T&T: West Marine 2009 catalog

[Paul Esterle]

Unfortunately, talking to the store employees is pretty well useless. As 
an ex-AM-1, I can tell you that morale is at an all time low. The 
managers refer to themselves as "Monkeys with keys" as they have so 
little input on the issues. Better to voice your concerns with the upper 
management and on forums like this. When I worked at WM (don't any 
longer), I saved messages like this, stripped off any identifying 
information and regularly posted them to the district manager and 
headquarters. Did me (and us) little good. The stress of being a boater 
and working at WM was just too much.

Port Supply is no panacea either. I regularly told my PS customers to 
check the regular prices, sometimes they were better than the PS ones, 
if the item was on sale.

As a result, most boater consider WM the store of last resort. If they 
don't have time to get the item at a reasonable price, they are forced 
to go to WM. The good news is that the prices have risen to the point 
that many Mom and Pop ship's stores are very competitive for those 
emergency purchases, so be sure and check them. My last plumbing project 
took me trips to three different WM stores and still didn't find all the 
bronze parts I needed. One trip to a nearby marina ship's store netted 
all the parts, should have gone there first.

Don't even get me started on the WM stocking levels!

Paul Esterle (ex-WM manager and unhappy stockholder)
Freelance Boating Writer
"Capt'n Pauley's Place"
The Virtual Boatyard
www.thevirtualboatyard.com


David Hart wrote:
> While in the West Marine store yesterday I picked up the 2009 catalog. It is noticeably thinner then the old ones. It is about 600 pages less. Also a spot check of prices shows they have gone up between 5 and 10% not bad for a place that is already tremendously overpriced. I discussed this with the store employee and was told they have a new CEO. With these price increases he may be the last CEO they will need.
> Recently I needed some wax. West was $30 per can Defender was $16 and a quick Google check took me to Amazon where it was $15. 
> I told the store employee I expect to pay more for the overhead and convenience of a brick and mortar store but the catalog prices are absolutely ridiculous. I have no idea how the company is doing and I would hate to see them go under but they are ridiculous.
> I asked about Port Supply but was told you have to apply and be accepted and it is only for businesses. 
> 
> Dave Hart
> 44' Island Gypsy
> Lake Ontario
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