I'm looking at buying a new boat and curious to know what kind of negotiations I might expect from the asking price...3%, 10%? Many thanks, Brett
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New Boats
Brett, We bought a new boat this year. Once they won't come down on the cash price start getting the electronics thrown in for thet dollar amount. We bought a new Catalina 36 thiis year the list was 129,900 with the option. I got them down to 125,00 and also had them through in 2 station Raytheon Wass GPS and the Raytheon ST60 wind instruments. That's 7 grand right there alone... Best of luck, Chris
Brett, We bought a new boat this year. Once they won't come down on the cash price start getting the electronics thrown in for thet dollar amount. We bought a new Catalina 36 thiis year the list was 129,900 with the option. I got them down to 125,00 and also had them through in 2 station Raytheon Wass GPS and the Raytheon ST60 wind instruments. That's 7 grand right there alone... Best of luck, Chris
Depends on many factors
One that's significant is how long the boat's been at the dealer's dock. if it's been there quite a while you might find more leverage. But a lot depends on the dealer's philosophy. Some demand every dollar and others are quite aggressive. You might try finding other buyers who have purchased from the dealer you're working with and see what their experience was.
One that's significant is how long the boat's been at the dealer's dock. if it's been there quite a while you might find more leverage. But a lot depends on the dealer's philosophy. Some demand every dollar and others are quite aggressive. You might try finding other buyers who have purchased from the dealer you're working with and see what their experience was.
how about this
i have never bought a new boat but if i were i'd turn it around and let the dealer quoate me a bid based on my list of options. i'd send it out to several dealers and see what they return to me . i'd be upfront about the process i wished to engage in in that this is a bid and to be competitive . its a boat mortgage many times why not try it like building a house and see what you get. you could always go back to the old way like a car lot. just a thought, let us know what you do . thanks. mg
i have never bought a new boat but if i were i'd turn it around and let the dealer quoate me a bid based on my list of options. i'd send it out to several dealers and see what they return to me . i'd be upfront about the process i wished to engage in in that this is a bid and to be competitive . its a boat mortgage many times why not try it like building a house and see what you get. you could always go back to the old way like a car lot. just a thought, let us know what you do . thanks. mg
My experience last year
I cannot answer your question in a general way, but here is my experience in Sept 2000: I put together my bid package with all options wanted and decided which boat to buy. Then I contacted a number of Catalina Dealers and got quotes. There was probably a $5000 to $12,000 spread. I chose the least expensive one and paid them a visit. After further talks, we settled on a price. I am very satisfied. grant reed
I cannot answer your question in a general way, but here is my experience in Sept 2000: I put together my bid package with all options wanted and decided which boat to buy. Then I contacted a number of Catalina Dealers and got quotes. There was probably a $5000 to $12,000 spread. I chose the least expensive one and paid them a visit. After further talks, we settled on a price. I am very satisfied. grant reed
Many thanks
All good points, many thanks for the input. Will keep you posted on how things work out. Brett
All good points, many thanks for the input. Will keep you posted on how things work out. Brett
Thoughts on Negotiation
Though I haven't had the pleasure (or some would say "displeasure") of buying a new boat, I've been negotiating contracts for over 20 years. In negotiating anything, preparation BEFORE negotiating is the key. As a result, I would make some general suggestions: YOUR NEEDS: Make sure you REALLY know exactly (or as exactly as one can with a boat) what you want, what you need, and what you can live WITHOUT. We all know how addictive the electronics and gadgets on a new boat at the boat shows are, but what do you really need for your style of sailing? (With an 11-month old "cabin boy", I have no need of spinnakers and racing gear right now.) Such pre-thought will help you avoid the "shine" of the new stuff you really don't need and don't want to pay for. YOUR BOAT: Once you've narrowed the boat needed, research some different brands and prices for your intended boat size. (In theory, this being a Catalina site, you'll always come back to Catalina....) Try pricing boats like you would a car on this site, at www.yachtworld.com, or the BoatUS site (BoatTrader). You might even be able to learn the dealer's real cost of the boat before the bells and whistles. YOUR BUDGET: Know you "bottom line" or what negotiation guru's call your "BATNA" - best alternative to no agreement. Don't "fall in love" with one specific boat if you can avoid it - move on to another dealer. YOUR LEVERAGE: With the economy depressed, boat dealers too may be feeling the pinch. Analyze your leverage as the buyer of a big ticket item and feel empowered to negotiate, not take what's offered by a hungery salesperson. THEIR LEVERAGE: Analyze the dealer's circumstances. As another post noted, how long has the boat been in stock? Do you really need the 2001 model if the 2000 model is cheaper? Would a well-cared for used boat be better if the owner has already added the bells and whistles? Even new boats have their problems - we have dock friends who can't furl their main on their brand new Beneteau. NEGOTIATE: Once you've prepared, negotiating should be much easier and maybe even fun (this is a recreational toy after all). Look at the big picture: price is only one aspect of the deal. Other aspects that may be important include colors, options, dodgers, etc. If the price won't go down, ask for objective numbers: their cost, their markup and profit, etc. If you encounter a dealer who (like one car dealer I dealt with) "doesn't negotiate," go elsewhere - there are thousands of boats in the ocean.
Though I haven't had the pleasure (or some would say "displeasure") of buying a new boat, I've been negotiating contracts for over 20 years. In negotiating anything, preparation BEFORE negotiating is the key. As a result, I would make some general suggestions: YOUR NEEDS: Make sure you REALLY know exactly (or as exactly as one can with a boat) what you want, what you need, and what you can live WITHOUT. We all know how addictive the electronics and gadgets on a new boat at the boat shows are, but what do you really need for your style of sailing? (With an 11-month old "cabin boy", I have no need of spinnakers and racing gear right now.) Such pre-thought will help you avoid the "shine" of the new stuff you really don't need and don't want to pay for. YOUR BOAT: Once you've narrowed the boat needed, research some different brands and prices for your intended boat size. (In theory, this being a Catalina site, you'll always come back to Catalina....) Try pricing boats like you would a car on this site, at www.yachtworld.com, or the BoatUS site (BoatTrader). You might even be able to learn the dealer's real cost of the boat before the bells and whistles. YOUR BUDGET: Know you "bottom line" or what negotiation guru's call your "BATNA" - best alternative to no agreement. Don't "fall in love" with one specific boat if you can avoid it - move on to another dealer. YOUR LEVERAGE: With the economy depressed, boat dealers too may be feeling the pinch. Analyze your leverage as the buyer of a big ticket item and feel empowered to negotiate, not take what's offered by a hungery salesperson. THEIR LEVERAGE: Analyze the dealer's circumstances. As another post noted, how long has the boat been in stock? Do you really need the 2001 model if the 2000 model is cheaper? Would a well-cared for used boat be better if the owner has already added the bells and whistles? Even new boats have their problems - we have dock friends who can't furl their main on their brand new Beneteau. NEGOTIATE: Once you've prepared, negotiating should be much easier and maybe even fun (this is a recreational toy after all). Look at the big picture: price is only one aspect of the deal. Other aspects that may be important include colors, options, dodgers, etc. If the price won't go down, ask for objective numbers: their cost, their markup and profit, etc. If you encounter a dealer who (like one car dealer I dealt with) "doesn't negotiate," go elsewhere - there are thousands of boats in the ocean.
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