RUNNIN A FEVER

While attending the LA Boat show these weekend I stopped by to check out the 3 Fountains on display. That's 3 total boats, not 3 whole displays of Fountains.

I walked up the stairs past the sales man in his Fountain embroidered shirt and starting inspecting the 35 Executioner on display. He said not one word to me. Still I looked further. Another older guy walks up and stands next to me. The sales guy couldn't wait to answer his questions.

The fact that I was wearing my Fountain Racing hat had no efffect on dislodging his predetermined mindset that a 28 year old wearing shorts and a tee shirt could never afford a Fountain. The same mistake was made by another saleman when I purchased my 27.

I guess when I decide to order my 42 it won't be from Honker Cut Marine. I did get approached by another salesman while I was watching the Fountain video but by then I was way too upset. Unfortunately he got the earfull I should have given the first guy.

Sorry for the rant but that is unacceptable behavior for anyone associated with Fountains.

tomtbone1993

iTrader: (3)

I had the same problem

I am 26

FNT MAN

I'm 27 and have that problem all the time. I once was looking at used nothing special bmw's and I drove up on a brand new Harley... My wife and I actually were sitting in the cars....still no help

US1 Fountain

iTrader: (1)

I get the same treatment many times, and I am 40.

It's a double edge sword. Many people just like to look w/o any contact with a sales person. I personaly don't like to be hounded by salesmen as soon as I walk up. Possibly the salesman thought if you were a serious buyer, you would approach him. But then, I do like to be at least told to seek them if there are any questions. Since this was at a boat show, I think that most sales people know that most are just lookers and not buyers. But with all the other manufactures in 1 place, they should try to stand out.
Or they are just dicks.

BAJA WILL

David,

Don't sweat it, I am 27 and same thing here. I just think of using it to our advantage. I can really look without being hounded.

WILL

tomtbone1993

iTrader: (3)

Spin side I was in high school working a job as a salesman selling spas. I talked to everyone that walked through the door. I would kick all the other salemans ass!! WONDER WHY!!!

rouxsterre

I was at the show, and at the Fountain display. I actually liked the way they handled me. I was wearing a Fountain denim jacket, and they just let me trip around looking at the boats. Eventually one guy just kind of started up a casual conversation. No sales pitch or anything, just handed me a card as I was leaving. I don't have a problem with that at all. They were just real low-key.

h2owarrior

I totally understand where you are coming from. I felt the same way many times. But after realizing what was going on, I began to dress down when looking for boats, cars etc. If you think about it, you are the one in control. You are the one with the money. And someone who will not give you the time of day is not going to get any of it. Someone who is willing to work with you regardless of your appearance, will.

Now if you want everyone to know you got all kinds of money to spend and they should just kiss your "third point of contact"......you are dealing with a different issue. I do not want that kind of attention.

I also think US1 makes a good point. At least give the guy or gal a chance buy asking a question. Then if they blow you off, they just potentially lost a real nice commission

32fever

I had the same thing happen at the Chicago boat show. Hell, I couldn't even get a brochure and asked for one. I think I was 25 or 26 at the time. I was 30 when we bought our 32, and I did a lot of that via email before we went to look at one. So, when we got there, he knew we were serious.

I bought my wife's BMW largely via email. When we bought our Z06 this spring, I found deals via the net and had a car lined up to buy out of state first. But, not far from us, I saw they had 2 in the showroom, called and made sure they'd deal first. If they didnt' deal, I'd not have wasted my time. I did find two dealers that would not. Lucky bastages can sell cars at sticker. What a gig they have going...... They ain't sellin' to me, though.

The face to face thing just hasn't worked well for me. However, some have been really nice. I noticed a difference when salesmen have asked "what kind of boat do you own?" and you say none right now, they blow you off much more than when we tell them you have an offshore boat.

Now, when I bought the Escort I commute to and from work in, I didn't have ANY problems. Things that make ya go hmmmmmm....

What's really scary is when someone looks at your boat, and they drive up in the same color & type of car and own the same color & type of truck you own. THAT's when you KNOW they're just as broke as you are. LOL!

Actually, if I go to buy something and they tell me I can't afford it, most of the time I can say "yeah, you're right (as is my wife), but I'm gonna buy it anyway."

32fever

Talk about salesmen snubbing younger guys, check this out. How many people buy Ferrari's before they're 30? And yet so many boat salesmen snub guys before 30.

And Jay Leno won't buy a Ferrari cause they snub people