Toronto Boat Show '14, an issue.

Jaws

Jaws

Active Member
GOLD Sponsor
Nov 13, 2007
859
Sarnia, Ontario
Boat Info
460 Sundancer 2002
Engines
Cummins 8.3 6CTA
We just wrapped up our 22nd consecutive visit to the Toronto International Boat Show and as usual it was quite good,...... except for our treatment at the Sea Ray display.

We arrived early yesterday on a typically busy Saturday and headed immediately for the Sea Rays along with our good friends from Michigan. (They have a 450DA and ours is the 460DA) Between the two couples we have a fair amount of boating experience and are very loyal to the Sea Ray brand for many of the same reasons that you are. We had already seen the new 510 Sundancer last year and again in Miami, M.I.B.S. along with viewing four of them "on the line" at Syke's Creek last February. (Thanks Captain Rusty) So we thought our friends should share our enthusiasm for the 510DA and see the boat.

The first line-up was around 30 minutes just to get up to the stairs to the viewing platform and then another 30 minutes spent close to the front of the 510DA line. No problem because we really wanted to see this boat, like anyone else, so we invested our time and waited patiently. The new Sea Ray dealer in Ontario has obviously changed things a bit and their salespeople ushered not one, not even two, but eventually four private groups ahead of us while we waited and fumed at the front of the line. Finally as the third "special" group left the vessel (young couple with small kid, private viewing), we stepped up only to be blocked by a salesperson who was attempting to let yet another "special group" board ahead of us. Although I am normally a calm person, at this point "I lost it" and I told the representative that this was completely unfair to all those who had waited in line for so long, and we left without seeing any Sea Ray at all.

The salesman then followed us down the steps and tried to justify how they were handling their prospective clients but that explanation only amounted to some list of which we were totally unaware. I told him that we were already Sea Ray owners and did not require any "special treatment". We just wanted to spend 10 minutes on the boat like anyone else. We were going to suggest that maybe the 510DA (since it appeared to be such a precious commodity to have one there) should have a sign posted "appointment only for boarding with a salesperson, please sign up here" and that would be fine. However having us pushed aside time and time again is a totally unacceptable practice no matter who is in line. The salesman then said, and get this, that if I "was serious about buying this boat then (he) could get us on right away". At that point I told him that I did not wish to speak with him any longer. (kind of like "Show me the money and I'll show you the boat.")

Is this common practice at other boat shows? I have never been treated like this by any dealer whether or not they even know that we own a boat, let alone a Sea Ray. We've always had very positive experiences at boat shows in Michigan, Ohio and Florida. I would be interested in the comments of others. Should I just shut up about this and accept it, or is there a point to be made here?

Thanks for allowing this "vent". I was going to let it pass but,.... Oh well. See you in Miami.
 
As wrong as it is, if the broker has serious clients that are looking to maybe purchase a new 510DA, they should get preferential treatment. A better way to do it is to setup appointments for real potential buyers and close the exhibit to the public during these hours. I would be pissed if it happened to me but I would have left and returned later.
 
Jaws, you and I are worlds apart in our boat ownership & experience, but you asked for comments from others, so, here I am. First off I agree with several of your points. One "special guest" is of course understandable and would not bother me in the least. That being said, owning the boat that you do, having the experience and show visits you do, at some point should make YOU a special guest!

To that end... Did you, (is it even an option), to check in at the desk upon your arrival? Were you asked for your SRO Club card? The reason I ask is two fold. 1. This is where the problem should/ could have been averted, and 2. When I check in at The Atlanta Show, I get the impression that I am getting a little more attention then the average hull kicker. Once, my wife & I were indeed escorted to the front of the line. I was asked if there was a particular boat we wanted to see. There was and ahead we went. That has only happened once, but, for example, this year we were met by a salesman before we hit the steps. By his own admission he was brand new, much younger and had seen fewer cruiser interiors than I have. But he was extremely cordial and enthusiastic, which in my opinion is refreshing.

To your point(s), I think current Sea Ray owners should be afforded some special treatment. Someone of your status especially. This could easily be done at check in. Mr. X (you), arrives, is asked which boat he wants to see and a time slot set aside. I'd be willing to bet that if you were asked to come by in 40 minutes & we'll get you and your guests on, you would be much happier than you are today. In my opinion, you heve every right to be pissed off and the "salesman" that made that comment needs two things; some customer service training and a serious reprimand. That paradigm, much less verbalizing it, is unacceptable.
 
Thanks so much for the comments and suggestions. I agree that appointments should be done at less busy times. Also I have deliberately kept names out of the post at this time and probably will continue to do that.

Mwph, the points you make are all quite valid and I will address these. There was in fact a sign up sheet as I found out later, but it was not readily apparent. No one told us while we were standing in either line. As for SRO? No, they were not represented at all (at least I didn't see them like in Miami where they give you a sticker and a free hat as you enter Sea Ray's display.) If SRO played a more active roll then that would be a game changer for me. Normally I do not want to appear to have any advantage over the next guy because I wish to gauge the integrity of who I am talking with and peg them on the b.s. meter. But I like the SRO idea.

As a Rotarian for twenty years, I have tried to apply Rotary's Four way test to daily life, family and business: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and friendship? 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?. Just imagine every boat salesperson adhering to a code of ethics like that. Unfortunately I am a bit naive when it comes to dealing with people such as these but I was not going to swallow my pride and re-visit the Sea Ray display after telling this guy off. This new dealer group covers many brands in Ontario now. It appears that they have the Brunswick labels plus others under their control. The rest of the boat brands (Carver, Marquis, Regal, Cruisers Inc.) are similarly controlled by another sales group who have their own issues. I wish them both well but I prefer to deal elsewhere than Toronto so that my business is valued and I am able to maintain a good relationship with the manufacturer and the dealer.

