What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

I frankly don't know what CC is getting so hot about. The nugget of truth in this thread is that it is very difficult to find a good sales expereince nowadays.<br /><br />With cars and boats, you are dealing in a slippery situation. If I can play one off the other, that makes me a smart consumer. They will not make a deal they lose money on. <br /><br />Just like the sales staff has a lot of strategy to get you spend more, the consumer also has the right to engage in that negotiation.<br /><br />If cuzner says he is going to buy then why question that. It is the job of the salesman to SELL the product to the consumer. In most other big ticket businesses it takes a lot of leads before a sale is made. If Cuzner was not going ot buy and was shopping it is still the job of the salesman to represent the product. You never know when emotion will take over. If a saleperson never tries, he'll never know.<br /><br />Cuzner, if your negotiation style works for you then go do it. I have mine and it usually means being well prepared and using multiple bids to work the best deal, and then sprinkle in the lack of emotional committment to the deal. If they won't deal then walk. You don't want to work with them anyway..
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

kozman,<br /><br />Give ***** a call. He is in Miamisburg, OH. Been selling boats out of a few "barns" on his property since the '60's. Real stand-up guy.<br /><br />No more links to other businesses or sites...you may mention the place, but NO direct links...<br />Moderator1
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,752
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

So Realgun, you bought that boat from way up here in winterland? wow, hmmm.
 

kozman01

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Messages
242
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Thianks for the tip in Miamisburg, I'll follow-up on that. Buckeye, I emailed you lastnight concerning the dealers you have dealt with. The quote "they have to SELL you the item" is dead on. I'm not asking anyone to do anything that they are not paid to do. Thanks for everyone's input, as always, priceless.
 

Straightup

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2005
Messages
317
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Roscoe's first post is so right on. That's why I bought my last two vehicles from private parties. You really have to do your homework, but the cost savings and eliminating dealer hassle are well worth it. When you really look at it, if you are buying something used you are not taking any more a chance buying it private party or from a dealer. A trusted Mech. should look at any purchase before buying anyway.
 

kozman01

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Messages
242
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

I guess I couldn't be more open-minded than "show me what you have in a 17-19 footer 04' or 05' model." I guess I'll have to tell them, "hey sell me anything for any price you want." I'm sorry, I thought it was their job to sell me something. The only reason I focused at all on Sea Ray was because they ar ethe ones who are actually doing their job to some measurable extent. Does anyone do anything anymore these days!?!?!?! If the salesman doesn't want to do minimal work, just write a grand off the asking price and I'll haul it out of the showroom for them. This is one of the great problems of today's society, nobody wants to do nothing and they want everything handed to them. As a former salesman, I figured if I could get one buyer for every 100 lookers, I'm doing ok, so I better approach and treat EVERY looker as a buyer. Man, does anyone work anymore!!???!?!! I'm digressing, I apologize.<br /><br />I guess a good example would be my drive-thru. You drive in and ask for a 12-pack of Bud. I'm all out, but I don't tell you what else I have and you can get your own a** out of your car and ring-up your own sale and don't bother me while I watch tv. Peole who think the sales people are correct in their behavior must have government jobs or something.<br /><br />StraightUp, Roscoe's advice is looking better and better. At least a private sale wants to make a sale!<br /><br />By the way Cobra, the sizing up a customer always works to my advantage when I'm buying my wife a 2-3 year old Lexus each year. I just go to the dealership in my old jeans and the shirt I wore while cutting the yard. While the sales people are all making a killing on the upper crust morons buying their cars, the salesman that is really working and talking to everyone will see that I'm there to buy and not screw around. I love when I making those purchases and while doing my test drive and mechanic check-up, I stop by a competitor dealership and ask if they have a similar car like the one I'm test driving. They ask what price I'm getting it for and I tell them. The response is usually, we can't beat that, I'd buy it if I was you.
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

I mentioned in an earlier post I ended up buying private too last year. It was a very frustrating search, but I am really glad that I did it. Ended up getting a great boat from a guy who is more finicky than I am; that's really finicky.<br /><br />
4rets9
<br /><br />As to thinking that all private sellers want to sell, I had this one guy that didn't return my email or calls, so I assumed it was sold. Then it was renewed and showed up in the Boat Trader again. I called and got him and asked why he didn't email or call. He said "when I read your email it said 'do you still have this thing' and figured you were some sort of joker", and I had to convince him that I was seriously interested.<br /><br />A couple of days later I called his house and his wife answered and I set up an appointment to see the boat. When I got there he kept acting like he didn't really care if he sold it etc. I never made an offer as it didn't quite fit, but I think on reflection his wife was making him sell it and he was just going through the motions to please her . . .
 

