How To Choose The Right Lund Boat Dealer
When you're looking for a great fishing boat, everyone knows Lund boats are among the best on the market. And choosing a great Lund boat dealer will make purchasing and servicing your new boat whole a lot easier. You want to find a boat dealer with a good reputation, knowledge of Lund boats, an Authorized Lund dealer, good inventory, a convenient location, and one that offers great service. If you live in Arizona, Laken Water Sports is the only Authorized Lund Boat Dealer, plus they check all the other important boxes, too.
This article discusses what you need to know to choose the right Lund boat dealer for you and your family and what the next steps are to buying a boat.
Choosing the Best Lund Boat Dealer
The best way to start a search for a good Lund Boat Dealer is by asking other boaters for recommendations, meeting the owner, searching the internet, and reading reviews. `
Reputation and Knowledge
Word Of Mouth
To learn the reputation of a boat dealer, just ask around. When you’re out on the lake, ask other boaters where they bought their boats, how the experience was, and if they’d do it again. This will usually open the door for real life reviews of a local boat dealer.
Meet The Owner
Drop in to a local boat dealer and meet the owner. Speaking with the owner will give you a better understanding of the company’s ethics and values. While sales representatives are a wealth of information and will help you get from researching a boat to feeling the wind in your hair from your own Captain’s chair; actually meeting the owner can help you understand the dealership as a whole. Ask general questions and see what kind of feeling you get afterward the conversation. Was the owner knowledgeable? Did he or she seem to care about customer service? Did it seem like he or she cared about you as a person?
Do A Thorough Google Search
Doing a thorough Google search is more than just typing in the dealer’s name. It can actaully reveal a lot by seeing what results are there, and what results aren’t. With a good Google search, you can see how much of a social media presence the dealer has, if they are established enough to have a Yelp review, if they do enough sales to be in Boat Trader, and what they’re Facebook page reveals about them.
You can see reviews from many sources, check out blog posts, see if they show up on any news outlets (usually not a good thing!), and if they’ve had complaints on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). An established and reputable business should have a social media presence, a location on Google Maps, and be listed on third party websites. They shouldn’t have bad press or a lot of bad reviews.
Read Reviews and Look for Trends
Yes, even in the best businesses, not all customers are happy customers and finding a bad review here and there is pretty standard. But your goal in reading reviews is to look for trends. Try to understand if there is a consistent pattern of bad business practices and whether or not these issues may affect you. The same goes for good reviews. Determine if it seems like this boat dealer might be able to help you with any issues you have, or may have in the future, and whether they seem knowledgeable enough to answer your questions.
Do Your Research and Ask Questions
Before heading into a boat dealer do your own research and ask a lot of questions. This will help you understand how knowledgable the sales rep is and whether or not the boat dealer feels like a good fit for you. Simply by researching Lund boats yourself and knowing that you want a Lund boat already, you’re light years ahead of most people out looking at boats. But, a boat is a major purchase, and there are a few questions to ask before heading to the dealership.
Questions to research at home and ask when buying a boat:
What does the purchase process look like from beginning to end?
Do I need to put down a deposit?
Do you offer a warranty?
Do I need a lake test?
Do I need a compression test?
What are engine hours and what does it mean to me?
Do you help facilitate the ownership and licensing process?
What is the history of the boat? (if it’s used)
Can I get a survey if I want one?
Do you have service packages or discounts on service?
Look For An Authorized Lund Dealer
Buying a Lund boat directly from an Authorized dealer lets you know that the dealer has been evaluated and scrutinized by Lund. Each Authorized dealer has been vetted and their business practices evaluated to make sure they will offer great service and ethical business practices to their customers. During the application process, a boat dealer must be able to show that they have a track record of selling and supporting boats they sell and are among the best boat dealers in the country. Lund won’t work with boat dealers who aren’t reputable and helps dealers have the resources they need to make sure customers are happy.
Laken Water Sports is the only Authorized Lund Dealer in Arizona.
Inventory
If you already have your perfect Lund boat in mind, ask the dealer if they have it in stock or whether they need to order it from Lund. You can either speak directly to a sales rep for a real-time inventory check or look up their inventory online. If you aren’t sure which boat is right for you, read more about Lund boats or speak to a sales rep to get the most current information.
Speak Directly to a Sales Rep
When you’re already searching for a specific boat or type of boat, it’s really important to actually speak to someone who has access to real-time inventory and can get you the latest information immediately. A knowledgeable salesperson is the best place to start. Click here to get real-time inventory.
Online Inventory
If you just want to browse inventory, check out the dealer’s online inventory of Lund boats. Boat dealers may buy and sell boats quickly and have inventory constantly moving, which means the online inventory may not always be up to date. When in doubt, always speak to a sales rep.
Location
While it’s tempting to save a couple hundred bucks and drive hours away from home with an empty trailer and high hopes of returning with a new boat from the next city over, don’t do it. The convenience of buying a boat conveniently located near you is much better in the long run. Boats need to be maintained and serviced at regular intervals and having this done where you bought it can have big advantages.
Pick a Convenient Location
Pick a Lund boat dealer that is in a convenient location so they can help you take care of your new boat when it needs to be serviced and for anything in between. Boats need to be detailed and winterized (even in Arizona) every year and have in-depth services starting at 50 hours.
Service
To keep your boat working properly, follow the recommended service requirements of Lund and the motor manufacturer. Generally, a new Lund fishing boat needs routine cleaning and inspections after every outing. In addition, boats need more indepth services and inspections starting at 50 and 100 hours, then continued service at the same intervals.
After each outing, your boat needs a thorough inspection of the motor, hull, electrical system, steering, lights, and fluids, plus routine washing and cleaning. But, more in-depth services start at 50 hours.
At 50 hours:
Replacing fuel/water separating filter
Check fluids and mounts
At 100 hours:
Lubricate all grease points
Coat electrical with silicone protectant spray
Have linkage/synchronization checked
Retorque bolts and fasteners
Touch-up Paint
Replace water pump impellar
Change gearcase lube and powerhead oil
Visit the Service Department
While your choosing the right Lund boat dealer, don’t be afraid to ask to have a look at the service department. This will help you get an idea of whether or not they do a good job and whether they have experience working on the type of boat and motor you’re interested in. When you’re looking at it, take note of whether it’s organized or chaotic, if there is a good workflow, if the technicians are working on a lot of Lund boats or motors you’re interested in, and if they have any certifications from manufacturers. If you can, talk to a boat mechanic and find out what kinds of problems they see all the time
Final Thoughts
Buying a boat is a big investment, but when you choose the right Lund boat dealer, you know you’re getting a good deal. Choose an Authorized Lund boat dealer with a good reputation, knowledge, inventory, a convenient location, and a good service department. With Laken Water Sports, you have everything you need to get a great deal with a reputable Authorized Lund boat dealer.