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Holy thread revival batman!
Dealer dealings can definitely have an impact on happiness of ownership. I wasn't overly thrilled with my nearest dealer at first - primarily the service dept. However in the last few years they've redeemed themselves in a big way.
totally agree. it's too bad that boat dealers are so spread out. heck, you have an issue with chevy, just drive 20 minutes to the next town's dealer. boats are another story.
I had a bad experience with a salesman at our skiers dealer and went to another state. the salesman is gone and the service dept. has been wonderful, but over the last few years, some of the salesmen that have been hired would have probably turned me off again..
the competition in the $45-55k boat market has increased 10fold over the last 2-3 years and I would hope that to protect the brand, the vp/sales at skiers or it's associated regionals investigate any issues like vikings..
Given the fact that S.C. sells roughly 2500- 2700 boats a year, we on this forum are a very small fraction of the owner's circle. Most, probably 95%, owners I dare say do none of their maintenance at all. This majority only know how to turn the key and and pay the marina. Therefore a dealership is generally dealing with a clientele knowledge base of zero and the owner is at their mercy. There are definitely great dealers out there and not so great dealers.
I have had the opportunity to deal with both. I was quite amazed to know that the owner/salesman didn't even know how to read the wake plate position screen on a 2009 supra. How much confidence does this give a potential buyer when the owner and salesman does not even know features on the product he is selling. However due to the demographics of his customers he doesn't have to know. He has no clue as to what his customers think as far as his service goes or is just really good at acting dumb. Yet because of his customer base he continues to thrive and do well as he basically has a monopoly. He has a great product to sell moomba/supra but when questioning him 12 years ago he said boat storage is where he is really making a killing.
I tried buying another boat from him in 09 but could not bring myself to deal with him. I wasn't even going to look at moomba/supra. I did look at them and ended up buying from a dealer 9 hours away from this one. This dealer has been totally awesome and restored my faith in boat dealers.
I am a rare owner who does his service basically because it is usually quicker. The nearest dealer is an hour away so after loading my boat and driving there and back its about about a 3 hour ordeal. Then I would have to go get it on their time, another 3 hour ordeal. So its 6 hours of my time to get service done, thats if they do ,do it . So if I spend 2 hours on a oil,tranny,alignment,winterize I figure I saved myself 4 hours for something else and its done my way.
So with this in mind
Viking
"Anyhow, the "local" dealer can have a lot of impact on how happy people are with their brand of boat long term. Just sayin :smile:"
I'm not sure about this statement. I am happy with S.C. , not my local dealer, and other brands have good and not so good dealers as well. I believe all the inboard boats are very similar, it just depends what you are looking for. If you cannot do your own service then you are best to deal with someone local or at least have an authorized Indmar dealer near you.
I believe it comes down to economics 101. at least in my neck of the would it comes down to how much they can make on you during the season, If you rent a slip, store and service your boat with the marina then you are golden, if not you go down into the B pool of clients gas, beer and toys.
I get my storage and service at the dealer i purchased from, plus a couple extra toys and marine parts, the rest i spread around.
FWIW I like my dealer and they are 60 miles away, also like the supra dealer 20 miles away, but they no longer sell the brand.
Not so sure the like me on the BB... LOL
I don't think I'll take my boat back to my dealer for service, I will likely go to the Malibu dealer. The last 3 things I had them do I feel like they took advantage of my "just get it done so I can get back on the water" attitude, and inflated the cost.
I too had an awesome salesman, who happened to be the service manager, and has since left. When he left, so did the "service" level of the service department.
Fortunately, if I wanted to buy another Moomba there is a dealer a few hours away that I could go to, but in all honesty I doubt that I'd buy another new tournament boat. Either end up keeping this one forever, or selling and buying an older MC or Supra, and save the "new" boat purchasing for something big that I can sleep on :)
DOCDRS,Quote:
Originally Posted by DOCDRS
I do most of my own service. However, there are times when I NEED to work with a SC dealer for parts that can only be ordered through one of their dealer networks. Unfortunately you are at their mercy. I tried several times to order carpet, get quotes on accessories like a Jump Seat, ect... and never got return phone calls. When I finally got a hold of them they were totally disinterested in helping me. I thought WTF? Called a dealer 2 states away and had the product drop-shipped. Just lately I hounded them for a month to get info. on a trailer and inquire about a new boat. You'd think that would get a fire lit? Not even close.
"Service" means alot more than just maintenance work!!
They act like they don't want or need the business. So..........why put the effort in when there are plenty of other businesses that welcome a buyer. You shouldn't have to buy all your boats and parts out of Atlanta when you live in MT. I'm pretty loyal in my buying habits and takes alot to sour me but it's been done :( I think I've tried to give them a fair shake and been disappointed far too many times.
I like my dealer. I have had issues with my boat and have always got it resolved quickly. I do all my own service and the dealer knew this going into the sale. I still go there for accessories and parts. When my wife is with me they remember her name. Now I have people I ski with who take their boat there for service and say they are top notch and have never had any problems with them. Not all places are bad it is like watching the news or should I say human nature when it is good news nobody says anything. But when it is bad we talk about it. Just ask me about my old Dodge dealer and you will get an ear full. I'm sure there are more good than bad dealers but then I'm a glass half full type of person.
I hear you and agree with you, that is the service, response I got from my nearest dealer where I bought my first Moomba from.....I'm just saying don't discount the brand based on one dealer..... my new dealer would book me in for service first thing saturday morning, do all the work while I waited and i was on my way home in the afternoon they couldn't figure out why I would call them every day of the week that I was coming to confirm with them that they had me scheduled in.Quote:
Originally Posted by viking
Guess I'm not discounting the brand as much as I'm dissappointed that I'm almost forced to look at other options due to geographical challenges and limited options. With the prices the SC dealer wants, the added cost of travelling out of state or shipping, I can go to the "other side" and spend the same amount with a close dealer who will actually work with me for the life of my (multiple) boat ownership.