Limited-Time

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
5,820
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

kozman,<br /><br />I find there is a huge difference in purchasing big ticket need to have items, and big ticket want to have items. A car salesman is generally more motivated than a boat or motorcycle sales guy. Has to be, more competition. The right sales guy/dealership is out there might just have to keep looking. <br /><br />This may not be apple to apples because I seldom buy big ticket items off the lot. But, when we went to order our second boat the local dealer quoted me a price I thought was high. So I went to work finding another dealer. Ended up with a written quote from an out of state dealer several thousand dollars less, for the same boat. Long story short the local guy matched the pricing.<br /><br />As for how hard the salesman needs to work, most boat dealers move a fixed amount of inventory a year. Other than customer ordered boats they seldom order additional inventory. Unless it is a large dealer that can afford to carry inventory through the off season. Additionally the pressure to discount and move inventory this time of the year is not there. So there is motivation from the salesman’s point to push a low margin sale. Ain’t right but seems to be the way it is. <br /><br />BTW I have found if the dealer does not have to worry about carrying cost and other over head they are more willing to deal…as in when the item is customer ordered, be it boat motorcycle or car. Good luck.
 

blackz3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2003
Messages
159
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

dealer antiety (sp) your the guy that does all the reserch and shops in prime time..heres a clue since (you dont seem to have one)ask for the owner with cash in hand (or a loan garranty)<br />forget all your BS about im a quick sale tell him what you want and ask if he has it or can get it in a reasonable time. leave a deposite. wait for the call go get your boat!
 

kozman01

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Messages
242
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

I'd didn't know protecting your interest in a sale was BS and telling the dealer what your intentions are is additional BS. Take this case then, what if I had no clue what I exactly wanted and was shopping for a boat. Isn't it again, the dealers job to assist me in finding something I want???? He is there to answer a customers questions, research information if requested and find the product at the same time he's trying to make a living. You guys are a real trip. This board is one of the best things I have ever come across concerning the boating lifestyle, but after running across some other posts ans a few in this one, there are some true clowns on here. If anyone out there thinks that people shouldn't do a job for which they are compensated for, that customers should expect at least a minimal amount of service and that dealers should expect a fair price for their product are complete creatins. Again, if I haven't made myself clear to those who are unable to transfer the written word into a coherent thought, the problem is with the dealers who WILL NOT GET OFF THERE LAZY A**ES AND DO SOME SIMPLE WORK. Are some of you that in the dark. I swear, laziness and idiocy have taken over the world or at least the majority of this country. Like I've said before, I'm glad there are people out there who enable the salesman to buy an even bigger boat next year, he getsto fill up his gas tank on me. If there are any dealers in the Central, OH area that are willing to assist me for MINIMAL effort, please e-mail me at cop_firearms@msn.com. I'd love to speak with you and possibly do business with you as well. Some of you people kill me.
 

blackz3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2003
Messages
159
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

oooooooK didnt like that one try this one dealers answer to MFGs....instead of venting here tell them your story...i bet theyll clear it up asap. oh and be spicific give names dates and then what happened..or in your case what didnt happen
 

algee

Cadet
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
9
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Man....I've owned My Boat three years (bought privatly)...I still get calls from salespeople I spoke with when I was first nosing around. I guess there's a lot more competition here in south Florida. <}}}}><
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

Kozman,<br /><br />If you are considering "nearly new," check out this boat:<br /><br /> Gone...<br />A 2003 Bryant 190 with < 40 hours. Excellent price. A new one would run ~$26K on the street. If I didn't already have a Bryant, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.<br /><br />If you don't know much about Bryants, check out some of these articles:<br /><br /> Gone....thought this may be OK, but see they sell as well, so no deal..<br />Or some of these:<br /><br /> Gone...competition links not allowed..moderator1
 

