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16-10-2018, 07:27
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Fairfield Harbour, New Bern, NC
Boat: Down East 45 Brigantine schooner
Posts: 1,322
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Port Supply problems
I’ve just lost my Port Supply card, due to the principal’s close of his business. Anyone with a PS card knows the difference in prices at WM and I still have quite a bit to buy to finish my boat. Could anyone please put me on their account as an associate? I pay cash for everything and my purchases raised the whole account to the top level of discount.
Alternatively, does anyone know a similar system, operated by another supplier.
__________________
Visit Britannia's website, containing published articles about some innovative things that have been done to the boat over the past twelve years.
www.schooner-britannia.com.
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16-10-2018, 07:45
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Left coast.
Posts: 1,451
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Re: Port Supply problems
Unless the account holder buys a LOT, the PS discount isn’t much. You can do bettering using the price match guarantee, or buying elsewhere.
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16-10-2018, 07:52
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FLORIDA
Boat: Alden 50, Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 3,464
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Re: Port Supply problems
Put you on someone else's account? What should someone jeopardize their account putting on a business account a person unaffiliated with that business? Not to mention the lack of integrity for asking or doing that.
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16-10-2018, 07:53
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#4
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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: Port Supply problems
You might want to call around to some brokers. They LOVE handing out their PS supply account as it puts them in the top discount bracket. It can make a HUGE difference when it comes to consumables, and particularly rope. Makes almost no difference on low margin stuff like electronics.
__________________
"Having a yacht is reason for being more cheerful than most." -Kurt Vonnegut
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16-10-2018, 08:10
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,074
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Re: Port Supply problems
This is incredibly unethical.
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16-10-2018, 08:18
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Slidell, La.
Boat: Morgan Classic 33
Posts: 2,845
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Re: Port Supply problems
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrew
This is incredibly unethical.
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Please explain.
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16-10-2018, 09:37
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,007
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Re: Port Supply problems
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbunyard
Please explain.
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As someone who ran a port supply account for a business let me explain for you. With every statement I got from West Marine there were "leechers" who somehow got our Port Supply number. I'd point them out to our account rep, and suggest that they follow their written procedures and ONLY allow the authorized signers to actually use the account.
A Port Supply account is intended for a business account. If you look at the application process to get such an account you would understand that. You are not a business, you are not the intended receiver of the discounts.
I'll grant you that west marine is VERY lax in enforcing authorized signers. It would seem to be in their interest to do so, but I guess they figure the moochers aren't worth the hassle. Kind of like not patting down everyone in the store looking for shoplifters.
And honestly, you will do better on $$ going to Defender. You pay a little bit for shipping but you avoid the state tax and their prices are so good you generally beat the Port Supply price anyway.
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16-10-2018, 10:00
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,074
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Re: Port Supply problems
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbunyard
Please explain.
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Do you not understand the nature of the request? Or are you not familiar with ethics?
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16-10-2018, 10:23
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Fairfield Harbour, New Bern, NC
Boat: Down East 45 Brigantine schooner
Posts: 1,322
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Re: Port Supply problems
For nine years I have been one of five “associates,” which West Marine allow on a principal’s account. I also have a wholesale account of my own with Defender.
So I know the difference between retail and wholesale prices for both suppliers. One adds Florida tax, the other shipping costs, (and shipping times), and there is frequently not much between them.
The advantage of a PS card for me is, I can trot down to my local WM store, which is ten minutes away and get an item straight away. Differences between WM retail and PS prices are sometimes astonishing.
I certainly don’t need to justify this request, since there is absolutely nothing unethical or irregular in asking if someone has a legitimate spare slot in their account, and which my purchases would elevate their totals.
As I already said, I pay for everything over the counter and will not impugn an account holder. Since loosing my card I estimate that WM have lost about $6,000 which I have bought elsewhere.
Thanks Suijin, a local broker might value the addition—I hadn’t thought of that.
__________________
Visit Britannia's website, containing published articles about some innovative things that have been done to the boat over the past twelve years.
www.schooner-britannia.com.
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16-10-2018, 10:50
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Fairfield Harbour, New Bern, NC
Boat: Down East 45 Brigantine schooner
Posts: 1,322
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Re: Port Supply problems
P.S. Please don’t anyone get involved in an “ethical” argument on my post. The word is absolutely meaningless in this present America.
__________________
Visit Britannia's website, containing published articles about some innovative things that have been done to the boat over the past twelve years.
www.schooner-britannia.com.
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16-10-2018, 10:58
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 365
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Re: Port Supply problems
The sailing school I went to allowed students to use their PS number, with the approval of the local WM store.
I now have a membership for their daysailers, and they let members use their account as well. Again, with the local WM store being fully aware.
So, there is nothing anti-ethical about this.
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16-10-2018, 11:02
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Slidell, La.
Boat: Morgan Classic 33
Posts: 2,845
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Re: Port Supply problems
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrew
Do you not understand the nature of the request? Or are you not familiar with ethics?
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I understand both the nature of the request and (probably) the ethics better than you.
So, once again, please explain the exact nature of the incredibleness of the request's unethicality.
I actually have a Port Supply account, so if I buy something for Jolly Roger and sell it to him for .01 over my cost, it suddenly becomes ethical? Or, if I use his purchases to boost my overall buying with Port Supply, thus increasing my discount, which I extend to JR and keep my .01 profit, I must be being 'double-incredibly unethical'?
I've been in and out of the retail and wholesale business since high school, and there is one thing that is guaranteed; 100% profit on a no-sale is still zero, and any profit on a sale is still profit. I'm sure you understand that ethic...
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16-10-2018, 11:03
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,074
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Re: Port Supply problems
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger
P.S. Please don’t anyone get involved in an “ethical” argument on my post. The word is absolutely meaningless in this present America.
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1) You don't get to dictate what people discuss on a public forum. You started a discussion, you don't OWN the discussion.
2) This is a global site, not an American site.
3) Your opinion on ethics in the US is irrelevant.
4) Even if the discussion were relevant, others lack of ethics doesn't make acting without ethics acceptable.
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16-10-2018, 11:06
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Slidell, La.
Boat: Morgan Classic 33
Posts: 2,845
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Re: Port Supply problems
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger
P.S. Please don’t anyone get involved in an “ethical” argument on my post. The word is absolutely meaningless in this present America.
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Oops, read your post after posting my response to Shrew...I'll delete it if it's too strong (if you get back within the allotted time that is...).
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16-10-2018, 11:17
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FLORIDA
Boat: Alden 50, Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 3,464
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Re: Port Supply problems
Some people clearly understand why this isn't ethical; others do not. That doesn't speak well of the latter group. Regardless of how one rationalizes it.
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