Force4 Reviews 

148
•
TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 38 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Consumers frequently note the fast delivery times and appreciate the knowledgeable assistance provided by staff members when shopping. Many people find the online platform extremely easy to navigate and praise the wide availability of boating equipment ready for purchase. Some reviewers were not happy with communication issues, noting that emails went unanswered and phone calls were frequently ignored. A few customers also experienced frustrating problems with damaged products arriving or incorrect items being shipped out instead. Others mentioned long dispatch times from the warehouse before orders finally began traveling to their final destinations.

What people talk about most

Product

Consumers find product experiences to be mixed, as some reviewers express great satisfaction with items that... See more

Order

Reviewers mention mixed feelings about order experiences, as some consumers praised the quick delivery of... See more

Service

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with service, highlighting efficient sales teams, helpful... See more

Customer service

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of customer service, with some consumers praising helpful staff who... See more

Delivery service

Users describe ambiguous interactions with delivery service, as many reviewers praised fast shipping, prompt... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Product collected from Plymouth branch fine. The male employee was very abrupt and generally grumpy though. Poor customer service.

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I ordered a dinghy on the 24th July with a delivery address at the marina where my sailboat is moored. The card payment was declined as the delivery address was different from my registered card add... See more

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

After placing and receiving my order although all out ward packaging was fine and intact. One of the products £49.00 worth of 3M Heavy cutting polish had the cap broken and someone at Force 4 Chand... See more

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I used to be a regular customer of this company, but no more. I purchased supposedly "new" auto lifejackets only to discover later that they were 19 months old at the time of purchase. On their f... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Sailing Store
  2. also in
  3. Safety and Work Wear Store
  4. Tool Store

Written by the company

With over 40 years of experience, Force 4 Chandlery has built a reputation for offering products hand-picked by sailing enthusiasts for sailing enthusiasts. Our focus is on quality, reliability, and value, ensuring you can equip your boat with confidence. From essential safety gear to specialist equipment, we provide the expertise and selection that sailors trust. Everything on the website can either be found or ordered in our shops in Poole, Cardiff, Plymouth, Chichester, Lymington, Bursledon, Southampton and the Hamble, plus an enormous amount of other chandlery that we all need for our boats!


Contact info

3.3

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

148 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 93% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

3.3

All reviews

(148)

39 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very helpful

Recently visited the Plymouth branch and was impressed with the knowledge and advice I was provided. Very helpful, well stocked and good clothing range.

15 November 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service in Hamble & Portsmouth

Shopped at their Port Hamble and Plymouth branches. Service and stock levels always been good. They try to stay competitive with prices but the convenience of immediate collection of gear is appreciated.

12 October 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic customer service

It's a shame to read negative reviews about this company as I recently bought a Sevylor inflatable kayak which was far cheaper than I had seen elsewhere and included paddles (basic but still good) and a pump which weren't available with other companies. The delivery was very prompt. We had only used once and on the second use when inflating we noticed a very large bulge. I contacted the customer service team and sent the photos. They sent this to the supplier to review and within 24hrs they had agreed for a courier to pick up the faulty kayak and send a replacement. Within 2 days we had a new kayak. The lady I dealt with kept me updated and was very polite and helpful. I would definitely use this company again.

26 August 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor Staff Attitude

Poor customer service. Staff member really didn't seem to have the time or willingness to help me. I felt she could not really be bothered and I was made to feel quite uncomfortable. In addition I did not appreciate the sarcasm that was also present when I questioned her knowledge of a product they sell which she seemed to think was inferior (You get what you pay for statement) and yet on questioning she said she didn't l know because she had never used it. Her tonality left little doubt about her attitude.
Was totally unwilling to help get a product from another store sent over to Shamrock Quay store.
Will be very reluctant to give this shop another visit.

17 August 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Card only - no cash erosion of personal freedom. have used this busines many times in…

I have used this busines many times in the past but will try all I can not to in the future. Marine bazar just down the road are a very good alternative.
They insist on card only , no cash. Once cash is removed from our life we will be at the mercy of having our accounts frozen by the authorities ( this goes on in China and has happened in Canada already) or the many options where the the banks system goes down.

10 June 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Bravo Zulu to Force 4 Chichester

Bravo Zulu to Force 4 Chichester, we were having problems with our in hull transducer and were considering various expensive options but a quick chat with Nathan their electronic whiz and he guided to a through hull system that links to our Garmin chart plotter using the existing cables good advice that got us a simple and much cheaper option that works well, he even gave us a brief tutorial on the Garmin Echomap well done Force 4⚓️

8 May 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant service

I bought a dinghy from Force 4 last August and a part broke on it. I emailed them to ask if they could help me get a replacement and they got the manufacturer to courier me a part within 24 hours. Didn't even tell me til after I'd got it. It was just there waiting for me when I got home excellent service. Thanks.

10 March 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I returned a faulty item within 14 days…

I returned a faulty item within 14 days asking for a replacement. I hadn't used the item and wanted to check the fault with manufacturer before return. After a week I asked were the replacement was, only to receive an email to say they'll swap it on this occasion! Not happy, an item worth nearly £300, never used, no fault of my own. And I'm being talked to as though they're doing me a favour. F4 were going to repair the item I had never used, and I was going to wait. Don't think so, F4 won't be my first choice for buying anything in future

18 January 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I'm extremely impressed and grateful…

I'm extremely impressed and grateful for the superb sales and service. Claire in particular in the central team has gone out of her way to help source / exchange various items in the past week. Everything arrived extremely quickly and as needed. Thanks very much indeed.

20 January 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered a bow thruster paid with…

I ordered a bow thruster paid with credit card , then had an e-mail saying you can not pay with a CC must be pay pal . Paid with pay pal 4 days later asked when will it arrive stroppy e-mail " I have told you we don't accept CC for this amount " detailed payment was by PP then no real apology . unit didn't arrive I follow up now told they can not supply !!! request a refund on over £1000.00 I got £1.00 mistake really !! joke company terrible don't use

11 January 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

On time and as promised

There are so many negative comments about Force4 on this site that I doubted the wisdom of ordering from them. I did in the end, because they offered a good price on some boat shoes, and I am pleased to say that I had no issues at all with their service. They delivered exactly what I ordered within 48 hours. I will order from them again.

10 January 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Drop nose pins replacement

Bought some Drop nose pins from Force4 Chandlery. Had a problem with one of the pins. No Questions asked they sent over a replacement. Arrived in 48 hours. Outstanding After sale support. Thanks Again Force4

16 November 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

VHF radio

Force 4 helped us out when we needed a new VHF radio quickly, our trip to France would have been delayed otherwise.

27 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Staff unknowledgeable

Staff unknowledgeable, disinterested, and generally can't be bothered with the inconvenience of customers. Really couldn't care less. This is what happens when a company cares more about money through the till than its customer base.

25 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Really impressed with Force 4

Really impressed with Force 4. I had a question on a product and submitted an online form and within an hour had a comprehensive informative reply, which enabled me to purchase the correct item which was dispatched the next day. Very happy customer who is happy to recommend.

21 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quick delivery

Great experience shopping with Force 4, my order was with me very quickly and it was a good price.

16 June 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I bought a VHF radio online and I was…

I bought a VHF radio online and I was disappointed to find out that the radio had been taken out of the box and fiddled with. As it turns out there is something wrong with it. When you purchase online everything is based on trust; when there is no longer trust, there is no business.
I have never walked into their shop, simply because of the price they're selling their calor gas bottles. They must be quite expensive in there.
One more thing, there is a problem with their website, because my phone freezes when I open their page.

10 June 2022
Unprompted review

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