Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

[Thales14]

Looking at/considering a brand new Sea Ray 190 Sport.
List price with some upgrades on the invoice is about 42k.
The dealer says the "automatic discount" reduces it down to 33k (my impression is that the 42k is kind of like the minimum advertised price, and that the street-price is always substantially lower).
The dealer is a large, national reputable dealer, and the 33k price is described as the dealer's best deal that would be quoted in any of their stores across the country.
33k is still too high, as it'll also have tax and title on top of that, but with boat loans apparently bein offered for ridiculous long terms (10-12 years), if the price was a bit lower (say around 28k), I'd be more seriously inclined to consider it.
Question I have is - when buying a new boat, is it expected that I would haggle so that offering 28k would not be unexpected.
Also, edmunds website is a good source for seeing the dealer costs for cars to give an idea how much the dealer could discount a new vehicle - is there a similar website regarding boats?
Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

Well they will probably not put you in jail for offering $28k. But, figure that they will work you up from that price towards where they want to be. I doubt they will let you walk away.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. There is never anything wrong with trying to negotiate - so long as you are prepared to "walk" if your demands are not met. I have bought 2 new boats in the last 3 years and negotiated on each one. Different brands, different dealers, different price points and each time I made a deal for something below what they were "asking for" and...... don't forget to ask for some "extras" thrown into the deal......to close it. For example......ok, mr. dealer I will pay XXXXXX so long as you throw in a cover, safety package, etc.......Worst thing that happens is they say no. Good luck.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

Looking at/considering a brand new Sea Ray 190 Sport.
List price with some upgrades on the invoice is about 42k.
The dealer says the "automatic discount" reduces it down to 33k (my impression is that the 42k is kind of like the minimum advertised price, and that the street-price is always substantially lower).
The dealer is a large, national reputable dealer, and the 33k price is described as the dealer's best deal that would be quoted in any of their stores across the country.
33k is still too high, as it'll also have tax and title on top of that, but with boat loans apparently bein offered for ridiculous long terms (10-12 years), if the price was a bit lower (say around 28k), I'd be more seriously inclined to consider it.
Question I have is - when buying a new boat, is it expected that I would haggle so that offering 28k would not be unexpected.
Also, edmunds website is a good source for seeing the dealer costs for cars to give an idea how much the dealer could discount a new vehicle - is there a similar website regarding boats?
Many thanks for any suggestions.

42K for a Searay Sport? Make sure you look around a bit, the newer small Searays are not any nicer than a Bayliner.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

if the price was a bit lower (say around 28k), I'd be more seriously inclined to consider it.

What do you mean by this? Are you going to BUY the boat if it's $28k?

I have a sales background, and can tell you that if the salespeople are worth their salt....they are going to want to know that you're "ready to buy" and not just "kicking tires" before they go through the negotiating process.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

Agreed. Being in the marine sales biz I can tell you that you'll get much further if you go in with checkbook in hand ready to give them a deposit. Also agree that a 19' SeaRay ought to be a bit lower.

 

[shaun77]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

I was in the same boat (bad pun I know) as you a few weeks ago. Was looking at new and used 185 SR's. I was getting frustrated with the used scene mostly because i couldn't find the color or engine I wanted. Talked to a "reputable" SR dealer several times and they wouldn't budge on there $31k price except for a hundred dollars or so, unless, I went with a 3.0 which I refused to do. Literally less than a week later online I found a 2011 with a 4.3, great color scheme, well cared for and less than 40hrs. The boat was HALF the cost of invoice. Plus already broken in and has a few scrapes and scuffs which are inevitable AND painful to do to a brand new hull. The best tool I found for "fair price" was looking at hundreds of boats. You quickly learn whats reasonable. Have patience, dont settle, and good luck in your search.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

I do not know if there is a good source for "Dealer Invoice Prices" on boats as there is with cars (maybe someone will know better)

However, dealer cost is about 65% of MSRP maybe less these days since prices on boats seem to keep rising.

So, a $42K MSRP would work out to somewhere around $27,300 dealer cost if it were the 65%. You have to believe that the dealer is making money even at the $33K price. Bottom line is that the dealer knows how much they have to make on the boats in order to stay in business and that is where they are going to work the buyers towards.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

In the middle of the summer they probably won't budge from the 33K, go talk to them in December and they'll likely talk turkey.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Can I expect to haggle on the price of a new boat?

The price of anything is what a buyer is willing to pay for it. No buyers, no sale!

Mark