Hi All,

In my area, northern California, we seem to have two basic types of boat
dealers:

1) There seems to be too many dealers that are only interested in selling
you a very large boat and that is about where it stops. They have no
interest in helping you with your used boat, motor and trailer. They seem to
be like the worst car lot you have ever been to in your life. Their service
department is not a priority with them either.

2) Then you have the dealerships that have a very strong reputation for
service and take care of each person one at a time no matter what their
needs are at the time. They are interested in you and know if they take good
care of you that some day you will either buy a new boat from them or send
friend in to see them. This is the kind of dealership that you want to
support so they will be there with parts and service if you need it.

Around Sacramento we are very lucky to have several very famous older boat
dealerships that are noted for top notch service department. Buck's
Outboards is a prime example of a great dealership with over 50 years of
history. I think they make more money on service than they do selling boats
because of the reputation.

As far as high labor rates go, that is just the facts of life in America.
Labor rates in America are going to be high in any professional shop for
boats, RVs, motorcycles, automobiles etc.

I have a friend who bought a new BMW motorcycle a few years back. He was so
shocked with the cost of a normal service that he traded it in on a new one.
I told him that if he could not pay for the service, why buy that expensive
of a motorcycle?

Expensive service is just part of owning an expensive new car, boat or RV.

I do everything by getting references first.

--
Bill Kiene