posted 09-28-2014 01:44 PM ET (US)            

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On the Boston Whaler prices on that website, every so-called dealer price appears to be the exact same percentage of the so-called MSRP price. I would be extraordinarily surprised to discover that the difference between MSRP and dealer cost is exactly the same percentage on every boat, every accessory, every option.

The most appealing feature of the information content is actually having the MSRP prices collected and organized. As for the dealer cost, there is never a simple formula for dealer cost. There are always progressive discount schedules, hold backs, incentives, and other manufacturer programs that affect the dealer cost. The offers from manufacturers to their dealers vary with the time of year and with the manufacturer's own sales volumes.

posted 10-02-2014 08:30 PM ET (US)            

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Hi Jimh,

You are correct for the all the comments you made about incentives. But every dealer has a standard price discount price structure to work from. And from my personal knowledge having been involved in sales in a past life this looks very valid. But I do agree there are always promotions, volume discount, sales quotas etc..

Larry

posted 10-05-2014 04:49 PM ET (US)            

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Hi Larry--If I understand your comment, your basis for feeling there is accuracy in the listing of dealer costs for all products covered on the website you mentioned is based on your own experience of having been involved in sales.

My comments about the generally non-linear, non-simplistic relationship between dealer cost and MSRP is based on exactly the same experience as you: being involved in sales; my experience was from the manufacturing side.