Empathy List Archives

A

AgajanianYS@aol.com

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 1:56 PM

OK, time to chime in here. My neighbor boat is owned by a West Marine
manager. We were having dinner aboard my boat last night and I told him about the
posts on this list. He was VERY interested in how the opinions of my fellow
boaters was going .

His response to their prices was that WM will price match on any product
found cheaper from a legit supplier. If they are willing to do that, whats the
beef?.

Sam Agajanian

Oxnard, Calif

OK, time to chime in here. My neighbor boat is owned by a West Marine manager. We were having dinner aboard my boat last night and I told him about the posts on this list. He was VERY interested in how the opinions of my fellow boaters was going . His response to their prices was that WM will price match on any product found cheaper from a legit supplier. If they are willing to do that, whats the beef?. Sam Agajanian Oxnard, Calif

PJ

Philip J. Rosch

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 2:13 PM

The klieg lights and complaints are always focused on the industry leader
whether it is West Marine or Microsoft. If you don't like the prices, vote
with your dollars and buy elsewhere or stop tipping clueless fuel dock
hands.

My sense is Port Supply prices are about equal to Defender retail. If I
were to give West Marine any "management advisory advice", it would be to
make sure your buyers have grey hair and at least 50,000 cruising miles,
sail or power, under their belts. Keeping the product set relevant is a
critical success factor IMHO. Also don't let the SAMBAs (Smart Ass MBAs)
get control or you'll be selling drills with an 8" power cord.

I get almost all of what I need from West Marine and I'd have to say I'm a
happy customer...

                                      Regards....

Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V Curmudgeon MT-44TC
Currently moored in Newport, RI

The klieg lights and complaints are always focused on the industry leader whether it is West Marine or Microsoft. If you don't like the prices, vote with your dollars and buy elsewhere or stop tipping clueless fuel dock hands. My sense is Port Supply prices are about equal to Defender retail. If I were to give West Marine any "management advisory advice", it would be to make sure your buyers have grey hair and at least 50,000 cruising miles, sail or power, under their belts. Keeping the product set relevant is a critical success factor IMHO. Also don't let the SAMBAs (Smart Ass MBAs) get control or you'll be selling drills with an 8" power cord. I get almost all of what I need from West Marine and I'd have to say I'm a happy customer... Regards.... Phil Rosch Old Harbor Consulting M/V Curmudgeon MT-44TC Currently moored in Newport, RI

A

Albin43SDtr

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 5:33 PM

"lo All,

My turn....

His response to their prices was that WM will price match on any product
found cheaper from a legit supplier. If they are willing to do that, whats
the
beef?.

If anyone is willing to match lower prices, why not just charge that price
anyway? Why should anyone have to go looking for a lower price somewhere
else just to get the manager to match it? I buy from the one who offers the
lowest price, because he was willing to charge as low a price as he felt
comfortable with. I reward his competitiveness with my purchases from him.
This does not apply only to marine related products, either.

Take care and be safe.

Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck

"lo All, My turn.... >His response to their prices was that WM will price match on any product >found cheaper from a legit supplier. If they are willing to do that, whats >the >beef?. If anyone is willing to match lower prices, why not just charge that price anyway? Why should anyone have to go looking for a lower price somewhere else just to get the manager to match it? I buy from the one who offers the lowest price, because he was willing to charge as low a price as he felt comfortable with. I reward his competitiveness with my purchases from him. This does not apply only to marine related products, either. Take care and be safe. Wayne M/V Celestial Albin43 Sundeck

MR

Mark Richter

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 5:58 PM

<<...or you'll be selling drills with an 8" power cord.>>>

Phil,
I wish my drill and all my other portable power tools came with
8" power cords. My biggest problem with power tools on the boat
is getting out the one I want from the too-small cabinet where
they are stored. Inevitably, the cords are all tangled on each
other and the tools themselves. The cords are never long enough
anyway, so I still need an extension cord. I noticed some of the
professional lines of power tools now come with very short cords.
As I slowly replace mine, I'll favor those with the tiny cords.
Just goes to show, you can't please everyone.

Mark Richter, Winnie the Pooh
anchored in Crystal River, FL

<<...or you'll be selling drills with an 8" power cord.>>> Phil, I wish my drill and all my other portable power tools came with 8" power cords. My biggest problem with power tools on the boat is getting out the one I want from the too-small cabinet where they are stored. Inevitably, the cords are all tangled on each other and the tools themselves. The cords are never long enough anyway, so I still need an extension cord. I noticed some of the professional lines of power tools now come with very short cords. As I slowly replace mine, I'll favor those with the tiny cords. Just goes to show, you can't please everyone. Mark Richter, Winnie the Pooh anchored in Crystal River, FL

MR

Mark Richter

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 6:37 PM

<<If anyone is willing to match lower prices, why not just charge

that price anyway? Why should anyone have to go looking for a
lower price somewhere else... >>

Welcome to the future of retailing...variable pricing. Pioneered
by the major airlines, the idea is to maximize profits by
charging each and every customer the highest price he is willing
to pay. If you're willing to shop other suppliers, get quotes,
take up time in the checkout line, you get a better price. The
concept works extremely well. I never go into a West Marine
without at least my Defender catalog. Yet in all the times I've
been into West, I've never witnessed any other customer ask for
price matching! Most folks don't care, are too lazy or too
embarrassed to ask for a lower price.

