Why is my new Compass stamped with DEMO

Howdy,
Last August I ordered a Compass through the nearest dealer, and last week I was able to pick it up. An 8+ month wait, which is OK I suppose since it was during the winter, but why is the kayak stamped with the word DEMO behind the seat area?

Matt can give you a definitive answer but in the meantime I think I'm pretty close in telling you that most Hobie dealers are allowed additional discounts on a certain number of demo boats each year. The intent is for the dealer to use these boats for customer demos, rather than having to put time on the rest of their new inventory. The Demo stamp identifies it as being for that purpose, so dealers don't simply buy these discounted models and shoot them right out with the rest of their new inventory. But I don't think there is anything wrong or out of sorts with the demo boats. They're the same as any other new Hobie except they have that demo stamp on them. I suspect your dealer can't get enough boats to fill demand so he sold you one of his demos. It may very well be brand new regardless.

Hmmm, makes sense, but seems fishy in that I ordered it 8+ months ago, and it only now shows up in the model and color I requested. Perhaps the dealer obtained it from another dealer?

That's certainly a possibility. If he did then I'd congratulate him. Only thing you want to make sure is that a demo model carries the same warranty.

This topic has come up a few times. Some dealers need to be more upfront and forthcoming with customers rather than surprising them at delivery.

You may want to review these posts:

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=60232

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=67340

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=47840

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4187

Peter

Tom is correct.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Ok, I'll get over it, I just feel as if I've been yanked around by either the dealer or Hobie for the past 8+ months. The dealer mainly sells "real" boats and doesn't seem too interested in the powered by people variety. I should have returned to the kayak only dealer where I bought my first Hobie in 2011 (this current one is for the Mrs.), but we moved a few hundred miles away.