I'm going to be outright about this. Most people think driving 500 miles for a good deal is too difficult to do. But that's how I got the deal on my 2015 Explorer Sport. I put out the price I was willing to pay in a mass email to 17 dealers. ONE was willing to sell me the Explorer for what I was willing to pay and as it turned out, they were the nearest to me and also, moved the most vehicles. The time of the year and day of the month plays a HUGE role in this as well.
I live in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. I went to Distinctive Cycles and Panama City Cycles looking in person for a 2016 GTR 215. I had a figure in my head I was willing to pay and IN PERSON, I told both of those places:
$11,199 for the Ski.
$900 for the galvanized trailer.
NO MORE than $500 for delivery fee.
NO MORE than $200 for documentation fees.
+ taxes. Taxes were different based on the two different counties I was looking in.
Both of them told me they couldn't do it. BOTH manipulated the numbers to make it APPEAR as if I was getting a good deal. Bullhockey! However, the words I used in person were much more direct and unambiguous than that.
So I then sent out an Email to the five dealers within 150 miles of me that included the two listed above. I outlined EXACTLY what I would pay and NOT a penny more. I also requested the best store to make me an in store credit offer to drag me in to buy. I didn't know WHO the high volume dealer was, but I knew that when I found them, they would bite at the chance to move another ski and that's EXACTLY what happened.
The third furthest from me, KM Cycle & Marine, jumped at the chance. They jumped so hard, this is the price breakdown I was given. The OWNER of the place contacted me via email and said he appreciated my directness and willingness to be there the NEXT DAY to buy.
2016 Bombardier 36GA (GTR 215) $10,999.00
2016 Magic Tilt Trailer (single) $899.00
Destination Charge $495.00
Battery and Tire surcharge $3.50
Taxes $818.58
Dealer fees/Registration $199.00
OTD cost: $13414.08
I was also allowed a $200 in store credit that gave me two new Neoprene vests and a quart of oil for FREE.
I couldn't touch this ski for less than $14500 anywhere else. The vests would have been $89 each.
Funny thing is, Panama City sent me an email saying they would sell the ski at cost (11,599) and the trailer at cost ($999 + $75 for the winch and $75 for the trailer jack) and *only* $699 in dealer fees. I told them to fly off, but used different language.
Stand your ground, be informed and most of all, be firm yet very respectful. Be patient and be willing to drive more than 15 miles. Only the impatient people pay the prices most places want for new things and personally, I REFUSE to buy a used boat under the $50k price point or a used PWC. I want them new from day one so I know they will be cared for and maintained to MY standards. Same goes for my vehicles.
