Boat Delivery

stme1234

Member
Jul 8, 2017
36
California
Boat Info
Viking
Engines
Cats diesel
I am buying a SeaRay from Marine Max and they are requesting I pay for it first and then take delivery when ready for the water. I am concerned they will not get it ready in a timely fashion once it’s paid for. What are your thorughts?
 
I think this is a common practice when purchasing this time of year. Have some friends that just did this with Prince William Marine. They have purchased the boat (310) and PWM is doing the needed repairs / fixes with an in water delivery date of April 4. What do you mean by "ready for the water"? If you are concerned put contingencies on the deal or have the final payment held in escrow. Personally I would withhold some portion of final payment until they provide a final finished product. Just keeps everybody honest.
 
Thanks, yes I agree on holding back funds they claim that is not an option. I need to trust they will get the work done in a timely fashion.
 
I would tell them you are holding back 10% or not closing, see if that doesn't change their attitude. There is no way I would pay in full, and I am a broker
 
I never have and never would pay for work done in advance. A deposit maybe, but certainly not in full. I agree 100% with bahamabresus, hold back the 10% (at least) or just don't close.
 
When I bought my 290DA new from a SeaRay dealer here on LKN - I made the deal during the boat show and gave a $500 deposit. I didn't pay the remaining balance until they delivered the boat a month later. On delivery day they spent the morning with me on the boat getting me oriented and we went through a checklist and developed a punch list. Nothing major on the punch list, so I went back to the dealership and finished the financials. No way I would have paid in full prior to delivery and a seatrial of some sort. If it is a used boat hopefully you have or are getting a survey - probably should get a survey on a new boat of any size.

I have learned the hard way that in most cases whether it's a car, house, boat, once the money is paid it is difficult if not impossible to get anything done. Some $$ held back is a huge motivator.
 
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good advice here - I agree, slow down - tell them you're going to have a survey done and watch them start crapping their pants - its a buyers market, dont be bullied - just the fact you asked the question here means your gut is trying to tell you somthing........listen!
 
We've seen this happen with Marine Max in the NE a number of times. When Spring comes around, they seem to forget you. The priority becomes the next customer buying a new boat that has not paid for it yet. If you do pay for it and get ana agreed delivery date, expect the boat to have a number of obvious punchlist items the dealer should have handled but didn't because they were busy trying to get another buyer to write a big check.

I wouldn't pay 90% either...more like 50-75% should tell them you are serious, but ammend your contract to show that you are placing a contingency on their making the boat 100% water ready and on you getting the boat surveyed before releasing the remaining funds.

I bought several Lexus cars with "We Owe You" slips attached to the bill of sale. In every case, the Lexus dealer drives 75 miles, delivers me a new loaner, takes my car to the dealership, finishes what he couldn't do before elivery, then returns my car to me freshly detailed. If it is raining, they wash the car in my driveway before giving it back......way more service t han I expect.

But, you aren't dealing with Lexus......your deal is with MM.
 
I purchased a boat from Marine Max in New Jersey. I agree with everyone, hold back significant money. Once you pay for it they are on to the next one. I had a small punch list that they sat on for six weeks in the middle of the season. I had zero leverage. Big mistake. It has cost them quite a few customers!
 
I think it all depends on the individual store.
Check with other customers of that particular store and salesperson to get some feedback..
I bought my 410 from MarineMax in Westbrook Ct. in December of 2016. Paid for it in full on the day we closed. Sale price included them winterizing, storing, wrapping, etc., and splashing for delivery on or about April 15, 2017.
There was a list of things (revealed at survey) they needed to do before delivery as a condition of sale.
Got everything in writing the day we closed, made several trips up there (2 1/2 hr drive each way) to putter around in the boat and check on things over the winter.
Overall, it was a great experience with them. They did everything they said they would do and had it ready to go when they said they would.
The guys I dealt with up there were all experienced long time boaters and I got along really well with them.
I’m pretty sure they weren’t looking to keep my boat in their way, or be responsible for it, any longer than necessary.
The only thing I could even begin to be slightly critical about was that the outside vendor they used to “detail” the boat prior to delivery did a mediocre job by my standards. It was all done, but honestly, I could have done it better.
Disclaimer: I usually re-detail new cars after I take delivery because I don’t think the guys in the prep department in the dealerships do a good enough job.
Never bought a boat from the local MarineMax store around here, but I personally know 2 people that did in recent years and both were very happy.
I wouldn’t pay a private seller or small broker/dealer in full for a boat until everything was done. But MarineMax is a pretty big company and the individual stores seem to really be concerned with satisfaction survey results so I would do it with them again.
 
