West Marine Salt Away

[n1111z]

So I ran out of Salt Away today and needed some so I broke down and went to West Marine, $75 for a gallon after tax. So I thinking, that' a little high. Get home and check on Amazon (I have Prime) and guess what? $45 no tax or shipping. Jeesh!!

 

[Dean P]

West Marine is for emergency purposes only and or to get a touchy feel type thing. They have good advice too.

 

[seadude]

Even pricier by the quart (for a soap solution) - gotta be the highest profit margin product ever, like the shampoos and conditioners my wife buys!

 

[Beachbummer]

West Marine is so nice and pretty... If the prices were a little more competitive I could consider buying there, but when everything I see is around double the price of any other retailer, I'm hard pressed to spend any money there. I really like it, but their prices not so much.

 

[Elliott]

FWIW, West Marine will match the price of any in-stock item (just like Best Buy / in-stock at the other seller). I have showed West Marine an item a couple of times at Amazon on my phone, and they always matched it.

You should try it, and it will allow you to support a local store without paying too much.

 

[Dixie Highway]

White vinegar is very cheap. So is citric acid. In case you can’t bring yourself to spend even $45 to get rid of the salt.

 

[Liveto99]

Price match! You have to with them.

 

[Dean P]

Price match! You have to with them.

IMO too much work plus they charge tax on top. BUT, if you need it right now, absolutely.

 

[Elliott]

Paying tax (BTW - some internet stores charge sales tax) and having to ask for a price match is small price to pay to support a local store. Only a local store will let you compare/examine items and fill your immediate needs that day. Waiting for a delivery of possibly the wrong part (because you could not be certain) will not get you back on the water as soon as possible. For me, the extra effort is worth it.

 

[Dean P]

Paying tax (BTW - some internet stores charge sales tax) and having to ask for a price match is small price to pay to support a local store. Only a local store will let you compare/examine items and fill your immediate needs that day. Waiting for a delivery of possibly the wrong part (because you could not be certain) will not get you back on the water as soon as possible. For me, the extra effort is worth it.

Tax is normally charged based on if they do business in your state. BTW West Marine is not a "local" store. They have 247 branches all over country and ship internationally too. In 30+ years in boating I purchased 2 pair of shoes that were on clearance. I do have a local boat shop in my area which I buy from.

 

[Wisefam22]

The workers are local and help provide jobs for people who live local..

 

[Dean P]

Can't argue that. However, with all the times WM has been sold and benefits dropping they're having a hard time keeping good people. Tough to make ends meat when you making minimum wage. Raises are not heard of. You'll be lucky to find more than a few people working. I hope they can make it.

 

[JDinfla]

Love West Marine. Gotta buy salt away from Amazon.

 

[Dixie Highway]

The workers are local and help provide jobs for people who live local..

Tell that to the people that refuse to shop at Walmart but will drive to the next town (or county) over to get groceries.

 

[haknslash]

What about the local workers at Amazon? They need their job too lol.

 

[ZGhost]

They price match, just have to pull the Amazon ad.

 

[n1111z]

Can't argue that. However, with all the times WM has been sold and benefits dropping they're having a hard time keeping good people. Tough to make ends meat when you making minimum wage. Raises are not heard of. You'll be lucky to find more than a few people working. I hope they can make it.

Maybe the reason aren't very successful is their egregious markup? I have no problem paying an extra 10 or 15% extra for same day service but 40%? I won't go back into that store. However, I'm a free-markup guy and I certainly support their right to ask those prices, for me the morals of it aren't in play. It's just that I'm pretty sure it's not very smart.

 

[Dean P]

Maybe the reason aren't very successful is their egregious markup? I have no problem paying an extra 10 or 15% extra for same day service but 40%? I won't go back into that store. However, I'm a free-markup guy and I certainly support their right to ask those prices, for me the morals of it aren't in play. It's just that I'm pretty sure it's not very smart.

I wholeheartedly agree. I do pay more (plus tax) if I need it now. But there comes a point when to much is just too much. I understand we all need to make a profit but at the expense of workers to impress shareholders/owner(s) (although I believe they are privately owed now - keeps switching); not good. They appear to be working themselves out of business. I do hope they survive for all the good reasons listed above. Amen.