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Boston Whalers are now available thru Costco.

August 2010 "The Cosco Connection" page 65.

Member only pricing + $500 Costco Cash Card.

Models available Sport, Montauk, Dauntless.

Fill up your cooler and gas tank whilst your at it.

Costco.com search "Boston Whaler"

I wonder if they'll service it too?

Can't wait to see the in-store display beside all that Cheese and bags of fertilizer.

Finally something really good to push out those double doors.

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No boats for any of the zip codes I put in the search. :(

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I plugged in my Zip code of 75071 and the Boston Whaler option came up.

Here's the link.

http://www.costcoauto.com/bostonwhale...fault.aspx

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Nothing comes up but sea ray for No Cal.

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I recently purchased my 5th Whaler, a 2010 130 SS. I went to my regular dealer, saw the boat in the dealer's showroom, and started negotiations. Not a lot of "wiggle room" in a 130, but I made an offer, received a counter offer, and said "come on, you can do better than that". It was at this point in the game the Costco offer came up, something I knew nothing about. Another $250 cash off and $500 Costco gift card. I was ready to buy the boat before the Costco deal came up, but am certainly glad now that it did.

I am trying to figure out how to mount the new 42" flat screen HDTV on the console of the 130.

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What if something goes wrong with the boat ? Do you go back to Costco with your Whaler for warranty work ? Does Costco Stand behind the boat ? If not, the "Whaler" dealerships must LOVE this idea, as they'll have to stand behind the warranty on a boat they didn't sell.

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No Matt, all Costco does is send you to a dealer and you recieve the discounts. Here's an exerpt from the Costco website.

How it Works:
1. Select one of the Boston Whaler models listed below by clicking the image and follow the steps to register for this promotion.

2. Locate a participating dealership.

3. An Authorized Dealer Contact will contact you within 24 hours to schedule an appointment. If you prefer, you may contact them at any time.

4. Meet with the Authorized Contact, show them your Costco membership card, and select an eligible new Boston Whaler boat.

5. After you’ve selected a boat, have the Authorized Dealer Contact complete your Member-Only Price Quote so you can see your savings. This document outlines your promotional price by breaking down the options you select and the incentives available to you.

6. Submit a Redemption Form within 30 days of your purchase. After submitting this Form, you will be contacted by the Costco Auto Program to complete a Member Satisfaction Survey.
Receive your $500 Costco Cash Card within 6-8 weeks and enjoy your member-only savings.

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Ah, a "Promo" through Costco, gotcha

Thanks !

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Sad -

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This is an incredible error on the part of Boston Whaler. One that is almost unbelievable. Places like Costco and Sams should be in business to do one thing- sell commodity items at a discount in bulk over what more typical retailers do. What does seeing a Boston Whaler product at Costco do for the brand image? Wow, they must be having a hard time selling boats! What does it do for the resale value of the Whalers we now own. Nothing good. Is it likely that BW will make many sales because of the association with a mass mechandiser like Costco or Sams? Doubtful. Could you imagine a Lexus or Cadillac car being sold at one of these "warehouse" outlets? Not at all. Isn't that the kind of quality we have held BW up to be?

OK, even if you are referred to a reputable BW dealer by the Costco connection- isn't that an unnecessary additional cost to the supply chain. You don't think Costco is going to hook up in this for free do you?

I've been selling specialty products (not boats) with price tags comparable to that of BW boats for years. If I was a BW dealer and I found out they "sold out" to Costco, I'd have to wonder about the direction of the company and my prospects for ANY future with them.

BAD idea guys!

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On a positive note.

How many people know about Boston Whaler boats?

How many people go to Costco?

This might be good advertising if nothing else?

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Actually if it's a Lexus or Caddie you want Costco is happy to help. Give them your vehicle choice, contact info, and card number and they will refer you to a dealer. Just for kicks I asked for a Lexus E350 and they referred me to a dealer in Larchmont, NY. Not exactly in my neighborhood, but a Lexus Dealer nonetheless.

Guys, It's just another tool for the consumer to use in their attempt to get the best deal possible. It's not my cup of tea but for those who don't like "negotiating" It's a way to do a little better.

As for Costco getting their cut from BW, somehow I think at well over $25,000 for a 15 foot Montauk, 60HP Motor, and Trailer (do the math; that's close to $1700 a FOOT!) I think BW can afford to give Costco a few Frogskins for the referral.

