Boat price negotiation

[Bfishn]

^^The few small things I've needed haven't been an issue getting done in Bismarck. I just refuse to pay thousands more for something just because its "local".

 

[shorthairsrus]

I can see both sides of the coin here for sure but when you need warranty work do you drive all the way back to mn or do you go to the “stealerships” as you call them and go to the bottom of the line. Not being a smartass. I’m honestly curious

The manufacturers have them by the balls imo --- they perform regardless where it was bought -- they get paid good for doing warranty work. Again keep in mind marine dealers are so busy in the summer --- they only have a few months to make hay. A new motor what is the % of going in for warranty work????? -- its the risk you take for the savings. Manfacturers do not want warranty work --- its the last thing they want to do. I look at all my vehicles/boat i have purchased in the past 5 years ---- -- i had one vehicle my wifes and that was well over the warranty period and they covered it---- that was it for warranty work. It is my belief that everybody has stepped up the game. They are standing behind products more so now then ever.

 

[wjschmaltz]

I sometimes wonder how the Bismarck stealerships stay in business, i guess there are a lot of stupid people here.

Just check out a Bismarck real estate website or bisman and you will have even more proof. It is offensive and laughable what people in Bismarck think a house is worth. From what I've seen in my search for boats I perform every few months, I would suggest a three hour drive to Detroit Lakes. But like others said, I would call each of the local guys you talked with and give them an opportunity to match or beat it. Maybe throw in some accessory vouchers for trying to rip you off in the first place.....

 

[ndfinfan]

The manufacturers have them by the balls imo --- they perform regardless where it was bought -- they get paid good for doing warranty work. Again keep in mind marine dealers are so busy in the summer --- they only have a few months to make hay. A new motor what is the % of going in for warranty work????? -- its the risk you take for the savings. Manfacturers do not want warranty work --- its the last thing they want to do. I look at all my vehicles/boat i have purchased in the past 5 years ---- -- i had one vehicle my wifes and that was well over the warranty period and they covered it---- that was it for warranty work. It is my belief that everybody has stepped up the game. They are standing behind products more so now then ever.

Agreed Short...

 

[Ruddy Duck]

The manufacturers have them by the balls imo --- they perform regardless where it was bought -- they get paid good for doing warranty work. Again keep in mind marine dealers are so busy in the summer --- they only have a few months to make hay. A new motor what is the % of going in for warranty work????? -- its the risk you take for the savings. Manfacturers do not want warranty work --- its the last thing they want to do. I look at all my vehicles/boat i have purchased in the past 5 years ---- -- i had one vehicle my wifes and that was well over the warranty period and they covered it---- that was it for warranty work. It is my belief that everybody has stepped up the game. They are standing behind products more so now then ever.

This was not my experience with mercury marine. Long story short I bought a used boat with one of the newer 150 four strokes and over one winter noticed it had a very small oil leak. Was diagnosed by local dealer as a casting flaw in the block. Previous owner never noticed and motor was just off warranty. Mercury refused to entertain any options, no parts discount, nothing-off warranty you are on your own.

 

[Velva_zv21]

When you buy new you create the history of whatever your buying (oil changes, maint, how clean you keep it). I tend to buy new when it comes to allot of things, but I know the history and it tends to give me a piece of mind knowing that I work hard for what I got so I appreciate it which makes me want to take care of the things I own. If there is something used that it obviously looks like someone took care of it and kept a nice maintenance record in a notebook or had service records I'd have no problem buying used. But to find people that do that are a diamond in the rough.

 

[ToddErickson]

I bought a new Skeeter at Kovash Marine in Moorhead and saved a lot of money over the Skeeter dealer in Bismarck. Great people to work with also.

 

[raider]

i guess i'll b the chump here, but i have no problem paying more for the home town deal... i buy from friends who answer their phone when the dealership is closed, and will help me out in a bind... i used to make trips to minot from williston to save $20 on my merchandise, and spend $50 on gas... not anymore...

i grew up in a small town that lost it's local grocery store because it couldn't compete with the big boys... sure sucked driving 20 miles for a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread...

fwiw, if everyone leaves town to buy, soon you will b driving into a different state for your simple warranty work...

 

[SLE]

For those hoofing across the border, just remember that in our short open water season when you have an issue and find you have to get in line and wait for your local dealer to service it as they have buying customers boats to take care of first, I don’t want to hear one word of bitching. Not about how they can’t get to your rig in a timely fashion, or how other boats seem to be getting slid in front yours, or how you lost 1/2 your fishing season, yada yada yada. Everybody wants to bad mouth the local guy because of his price, then drive 10 hours to save a couple k on $80K boat, and then come back a year later and tell everyone how bad their service is but forget to include the fact the went out of state to buy the boat. Nobody ever thinks about our cost of living being higher, wages through the roof competing with the energy sector, the 2.5% unemployment rate (meaning there’s nobody to hire and those that you do get paid dearly), or possibly that they’re a smaller dealer and don’t get the same manufacture deals as the big high volume dealers. I’ve played on both sides of the fence and my new rig is from a local dealer. Food for thought gentleman.

Like I said earlier, I’m not gonna say one mans opinion is any better than the next, but there’s a value on everything, just remember where you placed your value before making that next complaint.

 

[shorthairsrus]

For those hoofing across the border, just remember that in our short open water season when you have an issue and find you have to get in line and wait for your local dealer to service it as they have buying customers boats to take care of first, I don’t want to hear one word of bitching. Not about how they can’t get to your rig in a timely fashion, or how other boats seem to be getting slid in front yours, or how you lost 1/2 your fishing season, yada yada yada. Everybody wants to bad mouth the local guy because of his price, then drive 10 hours to save a couple k on $80K boat, and then come back a year later and tell everyone how bad their service is but forget to include the fact the went out of state to buy the boat. Nobody ever thinks about our cost of living being higher, wages through the roof competing with the energy sector, the 2.5% unemployment rate (meaning there’s nobody to hire and those that you do get paid dearly), or possibly that they’re a smaller dealer and don’t get the same manufacture deals as the big high volume dealers. I’ve played on both sides of the fence and my new rig is from a local dealer. Food for thought gentleman.

Like I said earlier, I’m not gonna say one mans opinion is any better than the next, but there’s a value on everything, just remember where you placed your value before making that next complaint.




We already. Went over this. 80k I better not have issues. I am going straight to manufacture and every internet sight. Look at ole riberfisher he is sitting in a new Lund as we speak. A hush boat was sent to him (big ole 2075) to hush up.

 

[DirtyMike]

Short, I think you remember the story of riverfisher a little different than the rest of us.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Short, I think you remember the story of riverfisher a little different than the rest of us.

 

[Sum1]

All boats are cheaper in Minnesota, new or used. And like “Wild and Free” said you save thousands of dollars.

 

[SLE]

short, you certainly make me chuckle...