Broker/Purchase advice needed

[C Adventure]

Hello all,

Not sure here was the correct place for my post, but it is a motorboat so here goes.

I viewed a boat around a month ago, made an offer subject to survey, agreed a price after the broker spoke with the owner, and sent a 10% deposit.
I was then sent a contract which I signed and returned.
I was informed the boat would need the engine checked out before it could be taken to be lifted for the survey. I agreed to pay for the engine work, which I know is unusual but it would have to be reliable to move the boat to its new mooring some 200 miles away.
I spoke with a surveyor who contacted the broker and agreed to view the boat with a view to assessing the engine state. He came back to me saying it was too much for him so the broker said he’d arrange an engineer to service and make any minor repairs.
I wrote an authorisation email allowing the work to go ahead over a week ago. Since then I have called a couple of times and left a message for a progress report but the broker seem reluctant to speak with me. He called me this morning but when I answered he hung up and didn’t pick up my return call. On top of all this the boat is still for sale on his brokerage website and a text message I sent enquiring if he’d received the signed contract has been met with science.
If feels as if despite my efforts he doesn’t want to sell the boat to me.

Can anyone tell me how I stand legally?

I have my own ideas about what’s going on but to preserve everyone’s anonymity, if you’d my thoughts please PM me.

Thanks for reading.

 

[BruceK]

If you authorised an engineer a week ago I dont think this needs to go to DM. Getting an engineer at this stage is like finding hens teeth. Their job cards are full. Welcome to boat life. I needed 3 days engineering on mine and it sat on the hard for 3 months before the engineer could complete. This is quite normal. Have a little patience as you may have to wait a couple months before an engineer can look at it. Now that is not to say all is right but that it is too early for paranoia to set in. Boats dont equal cars when it comes to servicing, much is the pity.

 

[petem]

Get a friend to phone up and see whether the broker says it's sold or still available.

 

[C Adventure]

If you authorised an engineer a week ago I dont think this needs to go to DM. Getting an engineer at this stage is like finding hens teeth. Their job cards are full. Welcome to boat life. I needed 3 days engineering on mine and it sat on the hard for 3 months before the engineer could complete. This is quite normal. Have a little patience as you may have to wait a couple months before an engineer can look at it. Now that is not to say all is right but that it is too early for paranoia to set in. Boats dont equal cars when it comes to servicing, much is the pity.

Hi BruceK,

Thank you for your reply and calming explanation.
This is my first “large” vessel purchase so I’m not that conversant with the length of the buying process.
I’ll take your advice of patience and hope my thoughts are misplaced.

 

[fred247]

If you authorised an engineer a week ago I dont think this needs to go to DM. Getting an engineer at this stage is like finding hens teeth. Their job cards are full. Welcome to boat life. I needed 3 days engineering on mine and it sat on the hard for 3 months before the engineer could complete. This is quite normal. Have a little patience as you may have to wait a couple months before an engineer can look at it. Now that is not to say all is right but that it is too early for paranoia to set in. Boats dont equal cars when it comes to servicing, much is the pity.

I don't agree in the slightest, regardless of any waiting times, a broker should be returning your calls and keeping you updated, especially when requested. The broker should be calming your nerves by keeping you in the loop with what's happening and any delays that occur, keep chasing !!
vista broker if possible and viable.

 

[BruceK]

Get a friend to phone up and see whether the broker says it's sold or still available.

This wouldnt be the first or even odd broker that left the boat up for sale even after being fully sold. With the paucity of boats right now brokers are doing everything to make it look like they have stock.

 

[C Adventure]

I don't agree in the slightest, regardless of any waiting times, a broker should be returning your calls and keeping you updated, especially when requested. The broker should be calming your nerves by keeping you in the loop with what's happening and any delays that occur, keep chasing !!
vista broker if possible and viable.

Thanks for your reply, fred247.

I must admit I’m disappointed in the lack of response from the broker.
The brokerage has glowing reviews from customers he’s sold boats to. Unfortunately my experience doesn’t match the “excellent service” others have found.

 

[BruceK]

I don't agree in the slightest, regardless of any waiting times, a broker should be returning your calls and keeping you updated, especially when requested. The broker should be calming your nerves by keeping you in the loop with what's happening and any delays that occur, keep chasing !!
vista broker if possible and viable.

That's entirely a different point and I would agree in principal. Poor client relations by the broker, but that in itself does not imply misdoing. One of the hardest things to give a client is no news, no progress, but we are working on it. Especially a client that is undoubtedly excited and hasnt been fully hooked yet. Afterall repairing the engines is still an unknown and may be a sizeable bill.

 

[fred247]

This wouldnt be the first or even odd broker that left the boat up for sale even after being fully sold. With the paucity of boats right now brokers are doing everything to make it look like they have stock.

