Talulah
Well-Known Member
Would never buy a VW due to showroom experience. First they wanted me to complete a lifestyle questionnaire.
Would never buy a Southerley due to boat show attitudes on more than one occasion.
Dusseldorf great and Oyster Yachts not so..
- Thread starter yacht
- Start date
Would never buy a VW due to showroom experience. First they wanted me to complete a lifestyle questionnaire.
Would never buy a Southerley due to boat show attitudes on more than one occasion.
bedouin
Well-Known Member
But would you seriously consider either otherwise?
Seems to me that sales people tailor the sales experience to their target market.
The people I have found most off-putting at the boat shows are those "sales people" who will let too many people onto the boat at one time and seem to assume you are not a serious customer.
Poecheng
Well-Known Member
I can only relate our experience of Oyster and I accept that it is not quite "on point" as it is not about boat shows.
A number of years ago - I am guessing we were in our late 30's at the time - we looked at the smaller sized Oysters (O406 and O435) through Oyster brokerage.
In the end we did not buy such a large boat but I can say that we were treated very well indeed and really pleasant, highly knowledgeable brokers spent time with us. It was not "sales" talk but imparting knowledge and experience to us with no sales pressure at all (which would have put me off). We could not fault them.
When we cast off, I would naturally head their way as the products are very good IMHO and the support service seems exceptional.
BTW it is highly unlikely that we (well, at least me) would have been anything other than fairly scruffy and certainly not in a new car.
A number of years ago - I am guessing we were in our late 30's at the time - we looked at the smaller sized Oysters (O406 and O435) through Oyster brokerage.
In the end we did not buy such a large boat but I can say that we were treated very well indeed and really pleasant, highly knowledgeable brokers spent time with us. It was not "sales" talk but imparting knowledge and experience to us with no sales pressure at all (which would have put me off). We could not fault them.
When we cast off, I would naturally head their way as the products are very good IMHO and the support service seems exceptional.
BTW it is highly unlikely that we (well, at least me) would have been anything other than fairly scruffy and certainly not in a new car.
Neil_Y
Well-Known Member
Most of my customers are engineers looking for quality and some of them own 50m yachts, many more are what I would describe as well heeled, with 50'-70' nice boats (not cheap mass produced items). Nearly all are pretty (bordering on scruffy) casual only their cars/boats or private jets are the give away.
I've had the same reaction from some boat stands at shows when I was boat hunting, despite being able to pay cash for many. They need to be more careful as the impression sticks with you and puts you off those brands that pre judge you.
I've had the same reaction from some boat stands at shows when I was boat hunting, despite being able to pay cash for many. They need to be more careful as the impression sticks with you and puts you off those brands that pre judge you.
xyachtdave
Well-Known Member
Maybe the salesmen are employing reverse psychology.......Insinuate the potential customer can't afford the branded product, just to get him to prove he can afford it and buy one?
Seven Spades
Well-Known Member
Southerly take a different approach, you can't wander on to their boats but before they let you on the insist on taking your details, this puts off a lot of tyre kickers but anyone genuinely interested in buying a boat would not. Perhaps Oyster could learn something from this approach.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I visited the Rustler 33 at the London Boat Show a year or two ago. I explained that I couldn't possibly afford one but just wanted to see what they were like (and that I would get out of the way if a real prospect came along), and the chap on board could not have been more welcoming. It left me with a very, very positive impression of Rustler, and if I ever get taken rich they will be top of my list. I much prefer dealing with nice people.
Richard Shead
Slipped Anchor
They make good coffee too...Nick (Rustler) has just bought one over for me from his stand here in Dusseldorf to my stand opposite as I type this!
Nautorius
Well-Known Member
I also have never got on an Oyster at any Boatshow. and frankly I love them so I am gutted. In 2008 at SIBS it was raining so we got on a new Bene 43. I was a Mobo man at time. 6 months later bought a Bene 43! Also once called into a new show house for directions and bought it. I do tend to be impulsive with big purchases, Cars, Boats, Houses...based on a good feeling. I have bought new boats at boat shows, but have also been put off several brands as a result of salespeople. I did not plan Boatshows as I was busy travelling a lot so struggled to plan ahead and therefore no chance of making appointments but always happy to wait or get an appointment later on that day. I have been a tyre kicker of Toys (Cars/Boats/60 inch TV's....high end watches, stereos) and Houses many times....but my disposable income has increased and I do buy big ticket items. If I really wanted an Oyster I would make an appointment....but as I have never been on one how do I know if I want one? So I will think about other Brands.