The Toronto Boat Show is a bit different than the U.S. shows in that a lot of people are just looking to get out of the winter blast in January for a day and this show is a way to achieve that. It's a big show and the support merchants, marinas, and others represented are quite excellent. I just wish that we would have more stability in the dealership networks long term but it's a really short boating season in Canada and they have to make all their money quickly. Maybe that's where things fall apart.

So, I still think that I have one more boat left in me and perhaps it might be a 510DA in a few years, previously enjoyed of course. I know which dealer won't get my business if that happens though.
 
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Sorry you had to waste your time with that kind of treatment. We were there Friday around 3pm before the crowds started to roll in and didn't witness any line cutting. I did chat with a salesman from the old dealer. He and a couple of other experienced guys were offered positions with the new owner and it sounded like there is/was a learning curve for the new guy selling larger boats.
As for the SRO, there was a small sign in book at the bottom of the stairs. Staff could have been more proactive sorting out the real boaters from the tire [fender] kickers.
 
Jamie,
Sorry that you were subject to such shoddy treatment. I went to the show for the charity preview night (Friday) and visited the Sea Ray display. It's the smallest I've seen at the show - downsized quite a bit. Also, I didn't recognize any faces in the booth. Skyline had been a stable dealer representing Sea Ray for more than 30 years. Having reach more than eligible retirement age, former owner Cameron decided it was time for succession. I really think it will take the new dealer, Pride Marine, a while to adjust to selling larger boats. They were mostly a dealer of cottage boaters before this expansion. I did a tour of the 510DA and thought it was a cute little thing... :) Nice craftsmanship and design.

Hope your next visit is more pleasurable!
Paul
 
That's too funny! Well here is my story on the Toronto show. My wife and I attended on the first day of the show. Let me first tell you that we don't fit the typical look of a 42' sea ray boat owner. We look very young for our age and I do not believe in how you dress or talk determines how much money you have in your pocket. Having said that, here's the story: we were only in line for a few mins when a female saleswoman was going through the line. We overheard her asking people waiting in line ahead of us if they were sea ray boat owners. Most were saying no, a few said yes and they were pulled out of the line and signed in (sea ray boat owners club) and then immediately brought up to the boats. When she got to us, she looked at us and then bypassed us, without asking if we were owners. As we got to the front of the line (about a 1/2hr wait) another saleswoman chatted with us and asked us if we were boaters. I said yes, we own a sea ray. She looked surprised and asked us if the other saleswoman stopped to ask us if we owned a sea ray. I responded by saying no she bypassed us, I guess we didn't fit the profile. She then had us sign in and then gave us the green light to go up. The wife and I did discuss trading in the 42 for a new 35 or 37 that were at the show after that experience we decided to keep the cheque unsigned. :)

p.s. I go on this website daily but rarely ever post something, I couldn't resist tonight lol
 
I am sorry you did not have a good day. While I have had a few folks treat me poorly at boat shows - it was not isolated to Sea Ray dealers.

Anyway - FYIW - I will share my trick to a more enjoyable boat show- I always go on a Thursday or Friday taking the day off from work. I went to the NYC boat show on the Friday after a big snow. It was like we had the place to ourselves. The salesmen spent a lot of time with us and no crowds or lines to see a boat.
 
Big Dave, unfortunate experience for you as well. It seems this new dealer will have some work to do but when we were there no one came through the line at all like when you were there. As I mentioned, I wasn't even aware of a SRO presence. Also I felt sorry for the young man who was controlling entry to the 510. He really didn't know much about the boat at all and when you're stuck at the head of the line for what seems like an eternity, you want to have some conversation about the boat.

Paul, the 510 is a "cute little thing"? Too funny big bridge guy. Actually the salesman I had the argument with might have been with Skyline previously. Thanks for chipping in. Might see you in Miami.
 
Sorry you had a bad experience. We will never go to the Toronto show on a weekend again, too busy. We went last Monday and had the place to ourselves. Walked right onto every boat we wanted to. We walked out with a new set of dock lines and a new dinghy. (Which qualified as a "boat" purchase, so we were entered into the $10,000 draw, fingers crossed!)
 
Congrats on the boat Jim! :)
 
Thanks Paul! Hopefully we can finally hook up for a cold beverage out on the Bay this summer!
 
I have to shake my head at the stupidity of people who make judgements on appearance....especially when it comes to sales. The big fish in the pond may not appear to be a fish at all. I remember two pictures. One 1977 arrest picture of a 22 year old dorky guy who had nothing. The second of a 32 year old dorky guy who happened to be one of the wealthiest people in the country in 1987.
 
We went on the Saturday as well. We signed the "preferential client" sheet as owners of a Searay. We did receive exceptional customer service even though they knew we already had a 44DA. We were probably one of those ones that passed by you. So I suppose the next time you're at the boat show in Toronto you could sign up as well.
 
We signed up as preferential clients and received the quick viewing even though they knew we already had a 44DA. Next time in Toronto, at least, sign up as an owner and you'll get on too.
 
I think the whole boat show psychology is interesting. Personally, I prefer minimal interaction with the sales people and just want to see boats and not answer their questions. The last show I attended here in San Diego a few months ago, I had on my old worn out shirt, flip flops and a sun protection hat that made me a look like a tourist. The ironic thing is, we ended up buying a new boat.

jaws, I agree with your points. Yes, potential buyers can be given some special care, but everyone should be treated with equal respect.
 
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