In 1968, Randy Repass began selling nylon ropes for fishing and boating out of his garage in Sunnyvale, California. He opened his first store in 1975 in Palo Alto, California, called West Coast Ropes. In 1977, the company acquired West Products and changed its name to West Marine.
In 1991, the company began to expand and open stores on the east coast of the US. The company went public in 1993 on the NASDAQ but unregistered their stock in September of 2017.
The company merged with E&B Marine in 1996 and began offering a larger amount of boat and fishing equipment.
In 2003 the company acquired BoatU.S. Product Division.
In 2008, the company went international, opening their first locations in Turkey and Canada.
In 2014, the company announced that it would close all of its Canadian locations. As of September 2017, the company operates as a subsidiary of Monomoy Capital Partners, who acquired the company for $328 million.
Currently, the company sells more than 75,000 products either at store locations or online. Headquarters are located in Watsonville, California.
In 1968, Randy Repass began selling nylon ropes for fishing and boating out of his garage in Sunnyvale, California. He opened his first store in 1975 in Palo Alto, California, called West Coast Ropes. In 1977, the company acquired West Products and changed its name to West Marine.
In 1991, the company began to expand and open stores on the east coast of the US. The company went public in 1993 on the NASDAQ but unregistered their stock in September of 2017.
History
The company merged with E&B Marine in 1996 and began offering a larger amount of boat and fishing equipment.
In 2003 the company acquired BoatU.S. Product Division.
In 2008, the company went international, opening their first locations in Turkey and Canada.
In 2014, the company announced that it would close all of its Canadian locations. As of September 2017, the company operates as a subsidiary of Monomoy Capital Partners, who acquired the company for $328 million.
Currently, the company sells more than 75,000 products either at store locations or online. Headquarters are located in Watsonville, California.
It is funny how a 16 year old can make a simple transaction at McDonald’s and West Marine stores, call center , and now corporate cannot make a simple transaction as your customer service stinks….
Would West Marine be interested in a 4th of July Advertisement Picture ?
Hello – I would like some clarification on your return policy which partly reads “We stand behind everything we sell. If at any time your West Marine purchase does not meet your expectations, you can return it for a replacement or refund except as noted below{1}.” I have read the exceptions listed under footnote 1.
My clarification request is in regards to returning items not listed in footnote 1 which are usually broken and I usually request an exchange. Some examples would be a fender that does not stay fully inflated or a bungee that breaks [these are the bungees with the lifetime guarantee]. Sometimes the store employee smiles and after explaining what happened handles the exchange with no problem. Other times I am given the third degree. Comments made such as “it looks used” or “we don’t do that”. Recently I had to show them your return policy which was signed at the credit card reader. Eventually after the employee checks with their manager my return is handled. Even some managers act like they are doing me a favor instead of saying no problem it will be taken care of.
Having been a West Advantage member since I started boating 19 years ago I would like to know what I can do so my exchanges are handled courteously and correctly every time.
Thank you,
Jene Ladke
Clyde Hill, Wash. 98004
Phone: 425-637-XXXX
I own a strip mall with a perfect location for a west marine store.excelent traffic,10,000 sq ft. ,surrounded by water ways. Your nearest store 1.15 minutes away. Please have your agent e-mail or call me. Andy Meads in Elizabeth Cy. N.C. 252-339-1720.
P. S. We have wholesale crab and fish outlets in the city. Pretty good size marine customer base
A few weeks ago, I purchased jib sheets from West Marine after they agreed to match the price offered by Defender Marine. Today, I tried to buy varnish and bottom paint using the West Marine Price Match. Again, I wanted to match the Defender Marine Price which was about $40.00 less! A West Marine online agent told me that West Marine was only accepting Amazon price matches. What?!! I was also told that Defender Marine had to be within 50 miles of the West Marine store. By the way, the Old Saybrook, Ct.West Marine store is 20 miles from the Defender Marine Store. I have emailed West Marine for clarification. No answer. West Marine prices are too high. I was really happy to see the Price Match offer but it seems to now have “catches”
My 93 year old Mom, my down syndrome cousin and I finally made it through the backwards doors. I tried to order the buffet and the manager said that we were to late to get the buffet!!! My clock said 2:00 and her clock said 2:02. The Buffet was still fully stocked and there was at least 5 pizzas on the buffet. This was very unkind not to allow us to eat your very long awaited, excellent, food. The manager does not have any sympathy for anyone else, nor does she have any people skills!!!
Beth Culp
269-873-XXXXX
Godfather’s Pizza on Cork Street,
Kalamazoo, MI