Boat show observation

npf1

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I went to the show again yesterday to get answers to a few questions that had occured to me whilst researching a some new bits of kit. I found the answers I got rather amusing or, should I say, somewhat dissapointing. In three cases, on 3 different manufacturer's or distributor's stands the exact same thing happenned that went like this:

Q: I looking for one of these for a long distance cruise I'm planning later this year. I had a look at it last week but have a few more questions now that I've researched the alternatives. Can you tell me how it compares with XXX (a competing product)?

A: (from a senior person on the stand, not just a bod hired for the show). Errrrr .....I've never heard of XXXX. Followed by a load of waffle which was then followed by slagging off the other product that they calimed to have no knowledge of!!!

Do these guy's really not know who their competitors are and how their products compare? Or were they just fumbling along with BS because they knew the competitive offering is superior. It strikes me as rather strange that someone can be in business or in sales without knowing such info. Or break one of the golden rules of sales. Take almost any other industry and those who should know will know their market and how their product fits in to it. Why doesn't this seem to apply to pockets of the marine industry?

There I was considering spending quite a lot of dosh, even more than I had allocated for those items. All they did was persuade me to go elsewhere. IMO, they don't deserve to be in business.
 
My personal favourite was going up to a stand and asking how sales where going to be told....

"Huh, we dont expect to sell any boats at the show...."

And then they walked off. I was quite shocked to hear that
 
Similar vein – had read about a diesel ovens and was fascinated by the idea and what it might look like, (could do away with gas on a boat I mused). Asked at two gas oven stands to be met with incredulous looks – no such thing – I started to doubt my memory of the article, perhaps I had dreamt it.

Half an hour later stumbled upon a stand with – diesel ovens !
 
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Half an hour later stumbled upon a stand with – diesel ovens !

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Came across two boats cruising with diesel ovens. They had to cook on Stingo because there was always something broken and awaiting a warrenty replacement. After listening to many hours of woeful tales, I wouldn't touch one.
 
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When you going to add some more to your saga ?

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Been trying to get around to it since early Nov, but five weeks in Tobago helped me perfect apathy.
 
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