Short rant about selling boats...

[ssullivan]

Here's one for the record books:

I had a guy today ask me to find him an Endeavor 42 to look at while he drives down from Canada to look at my boat. He is apparently looking for center cockpits in this range and wants me to "set up a few for him to see" since he'll be down here anyway.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!?!

It's hard not to just tell this guy to take a hike, which I might end up doing since he's obviously not serious.

[FrankZ]

He didn't get confused and think you are the broker instead of owner did he?

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Sean,

Does he think you are a broker? Pretty nervy.

JohnL

[jscott]

If your a broker, do you know of any 45 to 50 ft aluminium hull sailboats, in your area for sale.

[Tspringer]

This is a great opportunity for you.

First, locate the nastiest, filthiest and most run down pig set of 42' foot boats you can find locally for sale. When the guy gets into town, show these first.

Then show your boat.



Terry

[Reality Check]

Tspringer had the idea...I think that is the way many brokers do it!!! I've seen it done in real estat also!!

[ssullivan]

Genius! Great Idea. I should line up the nastiest boats possible.

[Ex-Calif]

Well - Alternate opinion from someone in "buyer" mode. I am not going to pick your boat from the internet, fly down and buy it. The buying process requires educating yourself and looking at lot's of boats.

I'd like to consider that I am going to buy any boat I make an investment in time and money to go see but, face it, it's not like going to a car dealership and having 50 boats to choose from in one place. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.

So he may be a serious buyer, but he's shopping. I think you are going to have to expect a lot of lookers. I wonder how many looks the average boat needs before it sells.

Having said that, it takes a lot of damn gall to ask a seller to find you "another" boat - LOL.

[Pblais]

It's hard not to just tell this guy to take a hike, which I might end up doing since he's obviously not serious.

Obvious - no. Probably not serious - clearly. Basic rule of boat brokers is - Qualify! If you lose sleep over this guy it means selling boats is not your line of work. It appears it is your current interest at least temporarily. Being in NYC has it's disadvantages. Everyone is going to be there anyway! Even though I don't live there I know that much. Almost no one is there to buy a boat however. It's only one person you need not a lot, but you have to be there for it to happen. If it were that easy even I would sell boats for a living. You are a valuable person so your time should not be wasted. Move on! You might let a real buyer get away.

[psteele235]

Tell him you will be delighted to oblige but need a signed Boat Finding Agreement paying you x % of the purchase price of any boat you find for him before you can begin searching for Endeavor 42's on his behalf.