So I’ve read here and on The Hull Truth that a dealer in Virginia had great deals on Sea Hunts. I call them up and they won’t even quote me. She even said they can’t sell to someone in SC b/c Sea Hunt won’t allow them. They basically want to force you to shop at the local store. I’m all for supporting local business, but not to the tune of $4k more on a $22k boat. In the end, I think it hurts everyone b/c now I’ll look at other brands since the local Sea Hunt price is out of my budget. Just needed to vent. Sorry.
Some things come to mind:
If they won’t even quote you, how are you sure of the price?
What kind of service are you going to get from a dealer in VA locally?
Are you going to be charged VA sales tax?
What about time and money to transport the boat back here?
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Have asked others what they paid for the same boat.
Considered the service side, but decided saving $4k was better. That’s the main thing I thought about when looking at out of town dealers though. Point taken.
No. SC tax, again based on info received from others.
I’ve got the time. Wouldn’t cost that much to go pick it up.
Just a couple of thoughts…
Are you certain you got the full story from the folks that told you what they paid? If so, would one of them have some type of documentation (copy of bill of sale, etc) regarding the sale price that you could take to a dealer locally and ask for a similar deal?
“Even God can’t hit a 1 iron.” - Lee Trevino
My experience was totally different when I bought my skiff 6 years ago. Like you, I’m all for supporting local businesses, but it was just too much of a difference in price from the local dealership and I was able to get the 19’ model for the price the 17’ was at the local dealership. The local dealer just wouldn’t work with me and I saved thousands even after the expense of picking it up.
I did everything over the phone and the price was exactly as quoted. I went up one Saturday and all of the paperwork was waiting to be signed and I was on the road back to SC in a couple of hours. They’re right off I95.
I do recall that they were very expensive if you want any options added to your boat like a bimini, etc… They’re strategy is to push out as many cookie cutter boats as they can and they do sell a bunch. I specifically wanted a bare bones boat to set up myself, so that was a non issue for me.
Obviously, a Carolina Skiff is a very basic durable boat, so I didn’t feel I took much a risk buying from a dealer so far away. I wouldn’t suggest anyone buy from them unless you are content with the idea that their customer service after the sale is pretty much non existant. You almost have to look at it like you are making a private purchase. It’s a matter of if the savings are worth it to you.
And yes, I did pay SC sales tax when I went to register it. No taxes paid to VA.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
And Ed’s doesn’t use Factory T-Tops … they install their own, and they’re not the nice D-Tube T-Top that EMC makes for Sea Hunt.
Not apples-2-apples …
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
Hate to say it but Eds is good. Both 3 from there over the years and nobody would come close to price. I asked the local guys to match and was told Ed’s was buying in huge quantities and they couldn’t. Never had a problem with service since yamaha dealers cover them fine here in SC. Business is business
The problem is not yours occams or mine, its the dealers fault for not negociating with the manufacters. Am I wrong ?
I bet ya’ll don’t have a problem with manufacturing, IT work, etc going overseas either?
Different manufacturers set different territorial limits for their dealers. That’s how they assure they have local representation. Sounds like Sea Hunt is pretty strict on the limit, Carolina Skiff not so much. I know when I bought my last boat, I had to sign a paper stating my primary boating area was South Carolina.
Call Chatlee in NC. Seel’s chooses not to want to deal to the extent that Chatlee will.
222 Scout Abaco F250
quote:
Originally posted by sparepartsI bet ya’ll don’t have a problem with manufacturing, IT work, etc going overseas either?
I am missing how you equate buying an American make boat in another state with sending jobs overseas to other countries…and since you seem to see VA as being another country and also lump manufacturing into it…can I asume you have never purchased, or would purchase, a boat the wasn’t built in SC?
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I like Seels, have good experiences there, and much prefer to keep business local, but Chatlee also does a great job of customer support! Bit of a drive, and they don’t use the nice EMC Factory D-Tube t-top (Seel’s does) either … for what its worth.
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
Can you not order the factory top from Chatlee?
Don’t think so - they use their own manufacturer’s top - have for years (including Sea-Pro back in the day).
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
Seels gives great service after the sale. I wouldn’t think you’d get that out of state and you’d have to go there to get it. I’m for service over sales price every time!!
Marsha
35 Contender
quote:
Originally posted by marshgrassSeels gives great service after the sale. I wouldn’t think you’d get that out of state and you’d have to go there to get it. I’m for service over sales price every time!!
Marsha
35 Contender
Yes, Marsha - service after the sale is always a strong consideration.
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
Take a look up in Columbia at Mid-Carolina Marine. Hilton Head Boathouse is also an option. I looked at both. I ended up at Mid-Carolina Marine because it was closer to my house. It allows you to ‘keep it in state’.
I certainly see both side of the argument. I am all for a free market and think buyers should be able to go anywhere in order to get the best price on a product. The boating industry is trying to avoid what happened to the auto industry where dealers compete against each other all the time. I’d just buy one slightly used and you’ll likely save even more altogether.
Personally, I think service is overrated. Any dealer should service Yamaha or whatever engine you have and if you are buying a boat expecting there to be a lot of service issues with the hull, I’d buy a different boat. I would think you could keep a running list of all the issues with the hull that need fixing and either fix yourself if minor or haul it up to the out of state dealer right before the warranty expires.
Having said all of this, my buddy bought a boat from Seels and they provide incredible service from what he said.
i bought a boat in FL before i even moved to SC, and the dealer was crying like a baby. didnt even offer to take me on a test drive when i was still shopping for house and boat in SC. any dealer can take care of a motor, i wasnt going to pay an extra 10k. i dont know why they worry about squeezing every penny out of you on the sale, when they will get a lifetime of steady revenue with maintenance. all they have to do is make the buyer happy.
Spareparts, I hope you never have went into walmart !
Service is overrated, they used to play that game at car dealerships. Ever buy a car at one and get serviced at another since the service was better at the nonselling dealer ?
If the local dealer cannot sell the boat competively and make a profit, then they are better off getting funds from the service/warranty side. If I was dealer I would demand equal pricing or not carry it so this doesn’t happen.