Interested in your thoughts regarding boat acquisition issue

[natelew]

First time poster here, and I hope I don't open a sensitive topic, but I could really use your insight on a situation that has developed in our boat acquisition process. We went to the recent boat show and finally felt comfortable changing up our boating scene. We feel that with the hull changes in the 16 that this is the year perhaps we get a new boat for our family to make memories on. We were waiting a few days to see what our employment compensation changes might be. We don't believe the new changes for 2017 are that significant of a benefit and so are looking at the available 2016 G23s. Last week we went to our local dealer to discuss the 2016's that they showed in stock. Turns out they were all sold out by the weekend with people traveling in from three nearby states, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Several of the people at the dealer were those that traveled in to test drive their remote purchase. The regional dealer does note even have any used 2016's. Going from the possibility of purchasing a boat to perhaps not, was a bummer for the family.

So we started looking around in the broader region for a 2016 G23. I have had some discussions about a couple that are still available at dealers nearby but the dealers seem pretty nervous if not unwilling to discuss because our zip code does not match theirs. Now I could completely understand if we were pursuing a 2017 model but we are not. One of the dealers said they cannot sell to me unless I indicate strongly that I will not buy from my regional dealer. I have inquired with the concerned dealer about whether the rule really applied to a non-current year model and was told emphatically yes. To me this does not make sense since my dealer does not have any in stock and will only get trade-ins at this point. What is bizarre is that apparently the local dealer had sold to others outside of their region. Had they not sold out of region perhaps we would have had an opportunity.

All this to say I am not at all upset about the fact that they sold just trying to understand if there is some nuance here. Such as the other dealers are concerned with crossing this regional dealer. I don't want to get specific because my goal is knowledge not affecting anyone's business.

I read some old threads on PN where people said indeed the rule does not apply to non-current model year boats. Has anyone run into this? Obviously I'd prefer to buy local since presumably service would be local, but they don't have any. My wife is not excited about paying significant extra to get a 17 when a 16 would do.

Thoughts?

[swatguy]

First thought is always try and work a deal through your local dealer. They will be the ones taking care of your warranty issues and when service time comes they willl usually bump a non customer boat back for a customer boat. . With that said I understand situation. Have you tried talking to your dealer and working out a transaction from one dealer to another to get you the boat you need ? The you have two players making a little each off the sale. I've worked and know if deals worked this way.


Boat show deals also in the past get lot more leeway on territory discrepancies. Usually because there are special boat show incentives for reps, buyers, and dealers alike. If they're making the trench that far for the show , it's usually because there is no local show....so this is the the only way to reap instant show incentives. People will argue you can walk into any dealer an get the incentives. It's simply not case. Reps and dealers have lot more ways to "take care " of customers.


I would press your dealer a little harder to reach out. If that doesn't work get pre approved or have cash in hand and walk into the dealer where the boat you want is and say let's do this. It's a lot easier to decilnenover the phone and not deal with tire kickers or a hassle, but show up ready to close and I bet their attitudes shift a touch

[nyryan2001]

If you want a slightly used '16 G23, make the trip to Buxton in Dallas. Game over.

Buxton is Nautique's best dealer. If your local dealer is being difficult, don't waste time with them.

I have zero patience and tolerance for marginal ego-laiden local dealers that overplay their hand.

Pass them up and go to someone who wants to earn your business.

[natelew]

Thank you for responding. It is an interesting situation for sure. I inquired with the local dealer about other 2016 boats that might be available in the region this weekend and was told there are very few left, even if they show in inventory they are most likely sold. Also was told that it gets complicated financially when trying to split due to the different dealer incentives on a previous years boats which complicate things and that it could go back to MSRP pricing. It is clear to me that this dealer moves enough volume not to need the complications of such transaction. It was also clear they are trying to push us towards a purchasing a 2017 which they have plenty on order.

Also I understand the boat show considerations we haven't done any boat show dealing, just perused the boat show to see what was new for 2017.

[NWSurfer]

Dealers may have their regional boundary preferences but it's a national market for boats like this when it comes down to it, especially if they're private party listings. What about this 2016 in MI?

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...autique-g23-h6

[dttheel]

I can only share my personal experience. I was able to get my local dealer to facilitate a purchase of a "last year's model" from a nearby dealer (though not as close as mine). They charged me to go get the boat but otherwise honored to further away dealer's price. He told me that they do this kind of arrangement often. Frankly, everybody won. The long distance dealer got old inventory out. The local dealer got a sale (although not much profit if any) and a service customer. I got a great price and a shorter tow. It sounds like your local dealer isn't being quite as helpful as mine, but might be worth pointing out the win/win scenario I presented.

