Anstruther Marina Suggests Planning Ahead
“With every twist and turn in this era of COVID-19, the playbook for boat-buying is being rewritten by the consumer.”
So says Anstruther Marina’s Mark Stoakes as he talks about the supply and demand challenges experienced in 2020 by buyers and sellers alike.
Covid had an unexpected effect on the consumer. Here’s what happened – after the lockdown ended people were sitting at home thinking “We can’t go on vacation, and we can’t travel right now”. If anything, the pandemic made the consumer realize that life is short; that they wanted live it to the fullest and have fun – and so they treated themselves by buying the ATV, or the hotub – instead of just dreaming, they bought the boat! There was little supply and much demand in 2020. Customers came from as far away as North Bay, Sarnia and Gananoque to get the boat model that they wanted from the Anstruther showroom in Apsley, ON.
Looking around the empty showroom, Mark has a word of advice for buyers in 2021, “If you plan on purchasing a boat, do your research and then call your dealer now. They can order exactly what you want. Put down a deposit to secure your purchase – that way you won’t be disappointed, and in most cases, you will have access to better deals and better bonuses at this time of year.”
“The only other option is to wait and keep your fingers crossed that there will be sufficient inventory in the showrooms in the spring. That goes for Jet Skis, ATVs, Side-by-Sides, etc. as well.”
Buying a boat is a big purchase – and though it could happen at any time, this past summer in particular, many customers found that after looking at a boat, if they didn’t purchase right away, they were disappointed to find that someone else had bought it. They thought they would be safe to ponder the purchase for a few days. “For Jet Skis, we were sold out by June” says Mark. Most dealers are now encouraging pre-orders to avoid disappointment.
He also says that now is the time to “shop where you play” – if your boat is going to be at your cottage, establish a relationship from the point of sale with the marina which will be looking after the service on your boat, ordering the parts and ensuring your family has a great summer on the water. Instead of shopping around the whole province to source the boat you are looking for, shop local and call your dealer now, make the commitment and avoid disappointment when the warmer weather arrives.
Mark and Lee are ten years into ownership of this 40-something-year-old marina, and the original existing slip, dock building and storage business has grown with the addition of a new offsite showroom for boats, PWC’s and Powersports as well as patio furniture and cottage decor.
Anstruther Marina is open year ‘round at 23 Fire Route 63, Apsley ON
Watersports and Powersports showroom currently open by appointment at 11 McFadden Road at Hwy 28, Apsley ON
705-656-4783
www.anstrutherlakemarina.com
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