SeeDealerCost.com has been laced with controversy over the past several months. The site, much like a Kelley Blue Book, aims to serve boat and motor buyers by providing invoice-pricing information for marine products, including bass boats.
A press release, issued 2 months ago, described the site like this: "Similar to sites in the automotive market, See Dealer Cost is not a selling site, but provides product information, including prices, features and specifications. Site users will be able to configure products and save configurations in their account, or print them out. In addition, a wide range of supportive information will be available, including financing, insurance, relevant articles, and pre-owned value information. For participating companies, See Dealer Cost is a lead generation and/or advertising site. Today's buyer requires high-value, technologically advanced products, great service, ease of doing business and the best deal possible. The problem is customers don't know what the best deal possible is. The auto industry, however, reports a higher closing rate when the customer is better informed."
Former marine executives Jack Malone (Mercury) and Dave Taylor (U.S. Marine) are believed to have founded the site.
The Marine Retailers Association of America has urged members not to cooperate with the site.
Although the site is now live, registration is currently not working. An error message cites high traffic.
