Crazy times!

[MoneyPity]

IMO, this would only benefit the dealer moving the high volume, and would kill the value of the product and create a lot of unhappy customers after the sale, I've seen it in the auto biz. Dealers that move the most units have the lowest CSI scores for both sales and service. Their focus is not the customer, but on moving product at a below-market price in order to make a decent profit. The tend to have the worst service departments and the customers tend to migrate to dealers with better service, and in the end, but their ND car from the dealer that treated them right, and not the dealer that gave them the best price on the first car. Also, these high volume dealers tend to not do a "delivery" for the customers, they just get the papers signed and toss them the keys. These customers then start having warranty problems with the vehicle which 9 out of 10 times end up being that they don't know how an option/feature is supposed to work.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but over my 17 yr career in the auto biz, I've found that the worst service customers are the ones that beat up the sales staff over price because the feel they deserve to buy the car at a far cheaper price then anyone else, then the demand they get all the service for free cause we were blessed with their sales business :roll eyes: They demand top dollar from their company for the job they do, buy are insulted when you, as the dealer, want to make a little profit on sales or service. I will say that customers that bought their cars from us, did take precedence over people that bought their cars from the competition and brought it to us for service.

I wanted to stay clear of this thread because I work part time for my Tige dealer, but I do believe that maintaining dealer territories is the best thing for the product, the dealers, and the customers. It keeps a dealer from blowing product out the door at a lower then market price with no regards to the customer who will never be back for service because they live 2 states away. Over time, these cheap prices will kill the used/trade-in boat values, not only in his territory, but other dealer's.

I should have been clearer as to territory as it applies not to my organization because our service is over the phone and on-site from Chicago to where the customer is located.

I would agree that it would be an injustice to a customer if they soley bought on price say at Reeds and the buyer was from west of the Rockies

My thoughts were say a 2-4 hour drive between Tige dealers. I don't believe in a territory monopoly on a specific brand of boats because now the only completion becomes an apples and oranges comparison between Tige, MC,BU atc....

When I bought my boat last fall/winter I went to Reeds first and worked out a number for trade in and the bottom line. Since I visited my dad's place the next weekend we took a ride to the dealer Near there and found another 20V with almost the same options for a lot more after talking with them about an out the door cash price. In this type of expanded territory I was able to shop for a boat and be able to influence my expense. for the boat to a lower number but by far not like today's blowouts.

This type of territory expansion I am not in favor of and whole heartily agree with you. I am not in favor say in my case me buying a boat say in CA or over the INTERNET to obtain a market drop out price. So on this subject I think I can agree with you viewpoint in one way. You made good counter points.I view the INTERNET as a barometer.

Whether dealers dropping the bottom out of new sales for Tige boats or because of a depressed market most dealers will drop numbers to move boats out of inventory to get away from the re-occurring inventory expenses. This unfortunately is possibly not by choice to dump boats at cost but they need to survive also and hopefully not loose the business they have put their heart and souls into. We will see prices drop on all high end and even mid range boats. If all the inboard manufacturers have to drop prices to survive it will affect the used market no matter what.

Unfortunately for the used boat owner like da.bell with a loan and prices falling you either dump the boat and take the loss or keep paying the money pit until you can sell. At some point the money pit bucket may have made up the market nightmare. All that is happening now is a very nice boat is just depreciating even more and it will take a long time for market to normalize.

The boating industry unfortunately has varying MSRP numbers for the exact same boats in relatively the same Midwest market. Until a buyer can get to accurate MSRP numbers price wars will occur. Out the door sticker price on my 20V was $6-$7k between dealers 200 miles apart. We have so few dealers here that we need to shop the INTERNET to see if what the local dealer is actually giving you. I got a fair deal then. Of course we can all get more boat now vs what we payed for our 07's and some 08s'

chpthrl just like you I have my own opinion on this like many others I am sure. It may not be they exact same opinion but they are honest and out worth.

Have a good Turkey day all and a nice Holiday weekend for those lucky en ough to stretch 4 days.

[dogbert]

I think your post is uncalled for, you are not a customer of Boats of Nevada, now The Boat Shop, so I dont know what you problem with him is! This is the 3rd Tige dealer you have bashed publicly on this forum since joining, I dont understand why Sorry if this offends you.

Actually, I believe that's where he bought his boat. Sorry, I gotta call

[chpthril]

Actually, I believe that's where he bought his boat. Sorry, I gotta call

I may be wrong, but I believe his wife bought it from Taylor's.

[dogbert]

I may be wrong, but I believe his wife bought it from Taylor's.

Oops, my bad. You're right, I'm a turkey. Sorry.

[chpthril]

Actually, I believe that's where he bought his boat. Sorry, I gotta call

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...hlight=Taylors

[xpjim1]

Oops, my bad. You're right, I'm a turkey. Sorry.

And therefore no seconds for you today

[dogbert]

And therefore no seconds for you today

I await to be tarred and feathered

[dogbert]

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...hlight=Taylors

Ok, ok, I said I was sorry

[xpjim1]

I await to be tarred and feathered

you are too hard on yourself. Lighten up!!

[chpthril]

Ok, ok, I said I was sorry

Sorry, be were both posting our responces at the same time

[FIC]

Dom
Very informative post, I have appreciated the help you have given myself and others on this board over the years. You have been a true professional and have helped with nothing expected in return and without being a salesman. You are a professional and I thank you.

In my opinion it is unprofessional to comment about other dealers (especially your own brand) publicly . Not only is it a bad reflection on your business but also the brand. These things should be handled in house. The way professionals do it.

Thank you for your comments, and I hope I didnt offend anyone for I think this was an informitive disscusion. May I just say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and may we all prosper in 09, lets hope the economy gets going as I believe it will .

[MoneyPity]

Why not do a forum poll?

Which is more important?

Great Service or Great Price:

With a follow up question:

Would you be willing to pay a little more for your boat if you knew for a fact the service after the sale was excellent?

Assuming I can't have my cake and eat it too, I would go for Great Price over Great Service as long as service is good service and when in for repair that it be fixed correctly but may take more time.

The issue of "great" is one of subjectivity. What mat be good to you I may consider as great. In the end as long as you as a consumer is satisfied in the end.