I have gone into this West Marine location over 25 times looking for maintenance parts for my boat, and they have what I want probably 70% of the time. However, the employees (especially the male employees) seem to always have an attitude when I ask a simple question. I went in to the store today to look for a water/fuel separating filter, which they didn't have but offered to order for me. After I declined to have them order the filter, the male employee's attitude completely changed & he was very rude. I asked him a question about bottom paint coverage for my boat, and he replied with the fact that he had 3 people on the phone on hold & that I was number 4 in line now. He could have just referred me to another employee, but he did not. I waited, then the only advice he gave me was to look on the aisle where the bottom paint was. I asked him to give a ballpark amount of the amount of bottom paint it would take to cover a 22 foot boat. I was hoping for a "1 gallon" or "buy 2 gallons" answer, but he told me to read the back of the can. I told him that I had read the back of the can, and I was looking for a more clear explanation. He rolled his eyes at me, and told me to "do the math."
I have been an employee in a retail setting in the past, and that is one of the biggest customer service mistakes to tell the customer to "do the math" instead of helping them through their decision.
After this, I set all of my other items down that I was going to buy, and I walked out the door. I have been annoyed with the employees attitudes & service in the past, but this was the last straw. I will not be back in this West Marine again!
It seems the Knoxville West Marine needs employees that are more knowledgeable about the marine industry and have training in customer service techniques. read more