New boat search beginning (with quesion at end)...

Spring is a bad time of year to buy a boat.

Last day of month is a good day to buy a car and hopefully a boat. Your
salesmen might have to meet a monthly quota. In a large store with lots of
salesmen you may inadvertently pit the salesmen against each other.

If everything else fails, leave. Walking away is your most powerful tool.
Actually it's your only tool. Time is all you really have going for you. The
one thing a salesman truly cannot handle is the customer getting up and
leaving. You really have to be prepared to walk.

When you walk, mention that tomorrow is another day and maybe you'll "start
over", that way you don't shut the door behind you but you will intimidate
the salesman.

Hopefully you'll get a phone call later in the day or the next day. If so,
continue to negotiate, they won't call with their best deal, but they will
be close, very close.

Good luck, please post your experience. I think everyone would like to hear
what happens.


"Craig Baugher" wrote in message
...
Kidd Wrote: "Any comments from anyone about the boats I've mentioned or
any
help in how far I might be able to haggle some of these prices down?"

Two ways to get that price down, but you need to be ready to buy now!
There
are BIG markup in boats and outboards. First is to go to your local
marina
carrying the boat you want. Look up their pro staff members and talk to
them about buying their boat. Usually you get a huge discount.

Method two: Pure art of negotiation. Know the boat you want, and know its
competition (both the marina's and another boat brand). In negotiations,
the
one who is asking the questions, is the one in control. Know pricing,
going
interest rates, and terms. Know the boat's features so when the salesman
goes to demonstrate them, you rattle them off and explain the advantages
and
disadvantages (to the boat you are look at and it competition). Keep that
salesman off balance, so that he or she is off their game. Be very direct
(matter of fact). Never let them see you smile, Never say you like a
feature or that it is important.

When you sit down, lean into them. They are trained to lean into you to
keep pressure on you and to stay in control. If you lean into them, you
will throw them off guard and they are likely to lean back in their chair
or
away from you. If they do, you are in control. Begin to ask them for
their
best price. They will tell you a price and wait for your objection.
Leaning into them even further, "John, you or your manager can do better
than that. I'm buying a boat TODAY, either from you or Marina X. You
have
1 minute to convince me, and I don't want to hear about the features, or
your marina. I want to hear a price that going to make me stay here.
Because once I get up, I'm gone." If it was me, I would smile at you, and
say something like: "Ok, Mr. Kidd, what price would it take to make you
stay
and buy that boat now, knowing I'm selling it for X?" My attempt to gain
control again, because if you give me a price, I'm going to write it down
with a statement like: "I will buy product X at X price today!" and then
ask
you to sign it. Your price may not be what I want to hear, but it may be
better than the best price I or my GM could give you. Then I would ask
you
to complete a credit application, and take whatever money I can get out
of
you as your down payment. Then I would walk it into my GM to talk. The
GM
may accept the offer or counter. But I have your money, your signature
and
most people at that point believe they are committed. (You lose)

Instead, say: "John, I suggest you go sit with your manager and the two of
you come up with your best price. This will not be a back and forth
process. The two of you have one shot to convince me. I'm buying a boat
today, is it going to be with you or with Marina X?" If they even try to
say or do anything but head for their manager, get up and start walking
for
the manager's desk. The salesman will go to their manager, and they will
shoot you a price. If it is acceptable, GREAT, if not, get up, shake
their
hand and tell them: "Gentlemen, it was nice talking with you. But I have
to see a man at Marina X about buying a boat Today! You have my cell
number, if you have a better offer, you have 5 minutes. After that, I
will
be too far away for me to turn around. Nice meeting you, Have a good
day.",
then walk and drive away.

They may shoot you another price, or give you a walking speech. "Love to
have your business Mr. Kidd, if you change your mind or find Marina X to
be
less than you expected, I would love to earn your business." If they give
you the speech, they may be at their best price, or you gave them a strong
indication you prefer their product. I don't let somebody walk unless one
of the above is true.

--
Craig Baugher