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[markj]

Last year, I bought a holdover model from a non-local dealer because it was almost the exact color combo I was looking for and my local dealer had no stock of that vintage. My local dealer was also not interested in taking my old Nautique in on trade, like the non-local one was, despite it's pristine condition. My selling dealer thought it was all okay because it wasn't a current model year boat. He was wrong. A couple months later, after the dust settled, my local dealer forced the selling dealer to pay him a large sum because of the agreement the dealers have with Nautique about protecting their territories. I'd say your decision has to be based on how your local dealer's attitude is about it and if you expect the local dealer to service your boat for you, not to mention the potential discount you'll be getting by going out of your territory. I recommend you ask them point blank how they will treat you if you buy out of territory. Any dealer can sell anyone any boat. They just have to know they're gonna have to "pay the piper" after the sale if the local dealer cries about it to Nautique. After that, you could end up with other collateral damages as well if you catch my drift. In other words, there's a lot to be said for having a dealer go to bat for you on an issue that the factory may cover or not.

Would I do it again? Hmm. Depends on the deal offered and I'm not privy to the deals you're being offered. Do your homework. You also gotta remember these dealers have to see each other at dealer meetings and gatherings. There's gotta be peer pressure between them not to throw each other under the bus by undercutting one another and dumping a boat for cheap unless it's been sitting for a SUPER long time like mine was.

Best of luck in your search. Also, there's a lot to be said for buying a used, one year old boat that's had all the bugs worked out of it.

[lucky7t]

My advise ..
find the boat you want and buy it. If your local dealer doesn't have the exact color at least test drive one and make 100% sure it's what you want . Then go find the exact color and optioned boat and buy it. The person above me is correct that some dealers frown if not bought by them but if they don't have the boat how are you supposed to buy it?


Sent from my iPad using PLT Nautique

[Waterhawg]

I think you should try to stick with your local dealer. You might be surprised how little difference between pricing is between the '16 and '17 new is. Boat show money is seldom as much as the public thinks. In the the boat boat show I purchased my boat at they had $5000 old inventory cash and a $1000 gift card. I would try to work with local dealer and order a '17, you will get the new screen, surf pockets and down lighting on the 8.8, plus you get a choice of new colors. Just my .02.

Bill

[HVL2010]

Boat Show incentives they are more likely to be able to give a better deal on the new model as opposed to the 1 year old. Work it the best you can, but burning bridges with the local dealer is never a good idea.

[Quinner]

Not sure I am understanding his response that it is forbidden to sell non-current model year boats out of area yet based on what you are saying that is exactly how he sold all his non current stock off? I would call the factory customer service line and ask them what the real policy is, as I always understood it the selling area rules only applied to the current model year stock.

If he is giving you the runaround on that issue I would not want to do business with him regardless.

[rodltg2]

This situation the OP is dealing with is complete crap. A buyer should not be forced to buy from a dealer when they don't have the boat and are not willing to facilitate a dealer trade. You should not be forced to order a 2017 and have to wait for it. Its a non current boat on the floor, the dealer should be able to sell it you. A written letter explaining the situation should get the dealer out of any issues that may come up.

[natelew]

Quinner, yes that is what am saying. We were in their local dealer store for several hours to talk with sales. They were swamped with boat pick-ups some of which were out of region. I spoke with one about our surprise that all of the 16s they had in stock just a couple of days before and was told that they had people coming in from out of state to purchase them. After this issue arose I looked up to see if the mentioned states had dealers and most had several, and one that i looked at appear to have several 2016s including G23.

We didn't know about the rule and reached out to other dealers, most appear very concerned about doing a deal with someone in this our dealers region. This shocked me because:

1. I was just in the dealership that seemed to be circumventing the rule for 2016.
2. There are a couple of kudos threads on online forums for this local dealer for purchases sight unseen for new boats IIRC.

The first place we contacted (before the other concerned ones, who never ask where we were from even though he should have known from zip & area codes) said he was very motivated to move it and based on his price I can agree.

I am a little confused about the references to boat shows and those deals. The only thing that my wife was told at the boat show was that there are no boat show incentives for Nautique and never are. The local dealer will sell for the same price as if you are not at the boat show. In past years and casual discussions the local dealer sells @ around 15% off msrp. They apparently are low pressure take it or leave it. This hasn't been a case where we were offered a boat show deal we didn't take, then tried to get the local dealer to honor later, then started shopping around. Instead a case of a gee they sold out their stock quickly and we were looking for options. The one price we did get from the motivated dealer is a dramatic difference between that and 15% to 20% off msrp that I assume we can get off a 2017 and enough to pay for many years of gas. The price isn't a too good to be true either because there are a half dozen NEW 16s around the country that actually have the price on the web and it is above them by a bit.

The strange thing seems to be that most dealers seem to be very careful about the rules fair enough, but not all.

[rodltg2]

Are you sure the 2016's they sold out of territory were not used / demo/ promo models?

[natelew]

Are you sure the 2016's they sold out of territory were not used / demo/ promo models?

Yes because we had been watching their inventory very closely after the boat show and were prepared to discuss further on a couple and saw the boats personally go out. As I now understand it, it clearly doesn't matter demo, promo, unless it is used (e.g. private ownership) it is covered by the moratorium. This year and last years are clearly covered.