PSP - Fairlines 'Closed Door' policy - Very upset!

[MY littlebirchwoo]

We went to the show as a guest of another manufacturer and currently own a 37 foot motor cruiser. Our aim to look ad three boats in the mid-40 foot category. Firstly let me say how welcoming Sealine were at the show, having a completely open door policy - I can certainly see why they are selling so many boats at the moment as all of their dealers on the stand had a can-do attitude. However it was the Targa 44 from Fairline that we specifically wished to look at and despite visiting their stand four times during the day at different times, and despite the very nice girl on the 'reception' desk on two occasions, and the suggestion, "Why don't you have a cup of tea and come back later", we were unable to get anywhere near the boat as they wished to operate a strict 'one on and one off' policy and didn't seem to have enough dealers to allow people to just look around.

I can certainly understand this policy with the much larger vessels, however, for what are now 'normal sized' boats I cannot think anything other than this will severely put people off the brand.

I WASNT the only one to say this either!!!

Sadly I know an Essex based dealer very well and know their policy wasn't that which was demonstrated at the show and although he was present, we didn't see him and it was almost as if we had been 'vetted' and not allowed to look.

Truly disgusting - very bad for the brand and not good at all for a boat show.!

Absolutely NOTHING can be said to defend this policy at a public boat show

 

[MikeBrazier]

As stupid as it sounds, if there are specific boats you want(ed) to see while at the show, it is best to phone in advance so they are expecting you.

On a different note, I visited the show a few years ago just as someone with a keen interest. I managed to get on board most of the boats I wanted to see, even though it was probably obvious I was just looking round. I cannot remember the exceptions. I remember being allowed to look around a very large Princess boat, I think it was a 22M, way beyond my means, but I was in 7th Heaven. All questions I had at the time were answered fully.

That kind of experience sticks in the mind, as a result I have the utmost respect for the brand and it goes to reinforce that when my finances are eventually in order they will be the brand I visit first.

Mike.

 

[maby]

I guess it is difficult for them 'cos there are certainly a lot of people that just go there for the day out and have no intention of even buying a surf board! It's worse with the MoBos than it is with the yachts - I don't think they get anywhere near as many gawpers.

A lot does depend on how seriously they are taking you - our new 33 footer is on display there this week and, once the word got round plus the information that we expected to be choosing the upgrade in a couple of years, nothing was too good for us They were closing off the fifty footers for us to get a good look around - magic!

 

[jimmcgee]

I 'cos there are certainly a lot of people that just go there for the day out and have no intention of even buying a surf board! It's worse with the MoBos than it is with the yachts - I don't think they get anywhere near as many gawpers.

!

so a boat show is really a boat market , and its not to show the public your stuff , thank god I never go to a boat MARKET .

 

[maby]

so a boat show is really a boat market , and its not to show the public your stuff , thank god I never go to a boat MARKET .

Well, I didn't say it was right, just understandable. It does cost a dealer a great deal of money to exhibit there and they wouldn't do it if they didn't think they were going to get some sales as a result. Isn't it suspicious that the boats with the largest queues waiting to view are exactly the same boats for which there is the smallest number of potential purchasers in the country? Massive motor yachts costing a million or more have armies of kids with sticky hands wanting to crawl all over them while little dayboats which their parents might just afford stand by with no audience at all!

 

[jimmcgee]

lol , the first time I go to a boat show , I will be on the biggest boat there , to so how much room there is in the engine bay, do you have to stand with the engine between your legs lol, and how big is the portapotty , and how difficult is it to make the master bed , cos you need to drop the table between the two front bunks,

see what I mean lol

 

[jimmcgee]

oh I , nearly went down to the kip marina one , but got to Greenock and changed my mined , good job , its not on till next month lol , I read it as this month .

 

[Renegade_Master]

seem to read such a thread each year and its nearly always about the fairline stand?

 

[MY littlebirchwoo]

Interestingly when we looked around the Sunseeker stand (again only went to look at the Portofino 48 the salesman said 'why don't you look around some of the bigger stuff?' Now these are all privately owned as built to order. Sunseekers response when I chatted about this was that "No one knows what fortune will fall on anyone and we don't like to prejudge anyone. A good experience on our stand here may make you a customer for on 85m yacht one day - you just don't know"

And that positive attitude will not be forgotten as we are very much in the market for an upgrade

One thing is for sure, and again I will refer to a local broker who has virtually no top quality stock left after selling 23 boats in August

PRE-JUDGING PEOPLE COSTS BUSINESS - No one knows, by just one look, who is in the market, who may become a customer in the future, who is there on a whim and really enjoys the experience on board and just gets the cheque book out (As many many people do!) or who is the tyre kicker... you CANNOT tell

Oddly when we were buying our last boat we looked at another that the local fairline dealer had on his books and he bent over backwards to give us all the time we needed to make that decision so I know this policy wasn't his!

Why should I phone a SHOW to book a slot - it is a show!!! I am extemely disappointed in Fairline's attitude toward prospective customers at the show and glad that this isn't an experience we received from any other stand! Especially Sealine, who, despite knowing that their boats were not our first choice at the time, sponsored our visit and entry as well as providing excellent hospitality... they are out to gain business and if Fairline continue in the future with this policy they will find that they will lose more and more business to their peers

 

[rubberduck]

Fairline had an open policy at the last London show, perhaps this is a result of their experience there ? If seriously interested it would surely be possible to ask for Nick or James to spare a moment, perhaps be a little firm with the pretty (no doubt) young girl.

