dealer vs. cost

[gmctodd]

Hi All,
Been reading several post over the last couple weeks about many different boats and many other considerations that effect a boat purhase. I believe we have decided on the Crownline 200LS with the 5.0L 260HP merc.What do ya think? My other problem is my local dealer. His price on this exact boat is $6,000 more than a price I got at another dealer. (3 1/2 hours away) The local dealer said their was no way possible for him to match this price! What would you do?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: dealer vs. cost

I'd be taking a 3 1/2 hour drive...

After being very careful to check that it was, in fact, identical...

 

[bucky7680]

Re: dealer vs. cost

I would make the drive also. Research and see who in your area will do the Merc warranty work. Crownline is a pretty good boat but I think (and there are people on this board who may know better) that you should plan to have at least 1to 2 trips to the selling dealer for boat warranty work. A wise man on this forum said "You are buying the dealer as well as the boat"

 

[gmctodd]

Re: dealer vs. cost

This is the only Crownline dealer in my area. As far as merc dealers around there are others (not as convienent though) I gave them a chance to make a better deal and did get within $2k. BUT they were swapping out the MPI for the carbed version.Must think I stewped or sumpin. I just don't understand how this particular dealer can be that much better in price. My local dealer called his CL rep and was told that both dealers are paying the same price. Hmmm. The local dealer also said his rep told him he would cut invoice prices on future orders if he could match that price. Apparently he is declining. I did contact mercury about my concerns and they said that although they dislike it, they can't make them work on my motor warranty or not.
Here's what I'm getting tell me if this price seems to be in check:

2007 Crownline 200LS 5.0L MPI/260HP
Sport Pkg-Inc.S/S rub rail insert, key chain remote,
color matched interior, bow ladder, gel coat
matched deck vents, S/S windshield lock
Docking lights
transom trim switch
S/S ski tow rail- upgrade
S/S prop upgrade
Prestige tandem axle brakes on both

Just under $34k Out the door

 

[bjcsc]

Re: dealer vs. cost

The other dealer must do more volume. That said, I'd still drive the 3 1/2 hours. If you had to have warranty work done 5 times, you could hire someone to transport the boat back and forth all 5 times and still come out ahead in $...

 

[Major Woods]

Re: dealer vs. cost

One dealer needs the sale the other does not "need" your money. You can't assume all dealer are in the same (good) financial suituation.
I see it all the time, went to 5 dealers and got 5 very diffrent prices for the same boat, the prices ran from 120k to 137k.

I haven't see a dealer turn away a service or warrenty issue to date, it's still money in his pocket.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: dealer vs. cost

What Merc allegedly told you is BS. Any Merc dealer is Required By Contract to perform reasonable warranty repairs. It doesn't matter where you bought the boat or where you have it serviced, as long as you're dealing with a MerCruiser dealer. No dealer can refuse. What they can do is put their customers ahead of you. But they can't refuse.

What we have to do is separate warranty issues from setup issues. Every dealer that sells a boat is responsible for properly setting it up. If they screw it up and you take it to another dealer, it's not going to be a factory warranty issue and the servicing dealer is not going to be reimbursed by the factory for a dealer's fault. The servicing dealer is going to want you to pay for it. You then have the right to present the selling dealer with the bill, but good luck getting any money out of them.

Regarding service, like tune-ups, winterizing, etc., most dealers welcome the work no matter who sold it. Any that won't don't deserve your patronage in the first place. Keep in mind that Crownline is not MerCruiser. They are separate entities and boat issues are separate from motor issues.

 

[kbetts]

Re: dealer vs. cost

Todd,
We were looking this fall at the 07 Crownline 23ss at our local dealer here in St. Louis. This dealer is Crownlines largest seller. While I was talking to the sales person, he told me that you could use the "build a boat option" on the web site and that would represent retail. He said to subtract 18 to 20 persent of that amount, and that would get you in the ballpark of the out the door price. This would even include a trailer on models 23' and bigger. There is also a boat show that started yesterday and goes through this weekend here in St. Louis. I don't know where you are from, but this dealer will be there and I am sure the deals would be sweeter this weekend. If you would like more info, PM me.

 

[gmctodd]

Re: dealer vs. cost

Thanks all for the replies.
I have been hearing that about the 18-20% too kbetts. So ,as it seems, I am getting a pretty good deal. Build a boat price was $43728 w/ options. 20% off is around $35k I am less than that with everything! Just seems to be to good to be true. As for the dealer, Hopefully the sales and service depts. don't communicate that much.
As for Mercury marine, sounds dumb to me too. I wasn't expecting the answer I got. With any luck I won't need any warranty repairs. If anyone is interested, Aspinwall Marina in Pittsburgh, PA is where I'm buying. Check them out

Thanks
Todd