Life is all about experiences and unfortunately I have not had the 'Oyster' experience.
Life is all about experiences and unfortunately I have not had the 'Oyster' experience.
Scarron
Well-Known Member
Absolutely, spot on.
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
As Richard has responded on this thread perhaps he can get Oyster to respond.
As I see it the only almost correct answer is we sell all we can make without uninvited guests.
It may not always be that way for them and if so why bother displaying at Boat Shows anyway.
Amazing the number of responses in this thread where a bad salesman's response has resulted in that person NEVER ever buying that product.
Whats the opposite to salesman?? Unsalesman??
As I see it the only almost correct answer is we sell all we can make without uninvited guests.
It may not always be that way for them and if so why bother displaying at Boat Shows anyway.
Amazing the number of responses in this thread where a bad salesman's response has resulted in that person NEVER ever buying that product.
Whats the opposite to salesman?? Unsalesman??
andymcp
Well-Known Member
I have only once had a fleeting engagement with Oyster, when a particularly nice very second hand 406 caught my eye when we were scoping out our requirements. So I think it's fair to say we are firmly at the bottom of their prospective customer list. Since then they have resolutely sent me their magazine every year, and update me on brokerage boats that might suit. There has been no snobbery that I've experienced, and on the one occasion where work had me near their yard, I called in on the off chance to take a peek around. Welcoming, friendly, perfectly happy to open up boats I had no chance of buying.
They do have a hard time at boat shows though, and I don't really see why. Dufour had a hard limit of 10 people per boat during the last show where I saw them. Oyster were the same - with staff on board and at the desk to make sure this was maintained. Dufour let you queue until you were one of the 10, Oyster asked you to book. Same system, different approaches. Maybe Oyster don't like large queues at their stand? Maybe their potential customers don't do queues? I don't know but the upside is you get on straight away at your allotted time, instead of hanging around for an hour. Having said that, when I found out I was going to be in London during LIBS a couple of years ago, I did call them, ask what boats would be at the stand and whether I could book to look round all of them. No vetting, just given times that suited me and welcomed on the day.
I've also been told no on the day, but offered an appointment on any other day when their slots weren't full. I would agree with the OP though, if they (or anyone) act rudely then it's never nice, and their premium brand will always make any rudeness seem worse than it would otherwise be.
They do have a hard time at boat shows though, and I don't really see why. Dufour had a hard limit of 10 people per boat during the last show where I saw them. Oyster were the same - with staff on board and at the desk to make sure this was maintained. Dufour let you queue until you were one of the 10, Oyster asked you to book. Same system, different approaches. Maybe Oyster don't like large queues at their stand? Maybe their potential customers don't do queues? I don't know but the upside is you get on straight away at your allotted time, instead of hanging around for an hour. Having said that, when I found out I was going to be in London during LIBS a couple of years ago, I did call them, ask what boats would be at the stand and whether I could book to look round all of them. No vetting, just given times that suited me and welcomed on the day.
I've also been told no on the day, but offered an appointment on any other day when their slots weren't full. I would agree with the OP though, if they (or anyone) act rudely then it's never nice, and their premium brand will always make any rudeness seem worse than it would otherwise be.
jfm
Well-Known Member
Lozzer, no-one is bashing Oyster yachts. They are beautiful things and I don't think anyone has said otherwise. Everyone respects their quality as sailing machines. The only thing people are bashing is the attitude of the Oyster front desk at boat shows, and that properly deserves bashing, at least imho.
