Making parts easier to obtain

With 20 years worth of marine industry experience, I still find it difficult to understand why many manufacturers make it so hard to find or buy their parts. I hear it time and time again how marine technicians cannot locate parts because they are not authorized by the factory. Yet, in many cases, the local authorized dealer won't even do business with these businesses because they are looked upon as competitors. How trivial!

I can bet that many of these engines being serviced are old enough that the authorized dealer isn't even interested in working on that engine, yet the customer winds up suffering. Doesn't the manufacturer want their parts to be purchased? If the non-authorized technicians needed the parts to repair their engines, wouldn't the servicing dealer use an O.E. factory part?

If it were my decision, I would want to sell my product, regardless of who buys it.

Need for aftermarket

With the lack of cooperation from many authorized dealerships, the industry has no alternative than to turn to the aftermarket. Over the last 20 years, the aftermarket has grown substantially as a result. Another complaint I hear constantly is that the manufacturer will only supply its computerized price lists and microfiche to authorized dealers. Why not make these available to all professionals in the industry so they can more easily find the correct part to use on the job? This would lead to more direct factory replacement parts and sales to the local authorized dealership.

Let's face it — if a non-authorized service-only business is operating successfully, that means it is providing a vital service needed by the local boating community. Blocking that business from access to factory parts is not the answer.

Need for cooperation

It is time that the marine industry recognizes that we are collectively in competition with other recreational industries. We should be banding together for the sake of the industry and realize that all successful marine businesses are necessary to the industry's success.

Most authorized marine dealerships make their money in sales of new and used boats. Also, most dealerships have enough to do to keep their warranty and latest customers serviced.

Why not forge an alliance with the non-authorized, service-only shops in town and send them the older boats most dealerships would rather not work on anyway. In return the non-authorized business would buy his o.e. parts from the authorized dealer.

This would create a win-win situation for the two businesses, and at the same time provide the type of service that our customers need.

Once the customer is ready to buy that new boat or motor, the authorized dealership that provided the best possible service will be the one to get the sale. This is how many dealerships can separate themselves from their competition.

Joe De Marco

President

AMTECH