Dealer has lost his mind, I think

[Bama96]

Got the numbers from my dealer on a JVX 20 and a DLV 198. I have sticker shock!!!! 001 Here is the deal:

JVX 20
Yamaha F 90
Aluminum Trailer
Short rear deck 2 livewells
Deck hatch covers
27 Gallon Tank
Bimini Top
Swim platform
24v trolling motor plug
Velcro Rod Savers
3 Stage rod holders

$18,462 + Tax :o

DLV 198
Yamaha F115
Aluminum Trailer
Bimini Top
27 Gallon Fuel Tank
Bow and Transom Cushion Sets
3 stage rod holders
velcro rod holders
24v trolling motor plug
Hydraulic steering
$21,574 + Tax :o

Is he doing me right? These prices seem high. Might be better off at Ed's buying a base boat w/ the 90 Suzi on the DLV or the Yamaha 2 Smoke on the JVX. What do you think? Can I do better somewhere else? 008

[o2bfishn]

Try Sam's Boats; 336-498-7543 Got mine there could not be happer with the dealer or the price.

3769 MackLineberry Road
Franklinville, N.C.

Search "Boat Dealers" on this site lot's of info.

02bfishn 014

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Try also www.chatleeboats.com they have very good prices too.And tell Nat (not Mat) that George send you from CSO and you are a member of CSO.com

[o2bfishn]

You can't beat these two dealers, I have never seen any negtive posted about them,,,,, ever. thumbsup

02bfishn 014

[shaggy3131]

I bought my DLV238 at Eds and am very happy with the deal. Upgrades and accessories are expensive at Eds. 27 gal. fuel tank-$200. Bimini-$800. Fuel-water separator-$200. You can spend a lot of money and time installing most everything you named, even the hydraulic steering, if you are pretty mechanical, patient and so inclined. Doing all these things is challenging unless you have boat-specific experience.

Unless you just want to do all the work yourself, price at Chatlees and Sams as others have suggested. Look at previous threads on shopping and price comparisons.

Remember to compare apples to apples.

Welcome and good luck.

[al_e._gator]

This might be a little more that the NC dealers but it may be a better drive for you. Try the Sports Center in Perry GA www.sportscenter.com It's not a bad drive if you go to Columbus GA and then cut cross country to I-75 S to get there.

They only deal in Mercury and Evinrude so if you can't get support for them you'll want to look elsewhere. I'm curious why you want the hydraulic steering on the DLV? That's a big expense and the 115 isn't that big of an engine. The cable systems CS uses are antifeedback so you don't have to fight the motor at all when your driving.

Those cushion sets are way overpriced unless you plan to use them alll the time. I bought a cooler seat cushion form Bass Pro that I'm going to set up with snaps and put on the rear deck for passengers to sit on when we're just out pleasure boating.

The trolling motor plug is a very easy install to do yourself, especially if you are going to install your own trolling motor. That will probably save $100 right there.

Good luck in your search.

[Capt. Mick]

I had all the above mentioned dealers quote my new 218DLV and really like them all except for Ed's. I have a couple of friends that dealt with them and tell a horror story that I wasn't willing to chance. In the end I went with Bayracer Marine and could not be more pleased with the whole negotiation process, delivery, and the after the sell follow up. My salesman was John Shackleford and he was excellent. My boat:

2008 218DLV w/2008 115 Suzuki 4 stroke
Venture aluminum trailer w/ aluminum wheels, and torsion axle
Deluxe console ( I had them replace the XL)
27 gallon fuel tank
2 - flush mounted rod holders
Swim platform
Stilleto stainless steel prop

Total price: in all fairness I promised them I would not tell. However it was substantially less than you were quoted on the 198DLV and enough I would make the drive for it.