As for writing privately to CEO , there is no way I will waste my time looking up his/her address. This is 2014, and he/she is free to look on here (or not; it's a free choice)
freddy the frog
Well-Known Member
Absolutly , its the front of house that needs to change not the brand. Approx 15 odd years ago i attended the earls court boat show and sunseeker had the new predator 80 on show new model biggest thing they made then ( correct me if i am wrong ) i approached the sales staff to have a look on her, they obviously didnt recognise me as being one of their regular customers or someone from the champaigne bar they simply told me that veiwing is not posible although i saw plenty of people on the boat.
However 3 weeks later i was at dusseldorf show and low and behold the predetor 80 was also on the sunseeker stand so i thought i would try my luck again, we went up to the young lady who i think was dutch or german and asked if it was posible to view the boat she politly told us to sit down and have a coffee whilst she tidied the boat, 15 minites later we was onboard, a breif tour with her and she left us on our own to wander just give me a shout if you have any questions, i could not believe the diference in attitude of the two different type of staff just goes to show you
However 3 weeks later i was at dusseldorf show and low and behold the predetor 80 was also on the sunseeker stand so i thought i would try my luck again, we went up to the young lady who i think was dutch or german and asked if it was posible to view the boat she politly told us to sit down and have a coffee whilst she tidied the boat, 15 minites later we was onboard, a breif tour with her and she left us on our own to wander just give me a shout if you have any questions, i could not believe the diference in attitude of the two different type of staff just goes to show you
Richard Shead
Slipped Anchor
As I am on the clock I will try and be brief but to the point..
Boat shows are funny ones and their first problem is the fact they are so long and this causes your first headache and thats staff fatigue..I am not talking about late nights early starts etc I am talking about 9/10 (more if on build up) of non stop often on your feet repetitive conversation. Not your problem I hear you ask but for even the largest of exhibitors it will be the office staff that work the show as budget will not allow for hire in staff.
Firstly...
In a nutshell it is IMPOSSIBLE to smile at each and every person that comes to the stand let alone be caught off guard by someone 30 feet away who will tell their mates the person on the front had a face like a smaked backside as they turned away to sneeze, cough or even yawn (lack of oxygen in most venue)
It is impossible to allow each and every person that approches the desk to view the boat and lets cut out the nonsense of car showroom comparisons as they dont stack up, there is not a car showroom in the land that deals with the volumes of folk you get at an expo.
What I do know is that exhibitors are there to sell that is their single most importnat objective even me with my £4.00 magazines (and that really is a numbers game!) I do not know of one exhibitor that refuses viewing of their boats, they may have a policy of qualifying their audience and that will vary but you have to have some sales strategy in place? dont be offended if you are asked to come back or hell even give your name! when you are dealing with large numbers you will have to have some sort of system.
One thing to remember is whilst a boat may appear to be un occupied it may well have a client on there talking numbers and they may not want other folk looking on board whilst this takes place.
As for rude receptionists then again is very subjective, I will always try and help where I can but some people (not many) simply come on for a fight, they have an agenda before even coming to the stand. Even if the problem is not yours they will blame you. At the tender age of (nearly) 40 I have done probably hundreds of boat shows now all over the world and one common theme is folk that want a fight, some literally.
Add to that the language barrier. Dusseldorf is a classic - I dont know of any other show in the world that has as many different languages as this one. As an international visitor you should expect to have difficulty and misunderstands with exhibitors there even ones form your own country as they will often have local dealers or hosts manning the stand.
Anyhow I have run out of time and only got half the message out but my point is..
No exhibitor will turn down business even Oyster who had a very good show (yes exhibitors do talk to one another and very few lie)
There will ALWAYS be a reason why you cant look over a boat if you arrive unannounced with no booking (larger craft for example) dont take it personally
To add there are a lot of "facts" in this thread that are laughable so be sure to egt them right as you may be slating a company for no good reason..
If you want to see un interested staff I suggest you attend the Ideal home show or the four day ski show....you will be thankful for boat shows!
Cheers
Boat shows are funny ones and their first problem is the fact they are so long and this causes your first headache and thats staff fatigue..I am not talking about late nights early starts etc I am talking about 9/10 (more if on build up) of non stop often on your feet repetitive conversation. Not your problem I hear you ask but for even the largest of exhibitors it will be the office staff that work the show as budget will not allow for hire in staff.
