In this world of fast food, drive-thru windows, microwaves, instant rice, and ATMs, faster is better right?  Everyone wants something right now.  It’s a hectic world, where customer service is almost none existent.  When you go to buy something, they want you in and out fast.  More customers equal more money for the business.  No one customer is more selective than an angler.  Anglers like to kick the tires, sit in the boat, open every compartment, find out what all the specification are, hear what the pros say about it, and finally go for a test ride.  For a number of anglers, buying their boat, motor, and trailer is one of the most important decisions they make.  While the cost of purchasing a new boat may be out of their budget with some ranging up to $70,000.  Many anglers will instead decide to purchase a new engine for their current boat; however, this is an important decision too with the cost of outboard engines.  Anglers are also looking for customer service after the sale.  If their boat or motor breaks down, they need to know that where they purchased it has the service crew to fit it. 

 

The majority of boat dealers will have a staff that works with anglers that are looking at or purchasing a boat.  Making the right decision on what style or size engine an angler needs accordingly to where they are fishing.  The owner or CEO normally will have extensive knowledge of the boating industry.  This insight allows him to assist an angler with an angler purchasing a boat.  Next, they will have an office manager who is responsible for title work and other accounting duties.  Other staff members may be related family members who have been raised around the boating business and know just about everything.  These staff members are qualified and may even have college degrees. No staff would be complete without their maintenance staff which keeps everything looking the best.  Boat dealerships will also have a parts and service department.  It takes a knowledgeable, yet friendly staff member to run that department.  The final piece of having a boat dealership is the service department.  Truth is, I think that is the most vital part of a boat dealership.  Every engine and boat will sooner or later need service or just yearly maintenance.  Having all of these key components with quality staff makes the difference between owning your boat enjoyable or an excruciating experience.

 

 

One boat dealership that prides themselves in treating their customers like family is Copher’s Boat Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  The owner, Bill Copher has over 35 years of experience in the boat industry.  His wife, Vicky Copher, is the office manager who deals with the paper work.  Bill’s two sons, Justin who has a degree in accounting, and Cody with a Marketing Management and Finance degree, round out the staff.  Charles is in charge of maintenance and giving out fishing advice.  David Lever brings his extensive knowledge of boating to the parts and service department.  In the accounting department, Copher’s Boat Center has Denise Wright and Connye Sanders.  They bring extensive experience in working with accounting, title work, and product warranty.  The service department is headed up by Senior Service Manger Ronnie Moore.  Moore has over 32 years of experience working on outboard engine.  Also working in the service department is skilled outboard technician Nathan Peak.
It is all of these components working together that make purchasing a boat or outboard engine a pleasure; however, Copher’s Boat Center takes it to the next level.  They treat you like family.  They want your experience when you purchase that new boat or outboard to be pleasurable.  Then they stand behind the product with a knowledgeable service staff.  They treat each and every customer special.  No rushing you around to get to the next customer.  No drive-thru oil change.  It’s one on one customer service.  For anglers this is vital.  No angler wants to buy a new boat or outboard without that assurance.

While Copher’s Boat Center may not be located near you, take a look around at the boat dealerships in your area.  Who is the owner?  Do they interact with the customers?  Do they have qualified staff members selling boats or running their offices?  Does the service department have qualified technicians?  All these are important questions you should ask yourself before buying a new boat or outboard from them.  Maybe the most important question is do they treat you like family?