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Finding a Good Boat Dealer |
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Finding a good boat dealer is crucial to enjoying your boat for many years. The moment you buy your boat, you are starting a long-term relationship with your dealer, as you would definitely be coming back for routine service and maintenance, seasonal storage, adding accessories and gadgets to your boat, as well as possible trade-ins in the future.
Look for local dealers who sell the brands that you are planning to buy. Don't settle with one dealer but try to compare at least three. Ask them the same questions and see how they deal with you. In the end, you will find that you would rather go for the dealer who has demonstrated willingness to go the extra mile for you.
You would also want to check the track record of your boat dealer. Be wary of fly-by-night brokers and dealers, especially when you have only found them on the Internet. Make sure that all transactions and agreements are written in a contract so you are protected.
Dealer certification
If you are still quite unsure about your prospective dealers, check out if they are Marine Industry Certified. The Marine Industry Certified program for dealers guarantee that the dealers meet the minimum requirements for customer satisfaction. Specifically, dealerships that are MIC Certified demonstrate that:
· each departmental manager (management, sales and technical) is MIC Certified.
· there is a factory-certified technician for each engine franchise they sell.
· ownership and management have committed to a professional code of conduct.
· management has committed to improving customer satisfaction.
There are at least four areas where the MIC dealership program has set quality standards. For this section, looking at the sales and services processes would do for our purpose.
Sales Process
· Based on the MIC program, a certified dealer is expected to create the proper sales environment for the customer. This should include:
· Attractive, well-organized and easily recognizable display areas for boats and accessories.
· Adequate inventory to support customer requirements.
· Professional sales personnel who know their products very well.
· Prompt and courteous treatment of customers.
· Providing customers with a thorough product orientation of every boat/motor purchased, including where practical, an on-the-water demonstration during the sales presentation or at the time of delivery.
· Before delivery, preparing and inspecting the boat according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and the dealer’s own pre-delivery checklist.
· Ensuring that the customer receives a full and thorough explanation of the operation manuals, warranties and instructions for safe operation of their new boat.
· Having a formal follow-up process in place that contacts every buyer after retail delivery to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
Service Process
In the area of service, your boat dealer should be able to provide you future service requirements. To accomplish this, certified dealers are expected to have:
· Organized and well-maintained service facilities.
· A sufficient number of factory-trained technicians to handle the service needs of the dealership’s retail clientele.
· A process where the dealership provides or actively arranges for service on the customer’s behalf.
· Technicians that are trained and factory certified on all products serviced by the dealer.
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