Ad in USA Today
 

So I read the ad in USA today in which Marine Max is touting their nationwide sales blitz of "Excess 2007 Sea Ray inventory" to make way for the new 2008's, and it dawned on me that the "very big companies" have taken over. Apparently you can save a fortune on new (and used) boats while enjoying the "Marine Max Experience", whatever that is.

Bottom line and translation, boat sales are WAY off, Marine Max is choking on inventory, and they are spending big bucks on a clearance sale. While this is certainly standard business practice and not a conspiracy, it does point out how far we have come from the old local, relationship based dealerships that built the industry we all enjoy. Now a shopper looks cross country on the web for a bargain as opposed to visiting a few dealerships and making a couple of phone calls. The local service relationship has been lost, and a nearby dealer whose name you know (and maybe had dinner with) is a dim memory.

I know I'm old...and getting older by the minute, but this seems to be moving in the wrong direction. Our nation was built on small businesses and handshake agreements. Now you get your mandated customer service process, complete with corporate financing, new boat checklist, mandatory handshake and introduction to "Veronica" your "personal representative" (who will be working at some investment banking company in another city by the time you actually need her). All of this so a mega/corporate dealer can dump "units" on you and reduce that annoying negative cash flow issue on the financials. Worse yet the retail boat dealer competition now includes "Big Box" stores like Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's and other Walmart wannabes.

Maybe, just maybe, the pendulum has swung too far and a "correction" is due. Perhaps, the marine business can develop a marketplace for smaller "boutique" dealerships based on first name relationships and understanding of the local boaters' needs, tastes and desires.

Certainly, it will prevent a nationwide "overstock" in one mega inventory.

Just my .02

T2x

Don't hold your breath. The "Walmart model" works. Period.

The small businessman can no longer compete on price alone. They have to have a "better" product at a higher price.

There will always be a market for speciality items (Harleys, Cigarettes, Jaguars), but it will be a very small market.

Just my two-cents... :cool:

I almost forgot...

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/claywashi...ifs/Lisa05.jpg

Well said,Rich.

Rule#1 about handshake agreements.

Bend over and grab your ankle with your free hand and prepare yourself for one helluva fukin.

Radio stations had the same fate. I used to love our locally owned rock station back in the late 70's - late 90's. Then they got bought out by the big corps that own multiple stations. The format changes for the worst and you are stuck listening to what the industry wants you to hear. The local boys used to play what we, the listeners, wanted to hear. No way UFO's "Lights out London" or The Joe Perry Project's "Discount Dogs" would get played today like they did back in the day.

What goes around comes around. In the late 50's, early 60's, big corporations bought boat companies. Brunswick, who owns SeaRay, Whaler and a s**tlaod of other big companies got their ass handed to them in the first recession. They GAVE back Larson, Brunswick/Owens, and others for pennies on the dollar. It is probably going to happen again. (Third time in my lifetime)

HOLY CRAPOLI! I agree with something T2x is *****in' about! I bought my boat from a smaller localized marina and was VERY happy with how I was treated...even a couple post-sale repairs were handled expediently and effectively...and I could talk to the owner any time. I'll try to do the same for my next ride.

"Our nation was built on small businesses and handshake agreements." ........huh? Who built the railroads? Who wired the nation for communications? Small business? Nope.

Constant change is the only thing that doesn't change.

HA! Wait until you find out that "Veronica's" real name is Shiva Patel from Bangalore and she didn't go work at a bank, she was burned to death because her husband accidentally divorced her in his sleep! (And yes, I realize I'm mixing my urban myths here!)

I usually agree with a lot of what T2X says, but I don't think this is a bad thing. Technology and large corporations allow us to increase efficiency, and lower overhead costs. So instead of settling for the boat thats available at your local mom and pop marina, you have the visibility to find the exact boat you want at the best price possible. Our country was based on capitalism, not on apple pie.

Businesses that can't keep up with technology and the ever changing marketplace are doomed to failure. Its the nature of the beast.

Well....