John's# 252-341-2517

[fishin in georgia]

And as long as everyone is chiming in I thought I would toss out another name. I also did much research online and by telephone and found quotes all over the place. I finally settled on The Grass Shack up north of Atlanta at Lake Lanier. Good folks, fair prices on package deals, and lots of Carolina Skiffs in stock. I see that you're in B'ham so maybe not too long a drive for the right deal. Their web address is www.grass-shack.net, and they have really good pictures on their site to check out the boats on the lot. Family owned and operated (Mike Prince), this is the only transaction I've had there but they made me feel right at home and delivered on everything as promised.

The more research you do the better you'll feel about the deal you get, no matter where you finally purchase from. Good luck and let us know how you come out.

Fishin in Georgia

[Dave]

Lots of good advice here, but I think the one statement (above) provides significant insight on boat sales and purchases. Boats, motorcycles, and to some lesser degree, automobiles have much in common relative to price. Some of it all has to do with timing, or "season". Putting "service after the sale aside", which I don't necessarily recommend to everyone, there's more dynamics to it than just timing alone but it pretty much boils down to the dealers overhead and other associated cost of running "his" business, the seller's motivation to sell this product at this particular time, and his knowledge/experience with his market (read: if I don't sell it to you, how long before I can sell it "at my price" to someone else).

Hence, the dealer’s insistence that his customer not divulge the price he sold “that” boat to that “particular” customer. If you read any prices here on these pages (or anywhere else for that matter) I recommend you also factor in the time of year the transaction took place. Then only use the prices for comparison as those actual prices may have little to do with what you (or anyone, for that matter) will need to cough up when you go to buy the same boat from that same dealer. To do otherwise (IMO) just leads to unnecessary anxiety and frustration. I might also point out that I live 5 minutes from Bayracer Marine but choose to buy my boat from Ed’s, 4-1/2 hours distant from me. I actually liked the fact that the prices are posted and for the bare bones boat I was seeking, their prices were significantly lower than anyone else I could find at the time. I knew from the get-go that Ed’s provided virtually no service after the sale but there business manner and policies were very efficient and professional and I found the experience totally satisfactory.

If you are going to add much in the way of accessories/options, I wouldn’t recommend Ed’s – you likely be just another dissatisfied customer. If that’s the case, by all means, go to a dealer who specializes in customer relations and understands the value (read: you pay for it) of assisting the customer make decisions about his purchase, before, during, and after the sale. OTOH, it you can or are willing to add many of your options yourself, then Ed’s prices will be hard for any other dealer to beat, year ‘round. If and when I buy another boat, I will again give Bayracer an opportunity for my business and if they can get within a reasonable amount of my lowest bidder, I will most probably buy from the local dealer.

Good luck 012

Dave

[Fillet1]

I got a non similarly equipped 198 for about 8k less than your quote. I'd shop around.

[shaggy3131]

1stSgt. Dave said it all and said it well. Someone suggested the dealer at Lake Lanier. I've had no dealing with them but their prices posted on their website are outlandish. Maybe they start high and negotiate. With the water level at Lanier so low, they might be willing to deal.

[Capt. Mick]

maybe I misrepresented myself by saying I promised not to divulge my price. That was me being funny, not the dealer. I paid $19,100.00 out the door.

[Harry]

Bama96


I think you will come to see what a great place CSO is and how much money our members are gonna save you ... ;D

Best of all were free !!!!!!!

[shaggy3131]

Bama96,

You may or may not have considered console size. The Large console which is standard on the 238 is I think standard on the 198 and 218. Let me tell you, it looks ok until you start trying to squeeze in GPS, VHF, extra breaker panel, dual power outlet, compass, drink holders, fire extinguisher, rod holders, and what have you.

You may want to look at the next size larger console. The greater room is convenient, and the larger windshield and seat are a bonus.

[Bama96]

Thanks for all the replies. I was blown away by the price I got from a friend who I am a long time customer of. He stocks none of these boats and has no floor plan or overhead in them. Thought that would help on the price. 001 I am definitely going to get on the phone and shop around. At this point maybe I should be looking for a used boat? Damn Harry why did I not get on this board last fall when your 198 was for sell. On the 198DLV do I need the 115HP? What kind of speed will I get out of a 90 or the 115? I guess the list of options I listed was more of a wish list. I could live with less and be happy. Grass-Shack at lake Lainer have their prices posted and they seem high. Has anyone used Ed's prices as leverage for a deal at another dealer? JVX20 is over 16K at Grass Shack and 13K at Ed's.

