Hi mate.  I know exactly which store you're talking about. Yes, I concur with everything you've said about the customer service (or lack of) there!  Have stopped going there for over 12 months.. 

 I don't get it. 80% of the time you have been dissatisfied.  Yet you keep on returning.

Have you thought about ringing the store manager and relaying your experiences, as he may not be aware of the poor service.  A bit of constructive criticism may go a long way.

 He was on the money with the humminbird comment.

 seen that, piss poor for sure, the owner is in that bunch I'm sure!

Use to work close by also, went in a few time due to convieance but never bother asking for advice, but always woundered how they stay in business. Glad I moved jobs.

 What are you looking to achieve with the networking?

 bunch of old wankers that like you said are just downright rude every time I have been there.

Bodies mrs went there once to wait in the store for us to rock up as it was pproaching closing time. She did a bit or reconnaissance prior to our arrival so we thought we could get in and out as promptly as possible so everyone could go home on time. They got to within 15 mins of their closing time and asked her to leave the store and stand outside in the blazing heat. Unfortunately they do stock some things specific to that store which you can't buy anywhere else, but to be honest I would rather go without that to support those old pricks.

scano

 Their mates in mozzie park are just as bad

 I needed to replace my steering on my boat, and I was planning on buying a hydraulic steering kit, cash, ready to spend about $1000. So I did the ring around, asking what hydraulic steering system do you stock, and what one would you recommend. When it came to to call that particular store, after asking: do you have any hydraulic steering? Was answered with look at the website. I then went on to say that I didn't have internet access  hence why I was calling the shop, and was told to look it up online. After about 10 mins insisting I did not have internet he proceeded to individually list out different components associated with hydraulic steering so I could look it up later online. Needless to say I went with another store up off Wanneroo Rd who offered very competitive pricing and excellent service to the extent of while I was installing it I had a question at 10 to 5, called them up, they didn't know the answer, so they chased down the rep and called me back with the answer in 10 mins! Definitely got my customer loyalty! 

 I knew exactly which store you were talking about before I finished the first paragraph, as soon as I heard that they are talking to their yatch club mates. Always the same sitting up front on their arse doing s.f.a the only good thing is the catalogue I make a list then I have to find said product (harder than it sounds some times often out of stock) last time I went I requested a new catalogue , run out mate don't know when we will get new ones!

Silly old buggers working there seem to think it's their private club house or something and customers are nothing but a uninvited annoyance 

 Not long ago they had 15% of their entire stock which brought the anchormax down to around $620. I went in to purchase one only to be told they were out of stock even though the computer showed one there. No probs I said and can you please ring the other store to see if they have any. The response was "no, we tried to ring earlier but the phone rang out as its busy" They all then tried the hard sell on a different brand that was a few hundred more so infront of them I rang the other store. Phone rang maybe 2 times before being picked up , guess i was lucky ,  they had a few but told me they dont hold any incase they get hoaxed. I then thanked the old guys for their time but they completely ignored me and i felt invisable.

I also have had previous bad experience when going to buy electronics there and Im sure the old prick thought i was wasting his time so i left and went straight to a different shop and bought from them.

They really do think they are above everyone else (read arrogant) but at the end of the day its just a boat bits shop.

So yeah im done with that branch

 Interaction no 2.

Went down to find a cable cover for my dash for my Furuno cables. One of the 'customer service' staff was right next to me stocking the shelf. I start searching the shelves and not only does old mate not even look up letaline ask me if I need any help he keeps his arse parked in my way when I am trying to search the shelves he is stacking. 

I finally say "excuse me mate" and am met with an audible sigh.

I explain which product I am after and after a short search of the shelves he suggests that I go home and find the product number then call up and quote that and then come down and pick it up.

I whip the phone out and search it and disturb him again to which I am told he doesn't know where it is and it'd be best to call up and they'll check if it needs to be ordered in. He couldn't even be bothered going to the front counter.

Again I left shaking my head and went to All Boats and got myself sorted out.

Nah you need to be 60+ and own sailboat to use that store! Didnt you read the sign on the front door ?

 .

