First New Boat - Discount and What Else?

[swc5150]

I just love how everyone wants a deep discount off the msrp and in addition to that, want all this extra free stuff. Do you do the same thing at your car dealership??? If you don’t, how is a boat dealer any different?


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I think everyone just wants to maximize their deal to their benefit. Boats, cars, house, I don't care what I'm buying, I'm all in on negotiating the lowest price/best deal for me.

[greggmck]

I think everyone just wants to maximize their deal to their benefit. Boats, cars, house, I don't care what I'm buying, I'm all in on negotiating the lowest price/best deal for me.

It might be worth your time to learn more about the differences between the power boat and automobile markets. There were about 250,000 powerboats sold in the US last year and about 17.5 million cars sold. Because of the much greater volume resulting in increased competition for automotive sales, dealer invoice pricing cannot be marked up more than about 10 percent. But the msrp for most powerboats and wake sport boats in particular are marked up as much as 40+ percent over dealer invoice. So if you want to pay tens of thousands of dollars more for your boat... well that's your choice. Your dealer will certainly love you.

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[swc5150]

What?? I actually sold MC’s for 4 years and am the one guy in here who apparently is getting the deepest discounts. I don’t it’s me who needs to learn about the marine industry.

[greggmck]

What?? I actually sold MC�s for 4 years and am the one guy in here who apparently is getting the deepest discounts. I don�t it�s me who needs to learn about the marine industry.

Sorry. This wasn't meant for you. It was suppose to be for the post by AdamJBarn that you replied to. The mobile app failed and wound up with your quote when it restarted.

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[wakerider411]

6 Nautiques between my brother and I, and all were in the 25% off retail range...both stock and ordered out, and 3 different dealerships (all local to our homes and lake home). If you're paying 10-15% off retail to have a good dealer relationship, you're paying for that relationship...and your relationship isn't really what you think it is.

...I have owned 12 inboard boats in several parts of the country over the past 30 years. I have purchased 10 of them new and ordered 9 of them. The least discount I have paid off of list price is 20%. ... But high-volume boat dealers do deal. You just have to negotiate with them. Ask for the list price and begin with 25% off. Be prepared to pay if you hit your target or walk away. If you want to know the invoice price for sure then join: http://www.seedealercost.com/boats to find out the invoice price for your boat before you purchase.

When you and others are talking about getting 25% off retail, how are you handling dealer prep and freight costs? Let's say the boat and its options (w/o trailer) total $100k, and there's another $5k of dealer prep or freight tacked on so it's $105k total MSRP. Are we talking about getting it for $75k (75%*$100k), or are we talking about getting it for $79k (75%*$105k)? Makes a big difference when trying to understand deals folks are getting. Thanks!

[swc5150]

Negotiations need to be at the final landed price, otherwise you can get nickeled and dimed with dealer fees.

[mikenbike211]

You should always buy local regardless of pricing. It’s really going to matter when you need service and warranty work. Also, each dealer gets different volume discounts, so there’s no such thing as a straight percentage off a boats msrp. Each dealer sets their pricing based on the local markets ability to afford said pricing.


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[wakerider411]

Negotiations need to be at the final landed price, otherwise you can get nickeled and dimed with dealer fees.

Thanks for your response! Just to be clear, you saying in effect that you have not had to pay the fees, and you are able to get the boat for 25% off w/ no fees, so $75k in my example?

[swc5150]

Correct, there is no straight percentage off, as that's to be negotiated. If a dealer can sell at MSRP to someone, they'll do it.

I can't wrap my mind around potentially over paying for a boat, just to keep my local dealership happy. I worked at an MC dealer for 4 years, and never once saw someone pushed to the back of the service line because they didn't buy their boat from us. Every person walking through the door was treated like a future sale.

I understand the sales territory ideology in this industry, however, whenever competition is missing, the probability that customer's wants can be safely ignored is the greatest.

[swc5150]

Thanks for your response! Just to be clear, you saying in effect that you have not had to pay the fees, and you are able to get the boat for 25% off w/ no fees, so $75k in my example?

I sent you a PM...

[SoCal G-Man]

I just love how everyone wants a deep discount off the msrp and in addition to that, want all this extra free stuff. Do you do the same thing at your car dealership??? If you don’t, how is a boat dealer any different?


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It is human nature to get as much as you can for your dollar. My local Kawasaki dealer tried to use the "discount on gear" tactic when I was buying a new mx bike for my daughter last year. I had already decided I was willing to pay 10% over cost for the bike, so gear discounts were irrelevant, and they declined my offer. I decided to call some other dealers and Simi Valley Kawi took the offer. Like dirt bikes, boats are luxury items and their universe is, for the most part, a seller's market. However, most cars are commodity items, which dealers sell at a minimal profit %.

[SoCal G-Man]

I am likely going to buy my first new boat soon. I realize the main negotiation is on the selling price, but do dealers typically throw in anything else? I'm thinking like, $1000 to spend on boards, life jackets, etc..? Even a steep discount (like 50%) the first $2000 in stuff. I've heard they throw in necessities like fire extinguisher, throw cushions etc., but I'd like to see some fun stuff in there too.

I have 2 dealers that are interested in my business (one is a relationship related to a family member in another city). Price being the same, this may tip the scales.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Which model are you eyeballing? That will make a difference in the deal for some dealers.

[Tallredrider]

I think it is unrealistic to expect everyone to get 25% off. Some dealers simply won't go there. So you will end up walking if your goal is 25% off.

It sounds like swc5150 worked at a great dealership that didn't play much favorites with people who bought their boats local, but most dealerships are not run that way. When your boat breaks down before Juily 4th weekend, don't expect a dealer foreign to you to get your warranty issue worked on to save the holiday.

[ST3]

6 Nautiques between my brother and I, and all were in the 25% off retail range...both stock and ordered out, and 3 different dealerships (all local to our homes and lake home). If you're paying 10-15% off retail to have a good dealer relationship, you're paying for that relationship...and your relationship isn't really what you think it is.

You don’t pay to have a good dealer relationship. You pay because you value the relationship. Not all dealers earn it. I think that’s what you meant. Just wanted to clarify for all. I ended up around 17% off and have not been disappointed once by the delivery, service, marina, and storage. Is 25% better? Yes! It’s just more complicated when you only get 3 months and 100hrs / year. The dealer keeps you on the water for every day of those short three months.




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[GMLIII]

You don’t pay to have a good dealer relationship. You pay because you value the relationship. Not all dealers earn it. I think that’s what you meant. Just wanted to clarify for all. I ended up around 17% off and have not been disappointed once by the delivery, service, marina, and storage. Is 25% better? Yes! It’s just more complicated when you only get 3 months and 100hrs / year. The dealer keeps you on the water for every day of those short three months.




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Exactly