Though we all may miss the personal touch that only the local, independent business owner can provide, it's not all bad. I think everyone can appreciate lower costs of goods and services, albeit sometimes at the expense of losing a little personal attention.

Secondly, as far as Marine Max goes, for the average boat owner there's probably a great deal of comfort knowing that one can have at their disposal a large, nationwide network of maintenance and parts service centers....Nothing worse than buying something (especially a big ticket item like a boat) and finding yourself in the middle of nowhere with no one to help you with it when sht happens.

I still prefer to do business with someone I know and trust personally, like Will Smith and Pepe Nunez.http://www.websmileys.com/sm/fingers/fing11.gif

You think (hope and pray) that would be the scenario. I see a lot of my previous customers returning after a bad experience at a "big box store". Yes they can sell you a box of crap most often for less than the mom and pop dealer but look at the business model of like best buy. They want everyone to shop there once. I want a few people to shop with me forever! I may not win , but I see more big boxes going chapter 11 before me. Then where do you go for that service , back to mom and pop. Pray for the reach around!!!!!!

You just finish watching tommy boy? :D

J/k

Small businesses can't compete on price with Wally World so they should not do so. For example. Wally world sells plasma's for less then what I can buy them for. So I just sell high end plasma's and service the heck out of them. I have set up a product mix that large companies have proven again and again that they can not handle/sell. I think that Philly sets an excelent example of what the boat dealers should/need to do in this industry. Ocean Performance seems to be the same way.

I sell cutting tools and fasteners to the mfg. industry. American made end mills and drill bits. I come in and keep your inventory stocked the old fashion way. Look at it and then bring it in and put it up. I am the best at what I do. I've lost more business in the last 3 years than in 20. Big companies who sign corporate contracts with big suppliers just because they can put everything under one hat. No matter how poor the SERVICE is. Nobody cares anymore. It's all about Cheap goods through China. Years ago maintence mgrs. made decisions. Now it's done by somebody who doesn't have a clue.They will buy the cheapest priced product and than won't listen to the LITTLE people. I will continue to sell from companies in who employ here in the states even if my ship goes down. If we don't employ ourselves in manufacturing then surly we will lose our culture.

[QUOTE=Shore Thing;2245204]Technology and large corporations allow us to increase efficiency, and lower overhead costs.

That doesn't translate to better customer service. Take the banking industry for example, My local bank knew me and my business very well. If I needed anything it was just a quick call. Now they have been bought out by Bank of America and I'm just a #. It takes 20 minutes to get a real person to pick up the dam phone. Their service sucks while all they do is brag about what great service they provide.:angry-smiley-055:

If the large corporation business model didn't work, they wouldn't be buying out the little guys...

If they please 95 and anger 5, they are still in better shape than the little guy who pleases 5 and angers none.

I understand people not liking big business for personal reasons, but those same people are reaping the benefits of big business every day.

I hope MarineMax doesn't start getting their goods from China...

Marine Max "Experience"
 

Oh my buddy got the Marine Max experience this summer after he dropped $225k on a brand new 340 Sundancer. Kinda like the experience a fresh newbie would receive on OZ, minus the soap and shower.:angry-smiley-055:

The day he took delivery his salesman joked that his new boat was now worth $200k since it was now in the water. Then he excused himself and said he had a big deal to close on an Azimut.

Long story short, three months later there is a punch list two pages long that has yet to be completed. His 6 hours of training time from the Marine Max "captain" gets cancelled every week for whatever reason, and repeated phone calls and e-mails go unanswered. Or even worse, the salesman fires off an e-mail with huge attitude like he has no responsibility for the after-sale "experience." He doesn't even try to fake like he cares.

So yeah, if you too are looking for that Marine Max "experience" (at least the one in Norwalk,CT provided by Mr. Ron Wishna), then just go ahead and get somebody to kick you in the nuts as you light a suitcase full of money on fire!

If my only choice to purchase a boat would be from Marine Max I would get out of boating, I have yet to meet the average buyer who has had a good experience after the sale.

Most buyers made their purchase because is was a good deal not because they liked the sales rep or felt they would have great service afterwards. Most consumers don't even think about those things until they need it. It's all price price price.

