Today "getting what you paid for" should be "getting what you thought you paid for". With boats this very condition is real and we see it happen all the time. People start the process of shopping for a new boat. This is a good practice because while shopping your making conscious decisions as to which dealer you're going to make your inevitable purchase from. Your learning how each dealership assembles the package to arrive at the "price" they do. Unfortunately this is where most people get severely side tracked from shopping to pricing. Boat shopping will produce results that leave you with a better ownership experience and more than likely a better product and service. Platinum and silver look the same to most people, trained observant know the difference at a glance. When you change from a shopping mentality to a pricing mentality you in most cases short change yourself by fixating on the price which says nothing for build quality, correct product assembly or correct product. Your now assuming platinum and silver are the same. Money is not growing on trees for dealers either, if it's considerably less money there is a reason, choose wisely.
The following are reasons why pricing a boat package gets you what you thought you paid for
1. Trailer size, most dealers to look more competitive will knowingly put your boat on too small of a trailer.
2. Use of non-OEM or OEM equivalent products this list includes and is not limited to:
a. Aftermarket Cheaper Propellers
b. Inexpensive Engine controls and cables
c. Fuel delivery systems
d. Oils lubes and filters (lack of even installing one is common)
3. Trailer brakes required on certain packages, Tandem axels need dual axel brakes (this is always overlooked and is against the law)
4. Battery size not every engine needs an economy size battery; larger engines require a larger battery to run the complex EFI computers.