Boatshed experience?

[mersey]

Very bad experience of Boatshed London, avoid at all costs.

 

[Cuan]

………...because it's a brand. And bad experiences damage the brand for customers and for the good franchise holders.

The usual model for franchise businesses is that the overall 'umbrella' brand provides training and management control to ensure that all franchises are providing a consistent quality of product/service. For instance around 70% of UK MacDonalds are franchises, but it would be difficult to tell one from another (admittedly its a while since I have been in one)
Having said that I bought my current boat through Boatshed Falmouth, and it was (10 yrs ago) a good experience. As has been said on this thread, they provide visibility which is vital in a web generated sale. If I was selling I would go to them first.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Could I put in a commendation for Billy Hallam at Boatshed, Plymouth. A really nice, experienced and genuine chap.

I've dealt with Billy on a purchase that didn't proceed. Very professional despite having a nightmare client.

 

[langstonelayabout]

I've tried buying and selling through Boatshed. I have a varied experience.

Selling: Ian of Boatshed Port Solent was a top chap and gave the sale the attention I thought it deserved. Sadly after a few price drops (suggested by me) my boat didn't sell so I withdrew it from BS and sold it fairly quickly via ApolloDuck and eBay.

Buying: About 6 years ago I tried twice to view an older boat at Chichester. Neither time did the broker turn up and he wouldn't answer my calls either. The only reason I spoke to him to secure the seccond attempted viewing was because I called him from my wife's phone.

Mixed views. Wuld I buy through them? The answer is probably, as long as they have a escrow account for my money.

 

[Sgeir]

We bought our current boat through Boatshed Portsmouth. Excellent service, absolutely no complaints.

 

[Elbows]

I've dealt with Billy on a purchase that didn't proceed. Very professional despite having a nightmare client.

I bought my boat through Boatshed Plymouth a couple of years ago and found Billy Hallam very efficient and professional.

 

[James W]

I once tried to buy a boat in Grimsby via Boatshed. After no joy through the broker on the South Coast (their local guy had given up apparently) I managed to find the owner and arranged a viewing. I liked the boat and we agreed a price, the owner basically washing his hands of Boatshed as they had nothing to do with the deal and hadn't helped him in any way at all.

Fast forward a month, just before I was due to head back up North for a quick hull survey, I received a call from Boatshed. Despite the fact that I had done nothing wrong as the seller was the one with a contract with them, the broker got very shirty that we had a done a deal and basically accused me of being underhand. He said he had another potential buyer and this was going to affect the price I agreed with the owner.

I just pulled out, life is too short and there are plenty of boats out there!!

 

[Simon__]

I just pulled out, life is too short and there are plenty of boats out there!!

Did you ever check to see if the boat sold?

No real experience with Boatshed but I sent a few enquiries when looking for a boat earlier this year. Mixed responses - seemed to get far more "spam" around "we've seen you've been looking at this boat..." than replies to genuine queries.