This will change eventually I hope... My $.02

The model you speak of works for the large corporation not the customer. I do business with the mega companies not because I'm pleased with their service but because I don't have a choice. When the mega companies devour their competition and their greed takes over it will be their own demise. The customer will demand alternatives.

Feed the bear , the bear gets bigger and eats you up. Stop feeding the bear!!!!

I really do understand why a lot of people feel this way. But its my feeling that people often times take their bad experiences with big business and put a whole lot more weight to it than their good experiences. When things are good, we don't tend to think about it, but if we get screwed we harp on it. Its human nature.

I garuntee a lot of people here have been screwed by small businesses as well. If it weren't for big business our fuel would be WAY more expensive than the expensive fuel we complain about now. Our government wouldn't be able to protect us from outside threats because our airplanes and ships would be too costly to build. The truck you tow your boat with would have cost you $500k because big business would have never put in the R&D that produced the reliable and affordable design of its parts.

That doesn't mean that big business can't be bad either. A poorly run business, large or small is destined to failure. But the market place is where that is decided.

I guess my long winded point is...the fault is not in big business, its in bad business.

I wish China would make SSM VI outdrives and sell them at Wal-mart. Props too!

:D :D Ain't that the truth!

Yup, saw it when I was in the boat lift biz. Had people say that I was too epensive. After choosing the cheaper guy they would call me month later asking if I could service their lift because the other guy won't come back. I always said "Sorry, I don't service lifts I don't install. I'd be more than happy to replace your cheap pos."

People just don't understand that a lot of what you're paying for is service after the sale. I never charged for any service work or adjustments (even if the person bought a new boat) for 2 years after the purchase. Heck, I still get calls on lifts that went in 7 years ago. Even though I sold the biz I still help them out, nc. Some of them have even gotten free replacement parts.

I bought my boat at Marine Max and couldn't be happier. It was a good deal but I had known the sales rep for a couple years and felt that he would take care of me.

I have heard plenty of horror stories about small dealers screwing people, going out of business, bad service, etc. At least with Marine Max you have a problem with your local dealer you can contact corporate and put pressure on them.

[QUOTE=BajaFresh;2246377]I bought my boat at Marine Max and couldn't be happier. It was a good deal but I had known the sales rep for a couple years and felt that he would take care of me.

I have heard plenty of horror stories about small dealers screwing people, going out of business, bad service, etc. At least with Marine Max you have a problem with your local dealer you can contact corporate and put pressure on them.



Have you had any service issues after your purchase & how did that go? You were fortunate to know the rep as the average Joe would not have the same connection and would deal with the sales rep based on who was available that day.

It is much like buying a car and that can be another horror story if you do not have good up front contacts.

When it comes to most things I don't want personal interaction. I don't want you to ask me how I am. Do you really care? I don't care how the person ringing up my groceries is. I have enough going on. There is nothing worse than some old fart chatting with the drug store chick when I just want to pay and get out. Give me the goods, I give you the money and have a nice life.

Just like people on planes. Sit next to me and shut the fvck up. I don't care where you're going or where you're from. Or because I'm reading Extreme Boats Mag you want to tell me about your uncle bob's Luhrs sportfish.

I like a nice faceless way of living. If I want interaction I'll go out with friends or see the rest of you knuckleheads at a poker run.

Uuuuuhg. My .02

Brownie, did Noah sell out once he got the Ark in production?:D

I agree. It's like I say about pistols: You don't really need one, until you need one badly.

