Boaters World (Ritz) Bankruptcy

[S/V Elusive]

I ordered something on-line just the other day, and it was delivered today. So, I suspect that they are just reorganizing rather than closing the doors.

[GordMay]

Her (Sea Bowld) current asking price of $24,400,000 USD is considerably reduced from previous asking of $36,900,000 (2007) then $33,900,000/$29,950,000 (2008).

[Palarran]

It always cracks me up when a company goes under and the owners toys start to get sold. Maybe Ritz shoud have been content with a 5 million dollar boat and a functioning company.

[gonesail]

yes you can take anything back to west marine .. but their prices are almost twice what they should be in most cases. but when i really need a part it's nice to have them around.

[Polunu880]

chapter 11 is just a reorganising of dept, not closing the doors, closing the doors is a chapter 13.
Kmart did that a few year back and came back and bought out sears!

Boaters world is for power boaters and fishermen. Over the last few years i have bought very little from them.
I spend my money with the local mom & pop sailing supply store.
Some things cost more some less, and in the big scheme of life saving a few dollars just don't add up to me.
Rather pay more for good help and get the right part for the job.

[MarcusYell]

I don't get why people say West Marine's prices are higher. They price match everything in the store or in the catalog against any price by any nationally recognized retailer.

West Marine: Policies

Scroll down about 1/2 way on the page above, it explains it. I go into my local West Marine with my Defender Catalog in hand and they price match it right at the register, no problem.
I haven't tried it with an online-only retailer, but I doubt it would be a problem.

[Tempest245]

Msrcus, I have also been told by my West Marine store manager that he will match any price defender gives me. However, the deal breaker for me is that NJ tacks on 7% sales tax. If I buy from Defender online...no sales tax. I believe shipping is free as well.

[sandy daugherty]

Westophobia can't be cured with facts.

[Tempest245]

Though to be fair, West marine does give me money back in the form of West Marine Advantage checks. I haven't done the math to see if this makes up the sales tax difference. My biggest complaint about West Marine is that they never seem to have what I want, and their staff can be clueless, this might be a store specific problem.
Here's an example: I wanted to buy a BB-Que grill. They had the grill in stock but not the mounting hardware or the canvas cover. It never seems to be a one stop shop.

[mojo]

Never cared for Boaters World Stores. Reminded me of being in a Kmart and that is not good.

They should shut down all the stores and just keep the internet business going, that way people can be spared the trauma of going to their stores

[MarcusYell]

Tempest,
I hadn't thought about the sales tax, though I haven't bought any big ticket items through the price match yet. For me as a newbie sailor it helps to have hands on the items I'm buying since most of what I'm doing I'm doing for the first time.

I agree with you about the staff, they can be completely worthless, but I was lucky to find one WM emloyee who's an old salt and has on a few occasions actually saved me money with suggestions.

I think the WM Advantage checks work out to 4% off ($10 for every $250 spent), so for me in VA it's about a wash (sales tax is 5.5% in VA).

Just thought people should know they can get a good price at WM if they want.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Tempest245

Though to be fair, West marine does give me money back in the form of West Marine Advantage checks. I haven't done the math to see if this makes up the sales tax difference. My biggest complaint about West Marine is that they never seem to have what I want, and their staff can be clueless, this might be a store specific problem.
Here's an example: I wanted to buy a BB-Que grill. They had the grill in stock but not the mounting hardware or the canvas cover. It never seems to be a one stop shop.

No...It's not a store specific problem...If i have a question about paint, they start reading off the can...hell I can read!!!

[MarkJ]

At least you guys live in a country with a bit of competition amongst the theives.

Try living in Aus with just 1 company and a few small marina shops calling themselves chandlreys...
And Amazon wont deliver here if its boat goodies

[Polunu880]

I received a postcard in the mail on Fri, all stores are closing!
from chapter 11 to 13 in about 4 weeks.
Went down on Sat, most items are 10 to 20% off list. All electronics were 10% off list, not what I would call a closing sell.

Cliff on Polunu

[Pblais]

All electronics were 10% off list, not what I would call a closing sell.

The liquidators are not the ones going out of business. Liquidators work on a percentage. They have no incentive to give it away and cheat the creditors. They would go out of business if the creditors thought they were not selling off at a reasonable rate of return. Once the store closes they have other avenues to sell off the stock. There is warehouse stock to sell as well as the fixtures. This isn't a mad rush to make fast cash.