Broker - too much trouble

[absit_omen]

Just asked broker if I can view a boat on his website.

Being honest explained that I had my boat to sell first, and would only go through that process only if I, and SWMBO, liked what we saw in the new boat.

Broker said that as the boat was "half an hours drive" from him he would not show to anybody who is not in a position to buy. What couldn't I see from the web site?

I informed him that we had been prepared to drive from Brighton to Walton on the Naze to view and were sorry that he had half an hours drive. Goodbye.

Nice work if you can get it.

Shall not be returning to his site - ever.

Oh, if anyone knows the owner of 'Tidewitch' you may like to tell him how he lost a serious enquiry.

 

[Talbot]

Whilst not wanting to defend brokers particularly, I have to admit that the number of tyre kickers who seriously waste their time, would try the patience of a saint. It is sometimes difficult to remember that these are potential clients further down the line.

Notwithstanding the above, I have nothing but praise for Multihullworld at Emsworth

 

[Norman_E]

If you do contact the owner, I suggest than any deal you do should be done without benefit of broker.

 

[BrendanS]

Can you find out who the owner is, and contact directly?

 

[Dyflin]

We have had very varying experiences. It turns out that the local brokers (mostly) are very keen to sell and happy to supply additional information by phone or email. But other ones are almost tight lipped about their boats. You would think that they'd have a standard information pack which they could fax, email or post all without leaving their warm, dry offices? I'm miffed how some people don't suspect that some thing's wrong after their boat has been sitting idle in a yard for a year or more?!

Seller beware!!

 

[duncanmack]

The owner's name may well be Frost.

 

[chrishelen]

The broker i bought my boat from refused to put her back on his books 2 years down the line when i wanted to move upto a bigger boat,and thats after i re engined and updated lots of gear,his excuse was it took long enough to sell her to me and he didnt want her clogging up his marina berth for a long time.ps the company is called ****sh**.

 

[ulava]

How long should it take from buyer saying yes seller saying yes both signing the brokers paperwork on the day, To bank transfer from broker to seller, seller signing the bill of sale ?

 

[Tidewaiter2]

[ QUOTE ]
How long should it take from buyer saying yes seller saying yes both signing the brokers paperwork on the day, To bank transfer from broker to seller, seller signing the bill of sale ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dunno what others have experienced, but from seeing our current boat to purchase completion, via survey and test sail, then price haggle took 25 week days.

Broker was Mike Hinks of Northshore, Surveyor was Roger Pimm, standing in for David "Hoppy" Hopkins who had just broken his ankle the evening before survey.

Cannot speak too highly of all of them (and David's wife!) for professionalism and customer service before, during and after sale.
The vendor wanted to use Roger for his next boat and Mike still checks we are happy whenever we are in Itchenor.

Clive and the team at Slipway Marine in EYH when we sold "Vulpes" were also excellent, meeting the needs of buyer and ourselves promptly to ensure a successful transaction and following up to ensure both parties content afterwards.

The old Opal Marine brokers down at Sparkes Marina 6 years ago, when we bought "Vulpes"- another story!!

 

[wragges]

Had a similar experience from the broker at Walton on the Naze.

Upon arrival (after a 3 hour drive). I told them I had come to view the boat as previously arranged. Guy handed over the keys and pointed accross the yard to where she stood on the hard. Found her after 5 mins and then had to find a ladder to get aboard!

As a a buyer I was okay with this as it gave me a very long time to go over the boat very carefully, lifting every hatch, board etc, and checked almost everything in person before I commissioned a survey. This enabled me to offer 6k less than the asking price.

At the same time I decided there and then that I would never ask that broker to sell a boat of mine.

 

[toad]

I also bought my boat through Mike Hinks at Northshore and had exultant service even to giving me his home phone number when he had a week off in case of problems. He then was happy to meet me at the boat at 9 o'clock Friday evening to do the handover.

 

[ToMo]

Second that! very happy with purchase of Minuet ....God! it's almost 6 years.

 

[lw395]

Using broker:
Offer to survey 1 week
survey to cash clear in bank another week.
cash in bank to 'I want another boat': 4 days!
I did take quite a price drop as I was keen to sell for business reasons. Buyer also wanted to get on with it.
When I bought the boat it took a lot longer as I had problems getting the boat lifted and surveyed.

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
Second that! very happy with purchase of Minuet ....God! it's almost 6 years.

[/ QUOTE ]

Selling mine after 21 years. - Was my first boat, did a lot of research before purchase, and significant analysis on potential types. I guess 21 years would suggest I got this right.

 

[ulava]

OK thank you all i will post again later /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[alldownwind]

We visited a broker at Fareham once (having booked in advance) to look at a Westerly.
Only one person on duty, who said she couldn't leave the office. Told me where to find a ladder and where to find the boat.
Got up on board, then found the main hatch was jammed.
Walked all the way back to the office, she still said she couldn't help.
Went back to the boat, found 2 large lumps of timber nearby, placed one piece delicately against the rear edge of the harch, and walloped it with the other piece.
That got us in, with no damage, but not in a good frame of mind.
It was one of those 'Marie Celeste' boats, remains of dinner still on the table, grot everywhere.
Another waste of time.

 

[wotayottie]

Seems to me that the broker was absolutely right - you were a tyrekicker, wanting to look at something you had already told him you were not in a position to go ahead and buy. Do you really expect him to travel half an hour either way for anybody who feels like looking at that boat irrespective of whether they can buy it or not?

 

[Dave99]

might be worth trying boatshed.com - every broker will spend time with you whether you are a buyer or vendor.

 

[Mudplugger]

Ivan of that Name?

 

[justapheonix]

Not really a surprise.

People buy boats, not brokers. Put differently, they buy the boat they want, despite the broker, not because of him.

And yes, they are often laughably incompetent.