Brokers suck...-gctid807658

[simbad]

Every time I have been through the boat search process I have been amazed at how rubbish most of the brokers are.

1. I have an offer out on a boat have revised the offer 3 times and it's always me chasing the broker. Still not closed after initial offer over a week ago. My last offer was at the price he told me would buy it. They changed the status on yacht world to sale pending but I have had no communication confirming acceptance of my offer. We also agreed to go to the boat today and spend a couple of hours going through systems. Called, texted, called main office no replies.

2. As I was getting frustrated with all of the above I sldecided to check out other boats. Firstly broker. 4 emails and a call where he said he'd call me back. All I wanted to do was view the boat. No call back. No email about viewing. Even when I sent a mail saying d you not want to show the boat. No reply.

One other boat left voicemails. Sent email finally got an email reply saying he was out for a few days and could set up a viewing at some point in the future.

3. Consistently view boats where I know more about the specs of the boat from their listing than they do.

4. So many Listings on yachtworld that have obviously dropped prices. They change the listing price but the first line in the description references the original price it was listed at. For example. "This boat is a bargain at $300k" but he boat is. NOw for sale for $260k

Ok just venting. But what is wrong with these people. I have never sold my boats through a broker and based on experience I never would.

[MidnightSun]

They are right up there with used car salesman. There are some decent hard working brokers out there but definitely a needle in a haystack.

[bkc914]

hi simbad

im with you, i could write book about brokers and boat owners. the worst is popyachts followed closely by yacht world

[Guest]

I would love to defend all brokers... but I just can't do it. In my humble opinion about 30% of real estate brokers are useless, and about 80% of all boat brokers are useless. There are some really good ones, but you have to search around. It's a helluva tough business to make money in. The number of threads I read where someone says they worked with a great broker but ended up finding a boat on yachtworld or craigslist and didn't end up using the broker tells me that a broker can spend weeks working for a person with no guarantee of getting an actual sale.

Sadly, the average broker can't afford to own the kind of boat they are selling so most of them are fairly clueless. If you can find a good broker, they're fantastic.

[boatworkfl]

Look up the documentation and/or the registration and go direct, do not believe a broker that says he has exclusive sales agreement.

Some brokers just list a boat that is listed with another broker, or one on another free site, somewhat like with home sales where they split the commission.

Find the owner and make an offer, he can rescind any listing brokers agreement for the most part.

What can it hurt to try?

[simbad]

Makes me glad it's not just me !

[Iproff]

There is a boat for sale on Georgian Bay a 4387 I posted on this site and found out the boat is only 1/2 hour from our house. I was in Florida at the time emailed the broker to make an appointment when I got back no response. I see it changes to deal pending, I get home send an email as they don't answer their phone I would like to see this boat if the deal falls through contact me. The boat is listed for sale again still no contact from the broker. The owner of the boat is a member on this site I feel sorry for him using this broker. We might call around to some marina's and see if we can find this 1991 Bayliner 4387.

Not sure who is worse lawyers or brokers.

Ken

[Norton_Rider]

My experience has been the total opposite. Of my last three boats I sold two using a broker and bought my current one through a broker. In the case of the sales the brokers got a very fair price (net to me) and handled all the hassles of showing the boats, supporting the surveys, sea trials, etc. The purchase of my current boat was done by the listing broker and the transaction was a pleasure.

I may be biased because I used to co-own an airplane sales company. We bought airplanes for resale and we also brokered them.

[guntar]

Couldn't dis-agree more. My broker was absolutely the best. She is still helping us even after the sale more than 6 months ago with everything from recommendations on where to go and who to use for updates and services to just being available for a question on boating. And if she doesn't know she will find out and let us know. We also have made a friend for life and that is priceless these days. Now I agree there are bad and dishonest brokers but that's true in just about any profession. You have research them as much as you do when deciding what to boat to buy.

[Terry_J]

"Iproff" post=807695 wrote:
There is a boat for sale on Georgian Bay a 4387 I posted on this site and found out the boat is only 1/2 hour from our house. I was in Florida at the time emailed the broker to make an appointment when I got back no response. I see it changes to deal pending, I get home send an email as they don't answer their phone I would like to see this boat if the deal falls through contact me. The boat is listed for sale again still no contact from the broker. The owner of the boat is a member on this site I feel sorry for him using this broker. We might call around to some marina's and see if we can find this 1991 Bayliner 4387.

Not sure who is worse lawyers or brokers.

Ken

Ken, I found the boat, listed by the owner. heres the link

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/barrie/freshwater-only-diesel-very-low-hrs/1262618904?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Terry

[talman]

My broker closed 5 Mil in business last year. I had a good experience with him 4 years ago. He must be doing something right.

Like a plumber, or an electrician: Find one you like and treat them like you want to be treated. Honesty, fairness, and willingness to work with people.

I love my Real Estate broker, too. I have a list of them that I went through to find him, though.

[Mr._Darcy]

There are a few good ones, but there are those in sales because they first thought 'easy money'. A few months later they found out that sales can be and often is a lot of hard work. Not hard work in a physical way, but mentally and just as tiring. I did sales briefly and found out I don't have they patience for dealing with people like others do, but I did return calls and answer emails, and show up when and where I said I would. A close friend has the gift, and is a great salesman, makes a very good living doing commercial and industrial HVAC sales. My hat off to the good ones! The bad ones...well, what can I say?

Greg

[Guest]

"talman" post=808249 wrote:
My broker closed 5 Mil in business last year. I had a good experience with him 4 years ago. He must be doing something right.

Like a plumber, or an electrician: Find one you like and treat them like you want to be treated. Honesty, fairness, and willingness to work with people.

I love my Real Estate broker, too. I have a list of them that I went through to find him, though.

love my real estate agent also, corse i sleep next to her lol

[Four_Pyrates]

"talman" post=808249 wrote:
My broker closed 5 Mil in business last year. I had a good experience with him 4 years ago. He must be doing something right.

Like a plumber, or an electrician: Find one you like and treat them like you want to be treated. Honesty, fairness, and willingness to work with people.

I've used the same broker for 4 boats. Never a problem but....a broker cannot get you the price you want to pay if he doesn't have that amount in hand to work with. A good broker can find out things about a boat that you might not remember to look for too. If you want to pay $20,000 and the seller wants $25,000, your broker says I have cash NOW and that usually ends the discussion. You have to be a good customer to have a great relationship with your broker. Another tip that might help some folks. Buying a boat is not a negotiation. Too many times people think this back and forth stuff is how its done....No sir, it is not. You have to set a price you can pay, pick out 3 similar boats you like and be willing to NOT GET IN LOVE WITH A BOAT until you own it and WALK AWAY. Good boats aren't that hard to find and agreeing to buy at X price is just the start...Then comes survey, sea trial, visual inspection, insurance, etc. Most folks are ready if they hear it start...Hold back on that first emotion...act like this is a repo and nothing on it is any good until you see it work.

[Hamnavoe]

As a Yacht Broker for 39 years (so far), I have seen the good the bad and the ugly. I trained at a leading UK Broker, who had strict standards and a sound reputation. I hope I have maintained and exceeded those levels ever since.

But .... the Broker who had the 3288 we just bought. Simply useless on every front.

Ask around, take advice from owners and trusted industry professionals. A good Broker makes things enjoyable for you.