What to Expect from the Best Boat Dealers

Buying a boat is not a task to take lightly.

Whether you’re adding something new to your fleet of aquatic toys, or buying your very first boat, you need the right boat dealers to help you.

A professional, knowledgeable boat sales team can make all the difference.

They are the people you can count on to get the best value. This goes for when you buy as well as throughout the life of your boat’s maintenance.

How do you know which boat company is the team for the job, though?

By knowing what to look for, beyond the fancy boat you’ve been dreaming of.

Here are ten standards all the best boat dealers live up to.

1. Certifications and Recognitions

If you already know the brand of boat you’re looking for, start narrowing down your list of boat dealers by those who are certified to carry it.

This doesn’t mean a dealer has the brand available.

It means a dealer is well-versed in the way a certain brand performs and operates.

Your boat of choice should be among the dealer’s specialties. The best way to know just how knowledgeable they are about what you’re looking for is to check for certifications and awards.

These are a sign of good faith that a dealer isn’t just blowing hot air. They know what they are talking about and are prepared to guide you through the ins and outs of each model.

2. A Happy, Passionate Sales Team

Although it pays to have a dealer who knows a boat forwards and backward, you should be able to get along with your salesperson.

Does he or she seem happy to be helping you out? Are they working well with the other staff members to ensure you get the best service?

This may seem like a minor detail, but it truly sets the best boat dealers apart.

When a salesperson is happy, it’s often because they have a passion for what they do. They love the water and the adventure of boating just as much as you do.

As such, you can trust you’re working with someone who has your best interest in mind, not just a big price tag.

3. Attention to Detail and Professionalism

Making a good connection is only the first step of working with your boat dealer.

Next comes diving into the details.

A top-notch salesperson is one who can answer the tough questions.

They understand the different performance levels and maintenance requirements of the boats you’re considering. They know how to best match what you’re looking for with what is on the lot, even if it’s an option you may not have expected at first.

More importantly, this person will never be pushy. They will patiently work with you every step of the way to buying your new boat.

4. Efficient Deliveries and Pick-Ups

While looking for your new boat, consider the other things you may need with your purchase.

Would you rather have it delivered than drive it away?

Are you looking at your options online and want to make sure you can pick it up?

Not all boat dealers offer such options. More so, some of them will have a complicated, timely delivery process.

Ask your preferred dealer if they are familiar with the area where you want your boat delivered.

The more familiar they are, the better your chances of a smooth delivery. This means the dealer already has an established logistics plan ready to go for when you are ready to buy.

5. Flexible Financing Options

If you are ready to buy, but your wallet isn’t, look for a dealer with excellent financing options.

Some dealers need to work with third-party vendors for financing and approvals. This is a lengthy process of sending personal information back and forth and waiting for responses.

Others, though, have in-house financing personnel!

This is a team who is ready to tailor your expenses. They can answer any questions from monthly rates to approval options. They will process everything on-site which allows for better communication with you and the sales team.

Plus, you can trust your personal information is taken care of.

Such a system is much more efficient and safe. It often results in the best possible payment plan, too.

6. A Clean and Well-Organized Lot

Before you get to the financing discussions, you have to arrive at the dealership.

Take a good look around when you get there.

Is the lot clean? Are all the boats set up in an organized manner?

This is another sign of a boat dealer’s respect for their work and their customers. It shows they know the value of a boat and want to keep it in good hands before they pass it along to you.

Don’t think a clean lot matters too much?

Consider this: negligence on the lot can be a sign of poor care in other places. A dirty lot could mean a so-so service area or sub-par sales personnel.

7. A Service Area

Speaking of service, ask all the boat dealers you talk to about how they handle maintenance.

Some will have on-site service teams, while others will refer you to companies they partner with. Always go to the dealer who can handle your needs on-site.

This has multiple benefits in the long-run.

First, it allows you to create a relationship from the sales floor to the service center. The same people who first brought in a boat and sold it to you will be the ones working on it. This means they will have a deep, running knowledge of how the boat operates.

Second, a relationship with your service center means you’re getting the best value.

You can trust this team to let you know what to expect from your boat every time you take it out. They may suggest extra maintenance from time to time, but it’s all about the longevity of your boat in mind.

8. A History of Happy Customers

Whether when buying a boat or bringing it in for service, make sure your boat dealer delivers what is promised.

Before putting yourself on the line, see what past customers have to say.

The best boat dealers will have a long list of strong testimonials ready for you to read. These are first-hand accounts from real boat buyers who have loved their experience.

Testimonials tell you what you can really expect. They go beyond the price tag or the timeline of buying a boat. Testimonials are your inside look into how boat dealers run their shop and follow through on their promises.

Give these a read before you decide where you want to buy your boat.

9. Event Hosting

While reading testimonials, you may see a few people mention the fun they’ve had at a dealer’s boating event.

Boat dealers who host events know boating is a lifestyle.

These are the kind of guys and gals that eat, breathe, and sleep boating. They know the best boats in the market right now and the newest tricks to try while out at sea.

More so, they know boating is a community hobby.

Boating events are rarely about buying a boat, they are about bringing people together.

This is an opportunity to enjoy fellowship and spring boating wisdom. It’s a chance to get to know other boaters in the area and do something different.

Who knows, you may even end up taking out your new boat with a new friend!

10. All-Around Customer Support

No matter what kind of boat you buy, service, or even trade-in, you’re going to need a bit of customer support along the way.

Each situation is different, though, which means you need a dealer who can handle anything you need.

The right boat dealer isn’t the one you go to for a new boat right now and forget about. It’s the team you always come back to when your boat needs fixing and upgrading. Or, you may just pop in to attend an event!

Whatever you’re looking for, make sure your boat dealer can follow through.

To be certain, always ask the following before buying a boat:

How Long Have You Been in Business?

It’s better to go with the experienced boater than the new guy on the block.

This is a dealer who has built their team to provide the best boating service possible. They know all the best brands buyers are looking for and how to make each boat last.

How Do You Train Your Staff?

Quality service for any boating need comes down to quality training.

Ask how many of the sales and maintenance staff are certified.

Don’t be shy to ask about how the floor and shop are run, either. You won’t get all the details of the business, but you’ll get enough to be able to trust you’re in good hands.

Westshore Marine & Leisure: the Boat Dealers You Can Count on

Looking for a new boat?

Having some boat problems or need a little maintenance on your current one?

Come to Westshore Marine & Leisure for all your boating needs!

We bring the fun, the boating expertise, and an extensive amount of boating knowledge to provide you with the best experience.