dealer prep fee for new boats??

[familylaw]

Hello all, I was looking at a Bayliner 175 with the XT package yesterday. The sale guy quoted me $11,000 for the boat plus 1,800 for the xt package, and another 1,500 for the dealer freight and prep cost. Is this $1,500 a legitimate fee? For an entry level boat like the Bayliner 175, do you guys think I can buy it for under MSRP??

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Hey Family, my father owns a Tracker boat dealership and you would be suprised at how much goes into prep.......The boats dont even come with the motors mounted and everything needs to be assembled.......Yes they are making money doing it but isnt that the way of the world......provide a service get paid.......

 

[heycods]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

You got hooked quick on the boating thing. Not a bad thing, thier are worse habits.

 

[familylaw]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Thanks for the info mike. It's just that the prep fee is almost 15% of the boat cost. I was wondering if this fee is negotiable, or is it something that is set in stone?

 

[txswinner]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Yes you should be able to buy under MSRP. There is lots of prep and not knowing how much the transportation cost are you may or may not be being overcharged.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Always at least try and get them to come down on the price.........not saying it will work.......depends on how much they "NEED" to sell a boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

I was wondering if this fee is negotiable, or is it something that is set in stone?

Everything is Negotiable..........<br /><br />Have you Signed for it Yet,..???...

 

[QC]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Hey Quinn,<br /><br />I would negotiate for stuff. They pay less than you can, so it is real value to you and they are usually more liberal with stuff than cash.. Get an anchor kit , a boatcover, 20 hour service, fenders, dock lines, and of course the coast guard kit. Where do you live? There is a boat show in Anaheim starting tomorrow. Buy there. My .02

 

[tommays]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

The list on shiping with a trailer is 995 dollars <br /><br />the list on the boat is 13782 with shipping + prep<br /><br />bayliner/maxum and pretty much most builders have the list prices on there web sights to give you a fair starting point to bargin<br /><br />tommays

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

WOW! For once I agree with QC. If what tommays writes is correct, and I suspect it is, that's a good starting point. It doesn't matter if they charge you $4000 for shipping and $10777 for the boat or $700 shipping and $14077 for the boat, it's the same end price. Depending on the atmosphere when you try to negotiate, asking for the accessories may work better. If you can get $1000 worth of stuff you would have bought anyway, that's as good as getting the boat for $13777. You get a discount, they move a grand worth of stuff that cost them maybe $500.00. So if they are smart, they would jump at that. Good luck and have fun getting wet.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Just went through the same thing. The cost for the boat was different at three dealers as much as 1500$. I used the other dealers prices to negotiate got some stuff thrown in, and wound up with what I think is a pretty good deal. The boat I bought had the factory plastic on it and the marina pulled it off right there in front of me so I could look at it. There is definatly some prep work involved in getting it ready.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Don't know how it works in the boat world but in the autoworld the Mfg'r gave the dealear a credit for the dealer prep. I would hold the add-on boat dealer prep fee suspect. A good chance it is just slapped on to enhance the bottom line and give lattitude for the bargaining customers.<br /><br />All that being said, I do not think that this is the best time to get the good deals. This is the start of the season. Dealers are going to be tougher.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

I agree with using accessories as your bargaining power. My wife haggled in full camper canvas, a mooring cover, a full cover, depth finder, upgraded trailer and a bunch of other little stuff. We would have spent several thousand just trying to purchase the canvas.<br /><br />Work out your best price on the boat and trailer, then work in some accessories from there.

 

[JRJ]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

How far are you willing to drive to get a "deal"? I haven't looked, but I bet there are a lot of similar boats in the classifieds. Good luck, and I'll price check here if you'd like.

 

[familylaw]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Thanks for the great advice. I will go back to the dealership today and see if I can get a better deal..

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Fam, I went to the website and looked at that boat. The dealer is quoting you full msrp. No way. And $1800 for a tower? That's a little pricey.<br />Take a look at the stingray 180rx. A better handling faster boat for the same price.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

Arm yourself with information and play one store against the other............Never pay full msrp unless of course money is no object......wait on a deal if you have to........K talked with my Father today and he does make a little money off of frieght and prep but not really that much......He said he dont know much about Bayliners but he says there is alot less of a set up on the tahoe then on the fishin boats. From what he said I might be a bit sceptical about 1,500 bucks........

 

[tazameir]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

I used to work at a Mastercraft dealer in the bay area many years back. There is *alot* of work that we did after we plucked the boats off of the semi. Usually it took one guy half a day to get an inboard all prepped just to start the engine. Alot of the work had nothing to do with the motor, like peeling off the protective plastic. It actually was under alot of the trim, so you would have to remove it carefully, and that took time. Sometimes there was a ding, which meant a body worker would fix all that so it was perfect, etc.. Basically there is alot that happens after it leaves the factory before you take it home. But work those deals! Back then they were getting the 190's for 17k, and charging 25k to the customer!!!!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

necro

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: dealer prep fee for new boats??

$1500.00 sounds like alot to have an illegal immigrant peel off the plastic