dealer says sign papers, pay in full then I can test drive used boat

[Moon01]

I seriously doubt you can go to a Houston boat dealer, pay a $200 deposit, and take a boat to the lake for a day. I am not sure how they do it because the only one I bought was new and did not drive it until it was mine.

I test drove a 1999 Triton TR21 before ordering a 99 TX21(bass-n-bay). Then test drove my ordered boat before signing papers. $500 deposit was put down when ordering boat.
Sold that boat in July of 2014, let the buyer test drive it.
Drove 6hrs to buy 2014 Ranger Z21 Intracoastal, test drove before signing anything. As a consumer WE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO WALK AWAY.
I live 30min south of Houston.

[Randy Carter]

I can understand your hesitation on this. Not sure why this dealer would require this of you. Here at Anglers Choice I have taken many customers out for lake testing and have turned the boat over to them no questions asked. Not much use in lake testing otherwise. All we require is a deposit down on the boat which is refundable if you are not happy with the boat for some reason. I believe the more info you have the better decision you make. You are welcome to check out our website(www.anglerschoicemarine.com ) and take a look at our inventory. If you see a boat that interest you give us a call , we can work out the details and we will be more than happy to let you lake test it and be sure it is what you want. If not, feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on a boat you are looking at elsewhere. I just want to be sure you end up in a good place with your purchase. You should never dread the buying process, if you do , someone has not done their job very well.

[pavi69]

I test drove a 1999 Triton TR21 before ordering a 99 TX21(bass-n-bay). Then test drove my ordered boat before signing papers. $500 deposit was put down when ordering boat.
Sold that boat in July of 2014, let the buyer test drive it.
Drove 6hrs to buy 2014 Ranger Z21 Intracoastal, test drove before signing anything. As a consumer WE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO WALK AWAY.
I live 30min south of Houston.

You forgot to say how far the dealer let you take the boat and did the sales man go with you. This is important to the situation. Some dealers are on the water and test drives are not a problem. If you had a dealer let you take a used boat to a lake 50 miles away and use if for a day, it might be good to tell us that dealer's name,

[OkieBud]

Too many other boats

[Five Loaves and Two Fish]

Lol find another dealer

[LOSTTEXAN]

NOPE!

[skeeterbug20i]

should tell dealer that he can keep the boat then.

[DAVESWIMM]

What boat are you looking at and where are you coming from?

[Jcd1732]

That’s crazy... He’ll pull one of those car dealer ploys on you like holding your keys and saying they misplaced them. Don’t do it!!

[FishStalker]

Walk!

[fishwest]

Take your own contract for him to sign that he will agree to do a full refund including the tax title and prep fees he is going to charge you. If you find anything wrong with the boat not revealed at signing within 3 days.
that will give you enough time to get an outside opinion on the boat.

[Mikez521]

Now I 'm interested in a used boat but dealer wants me to sign papers, pay in full and then I can test drive boat. If I don't like this rig he says he'll give my money back. I am over 1000 miles from him, says it's company policy. Am I wrong thinking something ain't right?

Tell him no test drive, No drive 1000 miles to sign and pay. That's Crazy for a used boat.

[SteveTX]

Dealer is a ID10T find a new dealer to buy from.

[ssmithboats]

or one could find a boat closer to home.

[scl]

Update? Oops just read page 5. Never mind. Still like to know what boat!

[Mike198P]

Update? Oops just read page 5. Never mind. Still like to know what boat!

Me too!!!