I've never heard of such disinterest in customers, what keeps paying their bills.

They odiously have a good business plan, it's called who knows who cares bugger off you are a pain in the backside with your wants.

I guess I'm lucky and live south of Mandurah and therefore have little chance of walking into their shop, no that's not the word I'm looking for to describe the place. When I think up a suitable word to describe such a place I'll post it for all to consider if it's appropriate.

 I'm amazed by these comments. I've had nothing but good service from both of these shops to the point where they have made calls and chased items down for me or had them put on hold at one shop or another for me to pickup.

I know that some oldies can get a little cranky at times but I have not experienced this personally at these shops. Go figure.

 Phoned the shop on friday for a muir winch yep got 4 in stock ok i will  be in tomorrow ok we will see you tomorrow  .went up first thing the next morning ( 40 min drive)  .got to the front counter and said how you going i phoned yesterday about a vc 800 pot winch , sorry we don't have any at the moment well we do but we dont there on the system but we havent un package the pallets yet you will have to come back later in the week. What the fu@× .i said i called yesterday you said you had 4 in stock i said im coming  tommorrow you said fine  what the fu×@.any way they wouldnt get one for me as he was apparently to busy to get one of the pallet for me .i ended up just walking out 

 Interaction No 3:

Had just purchased my glass boat and the fuel tank hatch was peeling revealing the wood so wanted to redo it and match the rest of the floor. Chipped a bit of (what I now know is flecked flowcoat) off and took it down as an example of the finished job I was after. After mulling around the painting section I gave up and approached the short, balding santa claus looking fella for advice and we heading back to the aisle.

I showed him the example which is white flowcoat covered in flecked black flowcoat with flecked white flowcoat on top. I explained that it was from a marine ply fuel hatch and asked for his advice on how to match it. He provided me with a textured cream paint and when I enquired about that the 'black medium' he provided me with some 'stuff' that he said would provide me with the texture. I went into the car and opened the 'stuff' and saw it wasn't black and went back in and aksed him if it joined together and turned black once applied and he laughed and said "does it look like it would". I again showed him my example of what I wanted to achieve and was told "son, I've been a boat builder for 20 years and I've never seen anything like that". I can now only assume that speckled flowcoast wasn't used from 1956 to 1976.

Slightly dejected I took that products home and did some more research and discovered through my own research that what I wanted to achieve was basic flowcoating and the stuff that he had recommended wasn't even waterproof rednering it useless on untreated ply.

I took it back the next day only to be informed that changing my mind wasn't a valid reason for returning a product until I made it clear that I had wrongly bought it on bad advice from their collegue and that I was going to buy spend the return on flowcoat products

 Mozzie bay shop.went in at  2.15 once and got a lecture because  it was close  to their closing time  3 oclock. i was  all paid  up and done half hour before closing.i was blown away but laughed  it off. silly old bloke was trying to give me a hard time  for not  shaving for a couple  of days yet he had a full white beard lol

I've had no hassles in the Mosman store.  Had a shedload of stuff to return on one occasion, and that was handled without problems.  The blokes have always been friendly to me.  One of the older guys even helped carry my stuff out to the car (I had loads of stuff to carry on that occasion).

I know the store your talking about, I went there just recently before a trip up to coral bay.... I had the exact same thoughts as I left the store shaking my head. 

Man I disagree.

Rarely come up to Perth so when I do I need to get shit squared away quick with no fuss. Saw those blokes in Leedy & one of the old salts was nothing short of brilliant.

Needed to fit up my almost 3yo with a pfd whilst on deck that means he can move between the cray pots should they be on board & also move around uninhibited but with safety, really important for me that the passion is there. Without the young bloke being there he went through them all & I returned with one awesome bit of kit that does just that & fits well with room to grow.

Had to sort some tricky gelcoat repairs, dude was a guru. Without that input & guidance I was phucked. Young staff member in store tagged behind & learnt as he educated us both, just finished repairs & I am stoked

The shirt comment got me in stitches. I had the exact same experience when I was in there in my work gear once!

