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Rakuflames · 03-08-2013, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Rondo Normal

Extended warranties are a rip off! I will never buy another! In my one experience with HP(Futureshop), it was actually worse than the manufacturer's warranty. I had to threaten to throw the f'n printer through their front window to get them to ship me a new machine!

Actually the extended warranty on my Chart Plotter paid for itself and then some.

99% of the time I don't buy them. I'm glad I did on the CP.

And, I haven't had bad experiences at West Marine.

Wrong · 03-08-2013, 15:13

The best bargain I found in zincs was at Redden. They've got super hydraulic services and their employees tend to be quite loyal because they're treated right. Your lucky to be near Redden.

maytrix · 03-08-2013, 15:20

Well, I was at West Marine today and it couldn't have been a better experience. The guys on the sales floor were knowledgeable and helpful.

A lot probably depends on the area you are in as not all stores are equal and a lot depends on the management of that store.

MARC D · 03-08-2013, 15:44

In the fall of 2011 I anchored my boat near the shore in Narragansett Bay and row in to get stuff from the Newport WM. It was an 45 minute walk. Maybe 3-4 miles.
I bought an anchor and a Raymarine module for a total of close to 800.00.

We were close to lunch time and I thought that maybe somebody could give me a ride back to my dinghy so I asked the clerk, who called the manager.

I told him that I was in no rush and could wait.
The guy looked a bit annoyed by this and after looking a bit around he told me he could not help me.

I really think a mom & pop shop would have give me this 5 minute ride.

**Coops** · 03-08-2013, 16:00

You would get the same treatment in our shop. To expect them to drive you somewhere after purchasing something is way too much in my eyes. The cost does not matter, all customers are the same, no matter how much you spend, to think that you should get better service because you spent more is not on.Not just picking on you here, we get the folks with the "big" boats in and they think that the "little customer" should wait until they have big noted themselves enough. These guys tend to get less advice and service because of their attitude, it just annoys the sales staff.

Coops.

Wrong · 03-08-2013, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coops

You would get the same treatment in our shop. To expect them to drive you somewhere after purchasing something is way too much in my eyes. The cost does not matter, all customers are the same, no matter how much you spend, to think that you should get better service because you spent more is not on.Not just picking on you here, we get the folks with the "big" boats in and they think that the "little customer" should wait until they have big noted themselves enough. These guys tend to get less advice and service because of their attitude, it just annoys the sales staff.

Coops.

And praytell, what's the name of you're shop so folks know the aren't entitled to any extra consideration - regardless f how much they spend?

S/V Illusion · 03-08-2013, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARC D

In the fall of 2011 I anchored my boat near the shore in Narragansett Bay and row in to get stuff from the Newport WM. It was an 45 minute walk. Maybe 3-4 miles.
I bought an anchor and a Raymarine module for a total of close to 800.00.

We were close to lunch time and I thought that maybe somebody could give me a ride back to my dinghy so I asked the clerk, who called the manager.

I told him that I was in no rush and could wait.
The guy looked a bit annoyed by this and after looking a bit around he told me he could not help me.

I really think a mom & pop shop would have give me this 5 minute ride.

I know the store well and (some of) the people who work there. Would it surprise you to know they get that same request at least 2-3 times EVERY DAY? As though nobody figured out they might have to walk back the way they came...

Wrong · 03-08-2013, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

I know the store well and (some of) the people who work there. Would it surprise you to know they get that same request at least 2-3 times EVERY DAY? As though nobody figured out they might have to walk back the way they came...

Looks like there's justification to provide a shuttle service. Good for business and would give people who would otherwise pass taking the trek an opportunity to spend money the store will otherwise never see.

MARC D · 03-08-2013, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

I know the store well and (some of) the people who work there. Would it surprise you to know they get that same request at least 2-3 times EVERY DAY? As though nobody figured out they might have to walk back the way they came...

2-3 times a day? I AM surprised. And I knew from the start I could not walk back to my dinghy with a 44 lbs anchor!! A taxi ride was in my near future.

I just asked for a little service as I was seeing WM staff jumping in their cars for lunch.

Rakuflames · 03-08-2013, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARC D

In the fall of 2011 I anchored my boat near the shore in Narragansett Bay and row in to get stuff from the Newport WM. It was an 45 minute walk. Maybe 3-4 miles.
I bought an anchor and a Raymarine module for a total of close to 800.00.

We were close to lunch time and I thought that maybe somebody could give me a ride back to my dinghy so I asked the clerk, who called the manager.

I told him that I was in no rush and could wait.
The guy looked a bit annoyed by this and after looking a bit around he told me he could not help me.

I really think a mom & pop shop would have give me this 5 minute ride.

If I were manager of that store I would happily call you a taxi, but to expect a store to pay its employees by the hour to give people rides -- and to expect these underpaid employees to use their cars for this purpose -- sorry, but I just don't think this is a reasonable complaint.

Rakuflames · 03-08-2013, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARC D

2-3 times a day? I AM surprised. And I knew from the start I could not walk back to my dinghy with a 44 lbs anchor!! A taxi ride was in my near future.

I just asked for a little service as I was seeing WM staff jumping in their cars for lunch.

Oh. So now employees are supposed to shorten their unpaid lunch time to transport you, using their personal cars to do it? They should just shelve any plans they had for their personal lunch time and meet your need.

Rakuflames · 03-08-2013, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrong

Looks like there's justification to provide a shuttle service. Good for business and would give people who would otherwise pass taking the trek an opportunity to spend money the store will otherwise never see.

Would you be willing to pay more for the merchandise to cover the cost?

John A · 03-08-2013, 16:44

I have a suggestion for those that hate West Marine.

Don't shop there!!!

psneeld · 03-08-2013, 16:48

I am amazed that as many grocery stores in Southern cruising towns offer rides to/from their store....with usually a smile.

The markup on food is usually pretty tiny and they really don't depend on cruisers to make a profit.

Somehow I think West Marine would do well to cater to cruisers...while we may not buy that much from them..we often are the go to guys for new boaters and having us recommend WM would be in their best interest. Better than having yet another dissatisfied customer and spinoffs from it.