? When you need it "now" is it really more economical to make a special trip to Wal-Mart?

In my town Wally World is 7 miles away from the coast, West marine is about 1/4 mile from the water. So you saved $5 on your tube of 5200... I would spend an extra hour to get there and back... burned $5 of extra gas... nine times out of ten they don't have what you really wanted in the first place and you have to settle for a item you normally wouldn't buy. They don't have staff that can help you make a selection, or even find anything… and then you get the privilege of standing in a check out line for 5-10 min. As opposed to West Marine where you go in… they take you right to the part you want…which is in stock…check you out without waiting in line forever, and have you out enjoying your boat again instead of coming back empty handed after a 1 hr race across town to “save” money.

When have you seen anything in the way of marine hardware at a Wally World that you would really be confident having on your boat?

So you want West Marine to stock all the low turn over parts that the sailing community needs to keep their boats on the water but your going to "save money" at Wally world on the items that West Marine needs to sell to help keep the doors open…...Am I the only one who sees the insanity in this?

If you have to make a special trip to discount store miles out of your way, all you have done it take the profit away from West Marine and handed it to the automotive industries and oil companies. After factoring in the ware and tear on your car, the extra gas you spend, and your time...it has cost you money, not saved you money. Those that own a business can clearly see this, those who approach the situation from a non business owners point of view won’t. The numbers don’t lie.

There are a great many more Walmarts than there are West Marine stores. In my town there are 3 Walmarts but the nearest West Marine is 60 miles away. Guess where I will go for 5200. I go to West Marine for marine materials that are not available closer. I buy S/S fasteners from an industrial fastener 2 miles away at 1/10 the price of Lowes or West Marine. West Marine is a great store but I use it for what it is - a high priced specialty store. Walmart does sell some marine equipment. I once bought bumpers (for my Cape Cod catboat not my Hobie) on sale for $2 apiece. They are not only the same quality but the same make as in marine stores.

Supply and demand will eventually work. Those items that are overpriced in West Marine will likely not be sold and the price reduced as needed to move them.

Howard