Should You Buy A Boat At A Boat Show?

20 October 2009 No Comment

it is often a common misconception by boat buyers that boat exbhitions are the best time and place to buy a yacht. The buyer believes due to the immense competition and endless varieties they are bound to get a good bargain. But the fact remains that the dealers or exhibitors have paid huge amounts for participating in the boat show which eventually they pass on the cost to the buyer.

It is also a myth that going to dealers / brokers directly may not lead to attactive bargains but the fact remains that in a boat show the dealer will always know the price of his other competitors and will price himself accordingly BUT in a different scenario it would be very difficult for the dealer to estimate the offering by his competition and hence he would be willing to bargain.

The Catch -
To give you a gist of investments made in a boat show below is typical work that is carried out by any experianced exhibitor at a typical boat exhibition/ show –
1. Lease large floor space to exhibit – an expensive proposition
2. create a stall – design, construction costs. (as its luxury you only go for the best designs)
3. Display boats – Lifting charges, transportation charges (to and fro), area rent space to display boats
4. Miscellaneous – Brochures, Leaflets / handouts, Hiring temporary staff, food bills, internet data cards, laptops, permissions, etc etc.

Considering the above one can estimate the huge investment which the boat exhibitor would require in order to get some millage from the boat show hence once can expect the exhibitors to pass on the above costs to the end buyers.

Now we are not propogating that boat shows are inffective or they are not the ideal time to buy a boat. What serious buyers need to really look out for are the last minute deals, discounts, offers that yacht companies provide normally on the last day of the boat show. In case of a poor turnout or an uneventful exhibition, yachting companies try and make as many sales as they can in order to reduce / recover the cost of the investment made by them for participating in the boat show.

An experienced Boat buyer would normally be seen on the final day of the boat show seeking out for the best deals in the market. And as everything is so open at the boat show and every company is offering great offers, it becomes very easy for any bargain hunter to expect a price on his terms and conditions.

Do share your views and opinions.