Limited-Time

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
5,820
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

kozmam,<br />I hope you noted I stated "It Ain’t right but seems to be the way it is." Now if I come to your drive through and tell you, I am going to buy 50 cases of beer in the near future. If you order it pay for it and have it on hand when I am ready, I will pay you cost plus a minimal mark up. what would you do. Now take into account you are coming into prime beer season. Its kind of the same thing only with more capital outlayed. <br />Like I said before I know it's not exactly the same comparing a boat to a car purchase. But the same techniques can be applied. <br /><br /><br />When I am ready to make a big ticket purchase I know what I want, what I am willing to pay, have cash on hand for a down payment, and have arranged financing for the balance or plan to have cash for the delivery. <br /><br />Example: when I purchased my last truck. I did my research, arrived at a price I could live with, (dealer cost, according to consumers guide). Then hit the dealerships. I had $ 1000.00 for the initial down payment. Walked into the dealership showed the salesman the print out of the build sheet and told him I would give him the down payment on the spot if he would sell me the truck for the price I wanted. No test drive, no Lets see what we have on the lot, or what we can find. My deal take it or leave it. Spent less than 5 minutes at the first two dealers. The 3rd dealer accepted my offer, took all of 10 minutes, done deal.<br />Like I said before I know it's not exactly the same comparing a boat to a car purchase. But the same techniques can be applied. <br /><br />I know this is a little off your original subject, but it does kind of play into it. As far as the attitude of the salesman you dealt with, seems to me they suck. You need to let thoes in charge know about it. I would like to think the person in charge would address the issues and attempt to make it right with you. In any case keep looking, the right dealer and deal are out there.
 

kozman01

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Messages
242
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

You can't get to the easy sale part if you don't even get to the "this is what we have for sale" part. The only reason I even mentionthe Sea Ray guys is because they seem to be somewhat professional, one more than the other and they seem to want to sell their product. The fact of the matter is, even if I wasn't looking to purchase at this time, these guys are still lazy. Oh, I see, only help the guy that has cash in his hand, I se ethe work ethic here. Hey, if you don't want to sell something, don't, the world needs ditch diggers too.<br /><br />It's amazing that someone that brings up lousy customer service, oh wait, we haven't got to the customer part yet because the majority of the dealers are too lazy to get a customer, get's this stuff from some of you. I guess everyone differs in their valuation of their money and how they spend it and what, if anything, they expect in return. Please except my gracious apologies but I for one will not run into a place, cash in hand and say oh please, please sell something to me. We all have are own standards and I respect that. Funny, if I stop at another Bayliner dealer and the guy is helpful and I purchase a boat from him, then some of you troglodytes would start flaming me for buying a Bayliner, even though he went out of his way to help the customer. You guys think I'm asking the world of any of these dealers. Maybe the reason they are the way they are is because of attitudes like yours. I'm a potential customer and I convey to them my time period that I would like to buy, ok, what do you have. That's about it. If they can't pick the ball up and take it from there, ok, my only recourse is to not spend my very ahrd earned money there, but to have some of you people come down on me because I get pissed at lousy customer service is a joke. I'm glad the dealer has done everything in your wishes at the price you want and in the time you want. I see a few guys that want to earn my business and a vast majority that don't. <br /><br />Let's see...First four posts "jumped on the bandwagon". I wasn't asking anyone to come along with me and agree with anything. I was just broadcasting that there appears to be a lack of motivation within the boat sales industry in the Central OH, area. I didn't point any one out and didn't disparage and dealership or person. If you can't see that, I'm sorry for that. <br />Thanks for the tip on the Bryant!
 

Limited-Time

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
5,820
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

kozman,<br />I added this to my last post prior to reading your reply: <br /><br /> "I know this is a little off your original subject, but it does kind of play into it. As far as the attitude of the salesman you dealt with, seems to me they suck. You need to let thoes in charge know about it. I would like to think the person in charge would address the issues and attempt to make it right with you. In any case keep looking, the right dealer and deal are out there." <br /><br />Additionally: Bryant Boats, own one myself IMHO you can not make a better choice in boats.
 

Major Woods

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 7, 2001
Messages
317
Re: What is going on with these dealers?!?!?!

I have a terminal case of 2footitus, haveing purchased 4 new boats in the past 5 years. I'm not going to bore you all with my stories of shear idiot sales people, but I have made one conclusion to date.<br /><br />It appears that the boat dealers are employing reject used car salesman.
 
Top