How much discount off retail boat price?

[Bull Frog]

Getting ready to place order for a new 2003 motor and trailer, if the retail list price is say $32,000.00, what would be a reasonable percentage discount ? I understand that service and warrenty and reputation is important, but purely from a dollar price standpoint, what is reasonably and fair to me, the buyer, and also fair to the boat dealer? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance-- BF

[Guest]

It isn't like buying a car. MSRP and invoice prices aren't readily available. Even if they were the boat, motor, and trailer may be priced separately. Then you add optional equipment. The only way to get a feel for pricing is to shop around. If you know roughly what you want and aren't stuck on a particular brand or model, shopping various dealers to see what they're offering on special may be a good way to get value for your money. Checking Walleye Central classified gives you a good idea of asking prices for late-model used boats of a given model.

[HMMMM!!]

Depends on brand, number of units sold and so on, not, like cars and trucks where EVERY dealer in the nation pays the same. So, I am told by my dealer. So, who knows. Although, Tracker says they are one price selling like Saturn cars. That's a godd deal for all, I think.

My 2 1/2 cents.

I dont have a Saturn, But..... I love my Targa 2000, after 5 of them I figured out how to seal it and no leaks. Bilge only runs from live well overflow., And, the occasional Lk Erie sisters over the back

[hgmeyer (Greg Meyer)]

Hmmmm,

I am wondering what you did to "seal" your Targa. Mine leaks a very small amount... a few ounces of water in two days of constant on/in the water... But, any info would be appreciated.

[hgmeyer (Greg Meyer)]

At the recent Chicago Sports show I saw dealers "Show Specials" for Lunds, Lowes, Crestliner... They were around 8-10% from list ..whatever that meant.

[marbleye]

I bought a new Targa a few years back from a dealer going out of business. The dealer was paying for the loading and transport of the leftover stock back to the factory. I offered him 10K and he accepted, an employee from the boat store told me that I bought the boat at the dealers cost. The boat was a SC17 Targa with a Merc 90.

[Marble Eyes]

The above post was not mine, but a post by a guest user.

[Dealer Buddy]

The dealer I work with is a friend of mine and they generally mark the boat up roughly 12% over their cost. The percentage varies a little between models and of course other dealerships may be different too. It depends on the size of the dealership and the volume they're doing and their competition.