How do you sell a boat in the 'off' season?

[AHudson777]

Am in the market for a new boat to replace my trusty and much-loved 94 Sport Nautique and have two questions;

1. Our lake goes down by 10 feet at the direction of the power utility every late fall to early spring. No way I'd put my boat in there to test. So how does a prospect for the boat 'test' it? Or do I just sell it fast!?!

2. Same question on the new boat. I'd like to negotiate in the off season, but wouldn't be able to get the boat wet 'til spring. Is it too much trouble to ask the dealer to take the boat to a lake about 30 miles away? (Looking at an 07 Nautique in his inventory.)

I don't do this enough to know the etiquette here. Thanks.

[TRDon]

RE: How do you sell a boat in the

30 miles is nothing. Especially in the off season for a dealer. They should do that without even looking at you funny. But as an 07, I would buy it without driving it and have them in writing guarantee the boat or any problems that arize to a certian date (when water opens to give you ample chance to test it) All of this pending you have driven the boat you are looking to buy ar one similar.

What I did when I sold when it was frozen, I told the person I would take a deposit, and then as soon as the water was open, we would drive it then. Either that or run it in the driveway and winterize it again.

When I bought, I knew what the wake was like so all I needed to do was make sure the boat runs sufficiently.

[AHudson777]

RE: How do you sell a boat in the

Great idea on 'post dating' the guarantee and condition. I'd have never thought of that.

For the 'selling' of my boat, I actually have the servicing marina nearby enough to wet start the boat, but giving the buyer a bit of comfort for when the lake is up again is also wise. Thanks.

Other thoughts?

[AirTool]

RE: How do you sell a boat in the

I was at the Houston boat show one year (before kids) looking at a shallow water fishing boat. I was fairly serious but really didn't need to buy because I fished with my dad in his boat (and still do).

Anyway, the salesman asked me if I was available the next week for him to take me fishing. I replied something like "You would take me fishing to show me the boat?"

His response, "You would buy a new fishing boat without trying it out first?"

[SNMike]

Re: RE: How do you sell a boat in the

I was at the Houston boat show one year (before kids) looking at a shallow water fishing boat. I was fairly serious but really didn't need to buy because I fished with my dad in his boat (and still do).

Anyway, the salesman asked me if I was available the next week for him to take me fishing. I replied something like "You would take me fishing to show me the boat?"

His response, "You would buy a new fishing boat without trying it out first?"

Now THAT'S a sales rep with integrity. :grin:

[SkiTower]

Re: RE: How do you sell a boat in the

I was at the Houston boat show one year (before kids) looking at a shallow water fishing boat. I was fairly serious but really didn't need to buy because I fished with my dad in his boat (and still do).

Anyway, the salesman asked me if I was available the next week for him to take me fishing. I replied something like "You would take me fishing to show me the boat?"

His response, "You would buy a new fishing boat without trying it out first?"

Now THAT'S a sales rep with integrity. :grin:

True, but it's also a good excuse to go fishing...

[ceharris21]

RE: Re: RE: How do you sell a boat in the

HUDSON when my buddy purchased his BU we live in texas and the seller was in denver (early off season last year) had already winterized boat...so my buddy just typed up a document like TR suggested and gave him time enough this year to run and test the boat but held the seller responsible up to a certain amount of hours on the boat...just suggestion

[AirTool]

Re: RE: How do you sell a boat in the

deleted

Now THAT'S a sales rep with integrity. :grin:

True, but it's also a good excuse to go fishing...

Agree on both parts. The dealer had a good reputation in the area. He was not pushy either. In fact, he and a couple of other dealers I've talked to would not sell first timers a boat without first taking them out in a demo boat and actually using it for its intended purpose.

[AHudson777]

RE: Re: RE: How do you sell a boat in the

Wow, excellent thoughts. Agree with the integrity of the boat sales rep.

I've got a prospect coming to see the Sport Nautique this week, and will mention the wet test 'guarantee' if he wants to buy now but launch later. Boat has been winterized already (earliest I've EVER DONE IT and of course, now it would've been prudent to leave it in the water! Oh well.

Hope my request to the salespeople around here are as welcomed. If nothing else, gives me confidence in the 'right' way of doing it.

[lion90]

Re: RE: How do you sell a boat in the

<snip>In fact, he and a couple of other dealers I've talked to would not sell first timers a boat without first taking them out in a demo boat and actually using it for its intended purpose.

What?!?! Educate someone before you let them leave with a 4000 lb loaded gun, an itchy trigger finger and no safety mechanism? That's is just plain ridiculous. If all dealers did that we wouldn't have these great pictures and stories of boats falling off trailers while launching or boats getting beached or ending up on top of other boats. What fun would that be? This world is really going down the toilet now...

[AHudson777]

BOAT IS SOLD - How'd THAT happen?

Well thanks for all the input. Turns out, soon as the Nautique was posted, got a few emails, phone calls.

First caller says, "I've been 'looking' for 4 years off and on; if it is what you say, I'm buying it."

Sure enough, he and I met at the boat yesterday, looked for 15 minutes, he got the whole maintenance history, asked a bunch of qustions and said, "I'll take it."

Told him I'd honor its water capability and he seems fine with it. He paid in full today. All is well.

Now, for that new boat...