I went in there earlier in the year asking for a Raymarine combo unit - none in stock, none in Perth and delivery would take 2 weeks. Decided to give the other store a crack just in case and the exact model I was asking for was on the shelf. It makes me laugh.

I go to the Leedy store for a novelty now, haven't had a bad experience in mossy park yet.

but does the name start with the 4th last word in the Alphabet. Because if it does Im in concert with a lot off the rest.

Was building a Farr 9.2 yachts some time back (well my old man was and we were the slaves) and had to run in numerous times for X, Y and Z. Was treated as some young fool (even though I knew what I wanted and needed) despite the staff being fully aware of what we were on about. Different story when the old man went in. He was basically treated as almost royalty.

After getting my own boat some time latter walked into the shop to tell them I was now skipper of my own vessel, and they would get ^%$78all off my business, and havent had a cent out off me since!!

Interaction no 4:

Rang up saying I have a Humminbird unit which they sell and enquired about the best Navionics card I need for my unit and whether the current card I have is sufficient. I tried to explain what I had over the phone and was abruptly told I'd be best of bringing it in.

The next day I took it in and there was two old boys holding the counter up and I pull out my unit and ask if the card I have is sufficient as I am willing to buy a better one if available. I was then lectured about how could they possibly know without starting it up and said should just buy a new card for it. When I said that I assumed they'd have the power cord to do it seeing as I was asked to bring it in he laughed and said "do you expect us to stock every power cord for all our units". When I asked why I was told to bring the unit in then I was met by blank stares. He again tried to sell me a $319 card without answering my query and I declined his offer and left shaking my head at the time I had just wasted and piss poor customer service.

 I've never had a problem with the Mosman park store. Even had them go out of their way to chase up a supplier and then call me back. CALLED ME BACK! 

Pulled out scales to weigh my youngest son and recommended life jackets to suit. 

I'm quite happy to browse those type of stores without too much drama and find the bits I'm looking for on my own and this store suits my requirements.

Cant help but view some of your questions from their side of the counter. I would be frustrated as well. 

Interaction no 5:

Bought an automatic bilge pump and wanted some 3 core wire and knew Whitwor.. I mean the boat store had one on the shelf with the bilge pumps from a recon the day before. I rang to ask if they could put it behind the counter for me to be picked up that afternoon. After intially trying to tell me he doesn't know what I am talking about I described that it is the only wire in a packet with the bilge pumps to which I was told if I know where it is why don't I just grab it when I come down. I explained that being the last one I didn't want to drive the hour and a bit road trip to find someone had come in and bought it before me and I said I'd pay with my card over the phone if that's what it'd take to which he finally agreed to hold it for me and I'd pay when I got down.

I drove down in the arvo and said they were holding an item for me which he grabbed and as he put it through the scanner I pulled out my card and some other old boy walks through the door and interupts us and starts making some in-joke about certain kinds of yacht skippers. They then start having a conversation about their yacht club all the while I am standing there with my card being completely ignored mid transaction ready for him to give me the eftpos machine to complete the transaction. I eventually had to cut him off and say I haven't paid for a parking ticket outside and need to get back to my car to get out of there and quit listening to the soggy biscuit fest I was being subjected to.

This is by far the most positive experience I've had there so far...

Yep when this type of thing happens it makes you think that some old salts should be left to just waste away on some distant shore.

Especially when the parking meter is ticking over.

I don't mind having a chat, in fact I enjoy having a chin wag when in fishing shops, however when ever a new customer comes in the guy behind the counter immediately excuses himself and serves the new customer. Which is what you expect him to do, is just good old fashioned service.

Which some good old "people" have forgotten by the sound of things.

Hey Jackfrost

Your original thread starts off with a complaint about the service and ends with "I'll be shopping elsewhere".

We are now up to interaction number 5 - Have these all these service issues happened consecutively or is this previous history ? - If the former perhaps you should save yourself the trouble and actually not bother going back at all ?

I don't know why I bothered to read that entire post since I got the jist from the title, but that last line in the OP sure turned out to be worth the read :)

Sorry to hear about the bad experience, like you said - shop around. Poor service seems common nowadays! That said, I would have handed him the purchase back and left with my money if it was me.