Brad and Joan Brewster were as giddy as a married couple could get the day they took delivery of their first boat — a new 23-foot pontoon, which their dealer brought to the dock of their lakefront home.
The joy was short-lived, however, because the Brewsters soon discovered the boat was listing from a slow leak in the starboard log. They called the dealer, and he agreed to fix it under warranty, but he said the Brewsters would have to bring the boat back to the dealership. That was not an easy task, since the store was 65 miles away and the couple did not own a suitable tow vehicle.
So the new boating couple talked to a local dealership, which explained that it could make a service call on the lake and even haul the boat to the shop, but would have to charge them full rate, because the local dealer was not an authorized warranty center for that particular boat brand.
Within just a few days of signing on the dotted line, the Brewsters were caught between a leaky boat and the sinking feeling that they had selected the wrong dealership. To get their new boat repaired, they would need to spend more money for a tow vehicle, hire a boat hauler, or fork over cash to the local dealer.
The frustration experienced by the Brewsters (not their real name) is not entirely uncommon. You might someday face the same scenario if you fail to focus on the importance of the dealer in the buying equation. Your relationship with the dealer — be it good or bad — may endure for years after your purchase, or at least as long as the warranty period.
That said, it’s not always practical to shop for a boat based on the store and its service. Boat brands award dealerships based on geography, among other criteria. So there might be only one dealer in your area that carries the model of boat you really want. Unless you want to think about a different boat brand, you’re stuck.
What are " certified" boat dealers?
However, if you’re torn between two or three models from different brands, the quality of the dealership and its staff may well sway your decision. Use the score sheet after we offer 12 ways to rate a dealer: Red flags are for negative traits and gold propellers are for positive qualities. Do this ahead of time, because once you’ve made the purchase, it’s too late.
The joy was short-lived, however, because the Brewsters soon discovered the boat was listing from a slow leak in the starboard log. They called the dealer, and he agreed to fix it under warranty, but he said the Brewsters would have to bring the boat back to the dealership. That was not an easy task, since the store was 65 miles away and the couple did not own a suitable tow vehicle.
So the new boating couple talked to a local dealership, which explained that it could make a service call on the lake and even haul the boat to the shop, but would have to charge them full rate, because the local dealer was not an authorized warranty center for that particular boat brand.
Within just a few days of signing on the dotted line, the Brewsters were caught between a leaky boat and the sinking feeling that they had selected the wrong dealership. To get their new boat repaired, they would need to spend more money for a tow vehicle, hire a boat hauler, or fork over cash to the local dealer.
The frustration experienced by the Brewsters (not their real name) is not entirely uncommon. You might someday face the same scenario if you fail to focus on the importance of the dealer in the buying equation. Your relationship with the dealer — be it good or bad — may endure for years after your purchase, or at least as long as the warranty period.
That said, it’s not always practical to shop for a boat based on the store and its service. Boat brands award dealerships based on geography, among other criteria. So there might be only one dealer in your area that carries the model of boat you really want. Unless you want to think about a different boat brand, you’re stuck.
What are " certified" boat dealers?
However, if you’re torn between two or three models from different brands, the quality of the dealership and its staff may well sway your decision. Use the score sheet after we offer 12 ways to rate a dealer: Red flags are for negative traits and gold propellers are for positive qualities. Do this ahead of time, because once you’ve made the purchase, it’s too late.