In most things in life, and boats are a big one, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I am in a service industry...Mortgages, and there is no way in heck they are going to get the same service from an Internet provider hiding behind a screen. They save a few 100 $$$s and maybe an 1/8th in rate but spend that easily on lost time trying to get a problem resolved. There is no common sense out there today, people think they are so smart because they got a "great" deal when in the end they are screwed. I have had dozens of buyers at the closing table call me to save them. I have to be nice but tell them there is no way I can get a loan done in 15 minutes. Many people are money grubbing, know it all fools and they deserve every problem they inherit when the deal goes South. It has gotten so bad in my industry that the entire USA will go into a recession because jerk loan officers and lenders lied and cheated their way into a pay day and left literally millions of people to swing in the wind with reset ARMs that cost up to $700 a month extra. They sell payment and the fools bite not even knowing what they are getting. Now boats cost as much as a home and with one not selling or being taken away the other will languish...just like this story says, fire sale and give aways only hurt the business as it sets a new bench mark in prices. How would you feel if the 50 ft Sea Ray that cost you a mill now costs $750,000???? now yours is worth $500,000 "because it is in the water" That sales person would be in the water if he has said that to me, then I would say "hey, your $5,000 rolex, your $500 shoes and your $1,000 suit is worth $100 "because it is in the water".:angry-smiley-044:

How would you feel if the 50 ft Sea Ray that cost you a mill now costs $750,000???? now yours is worth $500,000 "because it is in the water" That sales person would be in the water if he has said that to me, then I would say "hey, your $5,000 rolex, your $500 shoes and your $1,000 suit is worth $100 "because it is in the water".


Excellent point!! Now I am sure not every sales person at Marine Max is a complete douchebag like the guy in Norwalk, but it does reflect poorly on the company. It soured me on the whole boat buying experience. And it seems like there are a lot more negative boat buying experiences than positive ones. But that's why this site is great because we can discuss the good and the bad and hopefully direct more business to the good guys.

My first go fast boat was a Donzi Z33, I know if I had been on this site I would have been told not to buy this boat, the dealer screwed me bad, I bought a broken boat and found out when the insurance company never sent me a bill, they said they could not insure this boat and when I had them fax the survey, which the dealer had done, I found 2 pages that I did not get, he had whited out the page numbers... like 1 of 10, 2 of 10 and so on, the ins company had 12 of 12, I had 10 of 10 and theirs spoke of rotted bulkhead and stringers. I sued them, they filed BK and I got $5,000 out of court, just enough to fix it myself. I spent another 5k just because I was in there and wanted closure but in the end the bottom still cracked. I got out for 3 years, then got back in with the 32 AT...that had a fuel tank leak. I should have known better when the boat was stored with 1/2 a tank, when I filled it I also filled the bilge with 10 gallons of raw fuel, I was lucky the screw jack did not spark and that I always open the hatch before I start it. So I got out again and went to a fender boat, bought it new so it was a fresh start and I love it. The dealer was good, Wolfs Dive Shop in Benton Harlem, they were very good but I still had to argue with some punk kid on how the trailer bunks were to be placed, he had the lift strakes on the bunk...after I reminded him I have forgotten more about boats and trailers than he knows I said give me the jack and the wrench and go away. I fixed it and was off. So...not all are bad, some are worse and some die from rolling a tractor down a cliff...the dealer who took me on the Donzi.....:angry-smiley-044:

Yesterday I was in Pompano water testing a 50 Pershing and during the coarse of the day every once in awhile the MarineMax salesmans Blackberry would give him updates with how many boats they had sold nationwide that day. The numbers were staggering but cannot quote exact numbers.

It is an awsome boat.
Bob

Those are very well built yatchs, what power, twin turbines? Or one turbine and a diesel on each side? I saw one with 4 Alpha drives once, it had 4 4.3 V-6s, the captain said it hit 55 and ran in 8 footers at 40:angry-smiley-044: I said no way, it should hit 70 and told him to lab the props and put some shorter lowers on.:D Really, these are cool boats and are full of cool electronics and gizmo's like flat screen displays for everything and big cup holders that fit a can with a cozy:D OK, I'll shut up now. Nice boat.:boat:

I never benifited a GD *&^%$#$%MutherF(*^%@# thing from big business without taking a major Azz Fu*&^%! Big business and the Walmart model are all about continuing the biggest transfer of wealth from the middle class history has ever known. :angry-smiley-055:

Powered by 2 x 900 Mans, arneson drives. Yes, lots of electronics to play with when not playin with somthin else. LOL:D

Bob