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Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
Re: What constitutes a good deal?
Posted By: Dug In Response To: What constitutes a good deal? (bruce)
Date: Thursday, 12 January 2006, at 8:31 a.m.
Bruce,
Your nail is sore on top. You hit it. Reliability is key.
What burns me, and most that I know is the level of markup that many in the marine industry feel is appropriate.
It comes from the fact that there is a mismatch of expectations, like so many things in life. The boaters look at it as fun time, not business. But it is no less business than your house, car or golly, your business. For many ofthe boatyards, mechanics or otherwise (and I will be clear that I exclude you and Patrick from this group) it is looked at differently. Here they are a business looking at a person who has enough disposable income to afford to buy a toy valued anywhere from $30,000 on up (specifically for Bertram 31's). In otherwords, a hell of a lot of money.
Most of us in business know what the real manufacturing cost of something is. Or at least close. We get a bit annoyed when we look at a Raymarine system and the DISPLAY ALONE IS $4000! You can buy a hell of a television for your house for that. Volume shmolume. You pay for it because options are limited, and then most in the business give a snide attitude if you are looking to pay less.
In my book, I know what you need to pay a true artist like Patrick, or someone who truly knows what they are doing like yourself. I have learned that the hard way. It is all the others who have passed themselves off as equally able as yourselves, and aren't. There is no industry standard in the marine industry, and the industry itself has long been a poster child for poor customer service and smoke and mirrors.
I am a metal stamper. I make bearings. I make a part for a snow related industry. We charge in the 3-4 dollar range. Buy the part from the dealer and it is $40. Yes, it goes through a distribution network, but that is a hell of a markup. We all pay it in all areas, and it smarts. Let me give you a brief bit of proof.
A friend had the boatyard put his swim platform on and they charged him $1800. It took 4 hours, and minimal supplies. They pre-quoted it, and disregarded the quote. They charged him without documentation, and then felt they had grounds to negotiate a lower price, despite the quote.
Another friend paid a boatyard to re-assemble his outriggers and put them back on his boat. Not a new install, just a put it back together. $780. No explanation, no documentation.
I had a cover made. It was quoted at $1100. 5 years ago I paid $600 for the same cover. The canvas shop had higher costs they said. The bill came in at $1600. They said it took more time than they thought. They also wanted to "negotiate" it.
These are examples of attempted or successful rip offs. That is when we boaters don't feel like we are getting a "good deal".
Again, I don't see you or Patrick acting this way. Integrity goes a long way towards enabling someone to feel as though they are getting a good deal. My dad always said a good deal is when both parties walk away happy. That can be tough in the marine industry...
Dug
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