Is it possible to save [15%] on a new hull by buying directly from a builder at a boat show?

[Bouba]

So I belong to a member-run tennis club - the club belongs to (is affiliated with) something called the LTA. Think of it as an association of tennis clubs across Britain.
LTA is terrific, they provide knowhow, cheap insurance (collective bargaining), dead cheap tennis balls, rackets and other disposables (again, collective bargaining), wimbledon tickets, leagues, junior talent spotting, etc....

Is there such a thing with Yacht clubs? if not, why not? 1000s of members have a big say when buying boats collectively.

I can already imagine that I am turning in circles to understand what Loic Bonnet has already figured out many years ago...but I feel that this part of the process of learning about a new industry an understanding where value and leakage are.

The RYA have discounts with various suppliers

 

[Boat2016]

I would expect any agreement of discounts etc would need to be negotiated with the representing dealers and not by going behind their backs to try and force them out of business.
How would you feel if someone did that to your business...i can guess the answer.

 

[SouthWales]

Looking at their website now, how difficult would it be to add an RFQ tool for their members? All dealers can participate and compete.

The fact that they have not done it yet is alarming actually.

edit: is anyone aware of any tendering process of any sort when approach dealers to extract value? or are we fully at their mercy?

 

[SouthWales]

Sorry, I am a capitalist and do not believe that the consumer (I and you, assuming you are not a dealer) should subsidise inefficient business models.
Like every other business on the planet, they adapt (consolidate, etc....) or die. This oligopoly structure at the expense of the consumer is non-sensical in 2021.

 

[[178529]]

So I belong to a member-run tennis club - the club belongs to (is affiliated with) something called the LTA. Think of it as an association of tennis clubs across Britain.
LTA is terrific, they provide knowhow, cheap insurance (collective bargaining), dead cheap tennis balls, rackets and other disposables (again, collective bargaining)

edit: I have heard about the RYA and am surprised why they would do not do any collective bargaining.

Good to see the results of your extensive research.

 

[Bouba]

Sorry, I am a capitalist and do not believe that the consumer (I and you, assuming you are not a dealer) should subsidise inefficient business models.
Like every other business on the planet, they adapt (consolidate, etc....) or die. This oligopoly structure at the expense of the consumer is non-sensical in 2021.

It also allows the manufacturers complete deniability. Most local dealers working their captive market don’t give a toss, and a complaint to the manufacturer always gets the same answer, take it up with your dealer

 

[oldgit]

Is there such a thing with Yacht clubs? if not, why not? 1000s of members have a big say when buying boats collectively.

If my boat club is anything to go by, well over 200 members around 100 boats on the pontoons , boat owners are the most stroppy and agumentative people on the planet.
Most of them could start an argument in an empty room simply to pass the time of day. All of them would sell their grandmother into slavery if they thought they could get a better deal as a result ?
You are welcome to attend one of our AGMs for proof.

 

[SouthWales]

It also allows the manufacturers complete deniability. Most local dealers working their captive market don’t give a toss, and a complaint to the manufacturer always gets the same answer, take it up with your dealer

Terrific!
At their mercy then.

 

[Boat2016]

Terrific!
At their mercy then.

The choice is yours...no one is forcing you to buy a boat. (BTW I’m not a dealer or anything else connected with boat building or sales)

 

[Boat2016]

If my boat club is anything to go by, well over 200 members around 100 boats on the pontoons , boat owners are the most stroppy and agumentative people on the planet.
Most of them could start an argument in an empty room simply to past the time of day.All of them would sell their grandmother into slavery if they thought they could get a better deal as a result ?
You are welcome to attend one of our AGMs for proof.

And how many of them do you think will buy a new boat next year...even if you gave them a 20% discount ?

 

[Boat2016]

Sorry, I am a capitalist and do not believe that the consumer (I and you, assuming you are not a dealer) should subsidise inefficient business models.
Like every other business on the planet, they adapt (consolidate, etc....) or die. This oligopoly structure at the expense of the consumer is non-sensical in 2021.

What’s the inefficient business models you refer to ? We all have the choice of how we spend our money (except for the compulsory things of course)

 

[[178529]]

The choice is yours...no one is forcing you to buy a boat. (BTW I’m not a dealer or anything else connected with boat building or sales)

So in the OPs model you'd get a group of grumpy old farts (I don't think many in my club would argue the description) to agree on a yacht model and then negotiate on buying say ten Bavaria 34s at 110k instead of 135k. Then the grumpy old gits would club together, buy all the electronics and take it in turns to fit it to everyone's yachts plus set up all the rigging and commission all the engines. They'd all then agree to work on each others yachts to resolve all the snagging lists.

Suggest he/she write this disruptive model up as an idea for their economics essay before term starts.

 

[SouthWales]

Or buy lightly used out of warranty and dealers' grip. Do you know of a website where boaters advertise directly? An eBay motors kind of thing?

 

[SouthWales]

So in the OPs model you'd get a group of grumpy old farts (I don't think many in my club would argue the description) to agree on a yacht model and then negotiate on buying say ten Bavaria 34s at 110k instead of 135k. Then the grumpy old gits would club together, buy all the electronics and take it in turns to fit it to everyone's yachts plus set up all the rigging and commission all the engines. They'd all then agree to work on each others yachts to resolve all the snagging lists.

Suggest he/she write this disruptive model up as an idea for their economics essay before term starts.

No, just an rfq will do.

 

[Boat2016]

Or buy lightly used out of warranty and dealers' grip. Do you know of a website where boaters advertise directly? An eBay motors kind of thing?

.

Well theres one place you mentioned above or use Google...will show plenty of boats for sale.

 

[[178529]]

Or Apollo duck

 

[Black Sheep]

Can anyone approach a Beneteau with a small balance sheet and ask for dealership?

Yes, of course they can.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[oldgit]

And how many of them do you think will buy a new boat next year...even if you gave them a 20% discount ?

Possibly one at the moment, sold his old boat ages ago and is in two minds to even replace it. Was in Porto Petro just prior to latest lockdown trying to find a 10m berth.
Despite all the predictions of Doom and Gloom no berths or boat bargains to be had.

 

[Boat2016]

Possibly one at the moment, sold his old boat ages ago and is in two minds to even replace it. Was in Porto Petro just prior to latest lockdown trying to find a 10m berth.
Despite all the predictions of Doom and Gloom no berths or boat bargains to be had.

So not enough to get together for a discount then.

 

[PlanB]

Is anyone else wondering about SouthWales? S/he's a new member, is arguing vehemementy about boat buying, but seems to be talking solely theoretically from a zero knowledge base.
Or is it a troll?