Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

[wacho]

This will be my final complaint regarding Islander Boat Center in Long Island, NY. because I will never deal with them...and I hope I will be able to keep this promise. As you may be aware, they own centers in Lindenhurst, Port Jefferson, and Bergen Point.

I needed to have my windshield replaced on my 2855. I called their service department in Bergen Point. It took several messages and several calls to speak to someone who would be able to quote me a price. It seems they are not interested in doing business.

When I finally reached someone who could tell me the price of the windshield I was quoted $999 for the port side windshield and $400 in freight costs.

I got in the computer and although it was difficult, I found a Bayliner dealership in Connecticut. I asked for the price on the same windshield, same part number, etc. They quoted me $725 and $200 freight charges.

How can it be that Islander Boat Center who has 3 locations in Long Island and I assume does a lot of business is quoting a price that is $270 more than a smaller dealership in Connecticut is quoting? How can it be that they wanted $270 more than the suggested manufacturer's retail price? I don't even understand why the freight charges are double what they are in Connecticut.

OK. Maybe this is all supply and demand forces at work. If you need a part and you are in Long Island, NY....shop around. Don't assume all dealers charge the same prices for Bayliner parts.

If there were more of us shopping around they wouldn't be able to get away with overcharging.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

I find that the bigger the dealer is, the more likely they are to stray from MSRP. It's largely to help cover overhead. The Suggested price is just that. But with shipping charges these days, a lot of dealers find that it's necessary to sell parts for more than Suggested. That's mostly for stocked parts that the dealer has to absorb the shipping charges, frequently list plus 10%. So this dealer maybe set the computers to figure price as a percentage above cost. I know of one that doubled the cost. 100% mark-up. Most price list margins are about 40%. (They wanted to sell product and not fix so much.) In your case, price is probably based on their formula. They got it out of the computer. As far as shipping, it's possible that the shipper to CT is different than LI. At that price and size, we're talking freight on a semi. That shipper might not go to LI. Or it's another situation of doubling cost. I've really never heard of anybody marking-up shipping costs, most pass them along. At least the small guys.

Like you say, shop around.

Here's a blatant plug for iboats parts. NAPA sells Sierra carb kits that I recently needed. Price was over MSRP and no one NAPA in the area had all four. I'd have had to pay shipping for four separate NAPAs. I bought them from iboats for less than MSRP and only had to pay shipping once. Same amount of time. It probably cost about half of the NAPA option.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Is this a new boat? If so, why should you have to pay at all? isn't it under warrantee?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

you are the consumer, do your homework. we're tried of your whining. take it up with the better business bureau, or chamber of commerce. mik he bought a used boat, took delivery before everything was done.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Pardon me

 

[roscoe]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Willy, I don't pay any shipping charges for items from NAPA.

Recent purchase - steering cable, $117 + tax.
Internet order - $124-$135 - plus shipping of $17-$42

 

[tmh]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

I/m not sure I get it....it's not a warranty issue, right? If not, they can quote you whatever price they want, no obligation for them to do a job for what YOU want to pay.

Like I said, not sure what the "beef" is. High-priced service at a dealership???? That's up to THEM.

 

[rndn]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

If you don't like the price then shop somewhere else. Why are you bitchin about it? Yu get different prices from gas to groceries, it's called free enterprise.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Well, having been in the electronic repair parts business for many years, there is an expectation by the customer that manufacturer 'x' parts cost the same regardless of which distributor you buy them from and for the most part this is the case (within a small %). I understand completely why you are upset, they have you over a barrel. This is not at all like gasoline or bread, those items you have many many options as to where to buy them, by the way with the prices out there for everyone to see! This was a ridiculous analogy.

Consumers have an absolute right to feel that they should be treated fairly when it comes to items like this. There are many industries where you may not have an option to buy the item outside of your geographical territory because the seller can only sell to his territory. What then, just bend over and take it?

What did Wacho do to **** you guys off anyway? Just because you don't like his opinion does not give you the right to attack him.

 

[rndn]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

I wasn't attacking anybody, just don't understand why someone is surprised that different dealers would have different business plans and therefore different pricing for parts.
Nobody has anyone over a barrel these days with internet buying. If someone feels over a barrel because there is only one dealer in the area, then shop online. Everyone knows that certain geographic areas are more expensive than others. Would you expect to pay the same for something in Wichita as you would in Greenwich village? Long Island is an expensive place to live so yes I would assume that most everything else would cost more. Higher rent, higher shipping costs, higher fuel cost will all translate to higher prices, whether boat parts or gas and bread. It's not cheap to ship stuff to the island as the traffic and new post 911 rules is a PIA to deal with.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

MSRP is defined as Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Normally you as a consumer buy things at MSRP, theres also a tier for shops and retail stores that are buying in bulk or have special buying arrangements with the manufacturer. Take this for example:

1) Your bayliner 2855 windshield cost x dollars to make, Bayliner doesn't make glass themselves so they order this windshield from someone who specializes in this sort of work.

