B&B Marine For Sale

[hethj7]

For those around Kansas City, I just realized today B&B Marine in Smithville is for sale. I'm hoping to be a boat owner in the next year or so, so I headed to B&B this morning to check out their Malibu's and just educate myself a little. I showed up to a basically empty lot. They represented Regal and Malibu, but a guy inside said they had sold all their new boat inventory in case the new owner wanted to represent other lines. Seems odd to me, as I'd think the business would be worth more with a Malibu and Regal connection. In any case, he stated there were several potential buyers and he expects something will happen shortly. He said all the potential buyers want to carry Malibu, so he expects they'll have stock again soon and will be selling for the 2011 model year.

[Chia]

For those around Kansas City, I just realized today B&B Marine in Smithville is for sale. I'm hoping to be a boat owner in the next year or so, so I headed to B&B this morning to check out their Malibu's and just educate myself a little. I showed up to a basically empty lot. They represented Regal and Malibu, but a guy inside said they had sold all their new boat inventory in case the new owner wanted to represent other lines. Seems odd to me, as I'd think the business would be worth more with a Malibu and Regal connection. In any case, he stated there were several potential buyers and he expects something will happen shortly. He said all the potential buyers want to carry Malibu, so he expects they'll have stock again soon and will be selling for the 2011 model year.

You would think, but when you consider that a dealership has no extra value because of the lines they carry, it changes how you see they did things.

The seller cannot guarantee to the purchaser that in a year, month or even a week after them buying the dealership that they will still be a dealer for those lines, this makes the line of little or no value to a purchaser.

[hethj7]

I guess that may be true, although it would seem if I was a purchaser, it would be easier to for me to continue to be a Malibu or Regal dealer as a new owner rather than trying to establish a new relationship with another manufacturer. I realize both Malibu and Regal would have a say in this with me as a new owner, but at least they know they have a history with that location and customer base. In any case, this is probably why I don't own a boat shop, because I don't know the ins and outs of these things Best of luck to B&B. I hope that guy was right today and they do end up continuing to carry Malibu. I'd like to think one day I'll own one

[Chia]

I guess that may be true, although it would seem if I was a purchaser, it would be easier to for me to continue to be a Malibu or Regal dealer as a new owner rather than trying to establish a new relationship with another manufacturer. I realize both Malibu and Regal would have a say in this with me as a new owner, but at least they know they have a history with that location and customer base. In any case, this is probably why I don't own a boat shop, because I don't know the ins and outs of these things Best of luck to B&B. I hope that guy was right today and they do end up continuing to carry Malibu. I'd like to think one day I'll own one

For sure it would be easier for the purchaser to buy an existing dealership with the existing lines but it is not up to the purchaser or the existing dealer who gets to handle the line after the sale....or anytime really.

the purchaser needs to line up a manufacturer and is purchasing the infrastructure for that manufacturer's line.

anyway thats how i see it working. Good luck to the owners of the B&B.

[ed obermeier]

That's been in the works for several months now. The now former owners of B&B were real jerks to deal with. Beyond my own limited personal experience I've heard plenty of first hand stories of Bu owners and potential owners trying to deal with them, both on purchases and also on service. Hopefully whoever takes over the business will be better to deal with and be more customer oriented. I for one am glad they're gone and I hope whoever takes it over, if they do handle Malibu are actually inboard people and not another bunch of sales people just selling boats.

Ed