Price variance among sellers of boating "stuff"

[ronacarme]

My wife bot me a Leatherman Wave multitool a couple years ago for $69.95.
Campmor spring 2008 catalog lists same for the same price.
West Marine 2008 Annual Catalog and 2008 Sailing Sourcebook both list same for $94.99!!!!
I have come to expect West Marine to charge a bit more than some other sources, but I don't recall seeing 35% more before.
Ron

[Beam's Reach]

I changed my slip at the marina and now my shore power cord won't reach so I need a longer one. Went to my local marine supplier and he told me he could have one shipped the next day for $137.99 plus tax.

When I got home there was a West Marine flyer in my mailbox. Same cord $79.99 and comes with a free carry bag worth $20.

A West Marine deal? Go figure.

[pokerrick1]

My MAMA tol me - - - you better shop aroun!

Don't forget Overtons on line - - - and they will send you a free thick catalogue.

Rick

[bubba]

West marine is a sorce for free stuff. Almost everytime I have ordered something they have sent the wrong simular item and didn't want the stuff back like: 75 feet of 8 mm braded rope in red and they sent white twisted so I ended up with 75 feet of line for our safety throw ring, I also ordered a valve for the grill for small bottles and they sent the valve for a large bottle of propane ( twice the price) which I now have both for the price of one. I cant waite to see what they send next order, I am guessing there workers don't read english well or they are dumber than rocks, definately not boaters.

[jaguar496]

another blessing for us a boating couple just opened a MARINE CONSIGNMENT shop in ORIENTAL, NC. sort of a tjmax for marine stuff. most new items are at 35%of original retail, and used items are extremely reasonable. the shop keepers allow a buyer to take the product home and test it; if it doesn't work, can be returned within 7 days for a FULL refund Y'all might look for the same. stew of Alice and Stew,"THE RESTLESS TWO"

[BKAFER1]

When I'm looking for something for the boat. I try a camper world type store first. They have lots of things that are exactly like the boat item but an 1/2 the price.
Today I went to home depot and bought about $20.00 worth of blocks and clips and rings etc. I'll throw them in the parts box and if I ever have something break while away, I'll have all these parts.
The same things in a boat store ( though made with stainless and not just plated) would have been over $125.
so Look else ware first.

[Hardcrab]

In West Marines defense, they do stock alot of items that don't move very fast, and has to be priced accordingly. These slow items take up floor space from stuff that might move faster.
I'm just glad there is one nearby my boat to get the unplaned things I need right away.
The bigger, more thought out items for projects will usually be found for less other places.

[Kelly Hanson East]

I buy online from defender, but always feed the local west marine for hardware to try and keep them around. I have gotten good clearance deals from them though.