The big spring launch is done and all the boats are in the water. Wow what a rush. Definitely tougher than last season as more of you decided that rather than leave boat sitting, prep it and splash it! What the heck, you can't sell it, might as well use it!
I ran my guys hard trying to please all of my customers (some with unrealistic expectations) and I again have the belief I have the best staff in the industry. My guys were pushed hard, put under a heavy load and each launch went without a hitch. For that I am grateful to you all.
Now lets get down to what its all about---having a great summer! Be safe and enjoy and PLEASE be responsible to yourselves and the environment.
That's my rant...
Joe Cap
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Spring has Sprung!
Yep, all it took to wake everyone up is one 70 degree day! I am happy to report that the phone has been ringing off the hook and we finally have seen that almost extinct animal...the NJ Boater!
A year ago I spoke with a majority of my existing and long time loyal clients. You were all honest and sometimes brutally frank with me when I asked "what was most important to you in boating".
Well it was overwhelming to what a majority of you said and (dramatic pause) I listened to you and instituted our number one focus of service first, sales second management approach. Guess what? You guys were right.(proof to my wife Sherry that I do listen). You insisted that service not stop with mechanical work so we included hauling, parts delivery, maintenance and insurance in what you defined as "true marine service center".
Because of your input and advise to me, we have not only survived the worst winter economically I can remember, but we have positioned ourselves as a leading marine service center. When WE service your boat, our number one priority is for you to turn the key and go! We take care of all the rest.
A year later and it has proven to me that once again the customer is always right. For this I want to thank you all. You have no idea what it has meant for me, my family and my staff. That's why I can say without any doubt:
The Boating Experience Starts Here!
and that's my rant.
Joe Cap
A year ago I spoke with a majority of my existing and long time loyal clients. You were all honest and sometimes brutally frank with me when I asked "what was most important to you in boating".
Well it was overwhelming to what a majority of you said and (dramatic pause) I listened to you and instituted our number one focus of service first, sales second management approach. Guess what? You guys were right.(proof to my wife Sherry that I do listen). You insisted that service not stop with mechanical work so we included hauling, parts delivery, maintenance and insurance in what you defined as "true marine service center".
Because of your input and advise to me, we have not only survived the worst winter economically I can remember, but we have positioned ourselves as a leading marine service center. When WE service your boat, our number one priority is for you to turn the key and go! We take care of all the rest.
A year later and it has proven to me that once again the customer is always right. For this I want to thank you all. You have no idea what it has meant for me, my family and my staff. That's why I can say without any doubt:
The Boating Experience Starts Here!
and that's my rant.
Joe Cap
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Spring
Yep, I finally see them. There are boats growing out of my yard from under the 5 feet of snow we got here over the last 3 months.
This past Saturday we opened for the first time officially since November and I must say I was surprised to see how busy we were. 50 degrees and a sunny day did not hurt but I was happy to see people were out shopping.
What I am seeing is the only way for our economy to get out of its funk. We have decided to not count on the powers that be and are doing it ourselves. I am seeing more service requests for PWC and boats and most of you are going to spend money on your toys maintaining them and actually make a serious attempt (damn the weather) to use them regularly.
Sales of used PWC are actually up a tick. Makes more sence to by a good, pre certified used machine at half the cost then go buy a new one for 3 months of use. (shameless commercial)
The winter boat shows locally were a bust with Atlantic City hammered by blizzard #2 then the Super Bowl while the good old NJ Boat Show in Raritan center was cancelled this week due to not enough vendors (see my previous post-i told you so). If you want to boat, you now have to go out and find a dealer near you to see the boats.
Shop on line then GO TO THE DEALERSHIP of your choice. Shake hands with a human and talk about your passion in person (no texting!). You will be amazed at how much more information you will get by actually being with a dealer. Sure we want to sell but most of us who survived know its all about YOU, the customer and are more than happy to help.
Thats my Rant
Joe Cap
This past Saturday we opened for the first time officially since November and I must say I was surprised to see how busy we were. 50 degrees and a sunny day did not hurt but I was happy to see people were out shopping.
What I am seeing is the only way for our economy to get out of its funk. We have decided to not count on the powers that be and are doing it ourselves. I am seeing more service requests for PWC and boats and most of you are going to spend money on your toys maintaining them and actually make a serious attempt (damn the weather) to use them regularly.
Sales of used PWC are actually up a tick. Makes more sence to by a good, pre certified used machine at half the cost then go buy a new one for 3 months of use. (shameless commercial)
The winter boat shows locally were a bust with Atlantic City hammered by blizzard #2 then the Super Bowl while the good old NJ Boat Show in Raritan center was cancelled this week due to not enough vendors (see my previous post-i told you so). If you want to boat, you now have to go out and find a dealer near you to see the boats.
Shop on line then GO TO THE DEALERSHIP of your choice. Shake hands with a human and talk about your passion in person (no texting!). You will be amazed at how much more information you will get by actually being with a dealer. Sure we want to sell but most of us who survived know its all about YOU, the customer and are more than happy to help.
