[C320-list] What comes with a 'base' price boat?

[Jeff Hare]

I've always found it interesting how widely opinions vary on the
quality/experiences of dealers (stores, auto-repair, etc).

Generally speaking it often boils down to:

 * The quality of the actual product or service you got (a lemon or peach?)

 * The difference between the dealer's perception and the customer's
perception of quality or what constitutes a legitimate problem

 * The attitude and approach taken by the new owner (doesn't always matter,
especially if the dealer doesn't agree with your assessment)

 * The dealer's desire to satisfy the customer.

I've seen this in home building as well. We *pay* a lot for something and we
all have our expectations about what constitutes acceptable level of
quality/performance, but that varies widely.

Trouble usually comes when there is a difference between what a customer
expects and what a dealer considers acceptable.  Reasonable people can
really disagree here.  While many people may buy from the same dealership
over the years, sales people, skilled labor, management and attitudes
frequently change for business reasons.

So.. If you end up with a peach or the guy doing the commissioning is well
skilled at what you're having done, you'll have little reason to complain,
hence "you're happy".  The situation may or may not be the same next time
when the guy doing the work is not so good at the specific commissioning
you're having done, or the hull just didn't come together well at the
factory and has "issues".

If you happen to match yourself with a like-minded dealer, chances are good
that you won't have a problem that doesn't get resolved to your
satisfaction.  Luck of the draw.

-Jeff H


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
allan.field at comcast.net
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 12:40 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] What comes with a 'base' price boat?

Diane - And if the dealer deserves bashing all the time, you'd still be
tired of seeing it?  I am glad you have had 5 good experiences but that in
no way balances out my experiences.  Like I said, no more new-boat purchases
for me.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "MARSHALL M LUCAS" <mtpoodles at atlanticbb.net> 

> I don't know what Catalina dealer you purchased from but 
> I've purchased two from Sail Annapolis and they are GREAT 
> at commissioning and answering all questions. Frankly, 
> I'm tired of seeing boat dealers bashed all the time. 
> I've purchased 6 boats since 1978; 5 have been new and 1 
> used. I've never had any problems with the dealers. 
> 
> Diane 
> 
>