Boat Shopping ????'s

shawnyk · Newbie Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 12

I am new here and would like to ask the veterans a question regarding boat MSRP's. Mainly, I'm curious if boat dealers stick to the MSRP or is there room to negotiate. Any help would be appreciated as I plan to purchase this Spring.

Wakinup · Outlaw Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 121

I'm a dealer. Its like anything else it depends upon demand and the quality of the product. If you are looking at a high end Ski/Wakeboard boat most dealers will not move or will move very little.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Wakinup
Everything is for sale and everything is negotiable.

Shawnyk

Even dealers have to eat.

Narrow your search to several boats and test ride/drive behind all of them. If its cold drag the salesman out in the elements. Work it from their.

If the factory decides to offer rebates they are usually handed out to the dealers in the Fall and again around the Boat Shows. Like cars, if one manufacturer does it the others usually fall in line.

If you can find an "MSRP" 10-15% off is about average.

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

More likely to deal in the winter than in spring,

baggyman · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 331 City: Vegas

agree msrp on a boat is just that a suggestion from the builder. you just have to think about what you are willing to pay for the quality and the name. i think that way too many times people just say that is what the sticker says so that is what i am going to have to pay.

Dont go in to the dealer and say i want this 60k boat for 49k out the door..... but there is no reason that you cant get like 15% off or out the door for a couple thousand under msrp (with all taxes and fees added in)

And as always used boats are usually a good deal if you can find a clean one of they type you want

Wakinup · Outlaw Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 121

Baggyman understands my point exactly. It is all about the product, quality, and approach. There is a common misconception that there is tons of margin in ski/wakeboard boats. That is not the case. I'm not suggesting that prices are non negotiable. I just want him to have a realistic expectation. Used boats are the same. If a seller is educated they should know there are not a lot of good used ski/wakeboard boats out there and that timing is important. You should always do your homeowrk first. Know what you want and understand realistically what you will pay. As many of you have said before the dealer is really important. Make sure you get a good price, but more importantly make sure they are going to stand behind the product. New or used.

Wakinup · Outlaw Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 121

That being said I negotiate with my customers daily. My customers always leave feeling like they got a great deal and that I'm going to take care of them. Whoever you deal with that is how you need to feel.

baggyman · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 331 City: Vegas

Totally agree Wakinup, i know i have paid too much for some items but loved the person that i bought it from and knew they would be there anytime i needed them... and felt great about dishing out the extra cash.. on the other hand i have got great deals only to feel crappy about it if i needed some tech help later on.

Wakinup · Outlaw Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 121

Funny how that deal doesn't seem so great afterall. We have all been there its not a good feeling. It just comes down to the best package. Price and Service!!!