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Author Topic:   Group Buying Power

Hobie1981 posted 06-19-2002 11:13 AM ET (US)
Have any of the forum readers gotten together for a "group buy"? Specificially I was thinking when it came to repowering. When I was racing Hobies years ago, my wife and I belonged to a rather large fleet. We got together with several other members (10) and approached several dealers. Vanilla boat, cash-no trades, boats to be ordered in off-season. Dealers responded with their best pricing, and we bought from the lowest :-). Worked pretty smoothly, pricing was much cheaper than if we had bought individually. That said, is there anyone interested in trying to put together a group buy for outboards. Specificially I'm interested in a Yamaha. I live outside the Boston area.
Thoughts on this..???
Hobie
Bigshot posted 06-19-2002 11:49 AM ET (US)
Nope! But how about some cheap Hobies:)
John O posted 06-19-2002 04:00 PM ET (US)
I certainly think it is possible. i would assume that regional buying would be most practical. Shipping cost could be a large roadblock. Guys in Fla, cal, Ma would have a difficult time with delivery. i too am in ma.
I have a friend that bought his 200 johnson in Fla. the price was great and even better when his wifes companies traffic guy got the the motor shipped for free in exchange for a few fishing trips, but that is few and far between. I am not familiar with margins in motors. i would also wonder about service contracts and overall availability for maintaince.
Bodie posted 06-19-2002 04:37 PM ET (US)
I live in the Boston area, and would be interested. Right now, I'm looking to repower my 17' Montauk.
lhg posted 06-19-2002 05:02 PM ET (US)
I would think that we would have to get REALLY well organized to accomplish this, but I know it is an idea that JimH has tossed around also. But how? A few thoughts come to mind.
First of all, we (or JimH) would have to form some kind of a dues paying ContinuousWave Association, to which we could all become members. Kind of a Boat US type thing. Then go to various manufacturers and make the deals, say for each brand of engine, a good keel roller "Whaler Trailer" exclusive, etc. Aren't many of us already buying from some of these vendors as part of group? Dave's and Hall's for upholstery, Mills, etc. Are they giving us discounts?
A first logical deal would be Mercury Outboards. Since they own BW, you'd think maybe they'd give great deals for an outboard going on ANY Whaler. But, then again, maybe not, as this could goof up their new boat "packaged" engine pricing structure, and the Dealers would scream. Bombardier might also be hungry, and interested, since in the old days BW and J/E were working together. That might also prompt Mercury to take action. I would think the Japanese manufacturers will be a tougher nut to crack, but maybe not. Suzuki and Tohatsu are hungry for more business. Yamaha seems impossible, from what I can tell, unless they'd like to see a lot of their engines showing up on Whalers, just to get Mercury's goat.
If none of this could happen at the Manufacturing level, maybe it could at a Dealership level. But the deals would probably have to be a national exclusive, and involve shipping.
Jimm posted 06-19-2002 08:05 PM ET (US)
"Group Buys" are conducted all the time on
www.jeepsunlimited.com . A member gets an approximate number of persons willing to buy item "X". He or she then calls a company or dealer and asks what the price would be if he gets 12/15/20 members to buy the item. He then gets back to the board with the price and quantity needed to obtain that price. This is volunteer work for the person conducting the sale.
Hobie1981 posted 06-19-2002 10:11 PM ET (US)
Hi All: I emailed C.Bennett down at Whaler to see if he had a contact at Mercury Marine, who could discuss "group" purchases. I'll report back to you when I get more info.
Hobie
Bigshot posted 06-20-2002 10:50 AM ET (US)
Can you work on like Shell or texaco.....cheap gas would be nice:)
wildeone posted 06-20-2002 11:11 AM ET (US)
I am interested in repowering my 18 Outrage, and was thinking Yamaha 130. Would like to do it in the "off season" Sept. or Oct.
Although caught alot of stripers in Oct. 2001.
Live south of Boston.
Keep me updated ewilde1@attbi.com. I'll join "the group" even if its just guys in the Northeast.
Hobie1981 posted 06-20-2002 11:32 AM ET (US)
Hello All: Sent a email up to the folks at Bombardier to see about a contact person.
Big Shot: You living in the wrong part of the country ! Free gas for all classic Whaler owners here in New England.
