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Negotiating Price on New Skiff

8K views 43 replies 21 participants last post by  Cut Runner 
#1 ·
Is the pricing on a new build negotiable?
 
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#4 ·
I know we all want/ need to save money. But what if we pay the builder what they deserve for the work they are performing. We all expect to get paid for our work right? Send it down the line then. If you are thinking of buying a boat then don’t you want that builder to be around if/when there is warranty work to be done? I certainly do. Too many builders come and go because of money problems.
 
#7 ·
I don't understand the point to the thread. No one is going to have relevant experience with more than one builder, and even then it it isn't recent it might not be accurate. Are asking about one specific brand? If you you have a better chance of getting some realistic feedback.

My personal opinion, not based on any fact or research other than a sales and marketing background...The builders that can produce boats for inventory will have dealers and the dealers may or may not negotiate, but also add on all kinds of other "fees" which are really just additional profit/markup. Builders making to order, especially with a waitlist are likely already underpricing their product compared to what the market will allow. But there is a fine line between pricing that attracts a waitlist and having rent, staff, etc waiting around for an order on an overpriced product.
 
#8 ·
I don't understand the point to the thread. No one is going to have relevant experience with more than one builder, and even then it it isn't recent it might not be accurate. Are asking about one specific brand? If you you have a better chance of getting some realistic feedback.
The point would be to figure out if most people pay the exact amount on the price list or if it’s negotiable. I’m not sure why relevant experience with more than one builder is important? If someone has relevant experience with one builder that would suffice.

I’m not looking at any specific brands right now. Curious about builds, inventory, and used skiffs.
 
#9 ·
Look at the 17’ hpx v lawlelman has for sale on here. Iris now at a $17,000 discount from sticker price. Maverick is different than most skiff builders as they have a dealer network. Used stuff is always negotiable in my experience. If you are going new built exactly to your specs it can be more difficult. If you have the money, paying the full price up front rather than just a deposit may get you a discount, just make sure it is a reputable established builder.
 
#12 ·
I know when I ordered my HB the price was only negotiable to the extent that options were added or subtracted. I doubt that any of the top tier builders are going to have negotiable prices for new boats. These skiffs are very different products than mass produced cars and trucks with many dealers everywhere.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Agreed with what’s been said here. If you ordering a new skiff spec’d the way you want, expect to pay sticker price. You also don’t want to come across as a cheap ass from the beginning, as they aren’t likely to do you any favors.

Personally, I’d ask for a quote on the boat you’d like, the way you’d like it rigged. If it’s over what you anticipate or are able to spend, there’s no harm in asking them “I was hoping to stay closer to $x, what can we do to get it down around that number?”

It might be just leaving the seadek or trolling motor off for now, but they might have a hull that they built for a guy in another color and he backed out of the build, or a motor that someone ran for a bit and then upgraded they would be happy to make you a deal on.

Asking them to do the same amount and quality of work for less $ is wrong IMO though. Take that for what you paid for it.
 
#15 ·
Under extremely extenuating circumstances (like a replay of the great depression etc) then yes better probability of negotiating price. Other than that, not so much.

Tell ya what: Why dont you call up Hells Bay Boatworks and ask them to offer a 15% discount on a nicely optioned Professional. And then tell them you are only willing to give them a $1000 deposit to initiate the build. Tell them if they dont come off their offer you aren't buying. Then humor us all by reporting back here honestly what they tell you.
 
#18 ·
The were 2 times I was able to "negotiate" a discount on a new custom boat because the builders wanted to get a boat into an untapped market and I agreed to allow potential customers to see the boat. Both builders knew I spent a ton of time on the water and they considered it good advertising for the boats to be seen.

I know that it resulted in more than a few sales and it worked out great for both parties.

If you have nothing to offer that benefits the builder, prepare to pay full freight.
 
#19 ·
Here's a simple way to look at it. Why should a builder who has an order backlog for months give you a deal? Unless, like the guy above, you can offer them some business advantage they just have no reason to give you a deal.

Oh and one more thing. Lets say builder X did give you a discount. Well we all know that you just can't stop from bragging about the deal you got with builder X (this is a generic statement not meant for the OP). Then how does everybody else that already paid the full price feel? And now that becomes the new price because everybody now has leverage. "I know you sold that boat to X for this price and I am not paying more than he did."
 
#29 ·
I will be in the market for a skiff provided that I am able to find a place closer to the water that both my wife and I will be happy with. That being said, if I am getting a skiff built I certainly would not expect a manufacturer to come off of his or her price. The manufacturer has a percentage of profit that they must maintain to stay in business let alone make a living. There is nothing wrong with asking how to get what you want down to your price point. A manufacturer certainly would like to see more of his or her product in the public eye and they may have a little wiggle room but I would doubt it.
 
#43 ·
I don’t know about negotiating a price, but I recently spoke with several builders that were willing to give a small discount for first responders. I also spoke with a few that did not have a practice of discounting. Either way I would not have known if I didn’t ask.
 
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