Is buying a PWC like buying a car

feb · 06-29-2014, 08:29 PM

Toying with the idea of buying a new jetski. Online research indicates what the MSRP is. Yet is that what you pay when you go to the actual dealer or do you have to do the car buying negotiation dance. Are the dealer prices inflated like cars? Having never purchased a jetski I'm unclear if I need to negotiate or if they are just commodities where you say you want one, plop the credit card down, and drive away.

TiltonBB · 06-30-2014, 06:24 AM

The markup is a lot less with a jetski than with a car or a boat so you are talking a savings of a few hundred dollars if you negotiate. I would just find a dealer that I am comfortable with, and a machine that I want, and ask them for their best price.

At different times during the year the manufacturers sometimes offer rebates and incentives that may affect the price but the season is so short here you may lose a lot of it hoping for a rebate program.

Also, getting the right dealer is important so that if something goes wrong (Say, the kids run over and ingest the water ski line) it will be important that you have the right support to take care of it. I wouldn't argue over a few dollars on a $10,000 to $14,000 purchase but rather be comfortable that I bought it at the right place.

As for using a credit card: Most places that you do business with are well aware of the points programs offered by the credit card companies and what it costs them every time someone uses a credit card for a major purchase. On a purchase that has a percentage of profit margin in the single digits using a credit card that costs the store a few percent may affect your price.

I have had several Yamaha's and they just keep getting better. HK Powersports has been excellent to deal with for the 20 years I have been doing business with them.

EllyPoinster · 06-30-2014, 07:26 AM

Honest, ethical folks at HK. They carry Yamaha, SeaDoo and Kawasaki so you have a choice on product.

As to discounts, you may be able to get one from the dealer at the end of the season on leftover inventory but right now I think all you will be able to take advantage of are manufacturer's incentives in lieu of an extended warranty.

jbg · 06-30-2014, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EllyPoinster

Honest, ethical folks at HK. They carry Yamaha, SeaDoo and Kawasaki so you have a choice on product.

As to discounts, you may be able to get one from the dealer at the end of the season on leftover inventory but right now I think all you will be able to take advantage of are manufacturer's incentives in lieu of an extended warranty.

Agree on HK. Bought our Yamaha Waverunner there. Very good leftover deal in early spring a couple of years ago. It's serviced and stored there. Both sales and service...everyone has always been great.

chipj29 · 06-30-2014, 08:25 AM

As others have said, this time of year is a tough time to buy a PWC. You will most likely paying asking price/MSRP (unless you can find a leftover). And the selection might be more limited.

If you want a REAL good deal, shop in the fall when the dealer wants to put the PWC displays in storage and set up the snowmobile displays.

And as others have said, HK has been great to deal with from my perspective. Never had a problem there.

diz · 06-30-2014, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

As others have said, this time of year is a tough time to buy a PWC. You will most likely paying asking price/MSRP (unless you can find a leftover). And the selection might be more limited.

If you want a REAL good deal, shop in the fall when the dealer wants to put the PWC displays in storage and set up the snowmobile displays.

And as others have said, HK has been great to deal with from my perspective. Never had a problem there.

I got my Sea Doo from HK right after Christmas two years ago. Got a good price and Sea Doo was offering a free extended warranty.

GTO · 06-30-2014, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diz

I got my Sea Doo from HK right after Christmas two years ago. Got a good price and Sea Doo was offering a free extended warranty.

Bougt my Seadoo at HK in Tilton (when it was there) a few years ago. Checked Dasilva and Irwin in Alton but got the same left over maching in Tilton, including the cover at cost, and x-tra year warranty for the better price. Had it winterized the first couple of years in Tilton with no problems. When they moved to Laconia, it turned into a nightmare. Just about every time i took the jetski out, it would randomly stall. Brought to to Laconia, they would have it for about a week and could not find the problem after running it and putting it on their computer. Got it back, same thing. Stall going 40 mph in calm water, didn't make sense. Sometimes it would start back up, other times it would not. Took it back and they still couldn't find the problem and they would have it for long periods of time becasue techs were out and more excuses. Almost the whole summer went by, trailering it back and forth. Finally, my wife drove to Dasilvas one day and descibed the problem and immediately, without even seeing the machine, said defective post (the post the key goes on) We told HK what we were told and they said we checked that and it was fine but they said they wouud try changing it anyways. To this day we have not had a problem and Dasilva has earned my business

Showem · 06-30-2014, 01:37 PM

I have heard a few times from dealers that after the 4th its harder for them to clear inventory so I would think that would be the time you would get a better deal?

Sue Doe-Nym · 06-30-2014, 04:22 PM

Chuck DaSilva's prices are very competitive and his service is superb. He goes out of his way to provide great customer service and frequently gets work done before promised.

mhtranger · 06-30-2014, 04:46 PM

I agree with the above statement. We bought our ski from them and would recommend them to anyone.

VitaBene · 06-30-2014, 07:30 PM

DaSilva and HK are both excellent dealers. Good luck with your decision!!

Marauder · 06-30-2014, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

DaSilva and HK are both excellent dealers. Good luck with your decision!!

No problem buying a jet ski - even an older model if well taken care of - check with Chuck at DaSilva Motorsports - they service my 1997 SeaDoo and it's like brand new!

