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Random Quote: Who dat! Say who dat! When I say who dat!
I thought the hard part was over...I finally picked a boat. A Key West 2020 cc. I even got a fair price on it. Here's my problem:
If I go with the dealer I like (he's local and was the reason I decided not to get a Pioneer) he has to order it. If I abandon the dealer, I can go to another town 150 miles away and get it on Monday. Same deal (or at least within $1,000).
I really cannot wait 5-6 weeks for this boat to be ordered (big family vacation focused on boating, no boat defeats the purpose of the week). Is it reasonable to ask my local dealer to get the boat from the neighboring town or should I just abandon the relationship with him and drive over and get it? I know how important it is to have a good dealer so this means a lot to me, but before I call him and ask him to do it I thought I'd see what you guys think.
RE: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Thats a tricky question. I would think the dealer would want to try and help the customer out. I would tell you to go and buy it hoping that because you lived in my area I would get your service work and warranty work. Big deal, loose the sale but gain a good service customer! Of course not all people think as rationally as I do!
Good luck!
__________________ Master Wrench-John S. Master Certified Mercruiser Technician www.JAWSMarine.net
Two famous sayings a Mechanics always here's: "I was idling when it broke!"
"I have friends and family coming into town this weekend, how fast can you get it done!"
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
not too sure that one dealer would just let another "have" his Boat to sell to another buyer just because he wants it quicker, they may if there was enough Dollars in it, but like your Dealer has sold you a Boat for $X Dollars, then you want him to source the Boat from a Dealer, who will also want $X for his Boat, leaving your Dealer with no profit and all the associated problems with the Deal, doubt it will ever happen.
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
they absolutely talk to each other and give each other deals all of the time. tell your preferred dealer what you want to do and he should be able to source the boat from the other guy and make a few bucks along the way...
__________________ "Off the Hook"
Grady White 360
Triple Yamaha 250
Pirate's Cove, Manteo, NC
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Yes but the other dealer has to be willing to let the boat go. Just as dealers trade with one another boat dealers do as well. In this market the other dealer may be delighted to reduce inventory.All they can say is "no".
RE: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Sure, dealers talk to each other all the time. If you would like to buy this boat from your local dealer, go to him and tell him what you've told us and ask him to contact that dealer and to try to make a deal for that boat so that you can get it immediately - that you do not wish to wait for 5 to 6 weeks.
Explain that you'd like to be his customer and that you'd like him to do the service work for you. He may not make as much money, but he should be willing to make the call and try to get it for you. The other dealer may choose not to sell it to your dealer, or it may not work depending on how much, but you won't know until you at least try.
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Agree with eXcedrin. Additionally, tell your local guy that when he gets the boat you'd like him to install the t-top, canvas, and electronics. That should help provide him with the incentive to get the boat for you; that's great bread and butter for him.
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Quote:
DVR - 5/20/2008 9:37 PM
I am considering the same boat. Where do you live. I might need to hurry up and make up my mind!
Don't worry. The only reason it's hard for me to find the right boat is because I cannot have a t-top and all the boats available have t-tops. If it weren't for that I'd be on the water already.
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
I've been told numerous times by dealers that they make they're money off of maintenance/service more than the actual boat sale itself. Now, take that with a grain of salt, but that's what I've been told.
__________________ Boatless again...
Key Largo 186CC/Yam 90 - Sold
Pro-Line 20 Walk/175 EFI Merc - Sold
Classic Aquasport 200WA/Evindrude 225 - Sold
Hydra-Sports 2000CC Vector/Honda BF225 - Sold
Hydra-Sports 2200WA Vector/Yam F115's - Sold
Hydra-Sports 2400CC Vector/150 HPDI's - Sold
Dusky 256/Honda BF150's - Sold
Twin Vee 26CC/140 Zukes - Sold
31' Fountain CC Open/Opti 250XS's - Sold
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Quote:
BiloxiGuy - 5/20/2008 7:02 PM
I've been told numerous times by dealers that they make they're money off of maintenance/service more than the actual boat sale itself.
No doubt a SALESMAN told you that!
Or at least someone that wants you to THINK that they aren't making much money on the sale, so you don't negotiate as much.
Sure, in the loooong run, it MIGHT be true, but in reality, lots of folks today do their own maintenance/repairs, and with the extended warranties being handed out like candy on halloween, retail service income has suffered.
Now, what I know to be true, is that the back-end often times makes more profit on the sale than the gross profit in the deal.
F&I profits are at an all-time high, since folks are so eager to have the dealers take care of their financing and insurance business. BIG profit center!
RE: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Very easy,buy it from the dealer who has the boat available NOW,in this case the far away dealer and have a great holiday with the family
If one supplier doesn't have a product available,buy it from another that does,it doesn't get much simpler.
If your close by dealer doesn't want the service work because of this,he's an arrogant A$$hole ,take your service work to a dealer who wants your custom
You and your family come first,like i said have a great time with the family
RE: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Be Honest and sincere. Tell the local dealer your dilemma. If he wants your business , he will make very effort to try to resovle the dilemma. If he cant get the boat for you, at the very least,he will appreciate your honesty and sincerity , by giving you good service.
If you lie, the local dealer probably wont have any desire to service the boat, which is understandable. You have nothing to lose by being honest, but much to gain, no and in the future.
Be above board, one way or another it will come back to haunt you if you arent.
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Did the dealer tell you it will take 5 to 6 weeks for delivery? Have you told him of the vacation date? Did he confirm a delivery date with the factory after you told him of the vacation plans? When is the vacation?
There are so many good reasons to get the boat from the local dealer you should try to keep that deal together, and at the very least give him a chance to get a boat for you before you go to the out of town dealer.
Re: do dealers talk to each other like car dealers?
Tell the your local dealer that you can't wait that long, then tell them about the other dealer 150 miles away and tell them that you want that one and do not want to wait.
Its really up to the other dealer but your local dealer can purchase it from them. That is what I would do as a dealer. Most of the time dealers are willing to get boats off thier lot. Really it depends on the relationship between the 2 dealers and thier williness to help you.
Dealers do talk, it depends on what level tho some step on each other all day long and there for won't work together.
do dealers talk to each other like car dealers? 
