Uncertainty at Ranger boats

[merc1997 Bo]

35 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

True but that goes for just about every product out there that consumers buy. It's all part of their advertising budgets and we spend a lot of money each year paying for companies to advertise products to us.

that is very true, but do boat motor companies really need to have that many give away boats?  how many thousands of boat and motors is that a year?  just saying.  i know that is how the game is played, but it sure makes their products over priced for what you are getting.  got any idea how much your vehicle prices would go up if the car companies did like wise?

i am glad for those that have boat deals.  but, as a consumer, i get a bit tired of footing that bill.

off my soap box now.

bo

[fishinwrench]

So......buy a brand of boat that isn't being given away all the time.   Ranger, Nitro, Bass Cat are the ones always being special opted.   Although two of those are the same corporation now, and no other boat I know of gets demo'ed as often as Bass Cat.   I don't know of a single BC boat that was bought straight out, they always get specialed out to some wanna be pro. 

The world could use a decent bass boat company that doesn't play "pro team" crap.  I'd buy it.    

[Champ188]

Having spent many years as an outdoors writer covering the sport, I know for a fact that very, very few of the BASS Elite Series and FLW Tour pros are getting free boats. They get discounts, but even then it would surprise the average angler just how much of their own expenses those guys are paying.

And the only people who are footing any bill for the boat companies are those who buy new boats from time to time.

[fishinwrench]

They sign on at a reduced price, financed well below book value, then pay only interest and have to sell it or buy it within a certain amount of time.  If you're shrewd you can actually make a little money on it PLUS get to fish out of a fresh new boat for a year or so for next to nothing.    When you sell it then you pay off the principal balance and go pick up another one.   

The only real downside is that if you sweep a dock and put a scratch on it, hit something and bust the skeg, ect. then you gotta pay out of pocket to get it fixed right now.   The boat always has to be ready to sell quickly when you have the opportunity to move it.

[merc1997 Bo]

7 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

So......buy a brand of boat that isn't being given away all the time.   Ranger, Nitro, Bass Cat are the ones always being special opted.   Although two of those are the same corporation now, and no other boat I know of gets demo'ed as often as Bass Cat.   I don't know of a single BC boat that was bought straight out, they always get specialed out to some wanna be pro. 

The world could use a decent bass boat company that doesn't play "pro team" crap.  I'd buy it.    

i have bought two new basscats straight out from my own pocket.  but that has been a long time back.  the last one i bought was used and it fit my pocket book.

bo

 

[merc1997 Bo]

25 minutes ago, Champ188 said:

Having spent many years as an outdoors writer covering the sport, I know for a fact that very, very few of the BASS Elite Series and FLW Tour pros are getting free boats. They get discounts, but even then it would surprise the average angler just how much of their own expenses those guys are paying.

And the only people who are footing any bill for the boat companies are those who buy new boats from time to time.

someone is paying for those deep discounts.

bo

[Bozinsek]

Well, Boys, It's been an interesting read, But now it's time to go out and turn a buck so that I can "redistribute' my personal wealth in the form of more Whopper Ploppers and a new choke for my 40 year ole 'Merc!

 

[Champ188]

7 hours ago, merc1997 said:

i have bought two new basscats straight out from my own pocket.  but that has been a long time back.  the last one i bought was used and it fit my pocket book.

bo

 

Nothing at all wrong with a used boat ... this Ranger we have now is the first new one I've bought since they made their "team deals" so much of a hassle that the shallow disounts weren't worth it anymore.

[Champ188]

7 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

They sign on at a reduced price, financed well below book value, then pay only interest and have to sell it or buy it within a certain amount of time.  If you're shrewd you can actually make a little money on it PLUS get to fish out of a fresh new boat for a year or so for next to nothing.    When you sell it then you pay off the principal balance and go pick up another one.   

The only real downside is that if you sweep a dock and put a scratch on it, hit something and bust the skeg, ect. then you gotta pay out of pocket to get it fixed right now.   The boat always has to be ready to sell quickly when you have the opportunity to move it.

You couldn't be more accurate, wrench. That is spot-on.

[Bill Babler]

No more freebies.  I can remember the day when it was said one out of every 5 Rangers were free.  Did not ever believe that one, but it was for sure a high number.  Now, 99% of these guys are on memo deals where most have 12 months to either pay for it or sell it.  Cost on the boat and the motor are usually about 20% under dealer or very close to total manufacture cost.  Most even have to pay the shipping, unless they head to the factory and pick it up.

Bo, advertisement was figured in.

Most do not make a dime on their boat, as they just tear the holly crud out of them.  They have 2 speeds one is full stop and other is full go.  Most could care less about RPM's or hours on the rig.  I have been in the boats with some of the top pro's and they look like you swept your garage  out and then tossed the dust pan into the boat.  usually just about every item on that boat is at a discount or a some type of a deal.  Not Free.  And then they can get dropped in a second, so they are always in the hunt for sponsors.

Nothing is free even for those guys.  The companies want your most precious thing.  They want your time, and insist on it.  Of the El;ite Anglers, I am guessing that really under 1/2 of them could do this without outside help and that is not sponsors. 

It is a very hard way to try and make a living.  Being a good fisherman is probably under 1/3 of what you need to get this job done.  Being the spouse of a tournament angler is more than a fulltime job.  I cannot tell you how much I respect these women.  They are not only home makers but more are business managers and go between for everyone and their brothers trying to bug these guys.  My total respect goes out to these fine gals.