Boats Group has done it AGAIN. The marine industry has been wrestling for a long time with the near monopoly of Boats Group's listing platforms. My organization ACY Yachts has just learned that the cost of listing its inventory of new and preowned boats on Yachtworld and BoatTrader is set to double starting this February. As a marketer, this sudden rate hike is simply unacceptable. It cannot be justified by Boats Group, save for their ambition to grow profits while their products are only marginally improving and lead generation staying flat. We are, simply put, in shock. The industry cannot keep quiet and take it. If you are part of a marine brokerage or dealership, are you ready to speak up? #greedyboatsgroup #marinedealer #marinebrokerage #yachtbrokerage #boatsales
Jeremy Anderson
3mo
This is private equity gone bad. They need to keep the same money coming in so as dealers leave the platform they need to charge more to those that remain. It’s ridiculous to think dealers will pay that much more for the same product. They had a good thing but as they continued to raise prices other listing sites have come on the scene for much much less.
Walter Knopper
3mo
There is no love for the business or care for the entrepreneur from the Boats Group, there is only the dollar. They have bought a lot of smaller companies to create a monopoly. They will boost their income and sell within two or three years. In the Netherlands we are looking for a successfull alternative but it seems that no one dares to invest in such a platform.
We all need to back Yachtr.com It is owned and run by our industry. It is the future and we all need to support it. The more business and inventory that make the move to Yachtr will make it better, quicker. BG is evil and we all need to dump them ASAP. The buyers and sellers will follow our lead.
Pim van Putten
3mo
From whom did you hear they double the current rates? If so, then we stop with them as they are already overpriced and the mls has gone shittier then ever..
Walter Johnson
3mo
Industry has to embrace yachtr and let go of yachtt world
Simple greed. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon when private equity funds buy companies. Then the service or product deteriorates and prices rise. Pure profit optimisation! Something puzzles me though. The boating industry is in a very poor state right now. Boat manufacturers, dealers and brokers have seen their turnover plummet in recent years. As a supplier of services or products to the industry, this is not the time to raise prices; on the contrary, they should be lowering them. Simple supply and demand! I don't understand their motives.
Sergei Mazur
3mo
Just ask Boats Group cancel subscription. Reason one: they change listing price. Reason two: the number of responses to the ad has decreased significantly
Ron Martin
3mo
Yachting, Cruising World and Boating's are standing by to assist however necessary with their engaged and active print and digital audiences. :)
Co-Owner & Founder - Ward Yacht Sales
3moThis is a common theme and it's happening to most small to mid-size brokerage firms upon contract renewal. Yachtr and YB .org are promising and we support them, but the current lack of reporting and listing stats is problematic (a bit like flying blind). More investment and transparency on the product roadmap and timing are needed. SEO, paid search, display network and consumer awareness are also big challenges. While creating an industry controlled MLS makes a ton of sense, the task ahead is huge. Building the capabilities is less than half the battle. BG enjoys a long standing entrenched position not only in the digital marketplace, but also in the mind of consumers, particularly in the US market. They know this and take full advantage of it.