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Brian seems to be saying that "duffers" are well served by West and more
knowledgeable boaters can go out and seek better prices with less support. I
will agree that *when* West adheres to its stated corporate policies on
returns, that is value added. BUT, some stores give you a hassle and knock
off a percentage on what you paid. And the legitimate desire to see your
receipt is bordering on mandatory. The other value added product West
*offered* was getting an expert at headquarters on the telephone - haven't
run into that lately. Also if something isn't in the store or regional
distribution center, they now contemplate your paying for shipping. Didn't
do that before.
My guess is that in order to improve corporate performance, they have shot
themselves in the foot. You cannot implement multiple cost saving policies
all at once. They think they can because they bought Boat US. If they
offered *everything* at a fair price and continued to sell famous brand
names we trust, then, most of us would buy at the store. When they soak the
unwitting on unusual products (Coastal LED flashlights at 3 times the cost
at COSTCO) and start to renege on long-standing policies which garnered them
business in the past - there is reason to stop patronizing them. Maybe what
you say about Boat US is true, but I don't know why. Their pricing was
similar to West pricing - sometimes lower and sometimes higher. Bragging
about staff training is funny. If you are lucky, you will find a fellow
boater who has the same knowledge level as you have. BUT, I want them to
know the stock! What isle is it in and if it isn't there, where is it:
stock, floor (misplaced) or warehouse? I'm sorry, but badges?, badges?, we
don't need no stinkin badges.
Recently, in haste to get underway, I bought some things at West. When I got
home I realized that I had been charged $99 on an item marked as $79 in the
store and $89 in the catalog - they had a large stock with dust on it.
Another item they charged $83 and Defender has it for $62 - too great a
difference on a Windline standard item. I also recall that this past June
West was charging 3 times the Defender price for plain plastic registration
plates - yes, they matched the price. Lastly, the small stores are too small
and checkout becomes agony.
Ron Rogers
Willard 40 AIRBORNE
Lying Annapolis
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