Boring Boat shows

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I am bored with the Southampton Boat show, do you think if we all shout loud enough the organisers will do something about it? Year after year I go, the sales people are not interested and say you have to make an appointment when the boat has no one on it. The food at the stands is awful and not enough chairs or tables. There appeared to be less choice last year of boats to view. The best part was the MDL hospitality suite where we got a free drink and rested our tired feet. You could not say in the last few years that there was any difference in the show from any other year. Frankly I think they should pay us to go!!!!!
 
Then dont go? make all the appointment with the boats you want to see at the dealers yard and get their full attention there.

I find it so frustrating and one sided to hear that folk are not allowed on boats because of security men and dolly birds in their way. I have NEVER had a problem getting on any boat at the show.

Personally and this is MY view I find these arguments so one sided and representative of a tiny proportion of people that go to the show.

sorry!
 
Well maybe they are listening a little anyway, I know of one Italian yard giving them a world premier of a new HT /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif but your right for too long the whole thing has been controlled by a few and been very insular, people don't want to see the same ole stuff year in year out, we want sexy new stuff, new innovations and interesting technology in short be world players and attract overseas vistors and new peeps to the shows. The med shows attract people from all over the world cus they take a much more global attitude where as here it is seen as looking after no.1 which ultimately means it becomes less interesting.
 
I think complacency has set in, it's worked in the past so will continue to do so. But then I guess it's hard to know what to change to make it different/better.

Best bet is not to go every year!
 
I Agree in part.

The problem is new manufacturers struggle to get in, and there is no form of support for 'concept boats' or 'prototypes' to be shown. I would love an area set aside where new designers or new companies could bring prototypes at minimum cost to get feedback. The other advantage is that the larger manufacturers get to nick there ideas!

Anyone have their email address!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I have to say that I do like to go and look around the boats even though I wont be buying one for a few years yet - im quite happy with what I have got - what I do like is the accessory stalls - with new technology and "bargain if you buy it at the show" offers - and deals - the year before last REEDS were there and I got a cheap refill for the Almanac - this year (2006) they were not and the almanacs were more expensive at the show than in my local chandlery!!!! Also I dont like this "spanish inqusition" about being serious enough to buy a boat if you want to go on it to look round by appointment - this used to be the very expensive ones - this year (2006) nearly all boats were by appointment and then you were rushed around for the next lot to have a look .... So pleae Southampton Boat show - get more accessory stalls in there so that we can spend all out cash on new inventions and cheap bargain deals .. on stuff we would never get in a million years if we didnt go to the show /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I hope the show is changing. I have been the last 5 or 6 years and it does seem to be a bit samey. Never really had a problem getting on boats at SIBS (unlike LIBS).

This year as an exhibitor we will try to make everyone welcome on our little stand /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif! It looks like the EC lot are really trying to put the Show back into things. I have seen some of the concepts and they look really good. Maybe, if they are successful they will improve all the shows.

Paul, EC is all about new boats and concepts.
 
My opinion is that at present in the UK there is the top 5% earners who at present take home very large salaries with even bigger bonus's. So in turn there are still a large number of people with considerable disposable income to spend on 'toys'. IMO this keeps the boat market boyant and to a degee means some of the factories dont have to work too hard at the shows.

If this situation changes and we have a slow-down that affects the big earners enough then the manufacturers will have to sweat a bit more to entice people to spend their money..

Once again, just another viewpoint..

Nick
 
blimey, its not compulsory.
If I want a giggle on a S/seeker, then I cant complain if I get to wait at the back of a queue. When I m interested in a boat, I call the dealer in advance and ask him to note my name, and I ll find him some time during the day.
If I see something I hadnt expected, discuss with the sales guy, and I always get a good viewing.Maybe I ll have to come back a bit later, thats ok.
But its a boat show.. its boats, and as factories dont tend to churn out models each six months, its often the same boats as last time. I go to look at boats, or dont go if there s nothing I want to see.
Why this expectation that the organisers need to entertain us?
 
