Discount off MSRP

[fafastern]

I’m currently trying to negotiate the purchase of a new build R5 and the dealer only wants to take 24% off the msrp. I feel it should be closer to 30% off but they disagree. I found a dealer in another state that will build me a new one for 29.5% off but that will totally ruin the relationship with my current dealer. Anyone know what % should be attainable?

[tgrace98]

I’m currently trying to negotiate the purchase of a new build R5 and the dealer only wants to take 24% off the msrp. I feel it should be closer to 30% off but they disagree. I found a dealer in another state that will build me a new one for 29.5% off but that will totally ruin the relationship with my current dealer. Anyone know what % should be attainable?

It’s all on your dealer and your location unfortunately. I’ve heard of people getting 30% off but it’s few and far between. I’ve got 4 dealers around me and all of them started at about 17% off and I just worked with them all until I got the deal I thought was fair. Which ended up being my home dealer. But I can tell you it wasn’t the 30% off you are shooting for.

Unfortunately Cobalt has their dealer network set in favor of the dealers. For a dealer to be able to sell to you they have to be able to come and service it. So you have to ask yourself. Is dealing with getting it serviced out of state worth 5%? To me the answer is no.

[BobRae99]

It seems to me you have answered your own question in that you've found a dealer in another state who will write a 29.5% deal.

There is a website that purports to show marine dealer msrp and cost. It lists Cobalt dealer cost at ~29% off msrp. Of course, like the auto industry there may be additional incentives and volume rebates that the marine dealer cost site doesn't see, so who really knows what the dealer pays?

Forums like this always have people saying what discount negotiated on their purchase, but until you see the actual paperwork (perhaps with the purchaser's name redacted), I don't think you can rely on it.

My experience (in Canada) has been that a 20% deal is very difficult to achieve. I wonder whether the dealer in the other state you refer to can actually sell you a boat as the territories seem to be protected by Cobalt.

I have an idea for you though. If you don't need to have a boat before the end of the year, why don't you do this: Cobalt will introduce a replacement for the R5 in October. It will be named the R6. I don't have any details on any changes, but if you wait until its introduction, you can order one, probably at a weaker discount than your home dealer has offered you on an R5, or buy a remaining 2019 R5, probably at a steeper discount.

[tgrace98]

It seems to me you have answered your own question in that you've found a dealer in another state who will write a 29.5% deal.

There is a website that purports to show marine dealer msrp and cost. It lists Cobalt dealer cost at ~29% off msrp. Of course, like the auto industry there may be additional incentives and volume rebates that the marine dealer cost site doesn't see, so who really knows what the dealer pays?

Forums like this always have people saying what discount negotiated on their purchase, but until you see the actual paperwork (perhaps with the purchaser's name redacted), I don't think you can rely on it.

My experience (in Canada) has been that a 20% deal is very difficult to achieve. I wonder whether the dealer in the other state you refer to can actually sell you a boat as the territories seem to be protected by Cobalt.

I have an idea for you though. If you don't need to have a boat before the end of the year, why don't you do this: Cobalt will introduce a replacement for the R5 in October. It will be named the R6. I don't have any details on any changes, but if you wait until its introduction, you can order one, probably at a weaker discount than your home dealer has offered you on an R5, or buy a remaining 2019 R5, probably at a steeper discount.

Idk about that bob. It seems dealers have no problems selling Cobalt. I had called around on a few left over 18’s and the prices to me weren’t worth going after.

[akorcovelos]

Wrong time of year to be looking for deep discounts. If you can hold off until September you’ll have better luck if you’re set on that extra 4-5%.

[BobRae99]

It seems to me you have answered your own question in that you've found a dealer in another state who will write a 29.5% deal.

There is a website that purports to show marine dealer msrp and cost. It lists Cobalt dealer cost at ~29% off msrp. Of course, like the auto industry there may be additional incentives and volume rebates that the marine dealer cost site doesn't see, so who really knows what the dealer pays?

Forums like this always have people saying what discount negotiated on their purchase, but until you see the actual paperwork (perhaps with the purchaser's name redacted), I don't think you can rely on it.

My experience (in Canada) has been that a 20% deal is very difficult to achieve. I wonder whether the dealer in the other state you refer to can actually sell you a boat as the territories seem to be protected by Cobalt.

I have an idea for you though. If you don't need to have a boat before the end of the year, why don't you do this: Cobalt will introduce a replacement for the R5 in October. It will be named the R6. I don't have any details on any changes, but if you wait until its introduction, you can order one, probably at a weaker discount than your home dealer has offered you on an R5, or buy a remaining 2019 R5, probably at a steeper discount.

Idk about that bob. It seems dealers have no problems selling Cobalt. I had called around on a few left over 18’s and the prices to me weren’t worth going after.

I guess it is different in the US. In Canada, I spoke to a few dealers in other parts of the country and they referred me back to my home province dealer. I spoke to one in the US who did the same. Maybe its different in some areas.

[AsLan7]

.
Hey fafastern. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

Yes, dealers are very protective about their territory and the network is set up that way. You buy new local. Plus they are going to be your service center as well.

Post pics if u pull the trigger!

...and again, welcome aboard mate!

[Callen841]

Wrong time of year to be looking for deep discounts. If you can hold off until September you’ll have better luck if you’re set on that extra 4-5%.

I agree with this. We bought our 2018 in September of 2018 and with little to no negotiations got 28% off plus a few extras (flagpole, subwoofer, free indoor storage). If you can work with your local dealer it would be ideal- forming a partnership for years of service etc..

[fafastern]

Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions!

[Tuscany]

Honestly and respectfully.
I don’t lose money well. I hate losing more than I like making..

Love my Cobalt, but love has a right number.
20% discount? El Paso.
I fully understand the dealership network and the profit they feel they need to make on a limited production, but I’m not a player in overpaying. I’ll gladly let someone else step up while I step out.

Order in November.. Dealers tend to listen.

[Dropped Anchor]

BOAT SHOW

[Bmcs22]

Cobalt website has about a 26-27% discount when you build your own. My dealer told me that all the other dealers are upset with it being posted.

[Dropped Anchor]

Cobalt website has about a 26-27% discount when you build your own. My dealer told me that all the other dealers are upset with it being posted.

I went by my dealer last week. They were selling Cobalt’s like crazy. R3, R5, R7... When people with money walk in, they want in the water that day and the marina has them by the balls. They don’t want to wait until fall time to order one. They want on the water right then. There will always be that impulse buyer that needs the boat right then.

[Tuscany]

Cobalt website has about a 26-27% discount when you build your own. My dealer told me that all the other dealers are upset with it being posted.

I went by my dealer last week. They were selling Cobalt’s like crazy. R3, R5, R7... When people with money walk in, they want in the water that day and the marina has them by the balls. They don’t want to wait until fall time to order one. They want on the water right then. There will always be that impulse buyer that needs the boat right then.

Very true. I would bet that most get the impulse and just go with it. Fresh fish for the dealer and good for them!
Myself, I've never been an impulse buyer, and have always ordered my vehicles.

[JTinMO]

When I was looking last summer (late June) I was quoted roughly 28% off MSRP on a couple of models, on average. I say "on average" as some were lower % off (brand new 2018s), and some were more % off (demo's and left over 2017s in odd colors). I ended up driving 10 hrs to another state to buy a used one with very low hours, and setup the way I wanted it. Purchased from a private party.