2) They stick it on the boat at assembly and its sold as part of the package. They then know what price they have to have to replace it should one get damaged or just need repair. This becomes the parts cost.

3) you as a consumer need a new one. You can't always go right to the source who made that windshield so you have to contact Bayliner, it's highly likely that they would direct you to your nearest "authorized dealer". The dealer specializes in repairing/servicing boats and buys a lot of parts from the manufacturers. Thus the manufacturer calls up a warehouse and has the part shipped to the "dealer" (at a 10-15% markup over cost probably) This helps pay for the warehouse that holds the parts and overhead. This is the wholesale cost.

4) the dealer gets the part and has the MSRP as his guideline when settting his prices. This cost is usually about 40% more than the wholesale cost, but it is only a 'suggestion', and the dealers cost may go above the MSRP.. Many manufacturers have a minimum retail price which keeps all dealers on a level playing field and helps keep one dealer from underselling everyone and shutting them down.(thus why you don't see bayliner windshields in wal-mart)

5) The MSRP that is advertised gives YOU the consumer an idea of what the item should cost. It did exactly what it's supposed to do, you noticed that they were selling this item above the MSRP and started shopping around. It isn't so much that this dealer is 'ripping people off' or 'overpriced'. It's likely that there is a system they have that prices the parts for them, if they are very large and have a show room or inventory to pay on it probably isn't going to be the cheapest place to buy parts.

That nice big show room they have costs money and they can probably get you any part you need.. The cost of having things available quickly is almost always higher. Why did you go to this dealer in the first place? They were close? Saw a commercial?

Not knocking the big guys but just like anything if you shop around you're likely to find a better deal, because a smaller dealership will be willing to make less money on an item to get your business, the bigger guys will still be there attracting the business of those whom are too lazy to shop around or who have pockets deep enough not to have to care.


Lastly, tashasdaddy was the flame really called for? He looks like he was in the process of doing his homework finding a better price, maybe he posted his experience for others because he was just as dis-satisfied by the lack of customer support at a dealership that was selling parts higher than the MSRP.

I don't know about you but if I'm going to be violated the least they could do is sweet talk me a little first..

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

The point I was trying so poorly to make though is, who knows what the MSRP is on this kind of stuff. Now, if I tell you the remote control you need is going to cost you $500 you are hopefully smart enough to say, uhh, the TV only cost me $300 sounds like you are ripping me off. On the other hand, I have been boating my entire life and I have no freaking idea what a windshield costs! So, on my $75,000 boat, what is a fair price for a fairly substantial piece of the boat? Uhhh, I really have no idea... Yes, I understand free enterprise, but I also understand Robinson-Patman, not that it necessarily applies here, but there are fair pricing statutes in this country and dealers are not allowed to practice in predatory pricing. BTW, just for the record, I am a conservative!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Enough, FREE ENTERPRISE, charge what you can get.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Enough... that's the best you can do? All I can say is that I wish I had the opportunity to sell you something you really needed and had no other way to get it. I would 'F' you so bad.

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Last time I needed a windshield, I went to the local glass place. They cut me a peice of Lexan the right size, stopped at the building supply place on the way home, got some 2x2 and deck screws, got home and slapped her on. Windsheild = wind + sheild, right? Works for me. 'Course, I ain't rich an' fancy like some folks.

 

[dabalone]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Enough, FREE ENTERPRISE, charge what you can get.

Whats wrong with expecting a reasonable competitive price for parts and services. If someone feels they are getting screwed then post it, the internet is a great way to pass on info to other consumers about shady business. Or would you prefer everyone that has a gripe just shut up?

 

[kmurray802]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Be careful what you wish for.The supreme Court is considering a measure that will allow manufactures to mandate a set price that there item must be sold at.(Price fixing).Yes this will prevent ridicules mark ups but it will also prevent the guy that would like to discount his item to move it from being able to.
NOT what I would consider a free Enterprise and something we all better hopes does not pass!

If you cant get the deal you want,shop somewhere else! Hell man,this is the age of the internet,theres always a better deal just a click away.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

Enough... that's the best you can do? All I can say is that I wish I had the opportunity to sell you something you really needed and had no other way to get it. I would 'F' you so bad.

mmmm,who is flaming who now?
i guess thats just the type person you are

 

[wacho]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

you are the consumer, do your homework. we're tried of your whining. take it up with the better business bureau, or chamber of commerce. mik he bought a used boat, took delivery before everything was done.

You didn't have to read it. I warned you it was a complaint. Your rank is getting to your head. Take a chill pill.

 

[wacho]

Re: Final Complaint - LI Bayliner Dealer

I/m not sure I get it....it's not a warranty issue, right? If not, they can quote you whatever price they want, no obligation for them to do a job for what YOU want to pay.

Like I said, not sure what the "beef" is. High-priced service at a dealership???? That's up to THEM.

The windshield was not a warranty issue. The only service I was expecting from this particular dealership was for them to get me the part from Bayliner. I didn't want them to replace the windshield, or do anything other than order the part so that I could pick it up.