Do you have to buy in area?

[PendO]

Anyone know firsthand how the whole think works where one M/C dealer cannot sell into another's area on new boats.

Is this an agreement between dealers? and/or factory mandated?

Is it different on used and/or promo boats?

What about at the end of a model year when your "local" dealer is out of stock, but the next region over has the boat?

Thx

[mcprostar197]

You can always drive to the other dealership to buy the boat.....

[bradcox]

You are the customer, and the customer is always right. Go get what you want, where ever you want it. Just make sure it's a Mastercraft.

There are most likely territory boundaries, but not for you..

[6ballsisall]

My understanding is a dealer isn't suppose to solicit business in another territory like advertising to the consumer, etc.... I talked to Rambo Marine a week or so ago on some of their used boats and we ok with it but did mention that they try and recommend the local MC dealer if they are buying new.

[PendO]

thanks for the replies ... reason for the question is that I called the M/C dealer in Portland today b/c mine doesn't stock 197's and they (Portland) have a couple new 05's, but the salesman said he "can't sell out of area," which in turn sounded a whold helluva lot like I can't buy out of area, ultimately I want an M/C product, I just don't want to wait to order one real bad ... I understand that if I order I should order local, but I was not sure about stock boats ...

Editing my post on 08/02 1:40pst: Went out to the Alpine Haus today and put an offer in on a 197 specd' the way we want it, the owner was out so I guess we will see later if I have an '06 on the way.

While I am sure there is "competition" out there for M/C in the performance category... I just can't get myself to go away from the brand I love ... and when you get into the looks category, there is no doubt in my mind that M/C rules!

[PendO]

bump .............

[6ballsisall]

I would call that dealer back and reason with them. Tell them you want to give them 35k and the local dealer can't help out because they don't have the boat you want. If the don't see the simple economics in the situation please PM there name. I want to ad that indivdual to my list of sales people to never hire. :D

[LakePirate]

I recall something earlier being posted about having to buy from your local dealer. However, with some of the horror stories that I have read about on here (Rod, H2OGirl) I can't believe that Mastercraft would let a potential customer walk over imaginary lines that have been drawn.

[prostar205]

As I understand it, this is somewhat of a MasterCraft Corp. "rule". I too bought my used MC from the Portland store only because they had the boat that met my requirements; mainly in my price range. My local dealer did not have the boat. Ultimately, if you are looking at a new boat, the factory will strongly encourage you to buy it from your local dealer. The theory is the local dealer will get you in for unscheduled service ahead of someone who bought their boat in the next state. I have been very lucky with my local dealer and the problems I have had with my boat. Although I did not get the boat from them, they have been GREAT at getting me in for service and warranty work.

Bottom line is; if you buy new, I would suggest buying from your local dealer - Alpine Haus. You could ask them to do a dealer trade with Portland. If, for some reason, you just do not want to do business with your local dealer, MasterCraft is not going to lose a sale and the Portland dealership will sell you the boat. If you did not know, the Portland dealer won Dealer of the Year in 2004 - pretty bid honor. I have purchased 2 MCs from the owner of Portland Ski Boats - Mark Lawhead. He is a great guy. He used to own the MC dealer here is Seattle many, many years ago.

Good Luck.

[badams]

I ran into this problem when buying my boat last year. I live about 2 hours away from my lake home where I do most of my boating. When looking for a boat I checked the local dealer in KC, one in St. Louis and one in Springfield. When I started calling the dealers I was told they wouldn't sell me a boat unless I was going to use it in that area. Eventually I was able to get the dealer at Lake of the Ozarks to show and sell me the boat once they found out I would be using it in their region. I have to say my dealer, Wesport Yacht Club, has since gone out of their way to make sure I'm a satisfied customer. I've had a couple of problems that needed to be fixed. They actually came, picked up the boat within an hour both times and brought it back each time. So all I had to do was show up the next weekend drop the lift and it was ready to go. I'm more than happy that I bought from the local dealer. I think if I'd bought from one of the others I might have had a lot more down time. If you have an option at all, I'd stick with the local shop.

[6ballsisall]

Calling TMC, can you shed some light on the subject? Your loyal enthusiasts want to learn

[east tx skier]

Our family has bought two MCs out of area. One of them was out of state.

[jmyers]

Mc and CC have dealer loyality, if you want to buy from a dealer that is not local to you it is ok, they just don't want a customer to play the two dealerships on price. I was told by CC when I was going to get (the other boat) I could just write a little note saying I was not able to work with the local dealer. They most of the time tell you the "RULE" to cover their A** but will do it if you push for it. The end result is to have you buy their boat.

[AirJunky]

I bought out of my area, Casey. It was difficult & I had 2 different dealers tell me they won't do it. This guy had sponsored us in the past when we were doing exhibitions at the boat races so we had a prior relationship with him.
In hind sight, I'd do it again too. But I haven't had any warranty issues with the boat either.

[Diesel]

How is this not a restriction of trade under the Sherman Act??

[peason]

How is this not a restriction of trade under the Sherman Act??

Do I hear class action? Maybe we should just tag this on to the "I shouldn't have bought a MC" ?

[Granite_33]

I must admit I was a boat shopping whore. I called everywhere and anywhere that looked like they had what I wanted.

The dealers talk, no doubt. My dealer told me that he talked to 2 or 3 of the same dealers that I talked to........discussing what I was looking for..........which was not a new boat.

Seems like the dealers are more open on the closeouts and used.

In the end, I bought my boat in MI since that is where I keep it.


I am sure all the legalities have been addressed to avoid the "free trade" complaint. Many, many manufacturers do it.

[SkySkiSpokane]

PO Skier, I would keep pushing the issue. I have had nothun but poor experiences at Alpine haus lately. Seems they just don't want to sell boats unless it is full sticker price. I made an offer on a last years model and was laughed at. No counter offer at all. I walked out and decied that I will give them no more business unless I needed to. Talk to Brett, he seems to be the only one that cares about the customer. You can tell him I said so. Good Luck.

[RobertT]

As much as I hate to say it, I wouldn't buy a Mastercraft if I wouldn't buy from the dealer. Theoretically, the local dealer should give you the same warranty service either way, but we all know that's not the case. In my opinion, the dealer is everything.

I agree they don't want you using one dealer against the next. I cannot fathom why your local dealer would not do a dealer trade. That makes no sense. Which side is saying no? Is there something more to the story?

[Leroy]

I called around 5 dealers for quotes and some told me to stay with the local shop, but they all quoted. This was in 2001.

[georgea0731]

I went to NC and got my 1st promo boat. Saved a lot and it only had 50 or so hours on it. Promo guys are boaters like us who take extremely great care of their boats. Promo guy had the local dealer write up the transaction. This is considered a new/used boat so I think there's flexibility there. I believe promo boats get the same new boat warranty.

I went to LA and got my 2nd promo/ski school boat. Saved a lot, but it had 300 hours on it. Ski school is also a dealer so they handle the process. This boat was more of a used boat then new, but still got the new boat warranty.

I've heard boat dealers consider anything after July 4th as summer's over and the new boats are coming. If you get an 05 you should be able to get a good deal, but 06's boat might have some slight differences too?
Good Luck!