College Kid Needs Boat!

[mattplapp]

A good dealer treats every boat they buy or sell the same way. When we take a trade, we are really buying your boat, so yes dealers must buy the boat with enough room to mark it up to their expected profit margin plus carrying cost. The difference comes in with not having to wait to sell your boat and or the hassel of dealing with the public, inviting strangers to your family's home, etc. Most people understand that they could get a few thousand more in their pocket if they sold it themselves, but what's the price for waiting or passing up the boat you really want???

That's also where a dealer can sell a used boat at a more marketable price than a consumer. Most "For Sale By Owners" base the price off what they owe, what they paid and what others are selling theirs for. The difference is what you paid, what you owe and what others are doing does not take into consideration what the boat is actually worth. Most dealers who know how to run their dealership know what a boat is worth and what it will sell for before they take it on trade. I'm not sure of too many times that our used boats have not been priced below NADA because I must move my used faster than my new becuase our cash is tied up in our used boats.

Hope this helps,
Matt

[fisheater]

In my opinion when i go to a dealer web sight and see call for price it turns me off of that dealer because that usually means overpriced or call so we can give you a pitch.i think posting prices fair or not is a whole lot better than none at all.i like to browse by price because im poor and cheap,and getting exited over a boat and calling and finding out i cant afford it is a hassle,not picking on anyone just a suggestion for any dealer.

[artcarney_agr]

fisheater....I completely agree! Usually you send them an email requesting the price, and then a few days later the dealer calls and gives you a ridiculous price, then tells you to come to the dealership "so we can work on this price..." I hate that game!

[mattplapp]

We'll from a dealers stand point it's a no win situation when it comes to posting prices. If you post the prices someone with a certain budget may eliminate a boat based on the asking price before they even check out the boat in person, which could do them a big injustice. Also if you post a price and it's wrong then you have angry customers. Then if you don't post prices some people may not call like yourself. I have found you would be the minortiy and I would rather risk losing that type of customer than loose the one who does not call due to price's being on their.

How would you feel if you saw a boat online that had a price that was a few thousand above your budget so you never looked at it. Then you heard a week later the dealer took a few thousand below your budget for that same boat, you'd wonder why you did not go check it out (this exact example has happened numerous times). Well if that dealer had not posted the price, you probably would have went there and looked at it and spoke to the salesman (or heard his pitch as you put it) and found out the dealer has had the boat for longer than expected as is dumping it to get his cash. Now you would get the cheaper price and help yourself get out of the poor house. Consumers need to get out of their mind that dealers are a bad thing and speaking with a professional at that dealership is a good thing. At a well run boat dealership your best friend should be the sales person. But in a lot of people's defense, there are some bad dealers out there that have caused problems for all of us and in time they will go away.

Matt

[fisheater]

Honestly matt i wasnt trying to bash you,i was just offering you a point of few from what i beleive is more than a minority of people.In defense of the dealor i would rather have the security of a good dealer standing behind a product even if it is used,then an individual possibly trying to dump his problem on me.But on the other hand sure i would love a 20 ft ranger with a 225 and all that but i know i cant afford it so i dont waste my time looking and haggling i just want to look into a price i can afford and just get the best for my money and yes that usually means its not my dream boat or car.FOR ME seeing a price is how i shop,not the best looking boat will sell me,i am sold by price.....Also if you did have a boat tool ong and wanted to get rid of it post a lower price on the site that makes it look more attractive to the big dreamer with the little budget.John

[mattplapp]

I did not think you were bashing me, there was no offense taken. I was just pointing out my point of view. But remember you'll never find that diamond in the rough if you don't go looking.

Matt

[Danny]

Hey Matt,

It's not your fault, and I am not bashing you, but you just hit exactly on the problem. What is it that gives salesmen a bad rep.? Especially used car salesmen, and now obviously used boat salesmen?

This whole pricing game, we have to ask higher prices to allow for dickering. Then we go through all the haggeling etc......

If someway we could get back to the truth in selling.... and price the boats, cars, or whatever product we are selliing at the price we are willing to take.

That is why I always have to shop for so dang long for a big purchase. If we could change the whole system and get to the point where we, or you, or all dealers, could put what they will take, no less, no more. Then we would all be better off, and by we, I think I mean consumers.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[artcarney_agr]

Danny, I completely agree.

When it comes to a good sales system, I would suggest looking into what Bill Collins Ford does. They post prices on the internet and stick to them. By doing so, you know what you can afford, what payments to expect, and the salesmen aren’t able to take advantage of you. I bought my truck through this system, got it for less than bluebook value, and was extremely satisfied. The only price break they cut me was in regards to taxes since I didn’t have a trade-in, and what they did was awesome! I’ve had the truck almost 3-years and couldn’t be happier! Judging by the volume of vehicles they push through that dealership, I’d say the system works! Yes, I shopped several other dealerships before finally buying, and Bill Collins was the only one who had that system. Everyone else was rude, treated me like an idiot (especially Star Ford), and did their best to take advantage of me. For my next vehicle purchase, I will most definitely go back to Bill Collins Ford. Now, if only they sold boats…ha ha ha!!!

[lumpybass]

I don't think going into a dealership is comfortable for to many people out there. There is a way around all of the hassel, go in educated on what you want and can afford. Don't be afraid to make an offer on a boat you like and want. You'll never know what you can get until you try.

I do still have some great used boats here at Plapps in Lawrenceburg,In. What exactly do you want and what do you think you can afford?

John
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