Planning to buy a Cruiseabout or a runabout boat for your fishing or cruising adventures? Do you plan to buy it from a Quintrex boat dealer? If you do, you’ll likely have the opportunity to negotiate the price. You can push to get a lower price for the vessel, scoring you a much better deal or try to get other things included in the package, such as a warranty or a maintenance plan.

However, if you want to be successful in negotiations, there are some important tips you’ll need to follow.

These strategies will turn you into a better boat price negotiator:

Just Go Ahead and Negotiate

A lot of folks miss out on scoring a good deal because they get nervous about negotiating and just don’t give it a shot. If you want to have a shot at lowering the price on the boat you’re looking at, you’ve got to be ready to dive in and push for it. In most situations when buying a boat, it’s normal to haggle over the price, so don’t hesitate to ask for a better deal.

Do Your Research

The negotiation process begins long before you enter a conversation with the seller. Ideally, you’ll spend You should spend a few hours doing some homework before diving into the negotiation. Get to know the specific boat model you're looking at; check out what the average price is, see if there are any common issues with that model, and figure out how popular it is right now. The more you know, the better chance you have of getting a good deal.

Get To Know The Person You’re Negotiating With

Also, try to get a sense of who the seller is. Are they a seasoned pro who knows the ropes, or are they just someone trying to sell their boat? Do they just want to make a quick buck, or are they keen on making a sale as fast as possible? Knowing who you're dealing with can help you strategize better.

Be Direct

In most cases, being straightforward is the way to go. Instead of mentioning a price range, just shoot for a specific number. Don’t dance around what you want; tell the seller straight up. This keeps things clear and makes the whole chat a lot smoother.

Start By Offering at a Lower Price

One classic tip for buyers is to start with a lower offer than what you want to pay. For example, if you see a Freestyler X boat for sale that is listed at $84,000 but you want to pay it at a lower price, say $82,000, try kicking things off with an offer of $77,000. It gives you some wiggle room for back-and-forth. Who knows, the seller might just accept your initial offer!

Prevent Yourself from Yapping

Don’t forget that talking too much can actually hurt your chances. Sometimes, being quiet is more powerful. It shows confidence and lets you really listen to what the seller has to say, which helps you understand their position better.

Try to stay cool and not get too emotional during the negotiation. If the seller pushes back or laughs at your offer, don’t take it personally. Keep your focus on the logical outcomes you want instead of reacting emotionally.

If you notice any flaws in the boat, especially if it’s a used vessel, point them out. If you're having a tough time getting the seller to lower the price, highlighting any issues can help.

Lastly, remember that there’s usually no need to rush. Negotiations can take their time, and after that, you often have a few days to think things over. So, be patient, take your time, and weigh each of your decision carefully.