:-)
Living large in sunny NH (today at least !!)
Hobie
jojoscoot posted 06-20-2002 12:15 PM ET (US)
I too would be interested in repowering my 17' montauk, preferably with a 90 yamaha.
Hobie1981 posted 06-20-2002 01:11 PM ET (US)
Hi: Sent inquiry up to the folks at Tohatsu.
My time frame for repowering is Fall '02. This will give me time to see what I can get for my Evenrude 55. Much easier to sell if buyer can get a hands on demo of how she runs. ;-)
Starting to put together a game plan now should help us in our quest.
I'm favoring Yamaha (have a good local dealer), but am open to changing my mind if another manufacturer comes in with steeply discounted price.
I'll contact Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Nissan later today.
Hobie
Big Shot: Tomorrow is free beer day. The local Bud plant gives away damaged cans etc.
the only problem is that they're not chilled.
Ah..lifes problems
Bigshot posted 06-20-2002 01:19 PM ET (US)
Speaking of beer......Took the 13 out for a maiden voyage yesterday and man is that boat NOT beer friendly. The floor is not flat and any slight movement spills the bottle. I lost 2 within a 1/2 hour. Gonna have to get some beer holders and a cooler for when I visit your area.
Hobie1981 posted 06-21-2002 10:50 PM ET (US)
Hi All: Just a quick update.
Honda & Nissan do not have any sort of group buying program.
Still waiting to hear from Bombardier, Suzuki and Tohatsu.
Need to call Yamaha and Mercury.
I got a quick note from Chuck down at
Whaler, and he does not have any contacts over at Mercury who could help us out.
I have a "friend" checking on the various manufacturer's set prices for state of North Carolina Govt and non-profit groups. This will give us a ball park price of what to pay. Expect to get this info next week..Wednesday maybe.
Response so far was what I expected. Hey..The fun is in the hunt..
Another great day in the "live free or die state".
Hey Big Shot: Those malted beverages you were speaking of.. They were not chilled I hope. ahhh..the horror of such a thought.
:-0
Hobie
mudpuppy posted 06-22-2002 01:17 AM ET (US)
This sounds like a worthwhile idea. I will be looking to repower my 15 with a fourstroke within 24 months, or if I incur significant engine problems with the 87 merc 60 currently on it.
Why not check out some of the larger national retailers, like the dreaded West Marine? They sell mercs, buy in quantity, ship to their local outposts for free, and are everywhere.
Hobie1981 posted 06-22-2002 01:33 AM ET (US)
Hi Mud: The game plan is to check with the mfg first, then internet-discount houses, and finally local dealerships.
Hobie
donel posted 06-23-2002 12:48 AM ET (US)
i have read some of the good prices available on all makes when bought in canada and personally brought back. everything sounded good, even the lackadaisical response re: warranties at your home base.
i had planned to check this further before getting a new yam 130 for the 17' late summer or fall.
anybody with info on this pricing? i've seen 30% discount.
Hobie1981 posted 06-23-2002 02:01 AM ET (US)
Hi: Please feel free to post any info you may find regarding discounts on outboards. I will continue to work the "group buy" angle. Presently contacting the various mfgrs. Will work down to distributors, chain stores, Internet discounters and local/larger dealerships. On my end this will take a little time as "I shake the trees, to see what falls".
Obviously there may be some duplication of information, but I have no problem with that. Bigger things in life to get cranked about :-).
Regarding warranty and purchases from Canada. I'll make some "oblique" inquiries. It would be hard to believe that for example a Yamaha 90TLRA purchased from a Canadian authorized Yamaha dealer, would not be covered under warranty here in the states. I have heard more than once that some salesfolks at US dealerships have stated that similar product bought outside US, are not covered by mfg warranty. Seems a bit funny to me. If I find any pricing on Gray market product, I will do my best to identify it as such. This would be the exception, IMHO regarding warranty coverage.
Keep reading, and post any info that you believe pertains to this topic.
This should be interesting.
:-)
Bigshot: What about those beers ya lost..were they cold ???
Have a great Sunday folks..
Hobie

11 footer posted 07-01-2002 04:39 PM ET (US)
looking to repower.........
will keep checking back.
Bigshot posted 07-01-2002 05:11 PM ET (US)
They were until they hit the hot deck. I tried licking it up but it just did not work.