Trouble is the cost , exhibitors are charged a great deal of money to exhibit costs exceed 137.50 per sq metre for the LBS that is before you place a carpet tile. onto the concrete.
 
Well get used to it because it's possible that the 2 competing London shows will kill each other and SIBS will be the only UK show left. Yes I agree with you that the sales staff on some stands appear to be uneccesarily snooty but at the same time, I understand why they want to manage the no of people on their boats and accompany any visitors. Firstly, the salesmen obviously want to make contact with and look after any genuine buyers who have come to the show with the intention of placing an order and not risk losing them in a free for all and secondly, stuff does get nicked from boats at shows. But I do think that the sales staff are sometimes ridiculously precious about their boats. You get the old line about there being somebody else on board and can you come back later but my response is that nobody goes to a boat show expecting to have every exhibit to themselves. Exhibitors have to find a balance between managing their sales contacts and not offending casual visitors who, after all, may be a buyer in the future
 
There is another view to all these very genuine postings and greivences.

I will be placing an order this October for a new boat (about 65-70 feet long) costing up to £1.5 million ex vat.

Currently we have a choice of 3 makes/models that fit our requirements and as a family we will vist the show and expect
for the manufacturers to give us as much time on the boat as we wish WITHOUT having to be rushed or keep moving and making space for casual lookers.

This may seem harsh from my point of view but I am spending a great deal of money and WILL be making appointments with each manufacturer in advance.

Maybe the answer is for the manurfacturers to inform casual lookers that they can look over the boats but must agree to leave if a person who has made an appointment arrives.

What do you all think of this?
 
I can't agree. I have never had any problem viewing boats even from manufacturers who don't know me. Perhaps I give the impression that I am in the market! With regard to the food I have always found the seafood restaurant pretty good and I have always been treated to light refreshments on most of the stands. Sunseeker and Fairline are very generous with the champagne. Maybe they don't think you are a potential customer.
 
A few points from that.
Firstly, if you have decided on the boats from 3 manufacturers which you are planning to choose from, cant you visit the factorys / offices of the company to spend as much time as you like viewing their boats without the 'common man' bothering you? or does that not happen with boat manufacturers? (i'm thinking of the car industry)

Secondly, even when i have been in a position to buy i like to browse vessels at a show without making my intentions known to sales staff as i'm one of those people who like to be left alone until i want to talk money and specs. I guess i would be classed as a casual observer.

I do understand the balancing point that its hard to dedicate time to both serious enquiries and no doubt the countless people who are just looking out of casual interest or sheer amazement /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif but a salespersons job is exactly that. to sell.. and with that IMO should show a friendly and courteous face to all visitors...
As any one of those visitors could give you a call in a weeks time to discuss an order..
 
20m, I know you agreed with my previous post but I'm not going to agree with yours. I think it is a bit selfish of you to go to a public exhibition and expect that the public is barred from the exhibits in order that you don't feel rushed or crowded. I don't want to tell you how to choose your boat but I would suggest that the place to carry out a detailed inspection of a boat in peace and quiet is the dealer's yard not a busy exhibition. Also don't forget that whilst the salesman is barring punters from stepping on a boat that you're musing over he's possibly aggravating other potential customers for the boat which, after all, you might not even end up buying
Don't get me wrong. The sales staff have to find a way of differentiating between a genuine sales prospect such as yourself and penniless tyre kickers such as Jimi but they should'nt insult the dreamers either who might just be tomorrow's buyers
 
Boats at the price level I am looking at are not generally available at the manurfacturers to inspect, but they do produce one for major shows.

I have looked at the relevant boats in production but you cannot arrive at a firm decision until you see the finished product.

At SIPS I will be able to view all 3 boats together for the first time and make comparisons between them.

Fire99 Your comment ' the common man bothering you' was unwarranted as I was only trying to put the other side.
 
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