Once you have your new boat do think anyone's going to think less of it (or you) because you used Costco to find a better price? Doubtful.

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they do that now, so what is the difference? Whaler , Ford or Evinrude makes no difference, the warranty is with the company, not the dealer. I take my car to the dealer that I purchased it from, simply because they are close, my outboard goes to a dealer I didn't not purchase from but wish I had as he service it tops.

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If you bring your car/engine in for a warranty repair to a dealer that didn't sell it to you, they grumble in the back, trust me, I worked at one. They have to fix it but, they don't like it.

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It's a terrible idea! I'd much prefer the old days (I never experienced) of the dealer holding all the cards - stealing you blind because I knew nothing of his business or dealer holdbacks/incentives.

Digital? - Film was much better too. All that running back and forth to the shop for more film and polaroid and trips the lab to see film strips. Argh - those were the good ol' days.

This is awful having Costco (muscle) in the loop!! All this convenience and savings - rotten bad luck!

Dealer or dealer shops (like mine- no shiny showroom) love to see anything roll thru the gates. I'm sure they get good rates from the manufacturer for warranty repairs and throw in a good bleaching of the boat while he's at it. (mine did - never looked so clean)

Not that I can buy new - ever - but I like others would be comparing Costco and any other price out there. Makes prefect policy for us little guys.

Jkcam - you make me laugh! 42" flat screen on a 13' Sport is way too small you'll only be upgrading sooner than you know. Think of your kids!!

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Joe Kriz said;

"How many people know about Boston Whaler boats? How many people go to Costco? This might be good advertising if nothing else?"

Up on my soapbox with flame suit on-

If Costco were a billboard sign, that would be a good thing. It is still going to take a real dealer to take the time with someone that doesn't know what BW is to sit down and explain the pecking order of boat manufacturers. I would hope we all think BW is one of the top mfr's.. One of my points is, selling boats is not simply a matter of some slick sales guy separating you from as much money as he can. That is what is wrong with some of the dealers- and they are the bad guys! The best dealers aren't there to sell you anything. They are there to help you buy. They shouldn't be trying to "get rid" of inventory. They should purchase what they can reasonably expect will meet the wants and needs of the typical clients in their geographic location. For that, don't they deserve a reasonable paycheck? If you are happy seeing the dealerships threatened and don't mind seeing photographers, engineers, doctors, construction workers, other professionals and tradesmen make less and less doing what they do- by all means, let's kick the greedy old dealers out and just buy our BW boats online. Who needs Costco? We can just search Google for "boats" and get them direct from the factory. Screw the local guys. They're only there to rip us off anyway. Even if they are the people that end up being our customers at whatever it is we do. I think Costco is a threat to the dealers. I don't know about you, but I would like to see more good dealers and less ideas like having Costco involved at all. That would put more BW product in my part of the country!

Oh and yeah, BW boats are expensive. Adding Costco, in the end, isn't going to change that.

I'll back off now and look for another line of work. My industry is under attack too.

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You've never been to Florida have you? ;-)

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Burtim. Take a look at the Costco site again. All they're simply doing is sending you to the dealer of your choice and that dealer is applying a costco discount. They are not selling Whalers in Costco stores......just acting as a middleman.

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I bought my BMW last year at Costco. I saved 1300 compared to my closest dealer. I gave my dealer the option of
splitting the differnece and he declined even though I previously bought 3 other cars from him.

At first I thought I would have trouble getting service but each time I bought the car to
my local dealer they provided terrific service.

The dealer who sold it to me was in RI and I am in NH but it was worth the drive.

I guess when buying a boat knowing your local dealer helps..... but whether you use the Costco plan or not
it's a bargaining chip that cannot be overlooked.

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I bought my motor from a dealer about 25 miles away. I decided to have it serviced at a dealer 2 miles away.
The close dealer asked me why I bought my boat from the other dealer. Then he told me he would put me on a waiting list but he'd never get to me because people that buy from him come first.
I realize I'm talking motors and this thread is about boats but I think it is valuable to find the dealer you want to do your service and to keep him happy.
That is just my opinion.

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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.

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DavidK-

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!

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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?

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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?

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I saw one in a Costco in either Boca or Lantana, Florida.

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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.