I have found boat buying is so much different than car buying. With car buying it seems like you can dicker pretty hard and get what you want. With boats, it is much tougher. Maybe because there is less competition.

Of course you want to make the best deal, and in consideration the dealer must make a profit. You want them to stay in business to support you after you buy a boat.

I found last year when we bought our new boat after we got down to the nitty gritty that I was able to have the dealer throw in some extra's and options to close the deal. Alot of times these may not cost the dealer much but have a sticker value.

One thing that surprised me is how the dealer acts and treats their customers. The one dealer I was very serious about their boat and made several offers. To be honest it was more than we had budgeted. Unfortunately instead of simply saying this is as low as I can go and be done, they decided to try and close the sale with a smaller engine that was really undersized for the boat. At first it was exciting to see the price get closer to where I wanted, but after talking with others they told me I would not be happy with the power. The other dealer gave me his best deal and told me no pressure. Even after the test drive he told me to take my time on the decision and make sure it was the right boat. That low pressure and honesty approach really set it's mark and won my respect. Needless to say they got a boat sale and have a very happy customer that is praising the dealership.

A final note, I was a little leary buying at boat shows but think we got a good price, plus volvo had a boat show promo going that threw in a 5 yr warranty on the engine as a bonus.

Corrie

I think you should pay the same price for a boat or car as anything other large item - the lowest price possible before the dealer walks away from the deal. Every businessperson has a price that they will walk away from the deal. That price can change from day to day, or even hour to hour sometimes.

Now finding this price is not always easy - At Walmart it is, they post it on a price tag. But it's more difficult at a boat dealer. It is not a matter of a certain percentage over or under invoice price - because each dealer must recover some overhead costs also, and they may or may not have clarity on those costs.

My method of getting the lowest price is simple, and works every time. But it takes tremendous discipline and confidence. First, you must do some homework (independent of the dealer) and know what similar items are actually selling for. Second, you must make all of the arrangements to buy and make your mind up before you begin to negotiate. Third, and hardest, you must take emotion totally out of the transaction. Sure, you want that shiny new boat - but you have to be willing to walk away if the price is not right. If you aren't willing to, you are negotiating with emotion, not your head.

Walk into the dealer and tell them you are interested in the boat, but you don't have much time - quote them a low, but reasonable price at which you will sign a sales agreement right now. If they say yes, sign it, and go home happy - and don't have any second thoughts.

If they say no, ask them for the lowest price they will go for today - let them understand this is their only opportunity to sell you today, and you intend to shop elsewhere. If their offer is good, sign it, if not, leave immediately.

Will the dealer get upset with you over this approach. NO! They will treat you with great respect. You haven't wasted their time. You haven't been sneaky or sly. They may be disappointed that they couldn't get more out of you. They may even say to themselves that they can't afford to sell this low to everyone - but they will not be upset with you.

Buying big ticket items is one of the biggest opportunities for wealth creation or loss that most people perform on a day to day basis. I'm always amazed that people will drive across town to save a few pennies on gas, but will readily pay a couple hundred dollars extra a month on a bad deal.

Great topic, one strategy mentioned I used and worked well with me was using the internet. First, I used it for research to try to determine a reasonable price. Second, I found one 5 hrs away for a really good price and worked out a deal over the phone. I showed the price to my local dealer and told him I was going up there to buy it. In my mind, I was actually willing to pay $500 more locally for my convenience and to compensate the dealer for the higher transportion cost he would have to pay. I was shocked when he beat that price by $900. I think I must of asked him 5 times if that was the right price. I didn't want them coming back to me later and saying they made a mistake.

In the end, a reasonable price is one that you feel good about.

David

There is a lot of good info in this thread.

To add to it, there is a book "Boating Magazine's Insider's Guide to buying a Powerboat" by J.P. Lamy.

It contains "everything you need to know to buy a new or used small powerboat (32' and under) at a terrific savings".

I have this book and it is an excellent read. I think the author even recommends bringing the book into negotiatons, placing it next to your checkbook on the salesman's desk when you're ready to do "business" .

Amazon affiliate page link

I could use some advice on taking delivery of my boat. In case you ask who the heck is this guy see “Newbie – 798”. I am due to take delivery of an 04’ 250 Horizon FW in a few days. I have been working with the dealer since the Dallas summer boat show. We worked out a fair price, they threw in some add-ons, and some of the kickback money that was expected from the manufacture designated for the “winter” boat show. All this was done prior to the winter show in an effort to “get a better deal” during an otherwise off peak-season time.

Well, the winter boat show has come and gone. I am still somewhat happy with my price although I no longer believe I “got a better deal”. The one thing that bums me out is several dealers were offering extended engine warranties as package deals. Is it fair for me to ask for an extended warranty from my dealer or is it too late?

Thanks, RodS

I also worked out a deal prior to my winter boat show. I was deciding between 2 different boat makes and both dealers said that I would get any boat show specials and that if I felt there was a better deal at the boat show, they would rework my deal. The boat show incentives are typically available throughout the US winter boat show season. So yes, go ahead and ask for any additional boat show incentives. Especially since you haven't taken delivery yet.

