How would you handle….?

[tmb]

I’ve had a very good relationship with my dealer over the past 13 years and really like my salesman. Since 2008 I’ve purchased 5 new boats from them, a few shoreststion lifts, and have sent numerous friends to them to buy boats and lifts as well (we have a competing Nautique dealer only 5 minutes from us while they are closer to 30). My dealer has always treated me right and has given me a discount at the higher range when it comes to new boats. With the crazy boat market, I decided to test the used market and see what I could sell my ‘21 GS22 for. My salesman explained the owner would not give me the “normal” discount because they sold out of boats quickly this year and expect to do the same next year. While I was frustrated I couldn’t get my normal deal, I understood my dealer wanted to make as much money as he could during these crazy times. I designed the boat I would want and my salesman gave me a formal quote. Based off this quote I listed my ‘21 for sale. I sold my boat in a few days but financing and my dealer had an issue with my trailer extended the sales process out a few weeks. I was finally able to make it in to give my dealer color choices for the new boat (he placed order for it in early sept) and he asked if I’ve heard about Nautique increasing prices and that my trailer had already gone up. I said no and I didn’t understand how there could be a price increase for something that has already been ordered and that I wouldn’t have sold my boat at the price I did if my new boat price was going to be higher than what he quoted me. His computer spit out the correct pricing he had originally quoted me but he said he was going to call Nautique to confirm. I received an email from him stating yes there was a price increase and there could be others in the future that I will be responsible for paying. Bottom line is they gave me a quote for a new boat, I sold my boat through them based off this new quote, and now they are charging me a higher price. I would NOT have sold my boat if they would have told me originally it would cost this much to buy a new ‘22. They are also doing this to one of my friends I just sent to them for a new boat. I’m pretty frustrated to say the least. The feeling they have given off this year is that they are doing us a favor by selling us boats. I understand Covid has created a whole new world but sometime it’s going to change and as a business owner you better hope you treated your loyal customers properly.

sorry for the long post but wanted to give the full story. Go ahead and blast me and tell me I’m crazy for being pissed in this situation.

[tmb]

I should have added that Nautique charges an additional $1,200 Covid surcharge for any new boat. I don’t understand the price increase and possible price increases during the build time when they have already built in a Covid charge.

[rjacobsswa]

Cancel the order, find you a REAL nice used boat that is pretty close to what you would order, and buy that... The used market seems fairly saturated right now being fall and all so prices are pretty decent(still high, but better than 2 months ago IMO).

[jjackkrash]

That sucks, the dealer should have been up front that prices are not fixed until the boat gets delivered.

I will say, in this new world, I would have held onto my boat until the new one got here. Which is what I did when I ordered the last one; the dealer had a line of buyers for my trade and it left the lot 2 hours after I dropped it off, which was at the time they unloaded my new one off the trailer. I was up front that I was not giving up my boat until the new one was physically on the lot and we signed all the papers. We had a basic understanding on pricing, but the deal was not final until we signed the papers and the money and boats changed hands.

The Whaler dealer here is telling people now you need to put down a big deposit if want a new one in 12 to 18 months and you have to accept the price when it gets here and they won't give you a quote on that price.

The world is crazy right now and materials prices are not predictable. And your money is just worth less and less as every day passes.

[bturner]

The above is the new normal because of rampant inflation and shortages that are causing double digit prices increases for raw materials. I'm in the computer industry. We used to get beat down by customers demanding additional discounts based on component decreases..... after the sale. Yes, at the end of the year and after the equipment was delivered and in production. Now we'll lock prices for a month. If the gear takes longer to deliver due to shortages or the customer takes longer than 10 days to pull the trigger price increases may be added and can require an additional PO before delivery. Extended deals where equipment was to be dispersed during the year are now subject to price increases and are reviewed at the time of the PO. Depending on market pricing for the components, adjustments can and are being applied. In my long career I have never seen anything like this. So you would think customers would be telling us to pound sand right? Wrong, if they don't want the gear we have 20 more customers lined up to take it. BTW this not something we want but current policies driving the market are forcing everyone into this model. One only need to search empty shelves to see where all this is taking us.....

https://nypost.com/2021/10/14/emptys...-chain-crisis/

I'm sure your dealer or for that matter Nautique is not happy about this either as they're probably well aware of how this is affecting their image and customer relationships.