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I would not agree to that.

A boat is not special till you own it, make it your own.

Before that, it is just a purchase option.

I would be willing to do a deposit. But not pay the whole amount.
 
Update: I had a meeting with Marine Max(MM)today. I have no choice but to pay for boat and then take delivery. I didn’t want to walk so my hands are tied. I find it strange there is no escrow system in place. I have bought 5 boats from the same dealer and the same salesperson. I have also given many referrals over the years. Today, I made it very clear this will be the last boat (and I already have my eye on a 55 fly in 2 years) that I will be buying if the boat delivery is delayed even one day. That’s about all I have for security it will be delivered when promised. Someone earlier commented every MM can have different experiences, I am banking on the Pompano Fl store to be the best as I am told it is. I will keep you all posted and I will be writing a great review if all goes as promised but if not well we all know that won’t be so nice. I hope I am not looking for a new salesperson/broker in 2 years....I am sure there will be plenty out there wanting my business in the future......
 
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I think the key term here is "I didn’t want to walk so my hands are tied". That sounds an awful lot like a decision to me. The little arm-chair quarterback on my shoulder would never let be pay the full amount until I had the full product.
 
Update: I had a meeting with Marine Max(MM)today. I have no choice but to pay for boat and then take delivery. I didn’t want to walk so my hands are tied. I find it strange there is no escrow system in place. I have bought 5 boats from the same dealer and the same salesperson. I have also given many referrals over the years. Today, I made it very clear this will be the last boat (and I already have my eye on a 55 fly in 2 years) that I will be buying if the boat delivery is delayed even one day. That’s about all I have for security it will be delivered when promised. Someone earlier commented every MM can have different experiences, I am banking on the Pompano Fl store to be the best as I am told it is. I will keep you all posted and I will be writing a great review if all goes as promised but if not well we all know that won’t be so nice. I hope I am not looking for a new salesperson/broker in 2 years....I am sure there will be plenty out there wanting my business in the future......
Really surprises me they wouldn't negotiate at all. Wondering if it has something to do with showing numbers on books for 2018.
 
I am buying a SeaRay from Marine Max and they are requesting I pay for it first and then take delivery when ready for the water. I am concerned they will not get it ready in a timely fashion once it’s paid for. What are your thorughts?

My thoughts:
1. What ALL needs to be done to make the boat "ready for the water"? Why is not ready NOW, if it is for sale?
2. Did you have a complete hull, engines and generator survey done by a independent 3rd party surveyor?
3. Reread post #9, print it out if you need to. The man knows his $hit!
4. You say you are concerned, go with your gut.
5. Refer to thought #3.
 
It appears that stme1234 is now saying MM wants the boat paid before he/she (the new owner) takes delivery (post 15) which is quite a bit different than what is stated in post 1 - "pay for it first then take delivery when ready for the water".
So, if post 1 is the story - then a suitable deposit/escrow, schedule, corrections/modifications to the vessel, inspection, acceptance, and final purchase needs to be the process. If post 15 is the story - then all of the agreed work is complete and payment for the vessel upon delivery per the agreed plan which is the appropriate process.
You don't say if it is a new or pre-owned vessel; the purchase process can be different between the two.
New - Potential owner looks at vessel, goes for a ride (maybe the vessel being purchased or another like it), likes vessel, signs contract and places deposit pending dealer agreed prep, modifications, additions, registrations, and schedule as delineated in contract. Dealer completes their obligation, owner's surveys performed and complete, any corrections completed, final payment made, vessel is delivered, new owner has vessel. Deposit is based upon dealer's risk in the agreement (usually an nominal deposit and cost of any dealer added options).
Pre-Owned - Potential owner looks at vessel, negotiates purchase price which is pending acceptable inspections, sea trials, surveys, and any modifications / additions then contract is initiated between dealer and potential new owner. A deposit is placed to institute a commitment by the potential owner. Surveys and sea trials are then done; findings, if any, are then on the table which can modify the negotiated price, delivery schedule, scope of work, or worst case permit the potential owner to back out of the deal and receive deposit back; the potential owner will be invested in the deal the cost of the surveys and haul-out if the deal is cancelled for good reason so it is important to be knowledgeable and critical of the vessel before signing the contract. After surveys, agreed corrections and/or final negotiated price and any contract modifications are completed then final payment is tendered and vessel delivered to the new owner.
 
Lots of thoughts here. It comes down to the same old thing, The Dollar Bill and who's pocket it is in. If it is not in yours, then the seller is in the drivers seat no matter how aggravated you get because they are not upholding their end on the bargain. Best of luck to and hope everything works out as expected.
 

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