Mainshipman wrote:
I'm curious to hear stories about how folks knocked down the price on
their new boat, particularly anything creative or innovative (buying
used or stripping off options doesn't count). Anyone find any good
sources of information or do anything clever? Thanks.

Oh. One more good strategy I forgot to mention.

Should you be in the somewhat unusual position to actually do some
comparison shopping between competing dealers for the same boat, shop
"backwards."

So many people will start with the closest dealer, try to get some
commitment from the dealer about a selling price, and then run to the
second closest dealer and say "Madhouse Marine will sell me the 30-foot
Reef Thumper for $XXX,XXX, including the
entertainment and fishing prep packages. How much lower will you go?"

If Madhouse Marine left any ham on the bone, the out of town dealer
will miraculously be a bit cheaper, and others even farther from where
you live and boat could prove to be even a bit cheaper yet as you
discuss the last, lowest price in each successive showroom.

There's a reason that so many people believe, regardless where they
live, that out-of-town dealers are always cheaper than the local
guy------ they took the local guy's price (which might have been a
pretty decent deal), and hauled it around so that all of his
competitor's could use it as a pinata.

If you are in the unusual position of being realistically able to play
various dealers off against one another, start with the *least*
conveniently located, tell him you're from out of town so he better
give you his best shot first, and then drag that price through another
dealer or two on your way back to where you really want to buy if you
can (the local dealer). Amazing just how much the local guy really does
want your business in most cases, and will often be willing to meet or
beat an out-of-town price *plus* offer you the convenience of an
established customer relationship at your source for local service.