Firstly...
In a nutshell it is IMPOSSIBLE to smile at each and every person that comes to the stand let alone be caught off guard by someone 30 feet away who will tell their mates the person on the front had a face like a smaked backside as they turned away to sneeze, cough or even yawn (lack of oxygen in most venue)
It is impossible to allow each and every person that approches the desk to view the boat and lets cut out the nonsense of car showroom comparisons as they dont stack up, there is not a car showroom in the land that deals with the volumes of folk you get at an expo.
What I do know is that exhibitors are there to sell that is their single most importnat objective even me with my £4.00 magazines (and that really is a numbers game!) I do not know of one exhibitor that refuses viewing of their boats, they may have a policy of qualifying their audience and that will vary but you have to have some sales strategy in place? dont be offended if you are asked to come back or hell even give your name! when you are dealing with large numbers you will have to have some sort of system.
One thing to remember is whilst a boat may appear to be un occupied it may well have a client on there talking numbers and they may not want other folk looking on board whilst this takes place.
As for rude receptionists then again is very subjective, I will always try and help where I can but some people (not many) simply come on for a fight, they have an agenda before even coming to the stand. Even if the problem is not yours they will blame you. At the tender age of (nearly) 40 I have done probably hundreds of boat shows now all over the world and one common theme is folk that want a fight, some literally.
Add to that the language barrier. Dusseldorf is a classic - I dont know of any other show in the world that has as many different languages as this one. As an international visitor you should expect to have difficulty and misunderstands with exhibitors there even ones form your own country as they will often have local dealers or hosts manning the stand.
Anyhow I have run out of time and only got half the message out but my point is..
No exhibitor will turn down business even Oyster who had a very good show (yes exhibitors do talk to one another and very few lie)
There will ALWAYS be a reason why you cant look over a boat if you arrive unannounced with no booking (larger craft for example) dont take it personally
To add there are a lot of "facts" in this thread that are laughable so be sure to egt them right as you may be slating a company for no good reason..
If you want to see un interested staff I suggest you attend the Ideal home show or the four day ski show....you will be thankful for boat shows!
Cheers
KINGFISHER 9
Well-Known Member
I'm with Richard ... every time there's a boat show we get stories of people deciding not to buy a £10 million yacht because the salesman was rude/on his mobile/ picking his nose and didn't instantly hurl himself to his knees on the red carpet, grovelling and pleading with them to come aboard. All a bit tiresome really.
AndrewfromFal
Well-Known Member
+1. From some of the comments above, it would seem that people are unaware that the reason these shows exist in the first place is for exhibitors to sell product, not as some sort of amusement park for grown ups. You might advance the theory that the kid you let on now might be a customer in later life, but seriously, how many companies can afford to base their business model on possible orders 10 or 20 years in the future?
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
That argument would work better if we didn't have to pay to visit them.
AndrewfromFal
Well-Known Member
Irrelevant; the revenue generated by ticket sales doesn't go to the exhibitors. The exhibitors also pay, so if they didn't make money, they wouldn't attend; they're not there because they're in the entertainment business.
rotrax
Well-Known Member
Sartorial elegance is not my forte. I have been described as a scruffy bugger.
But, when viewing expensive yachts at shows, the attitude of the salesperson/boatminder changes when they ask what we are sailing at the moment.
The fact that it is a small elderly model seems to escape them, but it is obvious the " status " of our current boat gets us better treatment.
Personally, I dont like this attitude. Having worked for many years manning a major Motorcycle Manufacturers stand at the NEC shows I understand the pressures of such events.
All prospective Punters should be treated the same-if they get the cheque book out thats the time to rack up the charm!
But, when viewing expensive yachts at shows, the attitude of the salesperson/boatminder changes when they ask what we are sailing at the moment.
The fact that it is a small elderly model seems to escape them, but it is obvious the " status " of our current boat gets us better treatment.
Personally, I dont like this attitude. Having worked for many years manning a major Motorcycle Manufacturers stand at the NEC shows I understand the pressures of such events.
All prospective Punters should be treated the same-if they get the cheque book out thats the time to rack up the charm!