I don't disagree and actually untill the full amount is paid and contracts (bill of sale) signed the boat inst actually sold, but that does not excuse the brokers attitude.

 

[fred247]

On our last boat purchase, there were issues that needed dealing with in respect of the survey, and some alterations and additions we requested it took seven months before the boat went in the water, but I have over 100 email exchanges and photos of ongoing work plus numerous phone calls keeping us in the loop from the broker

 

[C Adventure]

On our last boat purchase, there were issues that needed dealing with in respect of the survey, and some alterations and additions we requested it took seven months before the boat went in the water, but I have over 100 email exchanges and photos of ongoing work plus numerous phone calls keeping us in the loop from the broker

That is what I’d expect. Especially after paying £5000 deposit!

 

[DavidJ]

Get a friend to phone up and see whether the broker says it's sold or still available.

Of course what Bruce said is true but would be interesting to hear what the brokers says. Might put your mind at rest. Not all news is bad news.
Sounds like the engine work is more than just a survey. Do you know what exact work you have agreed to pay for?

 

[C Adventure]

Of course what Bruce said is true but would be interesting to hear what the brokers says. Might put your mind at rest. Not all news is bad news.
Sounds like the engine work is more than just a survey. Do you know what exact work you have agreed to pay for?

Yes, I wrote an email to authorise “servicing and any minor repairs”. Any further work I asked for a report and estimate.
The engine looks to be in excellent condition but the boat has been lying unused for a couple of years. I know “looks” are no guarantee of condition but the general condition of the boat would suggest it’s been cared for.

 

[ashtead]

It would seem to me having hooked you but no sale having actually been agreed the broker is playing the market in belief another buyer might happen by at a higher price not wanting the engine work. It’s not entirely clear what your surveyor said but as you have no doubt paid him a large fee already what does he say? What does he think of brokers behaviour? He might have knowledge of the sort of broker he is to put bluntly. You might visit the broker in person? It might reveal a lot about him?

 

[Devon Boy]

It would seem to me having hooked you but no sale having actually been agreed the broker is playing the market in belief another buyer might happen by at a higher price not wanting the engine work. It’s not entirely clear what your surveyor said but as you have no doubt paid him a large fee already what does he say? What does he think of brokers behaviour? He might have knowledge of the sort of broker he is to put bluntly. You might visit the broker in person? It might reveal a lot about him?

I don’t think that the influence of the engine would be a big deal, it’s not the present owner who is having foot the bill it’s the OP who has stated he is willing to for the initial inspection / service.

 

[C Adventure]

It would seem to me having hooked you but no sale having actually been agreed the broker is playing the market in belief another buyer might happen by at a higher price not wanting the engine work. It’s not entirely clear what your surveyor said but as you have no doubt paid him a large fee already what does he say? What does he think of brokers behaviour? He might have knowledge of the sort of broker he is to put bluntly. You might visit the broker in person? It might reveal a lot about him?

The surveyor went to look at the engine because he lived close and I guess it was in his interest to see if his knowledge was sufficient to check/service the engine, and therefore take the boat to be lifted and surveyed. No monies have exchanged hands as yet. I live a couple of hundred miles away from the boats location so nipping to see him isn’t an option unfortunately. I took a nine hour round drive to view the boat.

 

[BruceK]

It would seem to me having hooked you but no sale having actually been agreed the broker is playing the market in belief another buyer might happen by at a higher price not wanting the engine work. It’s not entirely clear what your surveyor said but as you have no doubt paid him a large fee already what does he say? What does he think of brokers behaviour? He might have knowledge of the sort of broker he is to put bluntly. You might visit the broker in person? It might reveal a lot about him?

Another buyer can come with double the offer. Makes not one iota. The boat is under contract at the moment.

 

[BruceK]

However what does seem a bit odd is you servicing the engines and under the broker's auspices without your agreeing to a final sale. Normal operations would be to have your chosen engineer survey the engines and tell you what he finds before you commit to any repair or service. I am not sure where you are and who operates there but a starting point would be to speak to @volvopaul to see if he can or can recommend and engineer.

 

[C Adventure]

However what does seem a bit odd is you servicing the engines and under the broker's auspices without your agreeing to a final sale. Normal operations would be to have your chosen engineer survey the engines and tell you what he finds before you commit to any repair or service. I am not sure where you are and who operates there but a starting point would be to speak to @volvopaul to see if he can or can recommend and engineer.

I agree, it’s not standard practice but it’s being sold as needing some work. If I was buying an all “together” boat I’d expect all systems to be functioning as they’re meant to. The price is reasonable enough for me to stand some minor engine work and have peace of mind for the passage to its new home.

 

[BruceK]

For peace of mind get your own engineer. Get him as quick as you can and see what he says then close or reject the deal if the repairs reflect the discount.