Trying to buy 2014 330 Dancer. Keyword.. Trying

[BlackSnowSlide]

My wife and I have a 2007 Monterey 250cr that we purchased new in spring of 2008. We have had many great years and countless memories we will cherish forever. As our family has grown and our type of boating has refined, we are currently looking to up-size into the 33 foot range.

After speaking to members at our marina and research including boat shows, the Sun Dancer 330 is on our short list. Friends that own Sun Dancers absolutely love them. Our local Searay dealer hasn't been very helpful in our shopping as the only thing he wants us to do is put 250k on the table and then I'll act like a care. We have been sent to a few different boat shows by the dealer just to find that the 33 isn't there. He can't show me one besides a picture and an unwillingness to even give us a brochure.

We are in Florida as I type and called the factory so we can see a 330. " You need to go to Daytona and see the dealership. Only after you come to a purchasing agreement can we let you see one. We are sick and tired of waiting our time. " was the response I received.

Am I the only one that has these sort of issues? Is this common practice with Sea Ray dealers? I am surprised as to how hard it is to do business, answer questions, and get the information we need to move forward. I have invested a good number of hours and a handful of day trips just to feel no closer to getting a new ride.

 

[Do Over]

its the part of the boat buying experience I've never understood....agree to the money FIRST....then I'll show ya the boat....BS as far as I'm concerned.


good luck

 

[sdarc]

If that's what you are getting from the dealer I'd go and look at used/brokerage boats. I'm sure somebody would love to show you a boat under that context. Who knows you may find a well kept older and larger boat in your price range. And you know you're going to go up in size eventually. Grin:

 

[Bugsy24]

There's a Guy on this site named Captain Rusty, he works for Sea Ray Corporate and delivers Boats for them. Get in touch with him and I'm sure he'll help you out!

 

[AAK]

It looks like you have limited your search to a new boat only. I would expand the search to a used low hour well maintained Sea Ray in the 32' to 35' range. You'll get more value for your money and probably wind up with something a little bigger than what you were going to spend on a new smaller boat. You'll most likely get some extra equipment on a used boat too. I too agree that something is wrong with the way they try to sell new boats, not worth the aggravation. Just my 2 cents.

 

[fwebster]

I don't know that this is typical of all dealers, rather, it may simply be a product of dealing with commissioned sales people. You were the "next up" for the sales person you happened to speak to at the dealer. He makes nothing unless he sells a boat and many of them won't expend any effort unless they have the boat you want in stock so they can sell it immediately. You just happened to get a salesman who wasn't willing to work for a sale.

As far as dropping by a Sea Ray factory in Florida.....the boat you are interested in is made in Tennessee, not at Palm Coast (≥40 ft) or Sykes Creek ( 590-650L Class) in Florida. The factory couldn't show you a boat because they never even saw one much less built one. The only thing they could have done was to refer you to a nearby dealer, which it sounds like they did. The factories are usually very accomodating, so if they had the ability to help you or answer your questions, then they would have done so.

My advice to you is to get past the salesman standing by the front door and ask to speak to a sales manager, then explain to him your issues with the salesman who only want to show/sell what is in inventory and ask him to set up a visit for you at a place where you can see the model you are planning to buy.

Also, Capt. Rusty Higgins is on CSR from time to time. He is the yacht delivery captain and deals primarily with the L-CLass boats and their delivery. He is in and around the Miami show right now taking boats to the show and then either delivering them to customers or moving them to their next location, which I believe is in the Keys for a photo shoot for their Marketing people. He checks CSR frequently, but given his schedule, he may not see this for some time, and even then he may not be in a position to help you find and see a 33 DA since he doesn't work for the factory that produces them and isn't involved in their delivery.

 

[JimT]

I second the recommendation to look at late model used 330 Sundancers.

Search on Yachtworld.com and boats.com for 330DA's in Fl and MA. Go and look at a few. That's how I found my boat which was loaded, freshwater, low hours, store in covered slip and half of the MSRP.

 

[spfortjohn]

Here is one and it is in Fla. Clearwater

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2013-Sea-Ray-330-Sundancer-102414037

 

[dpmulvey]

If that's what you are getting from the dealer I'd go and look at used/brokerage boats. I'm sure somebody would love to show you a boat under that context. Who knows you may find a well kept older and larger boat in your price range. And you know you're going to go up in size eventually. Grin:

A HUGE +1.

The 330 of today is not the 330 of yesterday and the 330 of yesterday isn't even close to the pre-Clinton 340. I was docked next to a pristine PC 340 a couple of years ago. I swear you could have shoehorned my boat IN the 340 with very little effort.

 

[ZZ13]

Good thing not everyone buying a new boat comes to CSR for help. Then they'd all be steered to used boats, Sea Ray would go out of business in short order and there would be no future modern boats for us bargain hunters to upgrade to. Although I kinda feel this is already happening with the mid sized cruiser.

