Anyone ever buy a boat through Bass Pro Shops?

[Stingray23]

I would like to know if anyone has gone this route? Whats the process? Hows the financing through them? Are the boats in stock or do you end up building one through them and then have it shipped to you? I'm going next month with a cousin of mine for the first time and might look into getting a Nitro if the price is right. This will be my first boat purchase.

[RandySBreth]

I bought a non Bass Pro brand boat off their used/trade-in lot. Why someone would trade in their Lowe for a Tracker is beyond me.

As far as the buying "experience", I financed through my bank and basically told them what I would pay for it, take it or leave it.

I've heard they're pretty no-hassle about things, but I don't know.

[Carrington]

i bought a 12 foot jon boat from them, but i just payed cash.

[cart7t]

If you're wanting to buy a Tracker or Nitro I would advise going with a local dealer who sells them vs. a BPS store.  A dealer will have on-sight repair available with their own mechanics vs. a BPS store who has to outsource their work. 

[Stingray23]

If you're wanting to buy a Tracker or Nitro I would advise going with a local dealer who sells them vs. a BPS store.  A dealer will have on-sight repair available with their own mechanics vs. a BPS store who has to outsource their work. 

So you're saying if I buy a new Nitro from BPS I cant have it serviced by a local Nitro dealer? only through BPS? makes no sense.

[Under the Radar]

If you're wanting to buy a Tracker or Nitro I would advise going with a local dealer who sells them vs. a BPS store. A dealer will have on-sight repair available with their own mechanics vs. a BPS store who has to outsource their work.

So you're saying if I buy a new Nitro from BPS I cant have it serviced by a local Nitro dealer? only through BPS? makes no sense.

I think what he's saying is that service after the sale is different if you buy from a dealer. Not sayin they won't service the equip, just that the level of service is different. I spent 20+ yrs in the marine industry.

cart is dead on with this one.

Nick

[Fishes in trees]

I can't speak to every Bass Pro Store, but the Bass Pro store in Independence, MO, (open for a little over two years)  has marine repair on site, they service everything they sell.

I don't know anyone who has dealt with they or has had any experiences one way or another.

[urban_angler28]

I bought my jon boat there last week they took good care of me. I will definitely go back when I'm ready to buy a nitro. But why don't u pay a visit to both bps and a another dealer and see what u like better.

[cart7t]

If you're wanting to buy a Tracker or Nitro I would advise going with a local dealer who sells them vs. a BPS store. A dealer will have on-sight repair available with their own mechanics vs. a BPS store who has to outsource their work.

So you're saying if I buy a new Nitro from BPS I cant have it serviced by a local Nitro dealer? only through BPS? makes no sense.

I think what he's saying is that service after the sale is different if you buy from a dealer. Not sayin they won't service the equip, just that the level of service is different. I spent 20+ yrs in the marine industry.

cart is dead on with this one.

Nick

Exactly.

Most BPS stores do not have a shop on site for repairs. An outside servicer will have to come to the store to make any repairs..... when they feel like it. In comparison, an independant dealer has a vested interest in keeping you happy as a buyer. Your boat will go to the front of the line in the event it needs repair in or out of warranty vs. buying from a BPS store and then taking it to them (the Nitro/Tracker dealer you didn't buy it from) if it needs warranty work.

BTW, one of the biggest complaints I hear about those brands is the poor customer service buyers receive after purchasing straight from a BPS store. You rarely hear of the same complaints from owners that purchase from a Nitro/Tracker independant dealer.

[FL Knifemaker]

I bought my Tracker V-18 Tournament/Optimax 115 from the Orlando BPS over the summer.  I paid cash so no info on their fincancing.   Basically, there's no negotiating.  The advertised price is what you pay.  I managed to snag some electronics when bought the boat that were on sale. I still had to pay to have them installed  :    The only reason I bought the boat at BPS is because they were the only dealer that had one in stock.  Other Tracker dealers said it would take weeks to get one in.  As far as service, the Orlando BPS has a full service center.  The problem is, they are very busy and getting work done takes a LONG time.   Right now my boat is in for service at the Orlando shop.  This will be the last time I use them as I have much better Mercury service locations, MUCH closer.   

[Wayne P.]

The type of service provided by a BPS or independent Tracker/Nitro dealer is relative to the service personnel. That goes for any boat dealer.

Ask local purchasers for their experience with either. How someone is treated somewhere you are not has no bearing on the service you may experience. Your local BPS may have the best service personel in the area----or not.

[kbkindle]

i bought a tracker from the store in springfield  had a mud sucker motor  when i had trouble took it to a merc. dealer  he said to go back to mo. to have it repaired  pi$$ed me off so i wrote to merc. they got  my local merc. dealer to work on it after they were all caught up on there own boat sales took about  2 months to get repaired.never again  will by local  thank you very much

[boneil]

I bought a Nitro Z8 last spring from the bps in MD. I went through my own bank for financing, better rate than the banks from bp. There was no negotiating when it came to price no matter what I tried. The sales department wasn't the best, they always seemed to rather be doing something else than work with me. The service department, which is on site, was good and handled my issues promptly and treated me very well.

