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16-03-2017, 23:57
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 40
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Westmarine is insane
Just went to west marine for the first time today for my new boat and just started to look around at everyhting i might need. And jesus it is all way more expensive than i thought. a $150 PFD is like $100 on amazon. I guess it is pretty convenient cause they have everything you need, but damn.
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17-03-2017, 01:46
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Saipan
Boat: Hunter Legend 40.1
Posts: 325
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Re: Westmarine is insane
I make selective purchases from Westmarine (generally small items and electronics on clearance). If the price plus shipping is less than other online vendors (their shipping prices are the lowest), I get it there. I'm not proud.
For larger items, including PFDs, check out the more reputable online vendors, perhaps Defender, imarine or Hamilton; even with shipping, you'll likely come out well ahead.
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17-03-2017, 03:24
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Louisville, KY
Boat: Globe, cutter/ketch,38
Posts: 724
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Re: Westmarine is insane
Thanks Hafa, I never heard of imarine but have done business with the other two. I can also recommend Jamestown Distributors They have a frequent buyer program that offers free shipping on most items.
Also try https://www.fisheriessupply.com I have got some really good prices from them.
There are many and better options than West Marine. Even local chandleries will often beat their prices and their staffs are more often than not more knowledgeable.
__________________
www.sailboatvigah.com Boats don't like being neglected, but then neither do significant others!
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17-03-2017, 04:28
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Boat: Mahe 36, Helia 44 Evo, MY 37
Posts: 5,731
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Re: Westmarine is insane
We only get things at Westmarine when On Sale
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17-03-2017, 04:31
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Marblehead
Boat: Brewer 44
Posts: 73
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Re: Westmarine is insane
I never shop at West Marine. Mostly Defender (warehouse sale coming up end of March) and now mostly Amazon.
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17-03-2017, 04:41
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Boat: Mahe 36, Helia 44 Evo, MY 37
Posts: 5,731
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Re: Westmarine is insane
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfiegener
I never shop at West Marine. Mostly Defender (warehouse sale coming up end of March) and now mostly Amazon.
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We Love Defenders and its just down the road from us, so we can drop in on our way to the boat.
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17-03-2017, 04:56
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 5,009
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Re: Westmarine is insane
There are three different West Marines here in the Tampa Bay area, so when something comes up and I need it RIGHT NOW, then I'll go there. Otherwise, internet shopping for me.
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17-03-2017, 05:06
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Westmarine is insane
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cotemar
We only get things at Westmarine when On Sale
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For me, it's unplanned purchases, last weekend I was about 2' short on #2 Ga wire to complete the Solar install, so went and bought 6' at WM, paid close to $50, but didn't want to wait another week. $8 a ft at WM, $6 a ft at Genuinedealz.
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17-03-2017, 05:08
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bumping around the Caribbean
Boat: Valiant 40
Posts: 4,625
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Re: Westmarine is insane
If you can get on an active Port Supply account, you can get good deals on "consumable" items at WM, like solvents, glass stuff, and perhaps most importantly and counter-intuitively, rope. With Port Supply the more that gets purchased through the account, the larger the discount, so many account holders are happy to hand out their account number for you to use. WM occasionally gets strict about checking who's on an account but they largely don't seem to care. That said, I only hit up WM when I have no other choice or pricing is comparable.
I think one of the most egregious gouging examples at WM is on Rotella. It's around twice the price of Walmart.
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17-03-2017, 05:08
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Fiji Airways/ Lake Ontario
Boat: Legend 37.5, 1968 Alcort Sunfish, Avon 310
Posts: 2,749
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Re: Westmarine is insane
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cotemar
We only get things at Westmarine when On Sale
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Bingo. When I got my newest plotter WM had the best price- including against Amazon and others online.
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17-03-2017, 05:21
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC (Maple Bay Marina)
Posts: 9,704
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Re: Westmarine is insane
C'mon, it's called comparative shopping. Your boat, your choice. Based on one needs, pocketbook and urgency. WM has been beaten to death, in many cases necessarily, others not so much, but there ARE those of us who remember how hard it was to get anything boat-related before they came along.
My mom used to shop at four different local grocery stores (before supermarkets came along) to get the best prices. But some days she'd just buy something at place #3 to avoid the long walk to place #4 even if she had sale coupons.
Actually very odd this should come up today, 'cuz they're having some pretty good sales.
__________________
Stu Jackson
Catalina 34 #224 (1986) C34IA Secretary
Cowichan Bay, BC, SR/FK, M25, Rocna 10 (22#) (NZ model)
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17-03-2017, 05:23
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: VA, boat: Deale, MD
Boat: 1981 Nor'sea 27
Posts: 1,414
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Re: Westmarine is insane
I look at West Marine as the place to go to physically look at what you're considering, then you go somewhere else to buy. I'll go to WM if I need something small, like screws/bolts.
Otherwise, depending on what I'm looking for:
Jamestown Distributors
Defender
Hopkins-Carter
Fisheries Supply
Genuine Dealz (marine wire and terminals)
basically if you don't need something RIGHT NOW, then shop around. There's a lot of other shops with online stores that could have what you need.
__________________
Daniel - Rhapsody Blog,
“A sailor’s joys are as simple as a child’s.” — Bernard Moitessier
"I don't need therapy, I just need my boat"
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17-03-2017, 05:58
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Whoo! Finally made it back to Mexico!
Boat: Cheoy Lee Offshore 38
Posts: 1,458
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Re: Westmarine is insane
Hmm...ya is spendy but no where near how expensive marine stuff can be!
There is a marine store here (San Carlos Mexico) that sells 6 × 15 bumpers with the hole in the middle for 130 bucks each!. West marine looks pretty good after that!
__________________
If toast always lands butter side down, and cats always land on their feet, what would happen if you strapped toast to a cat's back and dropped it? - Steven Wright
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17-03-2017, 06:20
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 17
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Re: Westmarine is insane
With the sale going on today (I'm pretty sure it was nationwide, not local) they have some ridiculous deals. The two that stand out were 40% off all sta-set line and BOGOF all Lewmar Winches! I'm really pissed I will likely be getting a boat with non self tailing winches in about 6 months to a year. I hope that particular item is a regular sale!
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17-03-2017, 06:30
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Shoreline, CT and Portmouth Harbor
Boat: Standfast 33, building a 65 ft Wooden Schooner
Posts: 636
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Re: Westmarine is insane
Lucky for me Defender is a 5 minute drive. I don't have to pay shipping. I am in there so often they know me by name and send me a get well card when I haven't shown up in a while.
West Marine is generally more expensive, but they do price matching within a 50 mile radius, so if you are within 50 miles of defender, they'll match their price. If you are 50 miles within another favored retailer they'll match their prices too.
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