Negotiating with boat dealers...

jajones24

Cadet
Joined
Mar 14, 2003
Messages
6
I am in the process of buying a new boat and had a quick question....Will boat dealers negotiate prices (come down on them) in the same way many car dealers will? If so, how much latitude do they usually have and how far can you typically get them down?<br /><br />Thanks!
 

mellowyellow

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
5,327
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

car manufacturers make a heck of a lot more cars<br />than any boat mfg. by far. this will deffinately<br />affect your ability to negotiate. I'm all for<br />saving a buck, but don't underestimate the value<br />of the service dept. would be willing to pay a<br />little more if I felt they were fully trained and<br />certified on it and normal parts were readily<br />avail....<br />also, ain't a good time of year to negotiate.<br />it's boat buying season ;) <br />good luck,<br />M.Y.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

Sometimes you will have better luck having them throw in options for "Free". Things that you may eventually want on the boat. Such as, Depth/Fishfinder, Certain console Gauges, Radio, Ect. They may be willing to add some of those type items in, if they can close the deal. Plus, you will save money in the long run by getting them now. Think closely about what you may need or want down the road and tell them if they will throw it in, you'll take it. Never Hurts to wheel and deal!!
 

FlyBoyMark

Ensign
Joined
Apr 14, 2002
Messages
934
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

New Mercury and Tohatsu/Nissan outboards can be bought for up to 20% off list here in south Florida as can the parts for these motors too. Generaly speaking here in Florida that percentage applies to the list price of boats AND trailers too. Some boat dealers put a dealers premium on top of the package(outrite price gouging) Find out what the manufactures price is from the manufacturer not what the dealer tells you it is and go from there. If they won't talk turkey go somewhere else even if its many miles away. You can save yourself MANY THOUSANDS of dollars in some cases. Ask for deals over the phone and DON'T fall for the "Come on and in and we'll give you the best deal in town..." If they won't talk to you about the deal over the phone, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! Save yourself the time and cut the chase and tell them too. The catch is: Be honest about what you want to do as far as purchasing. A 15% discount across the board is good, but like I say, sometimes under certain circumstances you can get up to 20%. Do your homework FIRST on what maufacturer suggested retail is. Do not tell them percentages, jus' get the manufactures price and start at 20% off list and do not go above 15% off list, make whole deal offers. Include sales tax, tag an title fees. If the boat is rigged from the factory like Tracker, do not pay for rigging unless you have added a or swapped a bigger motor. If it is a put together package and it is rigged for you, $150.00 is a good average starting point for single engines as long as the parts are already on the boat. Remember it takes about an hour or two and maybe more for a large boat jus to set up the trailer and 2 to 8 hours for single and twin outboard setup. Obviously there is no rigging for stearn drives...Some boats will require sea trials or water trials before release and you may have to pay for this. The latter here is mostly large boats. The secret is: Take your time, think carefully what you want and don't be afraid to say NO and look elswhere.
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
22
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

jajones,<br /><br />Even though I agree that it is boat buying season, if you look at the past three years, boat sales have been steadily declining. Although, this year is expected to see an increase, sales are still down. I just purchased a new boat here in NC and the dealer came down almost 17% off the sticker price (sticker was around $27,500). I thought that was a pretty good deal, plus they upgraded the stereo system for free, as well as upgrading the paint job. You may be able to get a good deal right now. A few tips (these apply to cars as well):<br /><br />1. Make sure not to buy on your first visit (no matter how many times they say that the price may go up, or the model may not be available on your next visit. Trust me, that will not be the case). The more time they have invested in you, the more they need to make the sale, or they will have wasted their time.<br /><br />2. Try and visit at a time when the dealer is not very busy if you can (i.e. weekday mornings or afternoons, when most people are working). The salesman will be much more eager to make a deal if you're the only one he can sell to at the time.<br /><br />3. Make sure to research some brands/models you are interested in before you go. Take notes on all of the features he says will be standard or "included." Hold him to his word. If something he says conflicts what you already know, make him explain it to you.<br /><br />4. If you have a trade in, don't mention it until the very end. Set a price first, then negotiate the trade value. Letting him know of the trade in first will make him less likely to come down on the sticker.<br /><br />5. Finally, when you make him an offer (at least 25% to 30% below sticker for starters) don't talk until he comes back with his offer. Once you start the hard negotiations, say as little as possible, and let him talk his way down to your price. If you give him long enough, he'll work his own way down.<br /><br />Interest rates are exceptional right now as well (even on Rec. Vehicle loans) so if you have a good credit rating take advantage of it.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />CP
 

BillP

Captain
Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Messages
3,290
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

Here's a rule of thumb for production boats to find what a dealer paid...deduct from the list price: 25% for boat, 25% for outboard, 30-50% for accessories. That will get you in the ballpark for many mfgs. Contact the mfg for their suggested list...BUT beware that some boat brands do NOT have a suggested list and they let the dealers set it. This makes it hard to use any "industry standards" for markup(Cape Horn is one of those who do not have a suggested list and the factory will NOT tell you even a ball park price for one of their boats).<br /><br />I have to disagree about not buying the first visit...return buyers tell a saleman you have shopped elsewhere and are coming back because he has something you want. Learn everything about the rig before you hit a prospective dealer...then spring a serious (cash is the best) offer asap. If that doesn't work, give the salesman your phone number and walk. The worst thing a salesman has is a real buyer walking. The best deals are had when you are walking and the salesman calls.
 

FlyBoyMark

Ensign
Joined
Apr 14, 2002
Messages
934
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

BillP...that is so very true....Can't recall how many times that has happened when I bought new vehicles or boats. Walk out and the sales man calls within hours sometimes minuts...
 

dmorley

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 1, 2003
Messages
97
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

JAJA,<br />Consider buying over the phone. In 1998 the local dealer told me there was no way he could sell the boat I wanted for less than $28,500. He swore it was a "skinny" deal. I then called the dealer in Denver--got the exact same price, but I think the two dealers were affiliated. I then called a Texas dealer and the dealer in Grand Junction CO. Both beat that price by about $3,000. I picked the boat up in Grand Junction on my way to Lake Powell. Two different Starcraft dealers have done warranty work on the boat and the fact that it wasn't bought from them has not been an issue.
 

jajones24

Cadet
Joined
Mar 14, 2003
Messages
6
Re: Negotiating with boat dealers...

All,<br /><br />Thank you much for your input. Your comments are appreciated and I know will be a big help...I'm probably looking at negotiating with a dealer in the next 3-4 weeks, so I'll let you know how it comes out...if anyone else has input in the meantime, I'm all ears!<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />-Anthony
 
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