Of course what we all really need to be doing is sending the work to China, we can pay them less than 10% of our workers, and no benefits, then import the product, sell it here for a much larger profit. So what if the Chinees product is crap? I'm guessing they can put together some kind of a 5200 like product for about 10 cents a tube, it might not work, but hey, what do you expect for only $1 a tube? I think they call it Tooth Paste! Welcome to the WalMart world of business! Yes, it's cheap, but you usually get what you pay for...

More to the topic, if you need something RIGHT NOW, you may be willing to pay more for that, and that is why West Marine can charge a premium for some of their items, they have them there right now, on the shelf, ready to go. You pay for that convienience. And if you want to compare Harken Blocks, they have a wall full of them, you can look at them all up close, make a better decision than you can looking on line, but again, you will pay a premium for that. Same with most of their other products.

I don't mind paying that premium if it is something I need RIGHT NOW, (like when I busted something at a regatta and I need to replace it now, or go home) or if they have a good selection I can put my hands on, so I'm sure I bought the right thing. Maybe I'll see something else that might work better.

I would not call West Marine's pricing a Scam, but know that when you go in, you might pay more. But you won't have to wait for it, or pay shipping charges either, and as soon as you get back to your boat you can fix it and go sailing!