Question for the Searay Salesperson

searay495

searay495

Active Member
May 26, 2008
604
Long Island Sound
Boat Info
2004 420 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Twin Cummins CTA 8.3m
480 HP
I am up in CT and interested in a 2000 380 Sundancer. MM wants $140,000. I am trading in a 2003 300 Sundancer for which they offered me $67,000. Without getting in to the specifics of each boat, I was wondering If I should hold off until the Norwalk Boat Show which is in 2 weeks. I know there is often "Searay Money" available, or other incentives. Supposedly MM may no longer take trades due to poor sales. Is this true? What is your advise. So far they haven't budged from the asking price. The boat has been listed for several weeks.
Thanks, Mark
 
searay495 said:
I am up in CT and interested in a 2000 380 Sundancer. MM wants $140,000. I am trading in a 2003 300 Sundancer for which they offered me $67,000. Without getting in to the specifics of each boat, I was wondering If I should hold off until the Norwalk Boat Show which is in 2 weeks. I know there is often "Searay Money" available, or other incentives. Supposedly MM may no longer take trades due to poor sales. Is this true? What is your advise. So far they haven't budged from the asking price. The boat has been listed for several weeks.
Thanks, Mark
Click to expand...


About "Searay Money" I have not heard of Sea Ray offering incentives on used boats.

Are you looking at a new Sea Ray in addition to this year 2000 380 Sundancer?

What am I not understanding?
 
Are you looking at a new Sea Ray in addition to this year 2000 380 Sundancer?

What am I not understanding?[/quote]


If there is going to be a new 380 Dancer for 140K at the Norfolk Boat Show.... I'm there!!:thumbsup:
 
You will not get any additional incentives on a used boat during a boat show. I can't imagine MM would ever stop taking trades. Trades are what makes the world go 'round for new boat sales. They may stop taking trades on trades though, which is what you are doing. Whenever you are trying to trade in a boat it takes you out of the driver's seat as you are at the mercy of whoever is willing to take in your trade. I would recommend selling your boat outright, then buying a 380 once yours is gone. There will never be a shortage of 380's.
 
Mark, you may be able to get a 280 at the boat show for $140, no chance at a 380 though. Either one of your numbers is a typo, or you mistakenly think that the boat shows are like used car auctions.
 
The 140,000. is for the 2000 380. I wish I was able to shop for a new 380, but $$$ is too short for that.
 
if you like this 380 buy it now otherwise it may not be there during the show. My friend has a 03 380 i'm sure you could get it well below 200k let me know.

Your right about the trades on trades, especially the bigger trades. a 2003 300 da is an easy sell for them. sell it yourself if possible. than but the 380 for 129,900
 
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Dancin' Dave put me in touch with him....problem is, I need to trade my bought....
 
I would keep looking, if they won't budge off of the price then I don't see that as being such a great deal. I got an '01 with Cats for a little more than $140. The majority of 380's that are for sale now are gas, I think you should be able to get one cheaper than that.
 
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quality time said:
I would keep looking, if they won't budge off of the price then I don't see that as being such a great deal. I got an '01 with Cats for a little more than $140. In this market the majority of 380's that are for sale are gas, I think you should be able to get one cheaper than that.
Click to expand...


I just bought an 02, gas 8.1s engines and it was a good bit less then $140K, even including the cost of the survey.

I wish you only the best of luck though. I know I searched for a good while

:thumbsup:
 
I can only suggest selling on your own. Any trade will give you wholesale price for your boat. On boats over 30' we're talking $7K-$10K+ difference, IMO. When I was trying to trade my 240DA they were off by $5-$8K, which I got on my own. If you sell on your own, it'll put you on top of the game with cash in hand.

Good luck,
Alex.
 
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I agree...sell your own boat if at all possible. I live in Mississippi and recently bought a 2001 380 in Florida. If you shop hard, you will find a good boat, at a good price. Remember, the dealer will make money on both boats when it's over.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. If anyone knows of any interested parties in a very clean 2003 Sundancer check out classifieds, I just listed the boat. Unfortunately I had trouble downloading pictures, so I will send them by request.
Mark
 
Mark, good pictures are key points to the sale. Don't wait for anyone to call you. work out the troubles and have those picrtures available on any ad you're posting.
 
I went to the MM I hate (don't ask why) and asked to look at used searays and merdian's sundancers and sedan bridges and was told they didn't have any used boats and was asked if I wanted to see new boats. SO I left.

Maybe they are not taking used in anymore or he lied but I expect them out of them.
 
An issue to consider is sales tax. I am not sure how it works in CT but in New Jersey you do not pay sales tax on the value assigned to the trade only on the incremental cash paid. Based on New Jersey's sales tax rate of 7% (sorry I do not know CT's) the trade saves approximately $4,700 of sales tax. A point to consider when contemplating a sale on your own. You would have to sell the boat for $71,700 on your own to break even with MM trade value.

Good luck

Mr Salt
2001 540 CPMY
Caterpillar C-12s
Cape May, NJ
 
I agree that when selling on your own you pay full tax. So, lets do a quick number here.

If you trade with these numbers $67K for your boat and $130K (final negotiation) for new boat. This means, $63K = $4,410 for tax. If you sell on your own and get the same boat for $130K you pay $9,100. The difference roughly $5K.

According to yachtsworld the prices range from $77K to $105K for 2003 300DA. This is a big range and of course depends on the package and vesel conditon. So, being more realistic, lets say you sell your for around $80K.

The numbers look like this:
1) You sell on your own:
$130K-$80K=$50K (you have to add to get new boat) + $9K (tax) = $59K your total expense

2) you trade:
$130K-$67K=$63K (you have to add to get new boat) + $4K (tax) = $67K your total expense

so, even with the full tax hit, you can end up gaining $8K. This breakdown is pretty much is a proof of concept fof my earlier post "On boats over 30' we're talking $7K-$10K+ difference, IMO."

Am I on the right track, does this make sense? I was trying to use approx. and realistic numbers with 7% tax.

Alex.
 
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