[slonezp]

Never bought a boat thru them, but as far as service, my local BPS mechanics test drive boats on a lake I fish. The lake is located 1/2 hr drive from the store. I envision that could rack up some $$$ in repair costs. My mechanic is located on a lake so if the need to test drive the boat arises it's right there. Less labor=less money. Something for you to think about.

[done]

I bought my Tracker Pt 175 txw from the Charlotte BPS. They have their own repair shop onsite. I traded in my old tracker jon for it but did my own financing (got better rates that way) but I found it easy to do and to date they have been easy to work with.

The ONLY thing I would be anal about is inspecting the boat before accepting it. I have seen some boats on their floor take some serious beatings

[Eternal Angler]

I've heard good things on Bass Pro

[Wayne P.]

Good point M Starr, the display boats do seem to be playgrounds for kids sometimes.

[Nitro 882]

I have a Nitro boat that I absolutely love but the service at my local BPS is absolutely laughable. After warranty issues are expired make sure you have someone local to do your repair/maintenance work.

If I told you of my experiences with BPS service you could never make yourself believe me.

GREAT BOAT/TERRIBLE SERVICE

[Stingray23]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm gonna talk to a local(55 miles away)Tracker/Nitro dealer and see what they can do as far as price goes. If I need to order a custom Nitro, what kind of wait am I in for? 2-3 weeks? 6-8 weeks?

[South FLA]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm gonna talk to a local(55 miles away)Tracker/Nitro dealer and see what they can do as far as price goes. If I need to order a custom Nitro, what kind of wait am I in for? 2-3 weeks? 6-8 weeks?

If you dead set on Nitro/Tracker great, have you considered any other brands?  Just a thought, the way the economy is right now you can get a heck of deal if you haggle a bit.  Also, almost new "used" boats under warranty are a dime a dozen.

[Stingray23]

I've looked at other brands but they seem to be more expensive. I like the Skeeters. I found a 2005 Skeeter ZX225 with a Yamaha VZ225, 191 hrs on the motor. These are the options:

     TANDEM AXLE TRAILER WITH SWING TONGUE, DISC BRAKES ON BOTH AXLES AND SPARE TIRE.

Addtional Equip.:      BRAND NEW CUSTOM SKEETER COVER MADE BY AURORA

Deck & Hull:      TACKLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, ROD ORGANIZER AND LINE SPOOLER. IN FLOOR COOLER. BIKE SEAT IN FRONT AND REAR FISHING CHAIR.

Electrical System:      3 BANK ON BOARD CHARGER

Mechanical Equip.:      NEW 24 VOLT MINN KOTA MAXXUM 80

Electronics Nav:      LOWRANCE X135 ON BOW FLUSH MOUNTED AND A X-15 ON A RAM MOUNT AT CONSOLE

They are asking $22,000. Is that too much for this boat? Can I haggle? This is a very popular  local dealer with this boat. Are used boats like this difficult to finance?

[George Welcome]

If I was going to sink over 20,000 into a boat I would sure want warranty - power head replacement is very expensive!

[boneil]

the wait really depends on what you choose.  You can buy a boat off the floor or get custom paint which may take a long time.  I think it was like 8 weeks or more with custom paint,  but don't quote me.  Bp will also check other stores and dealers for the boat you want.

[Revo_Carrot Stix]

I had a chance to talk to Edwin Evers last month at BPS and he was shocked at this year's prices and promotions. He said somebody today can walk in and get a better deal on Z9 in 2010 then he got last year on his, including the 2-yr discounts and bonues points/cash.

Boat manufacturers and motor companies are hurting big time. I would definitely check out some local dealers (and possibly manufacturers - Ranger) to see what they can do for you. Good luck and let us know!!

[burleytog]

Two things....

If you buy from a local dealer, you're near the front of the line when it comes to service.  Buy from BPS and see how long that local Merc shop takes to get to your boat.  A friend had a problem with a 200 Pro XS last summer.  He had purchased it used from somewhere in KY.  Took it to the local Merc shop, they said it would be 3-4 weeks before they could get to it.  And they wanted him to leave it there until they could get to it. 

Second (and I own a Tracker), service on Trackers isn't the best in the world no matter where you go.  Call the Tracker Service center at your local BPS and see if they can give you a wiring diagram for your boat.  Or a hose diagram.  They won't be able to.  I've found that out more than once over the last few months.  If you plan on doing any work on a Tracker, you'd better know what you're doing.

I love my boat, but BPS/Tracker just doesn't offer what a true dealer would/could.