Paging Ken Neeley, President....Ken Neeley

[Rob LaMoy]

Ken, after Rich's post about Tracker and investing, would you say (if you can) that sales have maintained, risen, or decreased any with the recent economy. I keep hearing that in economic times like this that people stop buying "luxury" items like boats etc. However, as I watch the board, a LOT of people still seem to be buying boats this year. I plan to. Foxwoods cancelled due to the "economy" but to me, I haven't seen much of a change for the average working man (no offense ladies) other than in the 401k's! Any changes at BPS world??? I see you keep hiring bodies, so I would tend to think that means you have the sales to warrant it. Maybe I should rather be thinking of a way to get smuggled on board in Mac's suitcase next time he goes south to fish instead of thinking of this stuff?????? Naaaaah! LOL durn fever

 

[gone bye bye]

Ken is in the middle of the 45th annual Detroit Boat Show at Cobo Arena in Detroit. The show runs thru next Sunday.



Mini

 

[James D.]

was wondering where ken was. i know he is not around as he would have replied to the bug suit thread hope he sells a bunch of boats. regarding the economy, i spoke with some dealers here, and they said it was really down this year. maybe the 2nd week of the show they will fare better.

jd

 

[Staci Matheis]

A few weeks ago, I stopped in at the local Triton/Skeeter/Gambler Dealer..... He says he is really hurting.

 

[Bill McElroy]

Into our 2nd show so far, we've "written" 2 Rangers and 2 Crestliner's....I have no idea what the "pontoon" and other H2Ocraft numbers are, but we're not setting the world on fire by any means...I have also talked to other friends of mine who rep for other company's and I've talked to the owners of a former dealer I worked for 6yrs ago and their numbers are way down too.....a lot of people looking and dreaming,...very few buying!!

Mac

 

[Staci Matheis]

.....just like me with women, Mac!

 

[Bill McElroy]

LOL....I wouldn't know Scott,.....but good luck anyway!!

 

[gone bye bye]

Mac...Wonderland is crushing according to them....some 40 deals written in the past two shows. That includes all watercraft.



Mini

 

[Bill McElroy]

Let me know when they sell that $50,000 Stratos!!!..LOL!!

(and I'll show you a dude who just got screwed!!!ahaha)

 

[Travis Smith]

Mac

Dont that new ASX look sweet. What i would give to ride in one. I heard Stratos is only going to Let Larry Nixon drive one because no one else can handle all of the that 250 motor gives out.



T.S.

 

[TrepMan]

Rob from my perspective if I was planning to buy a boat this year nothing would have changed. BUT during the hey-day of the economy the last few years, we did NOT overspend, overcommit and go into dept. We bought our house 8 years ago on my salary only (my wife was working then, now she's a MOM) and i've doubled my salary in the last 8 years, so we're fine on the house (and re-fi'd a year/half ago to a 15 year at 5 3/4%). So like everyone else our 401K and Roth IRA's are down, but that is long term (25 years to go) not short term.



In fact, we're planning on selling our house and buying a new one in the next 3-6 months, that is a BIG investment! Hoping to get the 15 year rate at around 5% (as they are now), we're not going up much in price (a lot more then we bought the house for but at or slightly above what we plan to sell our house for). At IBM our bonus' are being paid this year, albeit at reduced level. I am happy to have a job!!!!



Now would I EVER blow $50k on a boat? Nope!!! Unless it's a used 30ft offshore boat!!!



IBM sales have gone in all directions depending on the business unit.



That's my 02 cents.