When we were at the Newport Boat show, Hunter and Tartan were the only manufacturers at the show who tried to collect personal information (name, address, phone) before allowing you on the boats. In this day of the "don't-call list" and SPAM we don't give our name and phone number to anyone without a really good reason. The Tartan folks just shrugged when I wouldn't give them any information. The Hunter gang was indignant, lots of eye-rolling and huffing. What are they planning on doing, having phone solicitors try to sell you a $125,000 sailboat? So, if you're going to the Annapolis show and don't want to give out personal info, be ready to make something up if you don't feel like dealing with smartass show workers. Paul
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Lighten Up
In case you don't realize it, the show to you may be an amusement ride, to them it is a business opportunity. Remember, you came to them, they didn't come to you so don't equate it to SPAM. Go ahead and make up a name. Perhaps you were the one with the indignant attitude?
In case you don't realize it, the show to you may be an amusement ride, to them it is a business opportunity. Remember, you came to them, they didn't come to you so don't equate it to SPAM. Go ahead and make up a name. Perhaps you were the one with the indignant attitude?
Paul, I agree and did the same thing
this past weekend at the Houston Boat Show. Until the exhibitors print a disclaimer on the "entry ticket" that they will not sell or use the information for telemarketing I AIN'T SIGNING. It is hard enough to get off the list. Who in their right mind wants to give them an exception, where you have to start the registration process all over. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF "LIGHTEN UP" THIS IS A CASE OF PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY.
this past weekend at the Houston Boat Show. Until the exhibitors print a disclaimer on the "entry ticket" that they will not sell or use the information for telemarketing I AIN'T SIGNING. It is hard enough to get off the list. Who in their right mind wants to give them an exception, where you have to start the registration process all over. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF "LIGHTEN UP" THIS IS A CASE OF PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY.
A $20 amusement ride, if I remember
I paid $20 to get in the show, I'll have any attitude I want. My point is that the show is a business opportunity for ALL of the builders, but only Hunter acted like jerks. Here's wishing you lots of dinner-time phone sales calls... Paul
I paid $20 to get in the show, I'll have any attitude I want. My point is that the show is a business opportunity for ALL of the builders, but only Hunter acted like jerks. Here's wishing you lots of dinner-time phone sales calls... Paul
Gee guys, a lot of bile for a Friday
Boat shows are fun, don't let a little attitude spoil it for you. Maybe you just got to the counter at the wrong moment, who knows? I completely understand the desire for privacy, but don't overestimate the manufacturers. The names go to their dealer networks, and very few dealers would ever bother to call you unless you indicated _very_ strong and immediate interest. Even then, you'd probably get something by mail. Boat owners and prospective boat owners are very easy to find. There's no need to use boat show registrations for that kind of thing.
Boat shows are fun, don't let a little attitude spoil it for you. Maybe you just got to the counter at the wrong moment, who knows? I completely understand the desire for privacy, but don't overestimate the manufacturers. The names go to their dealer networks, and very few dealers would ever bother to call you unless you indicated _very_ strong and immediate interest. Even then, you'd probably get something by mail. Boat owners and prospective boat owners are very easy to find. There's no need to use boat show registrations for that kind of thing.
Reason they ask
Its all about Customer segmentation based on geography and when you plan to buy. There were 2 or 3 Hunter dealers that share the display in Newport They asked where you live and then give you that cute little color coded Hunter sticker. Each color relates to one of the 2-3 dealers present. Thats how they determine which Hunter Dealer is assign to you and there is no fighting over whose customer wants to buy the nice new 40 footer. The other question is your level of interest. Just looking up to ready to buy. Again this enables them to focus on the right customers, and leave thoes of us "just looking" alone. RRegge
Its all about Customer segmentation based on geography and when you plan to buy. There were 2 or 3 Hunter dealers that share the display in Newport They asked where you live and then give you that cute little color coded Hunter sticker. Each color relates to one of the 2-3 dealers present. Thats how they determine which Hunter Dealer is assign to you and there is no fighting over whose customer wants to buy the nice new 40 footer. The other question is your level of interest. Just looking up to ready to buy. Again this enables them to focus on the right customers, and leave thoes of us "just looking" alone. RRegge
they are there to sell!
I worked these shows for many years. It cost the participants in the show thousands upon thousands to do a show. we shipped six to ten boats about a thousand miles and usually got one or two sales at the show. The only way business can begin to justify the expense is to come away with leads. and names. It is nice to go to a show and look at the new boats. 25 to 30 thousand people want to walk thru and see what you built so they can go home and fix there own boat up. Working a show is brutal work. give these guys a break. and let them make a living. if you dont want to play then dont go aboard and take up space and time. Your 20 bucks is for the show management not for the participants who also pay dearly to be there. besides you get to get all the thousands of dollars of free bags, pamphlets, samples, and to see all the latest and greatest stuff without driving to the four cornors of the earth to see it. not a bad deal!
I worked these shows for many years. It cost the participants in the show thousands upon thousands to do a show. we shipped six to ten boats about a thousand miles and usually got one or two sales at the show. The only way business can begin to justify the expense is to come away with leads. and names. It is nice to go to a show and look at the new boats. 25 to 30 thousand people want to walk thru and see what you built so they can go home and fix there own boat up. Working a show is brutal work. give these guys a break. and let them make a living. if you dont want to play then dont go aboard and take up space and time. Your 20 bucks is for the show management not for the participants who also pay dearly to be there. besides you get to get all the thousands of dollars of free bags, pamphlets, samples, and to see all the latest and greatest stuff without driving to the four cornors of the earth to see it. not a bad deal!