RodS - As a matter of reference for you, my new Four Winns just arrived last week. I had ordered it in October and told the dealer I wanted the 2+4. His price was "around $1,100". When he called to tell me the boat was in I asked him what he would charge me for the 2+4. He said since the boat show deals are going on that was what he would give me so I got a free 2+2 and paid $300 to extend it to 2+4. He just happens to be between boat shows so I think he was in a giving mood when it comes to extended warranty. If I was in your position I would play the boat show incentive deal heavily.

Another good place to find the value of you boat trade-in is through BoatUS's free value check. I have used it several times and it seems closer to the regional selling price than NADA.

http://www.boatus.com/buyer/valueform.htm

I think they get the values going against insurance claims/policies in your area.

I was a total greenhorn when I bought my first--and so far, only--boat (a 1999 SeaRay BR210).

I *think* we got a good deal because we were:

A: Working with a good dealer (Marine Max in Santa Rosa, Calif.).
B. Working with an experience salesperson who was a boater himself.
B: Buying at the right time of year (March, 2000)
C: Buying a new '99 model that another customer had ordered, and then refused to take delivery of because it wound up being the wrong color.

I had intended to buy a smaller boat--was actually thinking of a 18-foot bowrider--but I fell in love with the BR-210. I think list price for boat, trailer and 5.7-liter Mercruiser was $32K, and we paid $27 (after a $1K factory rebate for buying a prior-year's model).

That price included a full tank of gas (48 gallons), all the safety gear (life jackets, fire extinguisher, etc.), and an orientation cruise on delivery. We also get a decent discount on anything we buy in the parts department.

Having said all that, we probably could have worked a better deal if we'd done more homework ahead of time and were better at negotiating. But I'm not unhappy.

I think the most important thing to remember about buying any big-ticket item is to build a relationship for after the sale. I don't mean to say that you should pay the dealer's asking price without negotiating, but it's not going to benefit you in the long run to pursue a scorched-earth policy, either.

Mr. Mick, you hit it right on the nose...If you are happy with the deal you got, then it was right for you. It doesn't matter if it was right for anyone else. And as my post said, if you haggle for the last possible nickle and leave a bad taste in the mouth of the dealer he's not going to reward you with good service as he might someone that he has warm fuzzy feelings for.

Ironically enough, I got laid off less than a year after we'd bought the boat. After struggling for almost a year to find another job in my field (journalism), I took a shot at being a car salesman.

Man, what an experience *that* was. I'd never had a high opinion of car salesmen, but after having been one for 18 months, I now understand how tough their job really is.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that many of them are still a**holes, but the next time I buy a car, I won't start off with that point of view.

Happily for me, I'm back in my chosen field, editing a new computer magazine.

I still have the boat, of course.

This is always a nice topic to revisit from time to time. Negotiating styles are all over the board, and dealers' approaches have just as much variability. That said, a GOOD relationship with a GOOD dealer can really add to your boating ease and pleasure. I'll vote with GFC here, MrMick. Getting that last dollar doesn't always pay.

Our dealer surprised us by making his initial price offer a couple of percentage points lower than our "won't go higher" price. Kinda took the wind out of my sails. Of course we whined a bit and got a few more goodies, but basically gave him what he was looking for. Pricing circumstances were uniquely in our favor (9-11 had recently destroyed the boating business, and we were first customer, first day of boat show--and a familiar face). But by not taking advantage, preserved a wonderful working relationship with the guy.

I think you did well. (And nice job on keeping the boat through the employment scare!) Gotta keep them priorities straight!

Hey all! I'm new to this site but I thought I might add a little. Please see my story "BRAND NEW Larson from dealer-not NEW!" on other forum sites.

Anyway, this was our first boat purchase. I grew up boating while my wife only stood on shore and dreamed of it. We researched boats and dealers in our area for 3-4 years (we also were trying to convience ourselves that this is something we needed!) and went to our third winter boat show in as many years.

I recognized a perticular dealer as soon as we walked in and they carried the brand we liked (Larson). We went to buy a 19' bowrider. We are a family of four with 8 and 9 year old boys. We also have a Jeep Wrangler and a Jeep Cherokee so size and weight was an issue.

We spent two days decideing on the 19 footer we had gone to buy, but left with a 21 footer. All I had to say to my price-concious wife was "Think about five years from now...we'll still have this boat, the boys will be teenagers, with friends or girlfriends, and this 19 footer will be filled to the brim! 2 feet in a boat is huge and the weight wasn't an issue. Retail price was over $35,000 (260 HP Merc and loaded) but we got the "boat show special" price of 27,000. This seemed fair (at this time you should read our story). If you are in a place with a winter climate...buy during the cold season. Test run all summer, with good intentions of buying, and return to the dealer that was most helpful and carries the brand(s) you like in the winter. They need the money and the deserve to make a fair profit, but you deserve a good price and good service as well.

Rhino

Rhino, welcome aboard!

Don't forget to check this out.
http://www.boatingabc.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/1/2234.html#000000

Can anybody put together a list of things to look for when buying a used boat?