 

[admillington]

Call James Barke direct on his mobile 07813333333 and I am sure he will want to help you. Then you wil be able to see a T44 in an unhurried relaxed manner - knowing him he will leave you on the boat and let you lift all the floors etc. The T44 is a special boat and has to be worth a look before you buy anything. Essex will probadly do an easy part exchange as well so you could have the boat soon. For reference, I am a happy Fairline Customer (7 boats so far) and no connection with Essex Boat yard aparts from paying them money.

 

[MY littlebirchwoo]

Don't worry, as you have probably guessed I have been fiercely defensive of EBY as I have had dealings with Guy before - he even drove down to Fambridge with me to view a boat... I have their number firmly put away - however, the point was that, on this occasion, we didnt get on board and get a chance to look at the boat.

Just made me - and justifiably so - bloomin angry - as after all it is a SHOW!

OK someone has emailed me and said 'well you did go on a Saturday' - fair one... and another of my friends went to the Fairline stand very late and managed to look at just about everything in contrast, however others I spoke to when out and about last night had also said that they too had been 'disuaded' by the efficient - and yes - good looking receptionist!

 

[carannah]

I didnt have any problem looking at any of the boats from Fairline and any of the others this year or last and when I walked up I made it clear that I just wanted to have a look. This year I found the Fairline people at there fenced off pontoon area extremely friendly.
Thats just my experience

 

[EME]

It's a British Thing...

Like many I really struggle with this 'attitude'. Sure -- make it so that there are not too many peeps on a boat at any one time and that everyone is accompanied.

5-10 years ago, Sunseeker were awful .. their sales folks being wannabe security guards. I wrote at the time about my M-I-L (= the bank) and how she was treated. I thought this had disappeared and not seen it from Sunseeker in recent years , and I'm sure James (EBY) would never be party to such behaviour.

However, I've just been to Cannes (and Monaco) and no brands from any country demonstrated this behaviour. The worst experience (and no big deal) was Sealine ... but that is undoubtedly due to their strange position/logistics in a corner at Cannes. The only challenge being NOT to sign-up for a sea test with every manufacturer. That being everything from 35 - 90 feet btw ...

It has to be a Brit-Show thing.

 

[Seahope]

Just made me - and justifiably so - bloomin angry - as after all it is a SHOW!

At least you didn't have to pay for your tickets. I guess you were just unlucky with your timing as SIBS can be busy.

 

[Greg2]

We too were guests of Sealine (despite not owning one) and enjoyed their hospitality and easy access (accompanied by welcoming sales staff) to the boats we wanted to look at. No fences, no booking in just the ability to look at the boats at the show.

As previous Fairline owners we did visit their stand and experienced the requirement to speak to someone on the desk to get in. Bit strange really, the girl said she would find someone from our region to show us around and when we stood back to wait she then showed us to the first boat and left us to it.

I think Fairline like to give the appearance of exclusivity but in reality their approach does nothing for them. As a direct contrast to a premium brand, we looked at he Pearl 60 with no issues and felt very welcome.

 

[stelican]

Call James Barke direct on his mobile 07813333333 and I am sure he will want to help you. Then you wil be able to see a T44 in an unhurried relaxed manner - knowing him he will leave you on the boat and let you lift all the floors etc. The T44 is a special boat and has to be worth a look before you buy anything. Essex will probadly do an easy part exchange as well so you could have the boat soon. For reference, I am a happy Fairline Customer (7 boats so far) and no connection with Essex Boat yard aparts from paying them money.

I am sure they would be delighted to move some stock along at a good price!

 

[stelican]

Don't worry, as you have probably guessed I have been fiercely defensive of EBY as I have had dealings with Guy before - he even drove down to Fambridge with me to view a boat... I have their number firmly put away - however, the point was that, on this occasion, we didnt get on board and get a chance to look at the boat.

Just made me - and justifiably so - bloomin angry - as after all it is a SHOW!

OK someone has emailed me and said 'well you did go on a Saturday' - fair one... and another of my friends went to the Fairline stand very late and managed to look at just about everything in contrast, however others I spoke to when out and about last night had also said that they too had been 'disuaded' by the efficient - and yes - good looking receptionist!

This is the problem with having pretty girlies on reception they should adopt the Sunseeker welcome policy if they hope to succeed, Every one is welcomed to view boats and directed to a salesrep if requested

 

[Hurricane]

I don’t think we've ever had a problem looking over Fairlines at any boat show.
Its just their methods are a little "off puting".
At SIBS, they always have that little gate where you have to go through to get onto the boats - always makes me think twice if I really want to look round.
On the other hand, the Sealine stand is always much more open and you don’t seem to get that same inquisition that you get at both Sunseeker and Fairline.
SWMBO commented this year that the girls on the Sunseeker and Princess stands didn’t even know the names of the sales staff on their respective stands – obviously just temporary employed for the show.

As far as getting on boats, I think Princess is about the easiest. In fact, this year, we were even being beckoned onto some as we walked passed.

Likewise, this year, we were beckoned onto the Prestige stand by one of the Ancasta guys who we know well. Good tour as well – interesting boat.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Blimey, I thought Fairline had moved on from this idiotic marketing strategy. Their requirement only to board with a 'salesman from your area' and at a time to suit them, not you, is stupid in the extreme because it puts potential buyers off. It certainly puts me off and I haven't bothered to visit the Fairline stand at SIBS for a few years. I and a few others complained about this policy at LIBS a couple of years ago and they seemed to get the message then but it seems they've now resorted to type once more. Somebody ought to tell them that pissing off potential customers in a recession is a bad idea