Internet brokers useless

[mbroom]

I am still searching for a boat.... On the web are the giant broker conglomerates, such as yachtshed, boat world, news slow, boats 12.5 etc etc.

I am sure that they are technically wonderful sites, but for the past month, whenever I put in a request for information and more photos on a boat... I get nothing in response. I really want to buy a boat in the near future, but am most frustrated with these sites. I know that many yacht brokers have a poor reputation, but this is the pits.

Not to mention out of focus photos on many listings:ambivalence:

Are these sites genuine?

 

[Gwylan]

Try Precious Marine.

 

[Daverw]

If you find a boat you want to look at, we had the same issue, slow communication and potential viewing to be atrranged 2 months later as the brokers were busy, we searched the boat name and location and managed to track down the owner direct, we did then manage to sort purchase with them. They were totally unaware of the issues with the brokerage and made this clear after they had withdrawn the boat and sold it to us.

 

[jwilson]

What are you looking for?

https://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/
* no out of focus pictures, and we'll answer your emails

 

[mbroom]

What are you looking for?

https://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/
* no out of focus pictures, and we'll answer your emails

Thank you. However when I look at your site, over half the boats are sold or no longer available. But at least all pics are in focus!

 

[mbroom]

If you find a boat you want to look at, we had the same issue, slow communication and potential viewing to be atrranged 2 months later as the brokers were busy, we searched the boat name and location and managed to track down the owner direct, we did then manage to sort purchase with them. They were totally unaware of the issues with the brokerage and made this clear after they had withdrawn the boat and sold it to us.

Yep, the very problem. I am trying to throw money at someone, but they just do not want to know.

I know very little about business, but when a potential customer emails with a query or a request for more information, then I would think that a reply was in order.

 

[Kelpie]

Both times I've bought a boat, and the one time we've sold one, it's been done privately.
I actually see it as a major advantage when a boat is privately listed- you get to speak to someone who actually knows what they are talking about.
The last boat I viewed I had to start explaining things about it to the broker because I'd done more research than he had!

 

[Resolution]

Yep, the very problem. I am trying to throw money at someone, but they just do not want to know.

I know very little about business, but when a potential customer emails with a query or a request for more information, then I would think that a reply was in order.

Mbroom
Certainly if a broker is advertising a product for sale they should respond to an inquiry from any potential customer.
I wonder if the problem is the amount of money that you say you are "trying to throw"? You haven't said on this thread what type of boat you are looking for, but on other threads you have IIRC mentioned Anderson 22s and Etap21s. So probably your budget is £5,000 to £10,000. At a customary 5% brokerage this indicates a gross brokerage commission of £250 to £500. That's gross, before the broker's operating expenses and overheads. This must be bottom feeding for most businesses, really difficult to see how one could make a business worth while. How many leads would you chase for £250 gross revenue?
Begs the question of why any broker would list a yacht of such modest value.

 

[oldharry]

Maybe, but if they accept the business then I would expecta reasonable response time regardless of the value. Yes I can accept that a boat worth £500k will take priority over one worth £5k, but even so...

 

[[3889]]

?
Begs the question of why any broker would list a yacht of such modest value.

Or perhaps why brokers charge % rather than a series of fixed fees depending on how much effort the owner expects to be put into the sale?

 

[Praxinoscope]

Recently bought and sold using Apolloduck, looked at using a broker but the fees put me off.
Both buying and selling went very quickly and smoothly with no problems.
Maybe a broker if at the higher end of the market, but at the lower or average end of the market, Apolloduck seems to be a very sensible option.

 

[prv]

For what it's worth we had perfectly decent service from Boatshed, both buying and selling. It is a franchise, though, so this will depend on the particular local broker.

Pete

 

[mbroom]

Mbroom
Certainly if a broker is advertising a product for sale they should respond to an inquiry from any potential customer.
I wonder if the problem is the amount of money that you say you are "trying to throw"? You haven't said on this thread what type of boat you are looking for, but on other threads you have IIRC mentioned Anderson 22s and Etap21s. So probably your budget is £5,000 to £10,000. At a customary 5% brokerage this indicates a gross brokerage commission of £250 to £500. That's gross, before the broker's operating expenses and overheads. This must be bottom feeding for most businesses, really difficult to see how one could make a business worth while. How many leads would you chase for £250 gross revenue?
Begs the question of why any broker would list a yacht of such modest value.

But they do list them. Budget is 15k to 20k... Must be tough sending a short 5 minute email for only £250 potential profit... I am in the wrong job?

 

[pagoda]

But they do list them. Budget is 15k to 20k... Must be tough sending a short 5 minute email for only £250 potential profit... I am in the wrong job��

I think at the lower end of the that range - should one not be just buying privately?

We sold our previous boat through Boatshed, with success after 10 weeks or so. Realistically priced as we wanted a sale. The Boatshed folk were good - in my opinion and followed up on the likely purchaser with diligence. We were charged 6%- about the going rate at the time.

 

[iLens]

Don't forget to check eBay, and I'd also recommend Boatshed

 

[ithet]

But they do list them. Budget is 15k to 20k... Must be tough sending a short 5 minute email for only £250 potential profit... I am in the wrong job

When I sold in this range two years ago, the only broker I approached quoted 6% but with £1500 minimum commission, is this not typical? In the event I sold privately (adverts on B&O and Apollo Duck linked to a one page website I created).

 

[Tranona]

But they do list them. Budget is 15k to 20k... Must be tough sending a short 5 minute email for only £250 potential profit... I am in the wrong job

But it is not "profit" it is income. Realistically no profit from that sort of commision payment. Rather more cost involved than just sending an email. Does not excuse not responding as if the broker takes the listing he should provide the service.

Just because you refer to them as internet brokers does not mean their costs are lower. what the internet does is give wider coverage for a given cost. However most of the cost and effort comes from turning the enquiry into a sale which is fundamentally the same no matter where the enquiry comes from.

 

[mbroom]

Some interesting replies. I admit that I have no business experience... But once one has a brokerage office (whether “real” or totally online), then the cost of selling a “cheap” boat (which can be more than a years wages for many) must be very little. A few poor photos, a few emails to say if it is still available, then a viewing. I am not looking for extensive correspondence, just a short message to say if the boat is still available, and then sort out a viewing date. I do not want to travel to see a boat and find that it was sold 3 weeks ago!

 

[shan]

Not trying to state the obvious but have you thought about picking up the phone and calling the brokerage? They might take you more seriously.

 

[moomba]

Not trying to state the obvious but have you thought about picking up the phone and calling the brokerage? They might take you more seriously.

+1 got on the phone to Sunbird Int. asked to see the boat made an appointment to suit me went down Broker was their no issues took me to the boat and answered questions , also was realistic in the price and was the price I would have offered in my mind , worked hard with the seller to take my price as this was more realistic as boat needed some serious TLC.
All good no issues , I am afraid in any walk of life their are good and bad, we just tend not to talk about the good,only the bad and the Ugly.