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Author	Topic: Group Buying Power
Hobie1981	posted 06-19-2002 11:13 AM ET (US) Have any of the forum readers gotten together for a "group buy"? Specificially I was thinking when it came to repowering. When I was racing Hobies years ago, my wife and I belonged to a rather large fleet. We got together with several other members (10) and approached several dealers. Vanilla boat, cash-no trades, boats to be ordered in off-season. Dealers responded with their best pricing, and we bought from the lowest :-). Worked pretty smoothly, pricing was much cheaper than if we had bought individually. That said, is there anyone interested in trying to put together a group buy for outboards. Specificially I'm interested in a Yamaha. I live outside the Boston area. Thoughts on this..??? Hobie
Bigshot	posted 06-19-2002 11:49 AM ET (US) Nope! But how about some cheap Hobies:)
John O	posted 06-19-2002 04:00 PM ET (US) I certainly think it is possible. i would assume that regional buying would be most practical. Shipping cost could be a large roadblock. Guys in Fla, cal, Ma would have a difficult time with delivery. i too am in ma. I have a friend that bought his 200 johnson in Fla. the price was great and even better when his wifes companies traffic guy got the the motor shipped for free in exchange for a few fishing trips, but that is few and far between. I am not familiar with margins in motors. i would also wonder about service contracts and overall availability for maintaince.
Bodie	posted 06-19-2002 04:37 PM ET (US) I live in the Boston area, and would be interested. Right now, I'm looking to repower my 17' Montauk.
lhg	posted 06-19-2002 05:02 PM ET (US) I would think that we would have to get REALLY well organized to accomplish this, but I know it is an idea that JimH has tossed around also. But how? A few thoughts come to mind. First of all, we (or JimH) would have to form some kind of a dues paying ContinuousWave Association, to which we could all become members. Kind of a Boat US type thing. Then go to various manufacturers and make the deals, say for each brand of engine, a good keel roller "Whaler Trailer" exclusive, etc. Aren't many of us already buying from some of these vendors as part of group? Dave's and Hall's for upholstery, Mills, etc. Are they giving us discounts? A first logical deal would be Mercury Outboards. Since they own BW, you'd think maybe they'd give great deals for an outboard going on ANY Whaler. But, then again, maybe not, as this could goof up their new boat "packaged" engine pricing structure, and the Dealers would scream. Bombardier might also be hungry, and interested, since in the old days BW and J/E were working together. That might also prompt Mercury to take action. I would think the Japanese manufacturers will be a tougher nut to crack, but maybe not. Suzuki and Tohatsu are hungry for more business. Yamaha seems impossible, from what I can tell, unless they'd like to see a lot of their engines showing up on Whalers, just to get Mercury's goat. If none of this could happen at the Manufacturing level, maybe it could at a Dealership level. But the deals would probably have to be a national exclusive, and involve shipping.
Jimm	posted 06-19-2002 08:05 PM ET (US) "Group Buys" are conducted all the time on www.jeepsunlimited.com . A member gets an approximate number of persons willing to buy item "X". He or she then calls a company or dealer and asks what the price would be if he gets 12/15/20 members to buy the item. He then gets back to the board with the price and quantity needed to obtain that price. This is volunteer work for the person conducting the sale.
Hobie1981	posted 06-19-2002 10:11 PM ET (US) Hi All: I emailed C.Bennett down at Whaler to see if he had a contact at Mercury Marine, who could discuss "group" purchases. I'll report back to you when I get more info. Hobie
Bigshot	posted 06-20-2002 10:50 AM ET (US) Can you work on like Shell or texaco.....cheap gas would be nice:)
wildeone	posted 06-20-2002 11:11 AM ET (US) I am interested in repowering my 18 Outrage, and was thinking Yamaha 130. Would like to do it in the "off season" Sept. or Oct. Although caught alot of stripers in Oct. 2001. Live south of Boston. Keep me updated ewilde1@attbi.com. I'll join "the group" even if its just guys in the Northeast.
