Resolved: not a fan of skiers choice right now!!!

[csuggs]

Huh? Theres at least 3 of them that have been sitting at the local dealer since May.

In June I visited SC and Anthony gave me a tour of the plant. He told me that everything they were building was sold and that they do not build inventory. However, I'm sure that a dealer can order inventory.

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Calling the Skiers Choice 800 number and asking for Anthony will get you right to him as well. I am glad to see this has been resolved. Hope no one minds if I edit the title.


The local Dealer is not the same as SC. SC only builds sold boats. The dealer will naturally have some inventory. I do not know who officially owns those boats untill they are sold anymore but i think it's the dealer.

[iwakeboard]

Well just got off the phone with SC and they say the problem is that the Manufacturer shuts down for 2 weeks during the 4th of July. Sure why not its not like its the most busiest time of the year for boating, makes perfect sense. I dont understand how you cant have these parts in stock? These have got to be the most requested parts due to the fact that there the exposed parts under the boat (ruder, prop, shaft, and shaft strut). I'm still hopeful to get it back in time for the cottage on Aug 1st.

It's called model year change.

[KG's Supra24]

I just can't imagine that the dealerships own the boats. I'm sure there is just some sort of mix up in the wording somewhere along the way or you are are just getting part of the whole picture.

[iwakeboard]

I think the dealerships really do own the boats, as soon as they hit the floor they have 30 days to clear it before the GE financing starts to take their interest out, so they try not to order/buy anything from Skiers that doesn't go right back out the door.

[KG's Supra24]

If the dealerships have some sort of financing arrangement with GE i would think they would push GE financing for new boat buyers. My dealership recommended several banks in town.

It also suprises me that a dealership would have the cashflow to support interest on 300,000 plus in boats. Let alone the balance sheet to allow them to borrow that much. Maybe they sell more boats than i think, though.

I'd have to take pictures and check back at my dealership months later but they have at least 5 to 10 boats sitting out there and I haven't seen alot of movement.

Who has bought a new boat? Who was the title from? SC or dealer? Im thinking its a consignment setup.

Im purely speculating and I guess it doesnt really matter but fun to guess about.

[87SunSportMikeyD]

If a dealer can't afford to own a few boats, how could Skiers Choice afford to own a few thousand boats spread all throughout the country? I think they do some of both. When the economy turned down, boat builders started making less boats and dealers started carrying far fewer boats on the floor.

[rludtke]

I believe that the dealers purchase the boats, and are extremely financed to do so. I think it is the same for automobile industry. The dealers have to make a commitment to buy a certain number of units each year to even be a dealership. Dealerships that buy the larger quantities get volume price breaks, which can help drive up their profit margins. This provides an incentive stimulator to be a large dealership.

[jonyb]

In June I visited SC and Anthony gave me a tour of the plant. He told me that everything they were building was sold and that they do not build inventory. However, I'm sure that a dealer can order inventory.

Funny, I visited SC once, even had my boat out in the parking lot, wanted to speak with someone, and I was totally blown off. Jason was with me to verify that..... WAS NOT HAPPY!

I think the dealerships really do own the boats, as soon as they hit the floor they have 30 days to clear it before the GE financing starts to take their interest out, so they try not to order/buy anything from Skiers that doesn't go right back out the door.

Floor Plan. Lots of companies out there do that for dealers of everything from large home theater dealers to boats, cars, etc....

[saltare inverts]

Dealers do own the boats. It called flooring or floor plan. When you become a dealer you have to buy so many boats a year or they can drop you as a dealer. There is some switching between dealers etc but the boats are bought buy the dealership. Thats why dealerships will do warranty work ahead of other customers. They want you serviced fast because you are more likely to return for a new boat every year or two. The nice perk is they get to buy a demo boat use it for the season sell it next season and when customer buys it warranty starts when they buy, usually.