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Interesting thread..... Please don't get me wrong. Yes, I very much wish we had excellent dealers that cared about their customers, but for the most part those days are gone. I would pay a little extra to get good service, but the unfortunate fact is today, you pay a little extra hoping to get the good service, and instead, the dealer treats you like trash. (I say this after just buying a six figure express cruiser. My daughter doesn't love the Whaler)
Here's the reality as I see it..... The way people purchase products is changing. The internet has opened up a new way to search wide distances for the product one wants. People are looking for a good bargin (and service too) but mostly price. Take a look at a gigantic industry, music. I remember the days of spending time in the record store searching through vinyl disks and paying a couple of bucks. Then CDs came out and we were happy to pay $15-$25 for the same music. The music industry decided to go a new route. Now we buy music either direct from the manufacturer or for an online group that has no inventory. We do this through downloads. Buying a car is not too different now either. Pick your largest auto dealer in your town and go to their web site. I assure you they have a direct internet sales department. No more haggling. Just buy it online and pick it up.
My point is that purchases are moving this way. Buy from some place that can give the price you want and is quick and easy. Making this process easier is the fact that most product research is done online now. People don't want to sit and listen to a salesman lie to them.
My editorial. But I wish we still were doing it the old way. I just think its moving the other way even if we don't want it to.
Oh...Even though a bought a new boat...I'm still keeping the 1962 Nauset.
I fear you are correct. But, I wish it didn't have to be this way. It is as difficult for the dealer to afford to be good as it is for you to pay the higher price for them to be that way.
I work in a different industry- but the principle is the same. The fundamental problem is that the trust has been broken between the buyers and the sellers at all levels. The dealer can't trust the manufacturer to limit distribution in such a way that they are actually responsible for their geographic area. In the model that Saturn had, the price is the price and everyone sees it as fair (well hopefully any way or you buy something else). I like that model when the sales department and marketing people have done the research to know that the pricing is fair and reasonable. All this discounting hasn't hurt the manufacturers. Regardless of what you think, it has really hurt the dealers. The only reason you think the one dealer is "ripping you off" is because another dealer is willing to discount the product to a point where perhaps the average dealer, providing the quality service you are asking for, can't make a living. Providing good services (all services, not just repair) is seen as the difference between a good dealer and one that sucks. But the discounting makes the service difficult to provide. The dealer also has less reason to expect you'll acually purchase from them than at any time I can remember. It's the combination of price and service that equals value to you. If the dollars aren't there, no one will want to sell BW boats. I think you guys would prefer to have a dealer in your area. Otherwise, you'll just be buying them direct and the service you are asking for will be a thing of the past. Believe me, there are a lot of dealers of a lot of products working on the edge of bankruptcy right now. If a profit can't be made, who in their right mind is going to go through the aggravation of selling an expensive item like one of the boats we like.
Find a dealer you think will be good to you and start talking to them. When you build a relationship and work with them, if they are worth a grain of salt, they will work with you. If you guys are finding that dealers suck, let BW sales know about it. It the responsibility of BW at the factory level to pick and choose dealers that will be good enough to represent the brand in a positive way! Maybe I need to get a job at BW. I assure you, a good dealer would have a passion for the product and want to see you get what you want. This is something I have a bit of experience with. Most of us agree that we have an almost fanatical appreciation of the BW products, and it is contagious. If that's not the case at your dealer, you better contact the factory and let them know they need a new dealer where you are shopping!
For what it's worth: I know of a recent buyer who contacted a BW dealer on his own, not through Costco. During the purchase process the dealer brought the Costco promotion to the buyer's attention and recommended he purchase a $50 Costco membership. At closing he presented his new Costco member number and is now waiting on his $500 merchandise card from Costco. Costco's involvement in the entire process? Not a thing. But they've got a new member with a new boat and he's got $450 credit at Costco. What's not to like?
I tried to resist but just have to add my two cents to this thread in the form of two comments:
First, BW, as are most American manfacturers, is running tight with the decreased revenue / increased expense scenario. How can we fault them for marketing schemes that will possibly prevent workforce reduction and save the consumer a few bucks in the process? it's not like they're making mega-millions and just being greedy. Let them use Costco or whomever.
Secondly, given the quality of the product (we still have fifty year olds running to offshore wrecks); the fact that the cost of a new Montauk 17 flirts with $40K after tax; and, the reasonable availability and repairability of pre-loved (poorly maintained Whalers are by far the exception than the rule) Whalers...Why would someone in even think of buying new unless they just hit a lottery?
Actually this is a good deal. I bought my last two cars using the Costco card. It's painless. And it's between you and the dealer all the way. All Costco does is sell you their membership card.
Here's how it works. go to the dealer. agree on the car (or boat) and options you want and let them know you'll be using your Costco card
At that point they quote you the "Costco price which is about what you'd get if you negotiated and argued for the rest of the day and they had to go check with the "manager" etc., etc, etc. You know the drill.
It's quick and painless. I actually think the dealers prefer it to all the endless negotiating.
WalMart and Costco aren't even in the same league. Costco treats their employees fairly and they pay a living wage with benefits.