Thats my Rant
Joe Cap
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Boat Show Season
Well its that time of year folks, boat show season. The season where we all shake the winter blues away a bit and start dreaming of playing with our water toys. The boat show is the perfect place to do this. You can see many models, browse tons of accessories and generally mingle with like mind folks. Sound great right?
Well, not this year.
Oh the shows will be there, but there will be less dealers attending because they simply can't afford to. The shows will be smaller with less to see.
The good news is the powers that be moved the NY Boat show to a more traditional and realistic attendance date. Not like last year where some bean counter said "lets hold it two weeks before Christmas, during the worst economic climate in history". We all know that was a total failure but I am happy to say attendance was way up this year (how could it not) and some of the last leftover inventory was being sold by many dealers. A good start if you ask me.
In our area, Atlantic City is the next critical show. Unfortunately the show will be HALF the size of last year (which was half the size of the previous year) because most dealers who survived 2009 simply can't afford to attend the show. I am one of those dealers making that decision. This also means you will see less boats limiting your potential choices(do you see a reoccurring theme here yet?).
Yep, less boats to see making that $8.00 beer easy to finish in one walk thru. You leave unfulfilled and looking to find another venue in which to spend the remainder of the day instead of thinking of adding to your passion. Is this any way to get excited about playing with our water toys? I think not, and I feel our industry needs to make some serious changes to fix this.
What I am hoping happens as a result of all this is the companies wake up, join us in the real world and make the shows manufacturer sponsored like they do with the NY Auto Show. This would take the enormous pressure off the dealers to outlay the limited cash flow they have renting space and allow them to sell boats with the customer in mind, not the fact they have to move old inventory.
What I want to see is the companies responsible for renting boat show space.
They in turn would bring one of every model they make and the booth would be staffed by local dealers. Based on your boating area zip code, you would be assigned to deal with the dealer from that area (we all have a territory in our contracts that no one seems to honor) and make a deal based upon the boat you want, not one that happens to be in a particular dealers inventory.
That would allow the local dealer the opportunity to continue to grow the relationship with you on parts and service. If something does happen to your boat, it would be good to know the dealer knows you, the boat and can handle your problem in a reasonable time because they service that boat and area. If you buy a boat from a dealer in NY but you boat in Barnegat Bay you loose the priority approach when it comes time for service. That is where the trouble in our industry hits hard. Boats are not made by God and the do break. That's why it is important to deal with a dealer WHERE YOU BOAT. Do you see my point?
I would like to hear from you on this and am opening up the Blog to responses. I am interested to hear what you think with pithy comments or questions. Lemme know...
Joe Cap
Well, not this year.
Oh the shows will be there, but there will be less dealers attending because they simply can't afford to. The shows will be smaller with less to see.
The good news is the powers that be moved the NY Boat show to a more traditional and realistic attendance date. Not like last year where some bean counter said "lets hold it two weeks before Christmas, during the worst economic climate in history". We all know that was a total failure but I am happy to say attendance was way up this year (how could it not) and some of the last leftover inventory was being sold by many dealers. A good start if you ask me.
In our area, Atlantic City is the next critical show. Unfortunately the show will be HALF the size of last year (which was half the size of the previous year) because most dealers who survived 2009 simply can't afford to attend the show. I am one of those dealers making that decision. This also means you will see less boats limiting your potential choices(do you see a reoccurring theme here yet?).
Yep, less boats to see making that $8.00 beer easy to finish in one walk thru. You leave unfulfilled and looking to find another venue in which to spend the remainder of the day instead of thinking of adding to your passion. Is this any way to get excited about playing with our water toys? I think not, and I feel our industry needs to make some serious changes to fix this.
What I am hoping happens as a result of all this is the companies wake up, join us in the real world and make the shows manufacturer sponsored like they do with the NY Auto Show. This would take the enormous pressure off the dealers to outlay the limited cash flow they have renting space and allow them to sell boats with the customer in mind, not the fact they have to move old inventory.
What I want to see is the companies responsible for renting boat show space.
They in turn would bring one of every model they make and the booth would be staffed by local dealers. Based on your boating area zip code, you would be assigned to deal with the dealer from that area (we all have a territory in our contracts that no one seems to honor) and make a deal based upon the boat you want, not one that happens to be in a particular dealers inventory.
That would allow the local dealer the opportunity to continue to grow the relationship with you on parts and service. If something does happen to your boat, it would be good to know the dealer knows you, the boat and can handle your problem in a reasonable time because they service that boat and area. If you buy a boat from a dealer in NY but you boat in Barnegat Bay you loose the priority approach when it comes time for service. That is where the trouble in our industry hits hard. Boats are not made by God and the do break. That's why it is important to deal with a dealer WHERE YOU BOAT. Do you see my point?
I would like to hear from you on this and am opening up the Blog to responses. I am interested to hear what you think with pithy comments or questions. Lemme know...
Joe Cap
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