St Kilda Boat Sales - Beware of importing

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Boat Sales: 03) 9525 5500  |  Service Centre: 03) 9534 8213

6 June 2011

Beware of importing  

Importing a cheap boat from the USA seems to be gaining popularity. Boat buyers are talking about the 'fantastic deals on offer' buying a boat from a dealer or central broker in the US. Apparently, they have access to; Liquidation Stock, Bank and Finance Company Repo's, Bankruptcies and the like. Emails are being received daily, from US dealers to buyers here in Australia with listings of boats and pwc's for sale.

All sounds familiar? Well BUYER BEWARE....There's no such thing as a FREE LUNCH, just like there is no such thing as a CHEAP BOAT!

Several of these boats have recently arrived at our Service Centre for what seemed like a simple annual service. Little did both of the owners know what was discovered by our senior service technician and mechanics once we connected our Laptop to the engine management system for readouts (available only to authorised service centres). One was identified with cracks in the fuel-injectors and the other with water in the fuel tank and significant damage to pistons. What was a cheap boat to begin with all of a sudden has turned into a very, very expensive exercise.

Below is a list of things that the perspective buyers, should be aware of:

  1. Buy from an Accredited Dealer who is a member of the Boating Industry Association. Accredited Dealers demonstrate to customers that we operate at the highest standards and that our business is both ethical and professional – in short, that we are a leader in our industry. An Accredited Dealer is one which has demonstrated that the dealership is following a set of audited guidelines, aiming to provide higher standards of excellence within our industry.
  2. We proudly display the Accredited Dealer logo to demonstrate to the purchasing public, that you can buy with confidence from this dealership.
  3. Specifically, Accredited Boat Dealers follow an agreed Code of Conduct, operate Trust Accounts and who's business practices are Audited to confirm compliance. All of these requirements are created to provide consumer protection, thus increasing buyer confidence.
  4. All Victorian Accredited Dealers must issue the buyer with a Statutory Declaration confirming, the purchased vessel and/or Trailer is being sold with Clear-Title and that NO Finance is owing. This protects the consumer from potential Police investigations etc, because the Statutory Declaration confirms that no-one has any interest whatsoever, in the vessel and/or Trailer. Sadly, the Vehicle Securities Register (VSR) does not operate nationally for vessels in Australia. Because the Hull Identification Number (HIN) is not a mandatory recording requirement at the time of registration, in some states of Australia. Just go to Vic Roads and see for yourself!
  5. Vendor Statements are available from all Victorian Accredited Dealers, confirming the Vessel and/or Trailers service history, accidents, modifications, insurance, registration and usage.
  6. Be aware that some of the boats 'For Sale in the USA'  -  maybe stolen and consequently, they may also have been 're-birthed.'
  7. The buyers inability to understand and validate, the full service history and usage of vessel and/or Trailer. Many US Dealers and Brokers, are all selling the same vessel, so you can't talk to the actual vendor.
  8. If a mechanical inspection is offered by the US Broker, then what guarantees do you have as to the inspectors qualifications, impartiality and relations with the selling dealer! A Conflict of Interest and Commission payments are both worrying factors, there's no-way to truly validate the information you are given.
  9. Trailers that aren't built to the Australian Standards in the first instance, may not able to be registered by the relevant state authorities, because they are Not Compliant. Therefore, they may not pass the formal inspection required for registration.
  10. Consequently, it's best to stick with proven, quality and reliable products. Consequently, we recommended buying a recognised Australian branded Trailer. Look at the leading manufacturers such as; MacKay, Dunbier or EasyTow to name a few!
  11. Buying a vessel that is built to Australian Compliance and Standards means it is factory fitted with the 240v electrical system, at the time of build. If it's not, it's important to have your vessels Electrical System fully re-wired to suit 240v, tested and issued with an Electrical Compliance Certificate.  USA built boats are wired to their standard 110v. So it's not just the Power Point Socket that needs changing. You must also change all of  the Wiring, Electrical Looms, Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning, Chargers, Shore Power all Other Electrical Equipment connected.
  12. Any conversion from 240v to 110v through the use of a transformer, inverter or adapter - simply won't work, in the long-term. They have proven in the past to be both unreliable and dangerous. The risk of Fire and/or Electrical Shock is real. Your safety and that of your crew and guests is YOUR responsibility! Remember, Electricity and Water Do Not Mix!
  13. Insurance companies will Not Cover any Vessel and/or Trailer that is Not Australian Compliant.  The Electrical Compliance Certificate and Registration papers may need to be lodged.
  14. Check the width of the Trailer to ensure your local state Registration Compliance. Being over-width will Not Pass inspection. Also typically, the tow-hitch and coupling height on the Trailer more than likely, will need to be lowered to meet Australian Compliance. A structural engineer usually can assist.
  15. Vessel and Engine Manufacturers Warranties Do Not Apply outside the country of the purchase. Therefore, any US installed Engine and/or Hull purchased outside the authorised Dealer channel here in Australia, is Not Covered by either Vessel and Engine Warranty.
  16. Read information published by the Outboard Engine Distributors Association (OEDA) and The Australian Marine Engine Council Inc (AMEC) on this matter. Member companies include: Mercury, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude/BRP and Mariner have all individually stated that: 'Buyer Beware' and to 'Exercise Extreme Caution' if you're thinking of importing your own boat, because of the lack of Warranty, Non Australian Compliance and a buyers inability to understand the usage and service history.
  17. Australian Consumer and Trade Practices regulations and laws, Do Not Apply to the Selling Dealers, Brokers and Mechanical Inspectors in the USA. You have No Legal comeback, should you run into problems.

THE BOTTOM LINE.....IS IT ALL WORTH IT?

Simply, just negotiate better with your local Accredited Dealer and buy an Australian Delivered and Compliant Boat at a fair and reasonable price...
After-all, the actual savings may not be as big as you think and local support, assistance and an on-going relationship will work in the long run!

Besides, buying from an Accredited Dealer means your supporting the Australian industry which employs local people, 000's of people in fact. Accredited Dealers and Authorised Service Centre's offer Apprenticeship's and Training for young men and women.

It also means that the sales and repair revenues, stays here in Australia! Now that's good for us all and our economy.......

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