All one can do is shake your head and say "Let's Go Brandon".

[mgs917]

bturner, I had to look up the NASCAR video. That was hilarious!!

[Kenboat]

Before I purchased the boat recently both MasterCraft and Nauqtique dealers gave me the current price if ordered but stated the price at delivery would include any price increases either wanted to add.

[shag]

Were any of these price increases in writing? Did the quote specify any of these 'Covid' charges? That sucks... Lets go Brandon!

[tmb]

Were any of these price increases in writing? Did the quote specify any of these 'Covid' charges? That sucks... Lets go Brandon!

yes I have quotes for both prices and both include a “Covid surcharge” of $1200

[tmb]

Before I purchased the boat recently both MasterCraft and Nauqtique dealers gave me the current price if ordered but stated the price at delivery would include any price increases either wanted to add.

I don’t understand how that is even legal

[Kenboat]

I guess it is better than adding an additional 10% or something crazy to cover any future cost.
Was trying to get a quote for a small barn and they will only build cost plus a fee. Material escalation is out of control.

[tmb]

[QUOTE=Kenboat;n645542]I guess it is better than adding an additional 10% or something crazy to cover any future cost.
Was trying to get a quote for a small barn and they will only build cost plus a fee. Material escalation is out of control.[/

I don’t have a problem with manufacturers increasing price due to material cost. My issue is that you can order a boat and agree on a certain price and then both the mfg and dealer can change that price at the drop of a hat and blame it on increased material price.

[swatguy]

Similar situation for riding buddy. He’s bought about 7 boats from the dealership. He sold is G21 in anticipation of getting the new redesigned one. The price increase and the “covid up charge “ put his G21 out of reach so he has been boatless for a year. He’s not overpaying for a boat that will tank once supply comes back. He’s now turned his focus on the used market. Probably changing MFG too with two enormous single year price increase from Nautique . Will be his first non Nautique.


I don’t see how it’s remotely legal for the price to change on a boat your signing a contract for purchase on. Maybe there is now a disclaimer on the sales ticket ,and it’s basically agree to it or we don’t order your boat. IDK , but that’s crazy. You’re now punishing buyers who are willing to take a risk ordering a new product that may not even come in on time. Not sure that’s a great long term business model.

[jjackkrash]

I don’t see how it’s remotely legal for the price to change on a boat your signing a contract for purchase on.

I have ordered new boats but never had a binding purchase contract signed until it got here. The deal is not done until you get title and a boat and hand them the purchase price when the boat arrives. Maybe others have gotten a binding contract at the time of order but I have never done it. I have put down a deposit and ordered a boat; when it gets here you can refuse it for any reason and the deposit is refunded. Dealers in the past usually could quote you a price you could rely on but that was without double digit inflation, covid, and supply chain issues.

I'd like to see a contract signed by someone that obligates the dealer to transfer title and the buyer to take delivery when it shows up (signed before before the boat is built and delivered), I would be curious to see the details of those terms.

[tmb]

Similar situation for riding buddy. He’s bought about 7 boats from the dealership. He sold is G21 in anticipation of getting the new redesigned one. The price increase and the “covid up charge “ put his G21 out of reach so he has been boatless for a year. He’s not overpaying for a boat that will tank once supply comes back. He’s now turned his focus on the used market. Probably changing MFG too with two enormous single year price increase from Nautique . Will be his first non Nautique.

I have a buddy selling his 22’ LSV to move into a 22’ M series. I’ve considered but his lsv as it has a better surf wave but I struggle to switch to a marine due to bow rise, engine noise, fit/finish.