Clarke and Carter or another brokerage?

[ridgy]

Seems pretty normal practice for a broker to let you poke around on your own for half an hour then they come and join you for a chat.

 

[Egret]

I've always had good service from all the brokers on the East Coast - looked at a lot of boats before finally deciding but don't consider it time wasting, No problem if the broker is on site and just hands the keys. Ideal if you can see a few of a type in one location to compare - Sadler, Hunter, Westerly in my target range. Much easier to discuss issues with a broker than an owner, often point out issues to consider - they are working for both effectively.

Remember C&C being very concerned to get an engine checked out on another boat just sold, which looked immaculate but had been standing for a long while.

Self selling only viable if you live close.

Boats sell themselves if they are right for the buyer- but you need to think of the type of person who is going to buy it and place it where those type of people are likely to be, ideally with others similar, where a buyer might visit looking for another boat then see yours instead.

Big issue generally is cleanliness, nice curtains sell the boat - yours needs to be the smartest on sale - but I wouldn't expect the broker to do cleaning but can arrange someone to clean and polish. Seagull mess can be resolved with a cover over cockpit and deck as far as the mast. My last broker offered to come with me to sail home if I wasn't confident with the new boat and the sands.

£1000 base fee seems reasonable as there is as much effort to sell a cheaper boat than an expensive one - probably more.

As it is an older boat, would it be worth while having a survey and engine service done, then if a buyer is interested they can take it away that day. Check surveyor will be happy for it to be passed over - maybe for an additional fee.

 

[shaunksb]

I bought my last boat via Clarke and Carter, a pleasant experience. I believe that they offer hard standing for a time as part of their deal which makes helps the cost somewhat.

They have a limited space at SYH and I think it's fair to say that the more expensive boats often get it. There was no space available after I bought a boat off them and asked about selling my 30' er earlier this year.

Having said that I found them very professional and helpful with the boat they sold me.

I ended up putting my old one up for sale on Apollo Duck and got 4 people interested in it after the first week. Two nutters and two good enquiry's.

Sold it on first viewing for the full asking price.

I think if I'd marketed it through them I may have been tempted to initially ask a little more but I'm pretty certain that after 8% plus VAT was taken off I'd have been worse off.



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[Fr J Hackett]

The important figure to look at is the net proceeds from the sale rather than the commission you pay. Plus of course a speedy and trouble free transaction. However it is worth trying to sell through Apolloduck first to see what enquiries you can generate. However getting enquiries is the easy bit and converting to done deals is what you pay a broker for.

In my very limited experience both as a buyer and seller apart from the advertisement, description which the vendor generally supplies and photographs the broker does no "selling" either the customer buys or doesn't if he buys then the broker does the paperwork. But actively selling to an enquirer no!