Boat Buying Mistake #5:
Buying Your Boat at the Wrong Place.
Obviously, if your neighbor sells you a good boat at a good price and it suits all your needs-you are probably in the right place. But I'm worried that you might buy from the wrong place and not even know it. Let's consider what to look for and what to avoid like the plague at the most common place to buy a boat-the dealership. What is the first impression you get from the boat dealership? What does the location initially look like...old or new, well maintained or run-down, organized or messy, clean or dirty, too large or too small, etc., etc.
Do You Feel Comfortable There?
Are the people honest and helpful, considerate and friendly, interested and knowledgeable? How long have they worked there, who takes care of your problems, will they listen to you, do you feel comfortable?
What about service? Unfortunately, a boat is not a Maytag washing machine-it's going to need service and maintenance. Where is the service department? Can you see it? What is your impression? Are the people ready to help you? Are the mechanics experienced and well trained? Are they all factory certified? Is the proper equipment readily available? Is the parts department big enough to carry what you will need? Are they available on a Saturday afternoon? Do they guarantee their work?
Don't Make the Wrong Assumption
An assumption by many boat buyers is that if their boat needs repair (especially if it is new) they can get it fixed quickly at the nearest dealer. That assumption is often wrong and it can cause much frustration for you and your family. You just can't count on getting the boat fixed properly and promptly just anywhere. First of all, boat dealerships are not as plentiful as gas stations and good mechanics are rarer than good doctors. Secondly, they are usually very busy and would have difficulty finding time for you if you didn't buy your boat from them. Thirdly, if the boat is new, warranty work will usually have to be done where you bought the boat. Dealers always lose money on warranty work and it is a low priority unless you are a good customer and bought the boat from them.
Do Yourself A Favor...
Buy your boat where you can also get good service. Avoid the cost of frustration, anger and disappointment you will experience if your boat stops and you can't get help right away. When you go out to eat, you expect the better restaurants to have good food and good service. One without the other will irritate you. Same thing when it comes to boats - you'll need a good product and good service to really have an enjoyable time. Many dealerships do everything they can to get you to buy a boat from them. They display at all sorts of shows and open lots. They build their stores with fancy fronts, piled high with boats and smiling salespeople. Neat brochures, fancy offices and smooth approaches. Everything geared to make you buy a boat from them. But...
What Happens After The Sale?
Try to look beyond the facade. Ask to meet the owner. Ask for a brief history of the business and the boats that are handled there. Ask how long your salesperson has been there. Ask to see the parts department and to talk with the service personnel. Find out if they can take care of you as well as they are selling to you.
Be sure they are Marine Industry Certified and a Top 100 Dealer
We have always taken the approach that if we treat people courteously and service them correctly, they will buy from us. Service has always come first. We have four times as many people in our service department as we do in sales. We also have a large parts inventory-just in case you ever need anything.
You really should come to visit us. We have a pleasant, but not an overwhelming store. Experienced and knowledgeable sales personnel helpful, not pushy. And we back it all up with the best service department and guarantees in the business. If you buy from us, any problem is solved; simply, quickly and professionally.
"Having been in the service business for the last sixteen years, it was quite refreshing to experience the same standards of customer care and quality satisfaction that we demand of ourselves in our business each and every day.
You did more than just sell a boat. The extra attention to details and paying close attention to our concerns about delivery, financing and servicing our new boat went way beyond the normal scope of selling. I would like to thank you for that. This was the first boat we have ever had and you removed the natural fears and apprehensions of being a new boat owner."
Jon and Diane Dobner
Walworth, WI
Consider Two Basic Principles
I realize that this report is long, detailed and asks you to do some "homework." It might sound like work and it takes time, but it is based on Reed's Marine's belief of two primary principles:
ONE- Boating offers you and your family more fun, more togetherness and more pleasant memories than any other activity I know.
TWO- Your boating enjoyment will be based, in large part, on the boat you choose. If you work hard at choosing your boat, you won't have to work hard at enjoying your boat!
P.S. Always choose the right dealer in order to find the right boat for you and your family.
You can tell a good dealer by:
- Visiting the dealer. Is the facility clean, neat and professional looking? Are you comfortable there?
- Asking how long they have been in business and how long they have handled this product. Ask about past growth and their plans for the future.
- Are all the employees positive, energetic and friendly? Can you meet the owner and the other employees who will be taking care of you after the sale? Be sure they have been there at least 5 years. 10 or more years would be even better.
- Do you feel important as the salesperson makes their presentation? Are they interested in your needs and in helping you find just the right boat for you? Did they address all of your concerns and explain totally everything involved in owning a boat?
- Visit the service facility. Is it neat, clean, organized and professional? Ask to meet everyone who would be involved in the service of your boat. Ask how they handle warranty problems, "house calls" on the water and priority service during the busiest times. Do they have more factory certified mechanics than they have salespeople?
- Find out if they offer "more." Will the delivery be out on the water? Do they offer instructions and safety classes? How do they follow-up after the sale? How do they guarantee your satisfaction after the sale?
- Find out what others think. Check with present or past customers, competitors, neighbors, local businesses, Better Business Bureau and even the manufacturer. They'll all offer an opinion. Are there testimonial letters and pictures available?
- Is everything and everyone centered on helping you? Is there an attitude of high service that permeates the entire dealership?
