New Boat Discounts?

[Schomer]

I’m considering the purchase of a Beneteau Oceanis 38…

Unlike a car where you can see how much a dealer is making in the sale, I have no visibility into what kind of retail/markup there is on a boat like this.

The first offer from the dealer came in at nearly 10% off. While this is a nice chunk of money, I still have no basis to know if that’s a generous discount or if there should be more room.

I really like the people at this dealer… but for this kind of money, I just want to do as much homework as I can.

Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. welcome…

 

[Jackdaw]

That's not bad for a new, in demand boat.

Don't try and cut them to the bone. That's margin is what they use to feed the kids. And stay in business. And you WILL need them as you shake out the boat.

You dealing with Passage Yachts? First Class people.

 

[centerline]

i have a thought.....

in my opinion, the dealer markup on an item, no matter how much or how little it is, doesnt make a bit of difference nor should it be a consideration in deciding what we feel we can afford to pay for the item...

the asking price of an item is either worth it to us or not, and if its not then we negotiate.
when the seller tells me he cant go any lower, I decide if the price is worth it to me or not, and if not I move on to another dealer, and possibly another brand. I dont play games with them and i dont allow them to play games with me.

and I dont care what the dealer is going to make on it, because if they have the means, and take the time and trouble to make an item I want available to me, then I feel they have a right to make a profit on it. this is providing they can offer a sales price that we think is fair and affordable.

 

[Schomer]

While I do like a deal on a purchase, I do also understand people need to make money - so I’m not trying to cut anyone to the bone. I’m just trying to be a more informed buyer, so I do not get taken advantage of.

I’m working with Passage Yachts, up in the bay area. So far, they seem great to work with.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Schomer]

Centerline, lets say the boat is worth $250K to you. You buy it. Then later you find out everyone else is paying $200K for the same boat. Would you not feel taken advantage of?

 

[Jackdaw]

I’m working with Passage Yachts, up in the bay area. So far, they seem great to work with.

Great. Sorry I meant Passage!

 

[Gunni]

You should have a list of at least 3 boats in your size range that you could live with. Then you visit with the dealers and get a sense of them, their product, their reputation, the boat equipment list, and their pricing. A new boat needs commissioning, and equipment configuration to your requirement, so that is part of the negotiation. You could easily negotiate a great deal by knowing what you need and have that equipment list be made part of the commissioning. Aftermarket sales reset the profit margin consideration.

If you don't know what you are doing, paying an experienced buyers broker to advise you would be well worth considering. The assumption is that your time is more valuable than haggling with a dealer, and managing the paperwork. Hire a man.

 

[Schomer]

Thanks for the tips, Gunni! I agree. We do have other boats in mind and have met with other dealers about those boats. Right now though, we’re putting all the details together for a deal on the Beneteau. We’ll see how things go. The boat is beautiful and I think it’s what we’re looking for. That said, I don’t get emotional about the business side of transactions like this. The numbers either work, or they don’t work. I don’t need to buy a new boat right now. I have a boat. So, if it doesn’t work out right now, I’ll just keep researching and exploring until another one comes up.

 

[centerline]

Centerline, lets say the boat is worth $250K to you. You buy it. Then later you find out everyone else is paying $200K for the same boat. Would you not feel taken advantage of?

as I read your question asking for thoughts or comments, it seemed that you werent asking about what would be a fair price to pay for the boat, but you seemed more concerned with what the dealer may be making if you purchase from him.... two very different things.

there ARE people everywhere who unfairly feel they are being taken advantage of if anyone is allowed to make a dime off of them...

when i wrote what i did, I was only hoping you werent one of these people, but still explaining that the people we buy from have just as much right to make money off of us if they can, as we do to search for a better price elsewhere....

Free Enterprize... its good to have choices and be able to make them ourselves!!!

EDIT..
and NO... I wouldnt feel taken advantage of because I try to make sound decisions based on what i feel I can live with, not what others may be living with.... this may be why I have never had buyers remorse or otherwise felt bad about what I paid for something.

 

[zzmeyer]

Margins are not very large on big boats. By searching the web you can generally find prices. I dug up as much as I could on beneteau, hanse and jeanneau and found price and options. Settled on either sense 50 or jeanneau 53. Both about the same price. I got a slightly larger discount from beneteau dealer but believe they built in slack in commissioning. As important to me as a fair price is a great dealer. To feel good about whatever price you paid look at the prices from the low volume manufacturers.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Centerline, lets say the boat is worth $250K to you. You buy it. Then later you find out everyone else is paying $200K for the same boat. Would you not feel taken advantage of?

Sorry, but NO.

It would simply mean you hadn't done your own homework.

Coming here and asking is a good first step, or perhaps you already knew and are seeking confirmation.

There are ads in hundreds of boating magazines, all of which you can/could get online, for example.

While I've never bought new, I ALWAYS knew what a good boat that I was searching for was worth.

 

[Ron20324]

Maybe if you buy two, you can get a price break? Sorry, I haven't had my coffee yet.

 

[zzmeyer]

Used boats are a lot easier. Yachtworld is a great place to find asking prices. Also, a good broker will know what prices they are going for. With some patience you can determine which boats are for sale "if I get what I want" and other boats need to be sold.