Hey T2x:

Thanks for the clarification for the rest of OSO. I don't intend to air out the dirty laundry here, but suffice it to say that Tony and I will probably hoist a cocktail at our "vindication" (not that it was ever in doubt).

I recall a post that you had made several months back about the future of the "mom and pop" dealerships in the boating industry giving way to the global mega-stores. I really think the public for the most part is smarter than to accept that. My philosophy to my customers and my employess is, and always has been, that we sell products that absolutely nobody needs. They WANT what we sell, but they don't NEED what we sell. Therefore, they also NEED us an organization, to service the boat, store it, repair it, honor warranties, resell it for them, etc., etc., etc. If we ever loose sight of that obligation to our customers we are DEAD in the water. Most marine manufacturers understand that the dealership relationship is SO much more important than in other industries, such as automotive. You can buy a car and likely never see the dealership again. That is not the case with a boat. For a manufacturer to loose sight of the "partnership" relationship that they have with their dealers is just plain arrogant.

I actually probably owe them a debt of gratitude for allowing me to focus on other more profitable areas of my business.

There, I have said enough. But thanks, Rich, for your always insightful views on things.

Regards,

Tom Caruso
Total Marine

I'll buy................

warmest regards,

T2x

Anyone interested in some of Passport Marines used boats, they are being picked up by National Liquidators.
Passport is supposed to have about 20 million in used inventory, and some of it cannot be located. Wonder why.

Paradox,

What was wrong with the playboy? When I spoke with the sales lady (forgot her name) she said the boat was in "new condition" and "she hasnt seen a boat in such good condition in a long time". When she wouldnt even consider a number under 130 I never called back. I just wonder what the real story was and how pissed I would have been if I flew to Florida to do the deal

That boat was not in "new" condition. They kept saying it was "sold", but then it would pop back up on inventory several weeks later. Very Strange.

Check out Sunbiz.org, see how many Florida corporations have Andy Sturners name linked to them. He's got way too much time on his hands. Between he and his wife, those clerks in Talahassee are way busy.

He splits all these up into different corporations because it helps protect him legally against lawsuits.........and bankruptcy. Just like he made Passport seperate. Afterall, he is a bankruptcy lawyer.

I still believe: what goes around, comes around.

Guy in N. Palm Beach owned the boat since new. He was in his 60s-70's but his 3 sons ran the boat all the time. The boat had 330 hours on it when they traded it and the motors/drives had never been apart. Boat needed to be freshened cosmetically and mechanically. They got 90K on a trade for a 370 SS at the Miami boat show 2006. Passport had owned it ever since.

Don't it though!