On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 07:13:47 GMT, "Capt Frank Hopkins"
wrote:

I am concidering investing in a Crestliner/Mercury dealership. I know very
little about the boats except they are mostly metal.

I would appreciate any comments about the boats from owners, especially
about service and satisfaction.

Here's my two cents.

I know two dealerships for Lund in the area that I live - two
different states and about 100 miles apart. Lund makes a good tin
boat - that's a pretty safe statement. However, I can introduce you
to some folks who HATE Lunds - and it's all about the dealership
because if you talk to folks who purchased at the other dealership,
they are the best thing since sliced bread.

It's all about service - what happens before, during and after the
sale. Price comes into it certainly as people will compare, but it's
still about service.

And by service, I don't mean the mechanic in the shop, although that's
a huge part of it. It's things like answering the phone promptly,
returning calls promptly (within an hour), answering emails quicky,
keeping in touch with your customers, keeping repair estimates
realistic, PROMPT warranty work, prompt service work (don't say it
will take two weeks and take four).

You also need to look at the manufacturers. In a lot of cases, the
dealer/service reps that will service this dealership can make or
break the business. Your service department has to have a good
relationship with the manufacturer's representative. A lot of folks
don't realise how important the manufacturer's people are to a
dealership.

The perception of the dealserhip as good or bad is the most important
part of the sale/service equation.

As to Crestliner, they've been around a long, long time and make a
good boat.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

"To the fisherman born there is nothing
so provoking of curiosity as a fishing rod
in a case."

Roland Pertwee, "The River God" (1928)