Dealer Prep?

J

jimraab

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A friend of mine is looking at purchasing a 2003 center console boat with a 115 Yamaha 4-Stroke. The boat is made by a company called Scout. The dealer is charging an extra $900 for what they are calling dealer prep. Is it the norm for a dealer to charge dealer prep on a used boat? I would think any extra charges would be built into the price. You don't purchase a boat from a private owner and pay any prep charges.
 
It s like buying meat and have the market charge you extra for cutting and packing it...
 
its a valid question, i would ask the dealer exactly what it is they are proposing to do for $900.00. if its reasonable you have your answer if its not, i'm sure your friend can decline to have that work done or walk from the deal.
 
It's an add on, pack, for the dealer to add a little more profit that they won't share with the sales person who sold it. It's just boat dealer mammy jack. Normal... you neeed to challenge it. Stand up and head for the door, their added on fee, above the negociated price will go away. IMO
 
I would want then to itemize what it is for? I can't see what they could do to prep a outboard powered boat.
 
NBD. Just subtract the $900 from the asking price, regardless of what it's for, and use that as the starting point for sale price negotiations. If the dealer won't take it off, walk away. LOTS of boats on the market.

Bob
 
As above. I'm a former broker and can assure you this is merely an effort to pad the cash and pass on some more to the salesman.
 
hmmm...dealer prep? I like that idea. Maybe I should start charging "Broker Prep" and maybe even "Escrow Service Charge." When asked what the broker prep is I will just have to tell them that while I am in fact naturally good looking, it does take some expense to keep me looking my best. :) haha

Seriously- that is ridiculous.
 
I hate the B.S. charges that dealers and marine repair shops add to the bills just to see if people will pay them. It might happen in other places, but at MARINE places it seems to be the worst. Just a few years ago I had the marina change my impellers (haven't paid for that since then LOL), at splash, and they tagged on a "summerizing" charge that was several hundred dollars. When challenged to explain what "summerizing" meant other than turning the keys, they couldn't come up with anything, and told me that that's a charge that's standard for many people that have them do that "service" and that somehow that ended up accidentally put on my bill - you know - out of "habit". I can imagine how many people just pay for those things.
 
I agree with everything that you guys are saying! I will advise my buddy to question the charges. I personally would never pay it, but I am not the one buying the boat. You guys have a great weekend!
 
Sometimes, the "dealer prep" is a worthwhile thing. When I was shopping, I saw a similar add-on charge that was itemized - full tank of gas (35 gallons), PFD pack, whistle, flares, fire extiguisher, and wash/wax. For that dealer, I felt it was a fair charge ($500).
 
Good point Ed but like other's have said with out knowing or getting an itemized list you could be paying for a 10 minute wash and checking the fluid levels. In your deal it sounds like you got $500.00 in value.
Bill
 
Dealer Prep may be a generic term they use but I would not pay for it without knowing what is was. On a larger boat that requires some disassembly prior to shipping, then I could understand a cost for dealer prep. My guess is that very little is being done for that $900 or they would have explained upfront in some detail what that charge includes. Buyers are likely to pay the fee for 'Dealer Prep' verus if it was listed as 'Gas Bill This Weekend For The Dealerhip's Owner'.
 
On a used boat, it doesn't matter if it's called 'dealer Prep" or not. The total cost of the boat out the door is what's important. There's no difference between paying $10,000 plus $900 "dealer prep" or paying $10,900 for the boat.
 
ask what they are doing and if it is warranteed then dicide if you want it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pa Mikee

Dealer Prep may be a generic term they use but I would not pay for it without knowing what is was. On a larger boat that requires some disassembly prior to shipping, then I could understand a cost for dealer prep. My guess is that very little is being done for that $900 or they would have explained upfront in some detail what that charge includes. Buyers are likely to pay the fee for 'Dealer Prep' verus if it was listed as 'Gas Bill This Weekend For The Dealerhip's Owner'.

Click to expand...

Only difference is in this economy the gas might be used to burn the dealership down instead of going in the dealership owner's boat's tank.
 
I see Dealer Prep as "Water Ready" Bottom paint, cleaning, zincs, tune up, coast guard package, launching...
 
I would just tell them that i do not want it "prepped" period. Why are they selling a used boat that needs work.
 
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