NEW KAYAK VENDOR

?What’s the next move for your paddle sports store in 2025?

?1.??????? You need a new kayak vendor that will give you quality product at lower prices that will help drive traffic into your store.

2.??????? You need to get a new group of participants into paddle sports in a way that introduces them to your store and other products you sell and the services you provide.

3.??????? You need to be able to compete with the Facebook marketplace and other 2nd hand opportunities that exist for people buying used product.

In 2025 you need to become a kayak store that sells used boats.

In the automobile business 4 out every 5 sales (by Unit) are used cars. Cars have higher initial values and longer lifespans than kayaks; however, kayaks are not disposable and most can have a long second life.

?What would motivate the owner of the used kayak to sell it or trade it into your store for credit instead of selling it themselves?

1.??????? They do not want to mess with the hassle of selling it themselves. It can be infuriating and time consuming.

2.??????? They need or want it out of their garage NOW. ?(Maybe a spouse has said something like you can buy that new cool thing you want as soon as you sell that kayak, or I WANT TO PARK MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND THE KAYAK YOU NEVER USE IS KEEPING THAT FROM HAPPENING)

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How will your store acquire this used inventory? There are 3 ways

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1. Buy it outright with Cash
2. Trade In for Store Credit
3. Sell it on consignment for a Commission

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How should you filter to get the right kayaks that you can Pre-Certify it with your stores sticker?

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1.??????? Only acquire used kayaks from Brands you also sell new. You will have access to parts, you will know the potential problem areas to inspect and will know what the changes are from the used model to the new ones you stock. You will be more likely to accurately gauge the value of the boat you are acquiring.

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2.??????? Only commit to an offer after Inspection and be willing to not make an offer.

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3.??????? Only acquire kayaks that are less than 5 years old. UV damage and limited access to replacement parts.

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As a retailer we did trade ins under these protocols. I made offers with full transparency to the consumer by giving them the following information.

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1.??????? MSRP of a New Model of their kayak

2.??????? What we were going to price it for in store

3.??????? The price I thought they would be able to get on an Online Marketplace. (this is a lower number because in store we get qualified customers everyday)

4.??????? Trade in Value

5.??????? Cash Value

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As an Example, for a kayak that originally sold for $1000 that I believed would eventually sell for $700, I would do a cash offer of $400 and a trade in offer of $600. If any replacement parts were required to prepare the used kayak for sale, I would deduct them from the offers.

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The other option of selling it on commission I used rarely; Only if the customer and I disagreed on the value of the boat however I believed we would sell it quickly. The commission rate we used was 30% if the customer wanted cash at the end. If they wanted store credit we did a 15% commission rate.

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If you decide to execute, start marketing that you take trade-ins on used kayaks. Start combing the local marketplace sites and Facebook groups. Double down on the parts you stock for kayaks and get the staff ready to refurbish kayaks for sale.

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Good Luck!