With families spending less money, many businesses have been forced to get creative to keep sales up. And dealers at the boat show are also feeling the pressure.
"Like the rest of the economy, we are challenged. The boat companies want to create incentives in the early season,” said Mark Mills with Webster Marine Center.
The people we ran into admit, "It almost makes you uneasy spending that much money at one time and all,” said James Oakley, an interested buyer.
Teresa Oakley said she’s seriously considering the bargains.
"It does matter, and it could have a very big impact on me,” she said.
Dealers like Carroll Yeaman are offering what he calls “jaw dropping prices.”
"A lot of the companies are responding to that and offer incentives and prices on everything,” he said.
One non-current boat Yeaman is selling is going for about $43,000. That’s about $6,000 less than what he would have sold it for last year.
It’s still a big chunk of change to some of us but price slashing isn’t the only incentive.
"Warranties and rebates have been the thrust of most all manufacturers, especially being displayed at boat shows,” said Mills.
Yeaman added, "A normal warranty on a Yamaha is three years. Right now, it's six years. They're doubling it.”
While dealers say now’s the time to buy, Carmen and Phil Hammack aren’t convinced.
"We went out several years ago to a couple marinas and looked around. And like he said, there's not much difference that I see,” said Carmen.
The Oakleys are being selective.
"It hadn't always been that way in America but it is today,” said James Oakley.
The boat show continues Saturday night until 8 p.m. On Sunday, it will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center. Tickets are $7.50.
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