www.iFourWinns.com

Congrats! Let's see the pictures!

What was the sales experience like? Did it take alot of back and forth bantering?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Thanks Cougar, I'll post pictures next week. Don't have anything decent due to bad weather last weekend.

As for the buying experience first let me state that I had a preconceived attitude toward Skipper Buds due to previous attempts at boat buying. Hate to admit it but the day we signed the papers I wasn't the least bit excited about it because of the experience. I'm over that now and looking forward to using her.

I think the problem had to do with the listing brokers relationship with the seller, I believe they were friends and of course wanted the most money possible. If it wasn't for my salesman from another SB location who told me about this boat, the deal would never had happened.

List of problems:
1. Made initial offer which selling broker never presented to seller. Our salesman had to force the issue.

2. Negotiations back and forth which due to 3-parties took to long.

3. Purchase price agreed to contingent on 328 trade-in evaluation and the 378 survey, sea trial and financing.

4. Asked that the 378 be placed outside for me to wash and wax hull sides which they refused because they were to busy.

5. Told them I would have our 328 at their dock Thursday, weather permitting. They knew we were picking up the bank check that morning, driving three hours to get to our marina, then cruising 45 minutes in good weather to their marina. We were in their slip before 5 pm. They had an attitude about that because they scheduled their mechanic to check over our trade that day without telling us.

6. Trade evaluation rescheduled for Friday morning. Our seatrial was to be at 11am. They didn't wander down the dock until 1:30pm for the trial.

7. Delivered our 328 with full gas tanks. Expected the same amount of fuel in the 378 which was near empty. They initially refused until I threatened to walk. SB owner had to give okay for the equivalent fuel after another 2 hour delay.

8. Very picky with our trade but when mentioning issues with the 378 all they said was that it was a broker boat.

I couldn't wait to get out of there. They did agree to a free lift in and out to wax the hull in the future but by then I was pissed which ruined the new boat excitement.

Never again!

Congratulations on your new boat. I'm sure you will really enjoy it now that the deal is done.

I'll lurk around here a little bit longer, just to see how things go for you, and to see the pictures as well.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Congratulations JAK!!!

We bought our 378 new in '06 and love it. We have travelled all over Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Georgian Bay and it has been great. Plan to head to Mackinac Island and Sault Ste Marie in July.

Best of luck.

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Lime Cutter
'06 378 Vista
Lake St Clair, MI
Mac Ray Harbor

That is by no means necessarily a better way of dealing with things as my most recent experience proved. The joy of getting my new boat was tained as well by a seller who couldn't let go and want to try to screw me at the end on every last little item. I actually would prefer to deal with a dealer for a variety of reasons.

Congrats on the new boat!

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags