Negotiating on New Boat

[antciam]

I was wondering the forums experience on negotiating on a new boat has been? I am being told by the local Chaparral dealer that they are legally not allowed to negotiate on the H2O boats.

Thanks

 

[UncleWillie]

There is nothing "Illegal" about it. They may have a contract with the builder agreeing not to discount the boat.
This gives all their dealers an equal playing field.

If so, negotiate about something other than the boat.
How about a free swim platform add on?
Or a safety equipment package including anchor, fenders and dock lines?
Will you be needing a cover for the boat?
Does it have a Bimini Top?
Would you like an electric winch on the trailer?
Would you like a new three person towable tube?
Want to add a wake-board tower?
Maybe a nice sonar unit?

Think about anything you anticipated buying for the boat after you got it home and include that in the deal.

 

[tpenfield]

I think there is a Chaparral owners site on the Internet somewhere. A statement like that kind of sets the BS alarm off. I could see that they have less room to negotiate on an entry level boat, but to say cannot discount is suspect.

 

[muskyfins]

A friend of mine bought a new H2O towards the end of last season. And the dealer discounted it quite a bit. Don't remember exact figure off hand, but something like $5000

 

[Slip Away]

H20 models are their entry level boat. Price point is set to be competitive with other brands' entry level boats.
Room for negotiation is minimal. MSRP will be inflated, and they will give you some off, so you feel like you got a deal.
In reality, the $5K off is what they intend on selling it for from the get go, so their margin remains as planned.

 

[muskyfins]

H20 models are their entry level boat. Price point is set to be competitive with other brands' entry level boats.
Room for negotiation is minimal. MSRP will be inflated, and they will give you some off, so you feel like you got a deal.
In reality, the $5K off is what they intend on selling it for from the get go, so their margin remains as planned.

Probably true, but the OP stated they they will not negotiate with him.

 

[robopath]

Can you email any other dealers and see what they can offer? That is the way I negotiate for cars and boats.

 

[Slip Away]

Probably true, but the OP stated they they will not negotiate with him.

OP also did not state if the price he was quoted was MSRP, or already discounted. My money says it was NOT MSRP. Thus.... no negotiation.

 

[shrew]

A lot of ill-informed people will confuse "Legal" with "Company Policy". I had a waitress at a restaurant tell me it was a City Law that they had to card everyone during the World Cup, and that the City did not allow out of state licenses. This would require the city actually pass such a law. What they meant was "Company Policy", which is fine, but not the same thing.

I would ask them if the City, County, State or Federal Government passed the law restricting price negotiations on H20 boats. I would further ask him to bring his sales manager in to show me where that law was published. ALL Laws are published and accessible by the people.

More than likely, there is not sufficient wiggle-room on an entry level boat, or the salesperson is using an odd negotiation tactic, hoping that will shut you down.

 

[antciam]

The price I was quote from the dealer is the price on Chaparral website so mrsp/chaparrals no haggle price.

 

[antciam]

I was also told this multiple times by the owner, he was the one who helped me since his two other sales people were busy when I stopped by.

 

[cptrick3]

No such thing as a "no Haggle price" Get the dealer's best price then wright your name and phone number on a card with a number you think is fair. Give the salesperson the card and say call me when you want to sell the boat. If your number really is fair you'll get a call within a day or so.

 

[airdvr1227]

I see they have the "no haggle" price on the website so the dealer might be telling you the truth. Best to contact another dealer and see if you get the same story. Sometimes when you draw a line in the sand and dare them to cross it all you end up with is a sandy stick.

 

[antciam]

Ok so I've decided to try and negotiate a deal on a Regal 1900 ES or a 2000 ES. The Chaparral H2O 19 sport is actually more expensive than the 1900 ES by 2 grand. Is 25% of a good starting point for negotiations?

 

[UncleWillie]

... Is 25% off a good starting point for negotiations?

It has been quoted that, "If they accept your first offer you started too high".
So, 25% is a good starting point in view that there almost zero chance that they will ever accept that offer.
If you can get 10-15% you will have done excellent.

You are about 4 months too late for looking for deals. The deals faded away as the snow melted back in March.
Everyone is out to buy at this time of the year. You are in a sellers market.
Want a deal, wait until November.

 

[shrew]

Again......A "No Haggle" Policy is a Corporate Policy. This is not a LAW. Now, they all might 'intend' to say "Policy" and keep saying "Law" however a no haggle corporate policy is not a 'law'. A Law is established by a Municipal, State, or Federal Government.