Boating: Prudent boat buyers shop dealers as hard as they shop boats

Boat Buying Tips

by Kevin Falvey / Boating Magazine

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]oaters often ask me what boat they should buy. I often answer with the question: “What’s the brand sold by the dealer in your area with the best reputation for service?”

A great dealer can’t make a boat that’s inappropriate for your use, or one that’s just plain a clunker, into a good boat. But barring those extremes, a dealer with a proven commitment to customer service will make boat ownership a more pleasant and stress-free experience.

Here are some other tips:

[highlight color=”black”]…[/highlight]Ask your friends about their dealer experience.

[highlight color=”black”]…[/highlight]Ask for referrals.

[highlight color=”black”]…[/highlight]When visiting at the dealership, ask for a tour of the facility.

[highlight color=”black”]…[/highlight]Speak to dealer staff and ask how long they’ve been employed there.

[highlight color=”black”]…[/highlight]Ask if the dealer is a parts and service dealer.