Boat Delivery

[JVM225]

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......

I understand your apprehension completely. When I bought my boat from their Westbrook Ct. store two years ago I was in the same position. Close, and pay in full for the boat in December and take delivery in April.
The deal included them taking care of some minor things like a bulb in the spotlight, horn, aft cabin door roller, etc., but it also included them having the bottom blasted, prepped and painted, etc. They were absolutely not happy about having to do that as a condition of the sale. Probably because it involved them paying an outside vendor. That made me a bit nervous.
But that balking didn’t continue once the deal was done.
The upside for me was that the deal included haulout, winterization, storage, shrinkwrap and launch in Spring.
I was very apprehensive and reluctant but relented because I got everything in writing.
It worked out perfectly though. They did everything they said they would do and had the boat launched, detailed, fully fueled and ready to go exactly when they said they would.
My advice would be to strike a balance between showing up there regularly to stay on top of things and becoming a PIA. That was kind of easy in my situation since it was a 2 1/2 hour drive away from me. If it were closer I probably would have fell more in to the PIA category.
I really got the sense that developing relationships so you’d come back to buy your next boat was part of their corporate culture. That can certainly work to your advantage.
Once my boat was in the water and ready to go and knowing that I had a 6 hour cruise by water to get it home they let me know that there was no rush for me to pick it up if I wanted to wait for a day with great weather, and offered to pick me up at a ferry 20 minutes away from them if I wanted to get up there that way rather than having someone drive me up to get the boat.
Being very anxious to get the boat home I didn’t take them up on either offer, opting instead to bring it home on a cold rainy Sunday, but they were very accommodating.
Again, I think they go out of their way to make you happy so you come back. Unfortunately, lots of businesses these days don’t follow that model and it’s made us consumers very cautious.

 

[Espos4]

I have bought 5 boats from the same dealer and the same salesperson. I have also given many referrals over the years. ....

You bought 5 boats from the same salesman and intent to upgrade again in the future.

How did your last 5 transactions work out? Were they honest and able to deliver everything as promised in the past?

 

[GypsmJim]

The family has bought 3 brand new boats in the past 3 years. Two were factory orders. One required 10% down, the other 20%. One required payment in full when the boat arrived at the dealer - delivery was a few days later, on time, as promised. The other required payment in full the day of the delivery, after the sea trial. The third boat was on the floor and they required payment in full at time of closing. The boat was then winterized and stored for for 6 months awaiting Spring sea trial and delivery.

I guess it all depends on how secure the customer feels about the dealer. How long have they been in business and what was your previous experience. And most of all, if you don't like the terms, go elsewhere.

 

[stme1234]

Update: I took delivery of the boat and it was not completely ready. But, it was ready enough to take and use. The good news was I was able to spend six hours with their Captain doing a full review of the boat. Also, not only was the captain disappointed that the boat was not completely ready, I was able to make sure that I could spend the weekend on the boat and make a list of items that still needed to be taken care. I feel in the end MM will come through and complete the process and probably make the boat better to make up for there inability to get the boat correct at delivery.

Moving forward, I believe in holding back funds wouldn’t of changed the delivery process. In the future, if I purchase another boat that is in this price point or higher, I probably will just go through my attorney and have him draw up the purchase and sales agreement and go through the MM attorney and use an escrow account.

I will make one more posting on this after I get redelivery done in three weeks, which is OK because I can’t use the boat again for three more weeks as I am not available. Thank you for all your comments and help.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Good luck with her. Going to the Boston boat show for ideas? Just a few weeks away!

 

[spikedaddy99]

I gotta say if it works out, you are lucky. As you can see from the advice here, that isn't the norm. M

 

[Adefelice]

Good luck with her. Going to the Boston boat show for ideas? Just a few weeks away!

I'm going!
Mainly to talk to vendors and see new products
Mattress, carpet, and swim platforms to name a few.

 

[midexp]

Update: I took delivery of the boat and it was not completely ready. But, it was ready enough to take and use. The good news was I was able to spend six hours with their Captain doing a full review of the boat. Also, not only was the captain disappointed that the boat was not completely ready, I was able to make sure that I could spend the weekend on the boat and make a list of items that still needed to be taken care. I feel in the end MM will come through and complete the process and probably make the boat better to make up for there inability to get the boat correct at delivery.

Moving forward, I believe in holding back funds wouldn’t of changed the delivery process. In the future, if I purchase another boat that is in this price point or higher, I probably will just go through my attorney and have him draw up the purchase and sales agreement and go through the MM attorney and use an escrow account.

I will make one more posting on this after I get redelivery done in three weeks, which is OK because I can’t use the boat again for three more weeks as I am not available. Thank you for all your comments and help.

You took possession of the boat in the Boston area? In water?

 

[mwph]

I learned a lot going through my boat purchase. Even more reading here on CSR. Basically...

Car, house, boat or a toaster oven..... If it's for sale "As Is", the price just dropped. If it's for sale As "ready for the water", call me when it's ready for the water.

 

[Jeremygavin]

You took possession of the boat in the Boston area? In water?

It is a friend of mine, he purchased the boat in FL and will keep it there till spring and then run it up north.