Why So Few Dealers

[JEBar]

we have just returned from a 3 month trip in our camper which took us from NC to SD .... during that time I looked in areas we visited and it was difficult to impossible to find an Evinrude dealer .... dealers selling Mercury/Yamaha lines are easy to find .... as but one example, Evinrude's web site doesn't list a single dealer in Raleigh, NC the only ones they list within 40 miles are one in Durham and one in Smithfield .... none in Kansas City, Mo with two shown in towns 15-20 miles away .... none in St Louis, Mo with one shown 20 miles away and the next 50 miles away .... the nearest one to Sioux Falls, SD they show as being 87 miles away .... the nearest one to Nashville, Tn is shown in a town 23 miles away .... I'm curious as to the reason for this

Jim

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Why So Few Dealers

Because OMC went bankrupt in 2000?

 

[JEBar]

Re: Why So Few Dealers

we bought our boat in '04 and haven't been back in the market since .... if they stiffed their dealers back then, I can see it taking them a while to rebuild their network

Jim

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Why So Few Dealers

BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS has some strange business models and quirks. I worked at a BRP ATV/Sled dealership and we could not order or have access to any marine parts. Most of the recreational product dealers are that way.

If there is a dealership so much floor space is required, specific parts must be stocked and many dealers are force issued products....... when I worked with Arctic Cat stuff we had to buy 10 of a specific sled before we could have a top of the line model.

Unfortunately, many products have strange business models and rules. You are just more accustomed to the marine aspect of things...... but the same is for car dealers too. Hey if you want to open a car dealership here (I know of a Nissan dealership for sale) you have to pay the existing dealer the 3 million dollar price tag and then....BEFORE you can have the official dealership you must rebuild a Nissan approved building/dealership on an approved location and the building will only cost 5 Million!!! You would have spent 8 million before you make a penny.

Our local Chevy dealer just rebuilt to the new standard layout.

I am sure BRP has the same rules.

30 years ago McDonalds would not build unless the city had a population of 25,000 or more. That has since been lifted. Check into any franchise and there are tough rules.

 

[woody66912]

Re: Why So Few Dealers

Yep V_T
We had 10 grand it assy
30 grand in parts
and had to take 35 sleds first year, then 40 then 55 to stay a dealer. Had to (rob marine) in the summer to pay for bad winters.

 

[F_R]

Re: Why So Few Dealers

OMC went bankrupt, and many dealers bailed out, switching to Mercury, Yamaha, etc. After the dust settled, BRP became owners of the company and had a terrible reputation to overcome. Not the least of it was the FICHT motors that were such a disaster.

BRP/Evinrude now builds fine motors again, but it is going to be a long process rebuilding customer loyalty and reputation, as well as a great dealer network like they once had.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Why So Few Dealers

After the dust settled, BRP became owners of the company and had a terrible reputation to overcome. Not the least of it was the FICHT motors that were such a disaster.

BRP/Evinrude now builds fine motors again, but it is going to be a long process rebuilding customer loyalty and reputation, as well as a great dealer network like they once had.

the last time we purchased a boat/motor was '04 and since then I've been out of the market and completely out of touch .... since that time our Johnson 90 (don't know if it is a FITCH or not) has served us well, never needed to be taken back for anything .... while we were traveling we decided to add a kicker motor and I started looking Evinrude .... the problem was, in area after area, Evinrude dealers proved to be scarce, hence the reason for the question

Jim