| In the recurring debate of buying a boat from a | | | | Some useful advice for boat buyers in particular is |
| dealer vs. buying from an owner, a lot of regular | | | | to get to know a good dealer before buying your |
| boat buyers feel that the best boat buying deals | | | | boat. A lot of first timers buy a boat from an |
| are found at boat shows and auctions. The belief | | | | owner, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it |
| behind this reasoning is that the boats at shows | | | | doesn’t come with the kind of safety or |
| are heavily reduced in price, so a good bargain | | | | guarantee with the purchase that you would get |
| can be had. | | | | from a good dealer. If you are a boat expert, |
| However, the counter argument here is that this | | | | then that is of course a different story. This is an |
| is quite the opposite as dealers pay a lot of | | | | important consideration to make when considering |
| money to rent space for showcasing their | | | | buying a boat from a dealer versus buying from |
| vehicles. On top of that, you have cost of | | | | an owner. |
| transporting the boats too, all of the expenditure | | | | It is very important that you speak to various |
| is most likely attempted to be recouped from | | | | people, dealers and basically shop around until |
| those buying the boats. | | | | you’ve satisfied your question of which is |
| If you are patient and not overly choosy, then | | | | preferable in your circumstance, buying a boat |
| waiting for the last day of a boat show could | | | | from a dealer vs. buying from an owner. A good |
| work out well. Near the end of the day is a good | | | | dealer will live by his reputation and will assist you |
| time to make the owner an offer, which may | | | | in getting the boat that is suitable for you rather |
| well be worth their while, as they would rather sell | | | | than an expensive sale. Good dealers tend to |
| than haul the vehicle back to base with them. | | | | want to establish a good long term relationship, so |
| One other method that could be advantageous, is | | | | look out for that attribute when you speak to |
| to make a note of the prices displayed by | | | | dealers. Any queries on equipment and |
| owners at the event, and then visit the dealer | | | | maintenance ought to be clarified at this stage |
| later on. This is often favourable as dealers like to | | | | also. |
| have their customers visit their dealership in order | | | | You should consider boating classifieds sites if you |
| to attempt to forge a relationship and provide | | | | are bying a boat. On these sites you can find |
| them with their boating needs on a regular basis. | | | | offers from boat owners as well as boat dealers. |