Is it just me? I don't get it. I've gone to four brokers local to S. Florida and found it to be a great waste of time. What does it take to convince them to look for a boat! Maybe it's that I'm looking for a used boat. I'm using all the manners I was brought up with, dress nicely, brush my teeth and have cash. But after I locate them!, they never follow up much less follow thru. What has been your experiance and advice? Signed, Jon the still searchin head scrather.
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Depends on the $$$ amount and broker
I have had many similar experiences when looking for boats less than $70,000. Many brokers focused their efforts on $150,000 boats. However, I found several brokers in Eastern Florida and Texas who were extremely helpful. Remember, first and foremost they are salesman. They make their living selling on commission. Make your needs clear and look out for yourself, cause they will. Ward
I have had many similar experiences when looking for boats less than $70,000. Many brokers focused their efforts on $150,000 boats. However, I found several brokers in Eastern Florida and Texas who were extremely helpful. Remember, first and foremost they are salesman. They make their living selling on commission. Make your needs clear and look out for yourself, cause they will. Ward
Look Yourself
I did all the leg work, found the boat(s) I wanted to check out...then contacted the brokers. Check here: www.yachtworld.com www.catalinaowners.com www.boatus.com www.ablboats.com www.boats.com www.sailboatlistings.com/
I did all the leg work, found the boat(s) I wanted to check out...then contacted the brokers. Check here: www.yachtworld.com www.catalinaowners.com www.boatus.com www.ablboats.com www.boats.com www.sailboatlistings.com/
Re Depends on the $$$ amount and broker
What I'm looking for is 40' to 45' Price range from 150k to 250k. I intend to live aboard with my wife and 13 year old daughter. My problem is time at the present, that's why I wanted to enlist the help of a broker. I'm willing to pay the difference for the right boat and travel to see them. Understand it's not that I want to be fawned over, but man if I walked into exotic car dealership begging to buy a car I get the impression things would be different. But I vent. I guess leg work of my own is the only answer, I was just trying to avoid the extra time.
What I'm looking for is 40' to 45' Price range from 150k to 250k. I intend to live aboard with my wife and 13 year old daughter. My problem is time at the present, that's why I wanted to enlist the help of a broker. I'm willing to pay the difference for the right boat and travel to see them. Understand it's not that I want to be fawned over, but man if I walked into exotic car dealership begging to buy a car I get the impression things would be different. But I vent. I guess leg work of my own is the only answer, I was just trying to avoid the extra time.
But can you imagine ...
how many people contact these brokers with the same idea/request (aka "dream"). It's the ultimate fantasy that sooooo many people have. If you have not done any leg work at this point, or have no idea what models/brands/styles/options you're looking for, I suspect most brokers classify you as the typical live-aboard dreamer. I am a quasi-live-aboard, and there are so many issues to consider and deal with that this purchase isn't something you can delegate to a broker. (And I'm single, with a family it's gotta be exponentially larger.) Do some homework first, talk to a broker that acutally HAS a listing you are interested in and that YOU think might work for you. That broker will see that you are serious, ask serious questions and they might become your best friend in the process. If you'd spent the time you've already spent talking to 4 brokers looking online at yachworld (with the criteria above) would have put you in a better place already. Also, let's face it..SoFl is the power boat capital of the world...not the sailboat. They are selling $1+ million dollar powerboats, not sailboats. Come up to Annapolis and brokers will take you serious. Good luck.
how many people contact these brokers with the same idea/request (aka "dream"). It's the ultimate fantasy that sooooo many people have. If you have not done any leg work at this point, or have no idea what models/brands/styles/options you're looking for, I suspect most brokers classify you as the typical live-aboard dreamer. I am a quasi-live-aboard, and there are so many issues to consider and deal with that this purchase isn't something you can delegate to a broker. (And I'm single, with a family it's gotta be exponentially larger.) Do some homework first, talk to a broker that acutally HAS a listing you are interested in and that YOU think might work for you. That broker will see that you are serious, ask serious questions and they might become your best friend in the process. If you'd spent the time you've already spent talking to 4 brokers looking online at yachworld (with the criteria above) would have put you in a better place already. Also, let's face it..SoFl is the power boat capital of the world...not the sailboat. They are selling $1+ million dollar powerboats, not sailboats. Come up to Annapolis and brokers will take you serious. Good luck.
There just isn't enough money in a broker's ...
commission to handhold someone who is just looking for a "boat." Now if you had at least zeroed in on say a "40ft. Catalina ... go find one in great shape" ... then it may make some sense. Hey ... it would take a week to just show someone the real difference between an old J40 and a newer Catalina 40 for about the same price. Basically a broker sells what he has in inventory. HEY ... if this broker was any good he would be spending his time flipping condos and making way more money. Vic
commission to handhold someone who is just looking for a "boat." Now if you had at least zeroed in on say a "40ft. Catalina ... go find one in great shape" ... then it may make some sense. Hey ... it would take a week to just show someone the real difference between an old J40 and a newer Catalina 40 for about the same price. Basically a broker sells what he has in inventory. HEY ... if this broker was any good he would be spending his time flipping condos and making way more money. Vic
I agree With Don
Ahoy Jon; I liveaboard and have purchased at least 10 boats in the past 15 years. I have brokers calling me when one is available. The trick is to do some checking on the net. Pick out a couple of boats you would like to check out. then take a day or two and do it. If a broker is involved he should be more than happy to show you his inventory. This way he can find out what your looking for and your price range. I dress ratty and borrow an old beat up pickup whilst looking at boats. I don't want the sellers to think I am a fish on the hook. In fact I am what the brokers call a bottom feeder. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Ahoy Jon; I liveaboard and have purchased at least 10 boats in the past 15 years. I have brokers calling me when one is available. The trick is to do some checking on the net. Pick out a couple of boats you would like to check out. then take a day or two and do it. If a broker is involved he should be more than happy to show you his inventory. This way he can find out what your looking for and your price range. I dress ratty and borrow an old beat up pickup whilst looking at boats. I don't want the sellers to think I am a fish on the hook. In fact I am what the brokers call a bottom feeder. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Bottom feeder....hmmm
Thanks CapnDave...I always wondered what the brokers call me. And I don't even borrow the beat up ole pickup - I own one!
Thanks CapnDave...I always wondered what the brokers call me. And I don't even borrow the beat up ole pickup - I own one!
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