Seabuddy on Boats » boat dealer

Truth in Advertising in boats sales

seabuddy — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:23:41 +0000

How about you walk into a boat dealer that advertises that it stocks 15 different models from two different boat builders and realizing that right in the middle of you are finally committed to getting-a-boat action statement or your boat buying process, that the retail boat dealer’s company ad or the boat dealer web site said something and presented a far different image in your mind than what you drove all that way to see, buy, and enjoy cruising /water sports on the water, RIGHT NOW.

How many times do you pick out a broker’s or private party used boat for sale listing and find out that it did not describe the boat that you took time away from your day to see? She is not a cream puff, she only has a WOT speed of 17 mph, not the 28 mph that was in the listing.

What do you do? I’ll tell you what I do this year now. Sea trial after a good faith, fully refundable with no hazzles, deposit with the understanding that you only want what the Boat For Sale ad says – and that the seller must make good on what the ad says – at his expense.

Here is what seabuddy / Chris Brown has run across in the last 90 days in boat for sale shopping.

A new Boat Dealer only has one new, never-been-in-the-water, boat in stock, ready for delivery.

A advertised 25 knot cabin cruiser that sea trialed at 16- 17 mph WOT.

A used boat that was not ready to show and go, but needed a estimated $10,000 refinishing job by a quality boat Shop.

MasterCraft ski / wakeboard boat BIG

seabuddy — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:42:45 +0000

An acronym of Boat Instrument Gauge, the MasterCraft BIG features a crystal clear and easily navigable 6” display.

Even the quickest of glances lets you see fuel, speed, temperature and cruise settings. But that’s just for starters. Because the BIG also lets you set up and store individual rider’s preferences for ballast and surf tabs, view footage from the tower camera or even watch a DVD from the optional Clarion CMV1 entertainment system.

See it here…

http://www.showmanagement.com/palm_beach_international_boat_show/event/

and here…

http://southfloridamastercraft.com/

But the new MasterCraft BIG is not just about size, it’s also about style. The screen is surrounded by a swank new dash that’s loaded with look-at-me details.

Fashioned out of billet aluminum, the intricate bezel boldly frames stealthy double-black, red-lit gauges. Factor in the aircraft-style toggle switches and new tri-spoke steering wheel and this dash is about as sleek as it gets.

Boat Builder discounts to Boat Dealers

seabuddy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:37:20 +0000

The 10 to ? Millions in rebates and mark downs that the boat builders have straight out GIVEN to their dealers to re-price leftovers, and “in the weeds” field inventory of non-current (not 2010 model year) boats seems to be working.
One boat builder reported to seabuddy that their brand went from 3,200 (non-current) boats to less than an average of “less than four” boats per dealer -over – all- for their line of boats (varies by state, though).
PS if you want one, look and buy it now.
Much of that discount money is tied to expire June 30, 2010, even if the boats are not sold. They tie sales bonus money and time limitations to these types of things.
Another Boat Builder has one or two models in his line with $18,000 in even more (extra) rebates to his dealers per boat to get the boats sold by then.
The pipeline was full of non-currents a year ago and now even the banks have a extra value in place for non-currents over used boats of the same model year. (seabuddy hears it is a 6% – 7% spread).
So, what should you look to pay? Get a used book price book reading from a local bank and offer an extra 6% over that used boat figure for the same model year non-current boat is a start. About $53,000 for the same model year new (never been in the water boat) over a $50,000 price shown for a used example. Knock off another $1,000 if it has been in the water or demonstrated less than 3 hours on the hour meter.