Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

This is basically the problem. Say something happens electrically with the boat (been there!) and it is under Fountain warranty....1st trying to find someone on the water to fix the boat is a problem or finding someone to come over to my house is next to impossible. I do not have a place to store a trailer nor do I have a truck to pull a boat like this.

right now my Fountian dealer comes to my house to fix my boat or I take to the marina they operate at and this marina can pull a 38'+ boat out of the water...lots of marinas here can't do that.

Wifey and I had a long talk tonight about htis and boats in general. Basically we are getting sick of the politics and lack of other service centers in our area. Boating has become a real big hassle and things like this takes the fun out of it.

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

I do not know a whole lot about all of this but I figure I would chime in.

What if you buy this boat and it never needs any warranty work..?

You save $50,000.00 !!!

Thats a boat load of money

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Does this practice appear more common with higher priced boats makes?

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

We did it at Land Rover. If you didn't buy the car from us you didn't get a loaner, and you were put at the back of the line. It is the same with Harleys here in Houston. It up to the dealers.

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

this thread is crazy...bottom line...the marine industry needs to set standerds!!!! My parents owned chrysler dealers and this would not fly. the whole 5 star service started with Chrysler because of situations just like this. Dealers woulod be snotty with customers that didnt buy from them so chrysler started the 5 star. NOW...all dealers best kiss your arse because it goes directly to Chrysler. If you are a **** Chrysler makes it difficult on you priority for ordering. Queston is wich manufacuter is going to step and set some standers...I HOPE its FOUNTAIN!!!!!
FEVERMIKE I understand your problem. You should be able to shop anyplace for the best deal!!!

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Now the other question...how many dealers offer that service?

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

FeverMike:
What about putting your dealer in touch with Shogren's and your dealer buy the boat then you buy off your dealer? Problem solved, even if say you pay an extra 10k for the boat, everyone is then happy.........Shorgrens moves another boat.........your dealer sells you the boat that they will now service...........you get service on your boat as you wish....seems to make sense to me. I know it doesn't give you the exact answer you want but gives a solution.

Good luck Mike;

Jay

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

another thought on the subject, who is to say the bigger dealers that sell 100+ boats a year vs the guys selling <20 don't get a better price break. Or better dealer rebates to offer better pricing.

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

If I paid $50k more for a boat just because it was 'local', they better wax it before they leave too. :)


Mike, were they not budging on the price last yr because they didn't have too, or because they couldn't?

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Jay, my previous 27' Fever was bought by the orignal owner to that effect somehow. Riverview Marine in IL, and Grand Prix Marine or Pier 57 (I forget the full story and which of those 2) were involved in the sale/delivery of my 27. From my understanding, the buyer even took delivery on the side of the road. I have heard it was a nightmare with a lot of hard feelings. Not a good deal. The buyer seemed to be a PITA, from what I was told during my ownership of it.

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

To save 40 k have Scott send you the parts and pay to have them installed you will still be ahead for small repairs and anyone can work on the engines.If Its major and has to go to Fountain take it to NC its closer and 40k pays for a lot of boat hauling

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

My boat was at Pier 57 and they dealer traded to Shogren for me to purchase. Worked for me.

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

But would the Florida dealer sell close to Shorgrens price if a deal like that was worked out?

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Good question but I'm not sure because I was not as serious then as I am getting to be now.

Everyone, I really like and get along well with my local Fountain dealer and I want to see them succeed and be around a long time here in the Tampa area. I have seen many Fountain dealers come and go each year in Tampa and this one has now been here for 3 or 4 years. There service after the sale is awesome...they just need to stock more boats especially performance boats.

I was thinking of downsizing in boat leangth and price and last month went to check out there 35EX...no possible way I can fit behind the helm...you'd have to be 6' or shorter to properly fit, small boat for small people. So I was thinking what the heck I might just get the 42 ex when Isaw it on Shogrens site. The price is right! However I've been told I might not fit behind the helm in this boat either because it is the same cockpit sixe as a 35EX and this I need a 38-42 Lightning for more leg room.

So I am going to see what transpires at the Miami show. I'd like to downsize into the new 35 staggered lighting..if I fit of course. I am also going to talk with the Nortech guys and see if they will build me a 38 Superfast.

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Something to keep in mind in this type of situation is this:

#1. Pier57 moves a boat and keeps the 5% or whatever.

#2 Shogren sells a boat and gains a customer for the future.

#3 The salesperson from Pier57, who spent 2 weeks back and forth gets a big "Thank You" (and thats it!)

No problems with your deal Downtown, just something to keep in mind.:evilb:

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Interesting Thread:

I just thought I'd let everyone know that American Performance Marine is the Fountain Dealer in Annapolis, MD on the Chesapeake Bay. We work on everyone's boat. Retail / warranty / whatever. We do everything we can to get your boat back to you quickly.

Regarding Fountain sales: We became the 7th Largest Dealer after <18 months with Fountain Powerboats. We're not number one but with ~50 Fountain Dealers out there... that ain't too bad.

Let us know if there is something we can do for you

410 573 0057 (office)
www.apmboats.com

Thanks,

glenn

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Just does'nt make any sense to me why the Florida dealers are such"primidonna's". :rolleyes:

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Is it possible that the Florida dealer sells mostly outboard C.C.'s and may not have enough or no Mercury trained mechanics for sterndrives ?

ed

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

No the dealer uses the marina's shop they are based out of to do there Mercury service work. They are a Platinum Mercury dealer and they have been there for a long time. They have a great service shop and do work and service Mercury HP engines. The marina is Terra Verde Marina. My local dealer Fountain service guy is great and does good work as well as the dealers electronics guy. I had my engines serviced at the Marina and they did a great job and delivered the boat back sparkling clean too.

my local dealer is a great asset to Fountain as a dealer... it is just that I wish they stocked more performance boats and priced them a little better that's all. I will pound on them at the Miami show some.

se ya, Mike

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

FeverMike,

I'm about the same size as you (I'm 6'4") and there's a huge difference in leg room between the Lighting and Ex. I test drove a 35 Ex and a 35 Lighting this past July and I can sit down in the Lighting and not have my legs pinned up against the helm. If I go up to a 35 it will be a Lighting.

PS
My kids really like your Avitar. They ask if those are sun glasses and why does that dog have them on?... I tell them that the dog is really really fast and his eye's start to tear up with out them. :D

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

those are glasses made for dog's called Doggles (as in goggles) The dog (his name is Buddy) is old (15years) like Reggie and he just keeps on going...he's fast too!

I could not even sit or hardly stand behind the helm of the 35 EX I was in at my dealer. I was really bummed too! My problem is I only have 1 leg to stand on since my entire left leg is a prosthetic leg. I need to be sure I am comfortable, safe and secure behind the helm. I would like to be able to sort of stand lean back and wedge myslef into the bolster and use the bolster electric seat bottom to catch my azz in the rough water.
Actually the 42 Poker Run would be the perfect boat I think but I will be going the wrong way in size and money!:D

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Sea Ray dealers take much better care of their customers who may move location to location. Anything goes wrong with a Sea Ray and any dealer will honor the warranty and their customer satisfaction is outstanding as a result. Infact "seamless".

I do know that many offshore builders want major repairs done inhouse. Usually I hear Fountain will do the work at their facility if you can deliver the boat to them.

Re: Shogren, got a serious question for you.
 

Glenn, what will you be bringing to the DC or Chantilly boat show this year?
Thanks, Matt