OB sells out the door
 

Do any dealers sell OB motors larger then 25HP in a crate out the door?

Question comes from a guy asking questions on another forum. Just in short, why isn't a motor ready to go from the factory?

Should also add as example: Boat has a 150 and wants to just replace with a new 150

My guess would be: With the current market, the inventory of motors are all purchased by the manufacturers. And like everything else Covid... Getting inventory, workers, transportation, etc. all falls back into the shortage of product.

So... Having to deal with regular inventory from a normal dealer is likely going to be an issue... Would you rather sell 100 at a time or a single at a time to a dealer? It's economics...

As far as selling if they have a motor, it is about the warranty... If you want the company to cover issues, best way is to guarantee a certified mechanic/facility installs it. Same as any other company that would offer a warranty, you must go through a certified dealer if you want full coverage.

Those issue is what brings up the question along with the cost. A guy is upset by a dealer wants $2500 to install, and will not sell without them installing.

Look at it from a margin/profit standpoint: Dealer gets 50 outboards a year to sell. So should he sell them for a $400 profit out the door and do nothing or should he require installing them so he makes $2500 each. If the manufacturer makes install mandatory for all units in order to get the warranty going then they are protecting the dealer and helping them make more money. So 50 outboards over the counter = $20,000 or 50 installs = $125,000. I'd bet the 50 over the counter sales are more headache in the long run when the customer can't get something right.

In another industry they are battling the internet by using warranty. Self install = 60 days warranty, pro install = up to 2 yrs.

We all understand the money side. Buy a 20 hp and it goes out the door, self install (cables gas line, electrical) with warranty. Get something larger same connections but no good.

Maybe add this is a guy in FL so I have no idea with other states.

How can a dealer justify $2500 to do a straight Re&RE on a direct replacement engine? Jumping into a new Verado from an old carb'd 150 is re-rigging the entire control management right down to the shifters, that adds up quickly....

I can immediately see the extended/higher level warranty being out of offer if a merc dealer didn't install....that said, "IF" the engine experienced an issue for warranty consideration may be more sticky in terms of everything having to be exact - ie. gearcase issue and the scan shows over rev conditions = void claim as the buyer/installer was in error causing issue.

The warranty registration checklist from Merc/Mercruiser is lengthy and has to be accounted for. OTC sales may only provide a corrosion warranty at the end of the day unless the dealer performed the pre delivery service.inspection.
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