West isn't nearly as good about matching prices as before, now
that they've bought out both their major competitors. Some
stores match without complaining, but many don't. Some want to
add on their estimate of shipping for matching a Defender or
other mail order price (plus local sales tax, of course). Others
will only match "local competition", whatever that means.

Mark Richter, Winnie the Pooh
not too embarrassed

<<If anyone is willing to match lower prices, why not just charge that price anyway? Why should anyone have to go looking for a lower price somewhere else... >> Welcome to the future of retailing...variable pricing. Pioneered by the major airlines, the idea is to maximize profits by charging each and every customer the highest price he is willing to pay. If you're willing to shop other suppliers, get quotes, take up time in the checkout line, you get a better price. The concept works extremely well. I never go into a West Marine without at least my Defender catalog. Yet in all the times I've been into West, I've never witnessed any other customer ask for price matching! Most folks don't care, are too lazy or too embarrassed to ask for a lower price. West isn't nearly as good about matching prices as before, now that they've bought out both their major competitors. Some stores match without complaining, but many don't. Some want to add on their estimate of shipping for matching a Defender or other mail order price (plus local sales tax, of course). Others will only match "local competition", whatever that means. Mark Richter, Winnie the Pooh not too embarrassed

K

Keith

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 6:59 PM

Exactly. Those "lowest price guarantees" are meant to lure folks in, NOT to
be actually used. They will occasionally, but with some grumbling. Now West
will match prices, but you'll pay local sales taxes that you might not have
had to ordering over the internet. I've even had them tell me "we'll match
their price plus shipping plus sales tax."

Like someone said earlier, vote with your feet/dollars. I buy lots of little
stuff at my local West Marine. However, the bigger ticket items, I do lots
of comparison shopping. I priced my radar at CME (Consumer's Marine
Electronics) then took it to a local place who matched the price, then got
paid to install it as well. It's standard consumer practice to search more
and take longer to make a decision on higher priced items. West offers a
good stock and availability at a higher price. It might not be worth
searching around to save 10 cents on some fasteners, but it will be to save
$500 on radar, SSB, etc.

Like the chain examples earlier, and many other things... if you can find it
without the "marine" name, but still marine quality, you'll save a bundle.
Funny that West got started as a place to buy rope cheaper than anybody
else. Economics and competition still rule in the long run.

Keith
__
Drive defensively. Buy a tank.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Richter" Richter-Pooh@rocketmail.com

Welcome to the future of retailing...variable pricing. Pioneered
by the major airlines, the idea is to maximize profits by
charging each and every customer the highest price he is willing
to pay. If you're willing to shop other suppliers, get quotes,
take up time in the checkout line, you get a better price.

Exactly. Those "lowest price guarantees" are meant to lure folks in, NOT to be actually used. They will occasionally, but with some grumbling. Now West will match prices, but you'll pay local sales taxes that you might not have had to ordering over the internet. I've even had them tell me "we'll match their price plus shipping plus sales tax." Like someone said earlier, vote with your feet/dollars. I buy lots of little stuff at my local West Marine. However, the bigger ticket items, I do lots of comparison shopping. I priced my radar at CME (Consumer's Marine Electronics) then took it to a local place who matched the price, then got paid to install it as well. It's standard consumer practice to search more and take longer to make a decision on higher priced items. West offers a good stock and availability at a higher price. It might not be worth searching around to save 10 cents on some fasteners, but it will be to save $500 on radar, SSB, etc. Like the chain examples earlier, and many other things... if you can find it without the "marine" name, but still marine quality, you'll save a bundle. Funny that West got started as a place to buy rope cheaper than anybody else. Economics and competition still rule in the long run. Keith __ Drive defensively. Buy a tank. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Richter" <Richter-Pooh@rocketmail.com> > Welcome to the future of retailing...variable pricing. Pioneered > by the major airlines, the idea is to maximize profits by > charging each and every customer the highest price he is willing > to pay. If you're willing to shop other suppliers, get quotes, > take up time in the checkout line, you get a better price.

BP

Bob Peterson

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 7:06 PM

Mark, the situation sort of reminds me of auto insurance (perhaps boat
insurance too). My agent assures me that I have every discount available,
but when I call them up to cancel a policy and move to a competitor's
company, they magically produce all kinds of "new" discount items (two car
discount, no smoker discount, low miles discount, etc.) until they beat the
competitor's price!