They all wanted it at the Annapolis Show
Just got back from the Annapolis Show and ALL the major manufactures did the same thing. (Great show) I did not mind giving them my info after all they let me inspect their boat for as long as I wanted. If it a big deal for you fake it but at least give them the right city so they can get the stats they want.
Just got back from the Annapolis Show and ALL the major manufactures did the same thing. (Great show) I did not mind giving them my info after all they let me inspect their boat for as long as I wanted. If it a big deal for you fake it but at least give them the right city so they can get the stats they want.
Yeh I'm with you Phil *box
Who gives a stuff if you have to give someone you name and address. As someone said earlier most of these companies have to pay through the nose just to exibit the yachts let alone all the expence in transporting them there plus setting up. And the truth of the matter is that all they are doing for the vast majority of people that attend these shows (probably dreamers like you complaining buggers)is entertaining people who can't afford them anyway. Get over it and on the way back get an attitude.
Who gives a stuff if you have to give someone you name and address. As someone said earlier most of these companies have to pay through the nose just to exibit the yachts let alone all the expence in transporting them there plus setting up. And the truth of the matter is that all they are doing for the vast majority of people that attend these shows (probably dreamers like you complaining buggers)is entertaining people who can't afford them anyway. Get over it and on the way back get an attitude.
Just another @#$ salesman
Yeah, you salesmen who buy, sell and use our personal information are the ones who think we should give it up anytime some slimeball asks for it. If it's so expensive to exhibit, the builders should stay home. Dreamers! What a laugh. Dreamers don't climb onto Hunters, pal. They're over there on the Tartans and Swans.
Yeah, you salesmen who buy, sell and use our personal information are the ones who think we should give it up anytime some slimeball asks for it. If it's so expensive to exhibit, the builders should stay home. Dreamers! What a laugh. Dreamers don't climb onto Hunters, pal. They're over there on the Tartans and Swans.
Great idea Paul!
Let's get all the builders to stay home! Then we'll have no more boat shows to attend! By the way, do you work for the government or some other parasitic entity? I cannot think of any other operation that does not depend on and need @#$ salesmen to sell their products.
Let's get all the builders to stay home! Then we'll have no more boat shows to attend! By the way, do you work for the government or some other parasitic entity? I cannot think of any other operation that does not depend on and need @#$ salesmen to sell their products.
Civility
Yes, this thread has gotten a bit nasty. However, it _started_ that way with Paul's original post which was more inflamatory than a 'simple advisory.' This entire topic is hardly worth all the angst anyway. So please, let's be civil even to those we disagree with. ph.
Yes, this thread has gotten a bit nasty. However, it _started_ that way with Paul's original post which was more inflamatory than a 'simple advisory.' This entire topic is hardly worth all the angst anyway. So please, let's be civil even to those we disagree with. ph.
So Paul which Hunter did you buy?
Sorry I just have to laugh. It takes so much work to get the boats to the show I can understand that they want to limit the folks who climb aboard. Some boat dealers are very liberal with there visitation policy, and others only let you on the boat buy appointment, so there is a broad range of possibilities. I'd only buy a boat from a dealer I liked and wanted to call me. I know one dealer that was sued by a show attendee that slipped on the steps leading to the boat. Another time I saw a fella get completely indignant that the dealer would not aloow children on the boat with out the parrent aboard. About 10% of folks fuss about having to take their shoes off. But I bet the person that buys the boat appreciates it being kept in good condition for them....after all it is supposed to be a new boat and the dealer has already had to buy it and bring it to the show. On the other side of the picture, I've found that I can get free show passes and a great tour of anyboat I want with just a call to the dealer in advance. Of couse I have to give him my number so he can call me back. I think the funniest part is that some dealers will not let other dealers in their both or near their boats becuase they don't want the competition near their boat. Those dealers get most of their leads for the year from the big shows so getting the names and numbers is important. Still a few come back later and buy a boat without leaving their number, but it is a very few.
Sorry I just have to laugh. It takes so much work to get the boats to the show I can understand that they want to limit the folks who climb aboard. Some boat dealers are very liberal with there visitation policy, and others only let you on the boat buy appointment, so there is a broad range of possibilities. I'd only buy a boat from a dealer I liked and wanted to call me. I know one dealer that was sued by a show attendee that slipped on the steps leading to the boat. Another time I saw a fella get completely indignant that the dealer would not aloow children on the boat with out the parrent aboard. About 10% of folks fuss about having to take their shoes off. But I bet the person that buys the boat appreciates it being kept in good condition for them....after all it is supposed to be a new boat and the dealer has already had to buy it and bring it to the show. On the other side of the picture, I've found that I can get free show passes and a great tour of anyboat I want with just a call to the dealer in advance. Of couse I have to give him my number so he can call me back. I think the funniest part is that some dealers will not let other dealers in their both or near their boats becuase they don't want the competition near their boat. Those dealers get most of their leads for the year from the big shows so getting the names and numbers is important. Still a few come back later and buy a boat without leaving their number, but it is a very few.
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