Commissioning rip off?

[southchinasea]

The new vessel is being commissioned. Part of the commissioning charge is to have her cleaned before hand over. Call me naive but if I had bought a new
BMW or Jag (or Ford) I don't think I would be paying for a wash and wax before I was handed the keys. Or would I?
Cheers

 

[andyball]

the price for a new car is often quoted including "numberplates,rfl & delivery". which since they're delivered to dealers covered in travel-wax/grime, must include cleaning I s'pose.

 

[david_e]

My car is always cleaned by the dealer no matter what it goes near them for.
On a boat it does seem a bit steep, especially as much of the mess is made by them getting it ready during the normal commissioning process anyway. If it wasn't itemised separately in the quote, don't pay it. You could ask them what their mark up is supposed to cover.

 

[steve_cronin]

Mass produced boats come as kits from the factory.

"The price is quoted 'Ex-works' so if you don't want to pay for commissioning then pick it up yourself, fit the instruments and rig it. - We can rent you a low loader on a daily basis if you like" is what they will tell you. I wonder if it works that way in the USA?

Steve Cronin

 

[extravert]

I seem to remember not so long ago that Trading Standards were looking into the commissioning rip-off on new boats. Their point was that if commissioning is charged separately as an extra then you must be able to buy the boat without it. With some boat manufacturers this was not possible, commissioning was a compulsary extra, which means it is not an extra at all, and must be included in the headline advertised price.

I can understand a delivery charge, and a charge for fitting any extras that you have specified, but I agree with Trading Standards that a non-optional commissioning charge is unacceptable.

If/when I buy a brand new boat I will offer to pay a reasonable amount for delivery on top of the advertised price, but not for commissioning. When you buy something new you have every right to expect it to be clean and working. If they argue, I shall walk away. I expect they will see my point of view if they really think they are going to lose a sale.

As commissioning still seems to be added to every new boat price, it doesn't look like Trading Standards have done much to enforce a solution to this rip-off.

 

[aztec]

cars are supplied "Ex works" to the dealer, who takes into account the retail price. it then needs to be prepared PDI'd cleaned, fueled, and have the accessories fitted, you don't pay extra for this.. it's all in the price.

or you could buy a kit, and build it yourself.. or get someone else to build it for you.. whatever you'll end up with a kit car, which on resale will be considerably cheaper than one from the dealer.. see westfield/lotus 7.

 

[southchinasea]

Very interesting post. I had assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that commissioning
charges were 'normal' so didn't kick up too much. It was when I insisted on a breakdown of these charges I felt a bit peeved. Engine commissioning, by the local agent, appeared to be checking the oil level and turning the key! Anyway my tantrum appears to be having some effect and the charges are. one by one, being waived.

 

[david_e]

Keep going, it's called the Salami effect, shaving away at the price. Salespeople are almost conditioned to it, especially with cars, where the price is cut down little by little, just like the salami in the deli)

 

[extravert]

Engine commissioning! Whatever next? If the manufacturer/dealer is not capabale of checking the oil levels then they shouldn't be in the business of making/selling boats. I just bought a new engine for an old boat, and didn't have to pay the engine manufacturer to come and commission it for me, so why should you when you're buying a new boat? It's all just a big wheeze so that the manufacturers can get a bit more money for a boat they have reduced the advertised price on to get the sale in the first place.

Like another poster said, keep on salami slicing away at the price and get rid of that commissioning cost.

As an aside, can anyone think of any other purchase we make in our lives that involves a commissioning cost? Car - no, house - no, computer - no. It's like surcharges on holidays, unreasonable and unfair, but the industry has always done it and so continues to get away with it. Time to stand up and object!