Chet

[Harry]

The 90 was fine on the 198, but a 115 would have been better ... ;D

Post up you speific questions speed , pricing,,etc in the apporirate forum, you will get better responses.

And yes, Let them all know your getting prices else where. I bought my boat at Chatlle in NC. GREAT people. Also Sam's was real easy to talk with.

[al_e._gator]

Try these prices from The Sports Center. They aren't the lowest around but it's a shorter drive than NC or VA.

JVX 20 CC, EVIN 90HP ETEC SW, EZ LOADER, $15,042 Center Console, $13,548 with Carbed 2S Mercury

JVX 20 DC, EVIN 90HP ETEC SW, EZ LOADER, $16,767 Dual Console

198 DLV, EVIN 90HP ETEC SW, EZ LOADER, $16,582 This price includes a bimini top.


I'm sure the JVX 20 CC at Ed's for $13,000 is for a carbed Yamaha. While i might use a carbed engine on a new boat if i already had the engine, I wouldn't buy a new carbed engine. You really should go with a Direct Injection 2 stroke or a 4 stroke.

[TooTall]

I wouldn't buy a new carbed engine. You really should go with a Direct Injection 2 stroke or a 4 stroke.


But there is that great sound of those carbs opening up when you pound down the throtle. It's even better when you have the engine cover off!!!!

[Willie]

Have you seen this on the other sight?

http://groups.msn.com/CarolinaSkiffOwners/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=30495&LastModified=4675661835432273236

[al_e._gator]

You know, I thought that was spam and never would have even read it if you hadn't linked to it. It sounds like a pretty good deal if your looking for a DLX. I think the guy needs to redo his ad and then post it over here.

[Harry]

Maybe someone should tell him about CSO and how busy it is here. He could sign up and sell it here I bet.... Our selling track record is getting better .. ;D

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

CSO IS the best CS site ever. yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay 012 012

Now, all i need is some good weather to go 014

[Harry]

CSO IS the best CS site ever. yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay 012 012

Now, all i need is some good weather to go 014


001 I meant tell this guy http://groups.msn.com/CarolinaSkiffOwners/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=30495&LastModified=4675661835432273236

nutkick

[al_e._gator]

Looks like the mods on that site killed it, I can't find the ad anymore.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I can't see it either.

[Willie]

I don't think we did anything to it, the link doesn't find it on the other sight, it said this message has been deleted by the aurthor...........Willie ???

[FLboy3]

Bama I got my deal from chatlees when Eds was having their Yard Sale in sept last year. They were advertising the 2480 dlx with 140 4 stroke suzuki for 16,000 which led my to call Nat at chatlees to see if they would match their price, and got the same boat with hatch covers, 27 gal gas, ex-large console, hydraulic steer, tandam trailer with brakes, water seperater, hour meter, coast gaurd package, and prompt delivery. $18,500

[Dave]

That sounds like a "deal" Flboy3. Bama, when you do settle on a dealer and get your skiff, please jump over here http://carolinaskiffowner.com/index.php?topic=1576.0 and let us know who from and your general satisfaction rating. 012

Thanks,
Dave

BTW, none of the mods here killed the MSN link. Maybe the boat sold or it was a bogus add and removed by the webmaster at that site???

[al_e._gator]

BTW, none of the mods here killed the MSN link. Maybe the boat sold or it was a bogus add and removed by the webmaster at that site???


Didn't mean to imply that it was one of our mods. Considering that the title was "boobies on the beach" and the post above it was spam I figured their mods deleted both posts at the same time.

[Dave]

That's a good pointal_e._gator. Actually, I noticed that myself and didn't waste any time clicking on that link ;D >:D

Dave