Hobie1981	posted 06-20-2002 11:32 AM ET (US) Hello All: Sent a email up to the folks at Bombardier to see about a contact person. Big Shot: You living in the wrong part of the country ! Free gas for all classic Whaler owners here in New England. :-) Living large in sunny NH (today at least !!) Hobie
jojoscoot	posted 06-20-2002 12:15 PM ET (US) I too would be interested in repowering my 17' montauk, preferably with a 90 yamaha.
Hobie1981	posted 06-20-2002 01:11 PM ET (US) Hi: Sent inquiry up to the folks at Tohatsu. My time frame for repowering is Fall '02. This will give me time to see what I can get for my Evenrude 55. Much easier to sell if buyer can get a hands on demo of how she runs. ;-) Starting to put together a game plan now should help us in our quest. I'm favoring Yamaha (have a good local dealer), but am open to changing my mind if another manufacturer comes in with steeply discounted price. I'll contact Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Nissan later today. Hobie Big Shot: Tomorrow is free beer day. The local Bud plant gives away damaged cans etc. the only problem is that they're not chilled. Ah..lifes problems
Bigshot	posted 06-20-2002 01:19 PM ET (US) Speaking of beer......Took the 13 out for a maiden voyage yesterday and man is that boat NOT beer friendly. The floor is not flat and any slight movement spills the bottle. I lost 2 within a 1/2 hour. Gonna have to get some beer holders and a cooler for when I visit your area.
Hobie1981	posted 06-21-2002 10:50 PM ET (US) Hi All: Just a quick update. Honda & Nissan do not have any sort of group buying program. Still waiting to hear from Bombardier, Suzuki and Tohatsu. Need to call Yamaha and Mercury. I got a quick note from Chuck down at Whaler, and he does not have any contacts over at Mercury who could help us out. I have a "friend" checking on the various manufacturer's set prices for state of North Carolina Govt and non-profit groups. This will give us a ball park price of what to pay. Expect to get this info next week..Wednesday maybe. Response so far was what I expected. Hey..The fun is in the hunt.. Another great day in the "live free or die state". Hey Big Shot: Those malted beverages you were speaking of.. They were not chilled I hope. ahhh..the horror of such a thought. :-0 Hobie
mudpuppy	posted 06-22-2002 01:17 AM ET (US) This sounds like a worthwhile idea. I will be looking to repower my 15 with a fourstroke within 24 months, or if I incur significant engine problems with the 87 merc 60 currently on it. Why not check out some of the larger national retailers, like the dreaded West Marine? They sell mercs, buy in quantity, ship to their local outposts for free, and are everywhere.
Hobie1981	posted 06-22-2002 01:33 AM ET (US) Hi Mud: The game plan is to check with the mfg first, then internet-discount houses, and finally local dealerships. Hobie
donel	posted 06-23-2002 12:48 AM ET (US) i have read some of the good prices available on all makes when bought in canada and personally brought back. everything sounded good, even the lackadaisical response re: warranties at your home base. i had planned to check this further before getting a new yam 130 for the 17' late summer or fall. anybody with info on this pricing? i've seen 30% discount.
Hobie1981	posted 06-23-2002 02:01 AM ET (US) Hi: Please feel free to post any info you may find regarding discounts on outboards. I will continue to work the "group buy" angle. Presently contacting the various mfgrs. Will work down to distributors, chain stores, Internet discounters and local/larger dealerships. On my end this will take a little time as "I shake the trees, to see what falls". Obviously there may be some duplication of information, but I have no problem with that. Bigger things in life to get cranked about :-). Regarding warranty and purchases from Canada. I'll make some "oblique" inquiries. It would be hard to believe that for example a Yamaha 90TLRA purchased from a Canadian authorized Yamaha dealer, would not be covered under warranty here in the states. I have heard more than once that some salesfolks at US dealerships have stated that similar product bought outside US, are not covered by mfg warranty. Seems a bit funny to me. If I find any pricing on Gray market product, I will do my best to identify it as such. This would be the exception, IMHO regarding warranty coverage. Keep reading, and post any info that you believe pertains to this topic. This should be interesting. :-) Bigshot: What about those beers ya lost..were they cold ??? Have a great Sunday folks.. Hobie
11 footer	posted 07-01-2002 04:39 PM ET (US) looking to repower......... will keep checking back.
Bigshot	posted 07-01-2002 05:11 PM ET (US) They were until they hit the hot deck. I tried licking it up but it just did not work.