West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I hadn't put new impellers in my Bullet yet this year, so I figured that I would do it this saturday. I called my local BoatUS store and they had one. The West Marine right down the street had just one as well. When I asked them the price, they both told me $104.99 :eek: :eek: This is for the kit with the plastic housing. The guy at BoatUS is pretty cool and he told me to find it cheaper on the web, print out the page and bring it with me and he would match it, it's their policy. :cool: :cool:

I found them on boatfix.com for, get this....$46 :rolleyes:

The guy at BoatUS looked it up and told me that they pay $28 for them. Of course the azzhole at West Marine told me that they pay more than $46 for them....but he matched the price as well!! :rolleyes: :evilb: :evilb:

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

Ive always found the Boat Us people to be helpful as could be when searching for something in the store.. but you go into west marine and your basically on your own.. :rolleyes:

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I needed a chart card for my gps,West Marine told me $300.
Went to Boat US and the guy there told me to buy the memory card for $70 and he informed me that I could have a C/D sent to me & down load it my self.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I have tow insurance through BoatUS. They advertise West Marine's phone # on the tow card. Wonder if their one in the same. I like to support local business, but in that instance I would have told them to stick it and ordered online.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I believe that West Marine owns the BoatUS stores, but not the entire operation.

I just don't understand why they need to mark it up 400%?????? :mad:

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I think they're one in the same now due to a buy out. But still operate under different names. West sucks, always higher prices, and little to no help. Boat US is always cheaper and seems to have a larger selection...and much more helpful too, With more benefits, like the tow boat membership. For about $100 per year you get free towing, gas delivery on the water, & even trailer service ! A good deal & cheap insurance.

Even though owned by the same parent co, West prices remain higher. If you mention a lower cost somewhere else, of course it has to be proven, they will usually match, but when asked why the differences in costs between the two companies with the same parent, they say thats just the way it is. :rolleyes:

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

craig, try ordering your merc parts from bam, lots cheaper.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I usually order everything online. However, I wanted to replace these and needed them pronto.


Both West Marine and BoatUS had the same price of $104.99 and they both matched the price of $46 that boatfix.com has on it's website.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I've always found that West Marine is way overpriced!! Not anymore....I shop else where. :rolleyes: :D

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

Go to the Boat US website - big discussion on this in their consumer affairs forum.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I wont shop at West Marine anymore, way too expensive. I usually by thing like anchors, fenders, dock lines etc from them, but I'm tired of getting raped.............. :mad:

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

There's a chain down here called "Boater's World" that has a much larger selection and better prices than either Boat US or West Marine. However they are still higher on the same items that can be found elsewhere, but still beats the other two and MUCH more helpful.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

Both are in my area. From their mouths, "West Marine is tailored to the sailboter, Boatus is more for the powerboater.
When a dealer to buys from either of them, they pay about half of their retail. Both companies are distributors for the same "Warehouse". Same stuff, same availability- BoatUS just stocks more powerboat parts.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

Yea when i was in the parasail business i used to spend a lot of time going to mostly BOATERSWORLD because it was the closest ,and WEST MARINE next, than if I still couldn.t find something i ended up at BOAT U.S..It gave me alot of time to comparison shop the prices.It,s tough to beat BOATERS WORLD prices and selection and also their operating hours.Later on i got a commercial account with PORT SUPPLY which is the wholesale end of WEST MARINE, and BOATERS WORLD was still close if not better on prices on a lot of stuff .

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

The key here is "price matching". Do your homework like Craig did (and I did on a $3000 GPS package), give them the web site info on the better deal that you found, and you will always pay the lowest price. Plus - You get them backing up your purchase wherever you go. I've even returned good to stores other than where I bought in the first place.

Use the system - it works. The only reason to pay higher prices is lack of foresight.

On the other hand, Craig should always be carrying a set of impellers onboard. Then he would have time to do the shopping at leisure instead of in a panic.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

:p :p

I carry a set of spares, but also install new ones every season. It isn't "panic" time, just a matter of principle!!! :D :evilb: :drink: :evilb:

Are you doing the cbpba leukemia run in two weeks???

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

Boaters World :D :D

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

Kind of, but not really. We'll be at Great Oaks (Fairlee) on Saturday with the Formula Rendezvous, and might join in the run to Red Eyes on Sunday. You runnin' the Gun or the Bullet?

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I never heard anybody say that before. But as I picture each store that I have here.... it's true. Huh.

I didn't know about that price matching. Bet a lot of folks haven't. Good thread. Save some folks some cash.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

We have them here too, i like them much better than west and boat us.

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

The Bullet!!!

Re: West Marine and BoatUS-WTF??
 

I have a great relationship with Ted, the manager of the West store here. He will price match internet no questions asked, accept offers on already marked down clearance stuff, and is just plain friendly and helpful. :)

My store is definitely powerboat oriented. The dedicated sailboat stuff is 1/2 of one isle. :D

Watch the sale flyer...they do have some very good sale pricing.

The west advantage club helps a little also.

Nice part is it's 5 mins. from my house.