Bumble2249 · 06-30-2014, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Bougt my Seadoo at HK in Tilton (when it was there) a few years ago. Checked Dasilva and Irwin in Alton but got the same left over maching in Tilton, including the cover at cost, and x-tra year warranty for the better price. Had it winterized the first couple of years in Tilton with no problems. When they moved to Laconia, it turned into a nightmare. Just about every time i took the jetski out, it would randomly stall. Brought to to Laconia, they would have it for about a week and could not find the problem after running it and putting it on their computer. Got it back, same thing. Stall going 40 mph in calm water, didn't make sense. Sometimes it would start back up, other times it would not. Took it back and they still couldn't find the problem and they would have it for long periods of time becasue techs were out and more excuses. Almost the whole summer went by, trailering it back and forth. Finally, my wife drove to Dasilvas one day and descibed the problem and immediately, without even seeing the machine, said defective post (the post the key goes on) We told HK what we were told and they said we checked that and it was fine but they said they wouud try changing it anyways. To this day we have not had a problem and Dasilva has earned my business

Yup Dasilva will tell you like it is and pull no punches. No BS. Great service department!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Shortstop · 07-01-2014, 08:03 AM

I've bought 3 machines from HK in Hooksett and always serviced them there. Very happy. I saved a bit on #2 by buying a leftover from the prev year.

rowinghelmet · 07-01-2014, 12:24 PM

I just saw a jetski at my local Costco for $2k off list price. If you're a member it might be worth checking out their program - http://www.costcoauto.com/boat/enter...2fdefault.aspx

Credit card fees can be 1-3% of the transaction. I'd use a check or cash for the best price.

I've had good luck using cash. Nothing says I'm ready to buy without a hassle like a stack of $100 bills.

06-29-2014, 08:29 PM	#1
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 213 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Is buying a PWC like buying a car Toying with the idea of buying a new jetski. Online research indicates what the MSRP is. Yet is that what you pay when you go to the actual dealer or do you have to do the car buying negotiation dance. Are the dealer prices inflated like cars? Having never purchased a jetski I'm unclear if I need to negotiate or if they are just commodities where you say you want one, plop the credit card down, and drive away.

06-30-2014, 07:26 AM	#3
EllyPoinster Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 160 Thanks: 13 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Another "Thumbs Up" for HK Powersports Honest, ethical folks at HK. They carry Yamaha, SeaDoo and Kawasaki so you have a choice on product. As to discounts, you may be able to get one from the dealer at the end of the season on leftover inventory but right now I think all you will be able to take advantage of are manufacturer's incentives in lieu of an extended warranty.

06-30-2014, 08:25 AM	#5
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	As others have said, this time of year is a tough time to buy a PWC. You will most likely paying asking price/MSRP (unless you can find a leftover). And the selection might be more limited. If you want a REAL good deal, shop in the fall when the dealer wants to put the PWC displays in storage and set up the snowmobile displays. And as others have said, HK has been great to deal with from my perspective. Never had a problem there. __________________ Getting ready for winter!

07-01-2014, 08:03 AM	#14
Shortstop Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 25 Thanks: 5 Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts	Happy with HK also. I've bought 3 machines from HK in Hooksett and always serviced them there. Very happy. I saved a bit on #2 by buying a leftover from the prev year.

06-30-2014, 06:24 AM	#2
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,986 Thanks: 692 Thanked 2,193 Times in 929 Posts	Different markup The markup is a lot less with a jetski than with a car or a boat so you are talking a savings of a few hundred dollars if you negotiate. I would just find a dealer that I am comfortable with, and a machine that I want, and ask them for their best price. At different times during the year the manufacturers sometimes offer rebates and incentives that may affect the price but the season is so short here you may lose a lot of it hoping for a rebate program. Also, getting the right dealer is important so that if something goes wrong (Say, the kids run over and ingest the water ski line) it will be important that you have the right support to take care of it. I wouldn't argue over a few dollars on a $10,000 to $14,000 purchase but rather be comfortable that I bought it at the right place. As for using a credit card: Most places that you do business with are well aware of the points programs offered by the credit card companies and what it costs them every time someone uses a credit card for a major purchase. On a purchase that has a percentage of profit margin in the single digits using a credit card that costs the store a few percent may affect your price. I have had several Yamaha's and they just keep getting better. HK Powersports has been excellent to deal with for the 20 years I have been doing business with them.

06-30-2014, 01:37 PM	#8
Showem Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I have heard a few times from dealers that after the 4th its harder for them to clear inventory so I would think that would be the time you would get a better deal?

06-30-2014, 04:22 PM	#9
Sue Doe-Nym Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,425 Thanks: 743 Thanked 788 Times in 413 Posts	Chuck DaSilva's prices are very competitive and his service is superb. He goes out of his way to provide great customer service and frequently gets work done before promised.

The Following User Says Thank You to Sue Doe-Nym For This Useful Post:
mhtranger (06-30-2014)

06-30-2014, 04:46 PM	#10
mhtranger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 130 Thanks: 320 Thanked 69 Times in 40 Posts	I agree with the above statement. We bought our ski from them and would recommend them to anyone.

06-30-2014, 07:30 PM	#11
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,574 Thanks: 1,606 Thanked 1,631 Times in 838 Posts	DaSilva and HK are both excellent dealers. Good luck with your decision!!

07-01-2014, 12:24 PM	#15
rowinghelmet Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	I just saw a jetski at my local Costco for $2k off list price. If you're a member it might be worth checking out their program - http://www.costcoauto.com/boat/enter...2fdefault.aspx Credit card fees can be 1-3% of the transaction. I'd use a check or cash for the best price. I've had good luck using cash. Nothing says I'm ready to buy without a hassle like a stack of $100 bills.