Bob Peterson
47' Lien Hwa CMY
"Lopaka Nane"
San Francisco

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Richter
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 11:38 AM
To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
Subject: Re: T&T: West Marine Prices

<<If anyone is willing to match lower prices, why not just charge

that price anyway? Why should anyone have to go looking for a lower price
somewhere else... >>

Welcome to the future of retailing...variable pricing. Pioneered by the
major airlines, the idea is to maximize profits by charging each and every
customer the highest price he is willing to pay. If you're willing to shop
other suppliers, get quotes, take up time in the checkout line, you get a
better price. The concept works extremely well.

Mark, the situation sort of reminds me of auto insurance (perhaps boat insurance too). My agent assures me that I have every discount available, but when I call them up to cancel a policy and move to a competitor's company, they magically produce all kinds of "new" discount items (two car discount, no smoker discount, low miles discount, etc.) until they beat the competitor's price! Bob Peterson 47' Lien Hwa CMY "Lopaka Nane" San Francisco -----Original Message----- From: Mark Richter Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 11:38 AM To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com Subject: Re: T&T: West Marine Prices <<If anyone is willing to match lower prices, why not just charge that price anyway? Why should anyone have to go looking for a lower price somewhere else... >> Welcome to the future of retailing...variable pricing. Pioneered by the major airlines, the idea is to maximize profits by charging each and every customer the highest price he is willing to pay. If you're willing to shop other suppliers, get quotes, take up time in the checkout line, you get a better price. The concept works extremely well.

AJ

A Jensen

Sun, Jul 11, 2004 7:27 PM

Keith wrote:
Like someone said earlier, vote with your feet/dollars. I buy lots of little
stuff at my local West Marine. However, the bigger ticket items, I do lots
of comparison shopping. I priced my radar at CME (Consumer's Marine
Electronics) then took it to a local place who matched the price, then got
paid to install it as well. It's standard consumer practice to search more
and take longer to make a decision on higher priced items.

REPLY
The downside to this trend in cut-throat price competition is loss of
service after the sale.

People often ask me if I sell electronic equipment etc.
No I don't! The mark-up margin is too small.
I can't possibly compete with some volume wholesaler or with someone across
the country who mail orders stuff below my cost.
Will I service stuff you bought that way.
Only at my highest hourly rate. I don't get anything else from it.
And I have no obligation to service sonething I did not sell.

And if you pay me to install it. Ther is no warranty on anything except my
handiwork in crimping wire terminals.
So if the unti turns out to have a defect you pay me to install it, and you
pay me to remove it, and then again to install the replacement.

Remember also that all of this low priced equipment can only be ofered by
having it manufactured of shore by the lowest bidding sub contractor. No one
carries spare parts for any repairs.
The SAMBAs rely on numbers to carry the day.
If your unit is defective they will replace it with another one.
Which might have the same flaw or maybe a different one. Or maybe you get
one that works. < grin >

Regards

Arild

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.705 / Virus Database: 461 - Release Date: 6/12/2004

Keith wrote: Like someone said earlier, vote with your feet/dollars. I buy lots of little stuff at my local West Marine. However, the bigger ticket items, I do lots of comparison shopping. I priced my radar at CME (Consumer's Marine Electronics) then took it to a local place who matched the price, then got paid to install it as well. It's standard consumer practice to search more and take longer to make a decision on higher priced items. REPLY The downside to this trend in cut-throat price competition is loss of service after the sale. People often ask me if I sell electronic equipment etc. No I don't! The mark-up margin is too small. I can't possibly compete with some volume wholesaler or with someone across the country who mail orders stuff below my cost. Will I service stuff you bought that way. Only at my highest hourly rate. I don't get anything else from it. And I have no obligation to service sonething I did not sell. And if you pay me to install it. Ther is no warranty on anything except my handiwork in crimping wire terminals. So if the unti turns out to have a defect you pay me to install it, and you pay me to remove it, and then again to install the replacement. Remember also that all of this low priced equipment can only be ofered by having it manufactured of shore by the lowest bidding sub contractor. No one carries spare parts for any repairs. The SAMBAs rely on numbers to carry the day. If your unit is defective they will replace it with another one. Which might have the same flaw or maybe a different one. Or maybe you get one that works. < grin > Regards Arild --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.705 / Virus Database: 461 - Release Date: 6/12/2004

RR

Ron Rogers

Mon, Jul 12, 2004 1:15 AM

Also, I look for the tools with the most supple, rubber-like cords. Of
course, good cordless tools are easy to use on a boat and offer some
additional safety.

Ron Rogers
Willard 40 Akela (to be AIRBORNE)
Lying Annapolis

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Richter" Richter-Pooh@rocketmail.com
| As I slowly replace mine, I'll favor those with the tiny cords.
| Just goes to show, you can't please everyone.

Also, I look for the tools with the most supple, rubber-like cords. Of course, good cordless tools are easy to use on a boat and offer some additional safety. Ron Rogers Willard 40 Akela (to be AIRBORNE) Lying Annapolis ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Richter" <Richter-Pooh@rocketmail.com> | As I slowly replace mine, I'll favor those with the tiny cords. | Just goes to show, you can't please everyone.

trawlers@lists.trawlering.com

Re: T&T: West Marine Prices

Arild