Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

I don't think beating the dealer up is needed, however I think the dealer is not giving him his best price up front. It takes mutual respect both ways. I know that my dealer is upfront and honest. When we decided to order a new boat I told him the options and he came back with his best price the first time. That will go a long way when I am ready for another new boat or anything I need for my boat. Just my .02.

Completely agree... If you do your research and are willing to look around the country you can find great deals... Take those deals to your dealership and ask the difference... If they can't answer then they probably aren't giving you the best deal they can. If they are upfront as to why it's a touch more money or the like, then I trust them.. I'm not the biggest fan of my local dealer and when I went around the country looking for the right boat, I met some great dealers and some giving me the run around... It's interesting the drastic differences between dealerships...

I'm also in agreement here. There are certain things I'll haggle with a salesman on but not on a specialty item like a new, made to spec boat. I'm very fortunate to have a good local dealer that I've been dealing with for many years. I found out long ago that they do not do the big negotiating thing. They put a fair price on their boats and don't come down much from it ( if any). There thought is that people that buy these boats are in a small niche and will at sometime or another talk to another owner. When someone finds out that Joe Smo that they just met on the lake got a better deal it can cause some hurt feelings. I personally love this school of thought.
When I spec's out my boat I told the dealer that I understand how you guys work and I'm not going to haggle but when you get back to me a price I expect it to be around $xxxx. What I thought was a fair price. It ended up being less. I ordered the boat and everyone is happy.
Now back to the OP. I will say that my price was in between the 8% from OP and the 15% that is often thrown around in the forums and dealer prep & freight were waived.

I think its a little high, I also think you can negotiate without being a jerk, and still have decent dealer support.
People are in business and need to make money so they will stay in business, but you also have many choices in the boat you can buy. Negotiate be firm but not a jerk see what happens. People in sales get people negotiating all the time, its how you present it that makes the difference.
You can also pick up extras get some pricing consideration and some stuff from their pro shop thrown in,
Our local dealer is aggressive on his pricing, but we have alot of boat dealers around.

Folks, help the guy out... lol

Dude, it's a good deal as long as YOU think it's a good deal man. Just like buying a car. If everyone smiles when the deal is done AND you know the dealer will help you when needed (it WILL be needed), then go dig up the coffee cans and pull the trigger.

There's always someone who will have "found a better deal".

DO IT; you won't regret it.