Purchasing questions

[senna1]

So I've pretty much decided my next boat will be a 20V to be ordered early next year but I'm wondering what kind of deal can be had on Tiges. I've only purchased used boats from individuals before, never new or from a dealer, so I don't have a good feel about how much the dealers will negotiate. And their invoice cost seems to be a state secret. Any tips?

Also, I'm in Seattle, WA and the dealer seems reasonable but if anyone has any recommendations... I'd drive a little for a deal.

Thanks in advance.

[bneub]

Congrats on your decision!

We wanted to wait until this spring to buy, but by ordering last August we locked in the 2005 price on a 2006. The dealer also gave us some heavy early season discounts. He told us that time of year is his slowest and he also wanted to lock in some boats for the new year. He also got us put back one production slot so we didn't actually have to pay for our boat until mid December when it arrived. That saved us a few months of interest.

This is our first boat and I expected the process to be like buying a car (maybe even a used car). We all know how much that negotiation process sucks! I had been looking and researching for a couple of years and had a very good idea where the price should be. When my dealer gave me the price, he was right on. We negotiated a little and I felt like I got a very fair deal.

On driving to get a better deal, remember that you will need to work with the dealer you choose for any warranty work. We have had some minor issues and received great service. I wouldn't want to travel a few hundred extra miles every time I needed something.

If you go somewhere else and buy a new boat, don't expect your local dealer to go out of his way to give you great service. He might be a little pissed and always put you at the bottom of the service list.

[wetcowboy]

I know Montana my seem far, But no Sales Tax might help. Give Tom Rispens a call at Montana Boat Center in Helena (800-443-6408 )

Good Luck

[Tip]

The no sales tax in Montana won't help you if you live in WA because the "use tax" still applies unless you've owned the boat for more than 7 years.

[senna1]

Right, I'll still have to pay sales tax when I register it in Washington.

Where are you able to find the dealer's cost on these boats? I haven't been able to find any information that will show what kind of margin they are getting on these.

For example, the boat show deal was basically list price with around $3K in free options thrown in.

[Bog]

dealer cost is less than you pay for the boat.

what kind of dumb *** question is that anyway?? Do you think any boat dealers would be in business if their dealer cost was publicized?!!?!?

[ctcranor]

Chill out Bog

People are here to get advice, not get abused! Go beat your dog moron!!

[Boarder_X]

Bog,

Senna is new to boating. So were we all. I'm assuming (I know, I know) that he thinks this is similar to buying a car. During which KBB and numerous other sites will give you data down to the penny of what the dealer paid. The consumer can then go in and say: "I'll give you X% over your cost." The dealer then can say "Yes," or "No."

Senna, for some crazy reason boats are not the same. Maybe there just isn't the demand. Anyway, a fair price is one that you pay, and feel good about. .... It's pretty harsh, but that's the truth. You can go to Wakeworld.com, and click boats. That will give you the MSRP for the base models for each boat, from numerous manufacturers.

Robb

[talltigeguy]

I agree with Bog, although I think he came across rougher than usual. I think that the dealer markup is about impossible to find. Lots of people ask, and those who know do not tell.

It really is a simple formula. Your dealer has a breaking point at which he will not sell you a boat. If he likes you, and thinks you will be good for publicity and not be a pain in his side, that price may be lower. The more you tighten the screws on him, the higher the price goes, because you are going to be a PIA when it comes to service as well. You'll be on here next month asking how much you should pay for your 20 hour service.

No matter what you do, someone else will claim that they got a better deal than you.

It is hard to drop the amount of money we pay for these things and not lose some sleep about whether or not we got taken to the cleaners. I've found that you just negotiate within reason to create a win-win situation, then go love your boat, sleep in it if you like, and forget how much you paid. We are just lucky to be in the country that has such luxury items available.

[gman]

senna!
Go and do some shopping and pricing at another dealership or two and then compare as much as you can apples to apples. Don't jump right away, be patient.

[Paublo]

I agree with most of what has been said. Everyone wants to feel like they got a good deal. That will only happen if you shop around (different boat mfgrs). Then when you narrow your choice, you can feel good about it or move on to the next one. Price shouldn't be and is not useually the main reason for buying a particular boat. Comparing someone else's deal to yours is very difficult. It is never really an apples to apples comparison.

Find the boat you like and make your deal. If it is reasonable and you are comfortable that the dealer wants you for a long term customer, buy it and don't look back. Never try to figure out if you could have saved a few bucks or if someone paid less. Life is too short. Spend your time figuring out how you can spend more time on that boat.

[gman]

Make sure you shop several TIGE dealers....you might find a surprise worth several thousand $$$$.

[xpjim1]

Also considering buying a dealer stock boat at the end of the year. Compare the price with ordering new. I think I saved some money that way. You never know. Both TIGES I bought I went in with ordering my perfect boat and both times I left with a boat that was close.

[wrangler]

Just to echo what some of the other said...choosing your dealer to work with is just about as important as choosing your boat. Establish that relationship and put together the best deal you can. You want a dealer that you can work with...a dealer that you trust and will support you going forward. Thankfully, I have that here in my neck of the woods...don't underestimate how important that is... Good luck...wrangler

[senna1]

Thanks for the feedback.