West Marine service

Hey All, With the recent talk about VHF radios, I thought I'd relay my interaction with West Marine this afternoon. I'll be the first to admit that West Marine isn't exactly the bargain basement store that you'd find Wali pawing around in.   I've bought anchor, line and chain, a few safety items and my VHF through them. I picked up their submersible 150 model that is actually made by Uniden (model MHS450). It's a decent radio I picked up when they were on sale nearly 2 years ago. The one problem I've had with it is the connection between the charging base unit and the removeable power cord. It seems they underengineered this connector and sometimes it charges and sometimes not. I'd planned on hitting the salmon this weekend so I went to charge the battery to no avail. I decided to swap out the rechargeable unit for the AAA pack. As I did this, the crappy plastic clip that holds the battery in place and helps seal it tight decided to snap off, end of any chance for fishing moving water for me.

I looked around and found my receipt and warranty paperwork and stopped at the store after work today. After double checking on how to do it, the worker handed me a brand new West Marine 150 radio. Their "No Hassle Guaranteed" warranty really lives up to the hype, much like REI. Keep an eye out for sales on the items we can use and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how helpful the staff is.

Jay

Good to know, I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks for sharing that Jay!

Great info about WM. BTW my Uniden Voyager broke at the exact same place. I bought it a loooong time ago so most likely my fault but still same place.

Z

Great info about WM. BTW my Uniden Voyager broke at the exact same place. I bought it a loooong time ago so most likely my fault but still same place.

Z

There was a bit of salt corrosion that held the plastic hinge in place, not allowing it to rotate around the pin. I'm going to squirt some silicone grease in there before I take it out and get it wet.

Jay

I'll be the first to admit that West Marine isn't exactly the bargain basement store that you'd find Wali pawing around in.  

Jay

Ahhhh, excuse me!?!?!? Are you kidding? Their closeouts are the bomb!

  I'll have you know that I've had a West Marine Gold Advantage card since the 80's. Where else can you find Harken minutia on Sunday afternoon (in Ohio!!)?

 I just don't bother with them until I've shopped everywhere else and or they've  put it on closeout. Speaking of which they have a "good" deal on a basic brain bucket right now. Just the thing for your surf launches and landings.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/359653/0/0///mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=0&Ne=0&Ntt=&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=Branding&isLTokenURL=true