 

[Do Over]

anyone who buys a new boat (I don't care what brand) is nuts as far as I'm concerned :smt101

 

[spfortjohn]

Good thing not everyone buying a new boat comes to CSR for help. Then they'd all be steered to used boats, Sea Ray would go out of business in short order and there would be no future modern boats for us bargain hunters to upgrade to. Although I kinda feel this is already happening with the mid sized cruiser.

Some people need to purchase a new boat. If they are new to large boats and have a good dealer that can service the boat and provide training on systems. Then it would make sense to purchase new.

 

[dpmulvey]

Good thing not everyone buying a new boat comes to CSR for help. Then they'd all be steered to used boats, Sea Ray would go out of business in short order and there would be no future modern boats for us bargain hunters to upgrade to. Although I kinda feel this is already happening with the mid sized cruiser.

At the prices they are charging, it's only a matter of time!!

Besides, we all know if it flies, floats of fu(*^s, it's cheaper to lease. Used is as close as your coming to lease in this hobby.

 

[sporters78]

Try Marinemax in Miami they have 2015 330

 

[Gofirstclass]

its the part of the boat buying experience I've never understood....agree to the money FIRST....then I'll show ya the boat....BS as far as I'm concerned.


good luck

DO. The "agree to the money first" part is based on a boat that successfully passes a survey. When failures of disclosed during a survey, it's back to the negotiations table. On the two 330's I bought and had surveyed, I was able to get the seller to lower the price by the total amount of the serious deficiencies that the survey turned up. I then had the deficiencies repaired at my expense and saved a TON of money on the purchase. None of the items were serious, mostly cosmetic and included tune ups on both engines.

On my current boat there were a few relatively minor issues that we renegotiated about , and I was very satisfied with the end result price.

 

[Do Over]

DO. The "agree to the money first" part is based on a boat that successfully passes a survey. When failures of disclosed during a survey, it's back to the negotiations table. On the two 330's I bought and had surveyed, I was able to get the seller to lower the price by the total amount of the serious deficiencies that the survey turned up. I then had the deficiencies repaired at my expense and saved a TON of money on the purchase. None of the items were serious, mostly cosmetic and included tune ups on both engines.

On my current boat there were a few relatively minor issues that we renegotiated about , and I was very satisfied with the end result price.

Thats not the way it worked here for me on the first boat I checked out (before I bought the '02)......thru MarineMax on a consignment '01 I had to negotiate an agreed upon number (with the seller) BEFORE we went to survey...then after.....more back and forth because of findings during the survey. Finally ending in a refusal from the seller on my offer......the boat is STILL for sale.

 

[Zach312]

If you are willing to look at used boats 250k will go a long ways. The 2006-2008 40 sundacer comes to mind. You can find them fully loaded with diesel power in your price range. (I kno as I just bought one

New or used good luck.

 

[SeaRayCorporate]

BlackSnowSlide,

I sent you a private message. I'd love to connect.

Matt Guilford - Sea Ray Group

 

[islandhopper00]

I'm not sure what it would take, to make me buy a "new" boat again, but it's not something I'll be very likely to do ever again. I bought 4 brand new boats back to back, from 1998 till 2007. Each experience was less exciting each time.
I need to clairify,my dealer Hall Marine Lake Wylie (2006 240da) was brilliant to deal with. Customer service was beyond expectation. Sea Ray, not so much.

I have been looking to move up for a couple of years now. The market, and experience is not fun. My now local dealer Hall Marine Lake Norman has the sort of experience your talking about. The salesman I dealt with basically told me what I wanted to hear then let me discover the truth when we got to the showroom. Turned out to be a real car salesman. (bait and switch) Then screwed my deal with another salesman because I didn't want to deal with the first guy.

So, I haven't done anything, and decided to wait a few more years and bypass the "next" sundancer, and go straight to a trawler.

Good luck, I see Matt has e-mailed you. Maybe he can help you out.

I wanted to share that I just returned from the Miami boat show, I even walked around the Collins Ave show. What I saw disturbed me, but I completely understand.
At the Convention Center, we regular folks beg to see a boat, stand in line with our shoes off, watching little kids climb all over the boats. Sales folks pulling their hair out trying to keep people in line and maybe sell a boat.
At the Luxury line, there are sofas to lounge on, drinks, and food. Georgeous women flirting with you, laughing at my stupid jokes. Executive level white shirt sales folks at your beckon call.........life is good to be rich!

 

[BlackSnowSlide]

Thank you for all the answers. My wife, sone and I are in Aruba enjoying the beautiful weather. I was contacted by a gentleman from Sea Ray and I will connect with him once I get home. Thank you again. I'll keep everyone up to date.