Has anyone had any experience or know anything about certificates with boat buying. I have seen a few on the classifieds and in other areas, but was sceptical on whether they could actually save me money or cost me more in the long run.
Are they easily transferrable?
can you add options onto the boat?
Is there anything else I should know before possibly buying one?
Thanks for any and all advice, experiences, and answers.
Greg Kosich
Using Boat Certificates??
Using Boat Certificates??
Contact me at Kosich & Callahan Insurance for a free quote for home, auto, boat, or Business Insurance.
GKosich@Kosich.com
925-284-3911
GKosich@Kosich.com
925-284-3911
Re: Using Boat Certificates??
Get a dollar amount from your local dealer as to what the Cert. is worth to them before you make your deal with the Cert. holder. Remember just because you buy it for a certain price does not mean that is what it is going to cost. Rick G.
Anglers Marine has been serving Southern California boaters and fishermen since 1981, with the West's largest bass fishing tackle store and the best boat dealership on the west coast.
Open 7 days a week
Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Sun. 10-3
Open 7 days a week
Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Sun. 10-3
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 1108
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 7:27 pm
- Location: Redwood City, CA
Re: Using Boat Certificates??
G-Ko,
I havent personally bought a boat with a certificate, but friends have. It's a great opportunity and you shouldn't shy away from it, just be smart and do your homework first. Don't get eager and make sure its the right choice for you.
As Rick mentioned, #1 rule is work and talk to the dealer first, before purchasing. That is who has to honor the certificate, not the guy you buy it from. He is free from it the second you buy it from him.
Here are some things i learned from them.
1- Some certificates are for a certain boat/motor/electronics package - period, with no options to upgrade or add-on. Others are negotiable and can be added on or used as a "value" towards a more expensive boat. So be sure you know what yours is with the dealer before purchasing. Its up to the dealer on how they want to honor that certificate.
2 - You also don't always get to choose the color you want, but have to take their "slow sales" color of choice from the lot or the factory. This is how dealers can move those less requested boats off the lot. Be sure to ask.
3 - Dealers make money on extras, services, and such, so adding to the package is in their best interest and they will usually always do that. This doesnt mean though that these are at a discounted price, like the certificate is, so some add-ons could cost you more as a total than if you bought the boat outright with those items included. Example - having a certificate for a 19ft w/150 and Garmin graph may be a bargain worth 20K, but you want Lowrance, so the dealer charges you the full $900 bucks retail for the new graph and only gives you the dealer cost ($100) for the trade-in on the Garmin. Retail, that Garmin was worth $500 bucks; you just lost money. Whereas, if you just walked in an bought that 19ft already equipped with the Lowrance, you likely would have gotten it for 10-20% less.
4 - Dealers who honor the certificate are looking to make you their longterm customer, so make that apart of any choices you make. You'll get the best service for that certificate and they will make some money and get a new longterm customer.
Hope this helps you.
Good luck,
Kopper_Bass
I havent personally bought a boat with a certificate, but friends have. It's a great opportunity and you shouldn't shy away from it, just be smart and do your homework first. Don't get eager and make sure its the right choice for you.
As Rick mentioned, #1 rule is work and talk to the dealer first, before purchasing. That is who has to honor the certificate, not the guy you buy it from. He is free from it the second you buy it from him.
Here are some things i learned from them.
1- Some certificates are for a certain boat/motor/electronics package - period, with no options to upgrade or add-on. Others are negotiable and can be added on or used as a "value" towards a more expensive boat. So be sure you know what yours is with the dealer before purchasing. Its up to the dealer on how they want to honor that certificate.
2 - You also don't always get to choose the color you want, but have to take their "slow sales" color of choice from the lot or the factory. This is how dealers can move those less requested boats off the lot. Be sure to ask.
3 - Dealers make money on extras, services, and such, so adding to the package is in their best interest and they will usually always do that. This doesnt mean though that these are at a discounted price, like the certificate is, so some add-ons could cost you more as a total than if you bought the boat outright with those items included. Example - having a certificate for a 19ft w/150 and Garmin graph may be a bargain worth 20K, but you want Lowrance, so the dealer charges you the full $900 bucks retail for the new graph and only gives you the dealer cost ($100) for the trade-in on the Garmin. Retail, that Garmin was worth $500 bucks; you just lost money. Whereas, if you just walked in an bought that 19ft already equipped with the Lowrance, you likely would have gotten it for 10-20% less.
4 - Dealers who honor the certificate are looking to make you their longterm customer, so make that apart of any choices you make. You'll get the best service for that certificate and they will make some money and get a new longterm customer.
Hope this helps you.
Good luck,
Kopper_Bass
Nobody remembers who came in 2nd place. Fish Hard - Play Hard!
-
- Posts: 2755
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 9:39 am
- Location: San Jose, CA
Re: Using Boat Certificates??
I have never bought a boat using a certificate of any type..But just reading Joe[s response made one hell of a lot of sense..You have to know what the certificate caovers and what it does not, you also need to know if you can add on to the package (at your cost) or not..
To my way of thinking most certificate boats would be worth buying, as long as you as a buyer had some choices as to the final boat..Now keep in mind some of those choices may cost you additional money..
mac
To my way of thinking most certificate boats would be worth buying, as long as you as a buyer had some choices as to the final boat..Now keep in mind some of those choices may cost you additional money..
mac
Take a kid fishing, and don't forget about us older kids either..
Copyright © 2013-2025 WesternBass.com ®