I used to like West Marine brick and mortar stores

Years ago the employees at my local West Marine were boaters, and knew boats. Every time I went in they were able to help me, and usually had a good boat story to tell.

Since purchasing the 380DA I have gone in the store 2 times, for bulbs. Both times the sales rep told me, when I asked for assistance "I will just stare at them like you will do, I suggest you go to our website". So I found myself wandering around the store. The rep took a call, hung up, came to me to tell me the "boaters" story from the call (I was the only customer in the store), and I gave him advise on helping the customer. The customer (new to boating) told him his prop broke apart and was pulled into the motor raw water cooling system, what should he do? The sales rep actually thought the prop crumbled up and got sucked into the thru hull. I told him it sounds like the raw water impeller, not the prop. "What's that?" he asks...

I dunno, maybe it's the shortage of good help from COVID, maybe it's a store location kind of thing. It's disappointing though.

I think them, like all stores, can be hit and miss. I know I have better luck in an ace hardware than in any of the big box hardware stores. Even the younger kids that work at Ace seem to know a little bit about hardware and where things are in the store. As for West Marine, it’s similar. Some of the cashiers don’t know a whole lot other than how to run the cash register. But the guys in the back near the parts counter do seem to know a bit about boats. And it will vary store to store. My “home“ store is right down the street from me in Canton. Joe, the manager that recently retired, was outstanding. But the others that work there are really good too. The store in Golden Ring isn’t too bad, the store in Glen Burnie isn’t quite as good. But both of them have folks in there that do know boats. And you may be right. Good helpers hard to find all over these days.

I have the luxury of having a main Chicago store nearby along with two branches near the boat. The Chicago store has a parts department and can be helpful. Store clerks can be hit or miss but I usually do all the research beforehand.

West Marine has a love/hate history on CSR.

I have always found them to be useful when I need to go pick up something specific.

Agree that retail help at WM is suffering the same fate of a lot of specialty retail. They are having to fill the schedule with warm bodies and they are not able to field the boating knowledge.

10+ years ago in a marina far far in the past, there was a guy who had his boat in a slip near mine. He was semi-retired and worked at a nearby WM store. He knew boats. I wouldn't hesitate to ask him a question while at the marina and he carried the same knowledge into the store.

Definitely hit or miss.

We have a West in Savannah, most of them are boaters for sure, except the younger ones.

We also have River Supply in Thunderbolt, practically accross the river from me. I consistently find thier prices lower than West, and more selection. I prefer them over West now. They all are serious boaters and know what to stock.

My question would be- why are they cheaper than the big box store?

Most of the time I order online, have it delivered to home, and carry toThe Office.

But if I need something while I'm there, I checkout River Supply first.

West Marine is ridiculously over priced vs many other marine stores. Defender is by far better, quick shipping, good customer service and many knowledgeable people on the floor. No I do not work there. I should have my picture on the wall for the amount of money I have spent there over the years