Internet Yacht Brokers

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tim_j_robinson

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Can I ask for general feedback on your experiences with internet brokers.I am involved in such a company.We are constantly trying to improve our service to our customers.We've sold more than 60 boats this season,but would like feedback on the medium in general.I understand that this forum is not here to canvass for specific commercial interest,but from the posts I read on your forums ,I'll be able to get your honest views...Thanks for taking the time to reply,if you do.

<hr width=100% size=1>Director http://www.boatmatch.com
 
Tim,

Although I did not purchase through your company I found the service you offered very good. Simon went out of his way to find me the corrcet boat, but in general I would deal with your company again. Some others not to mention I would not. So service levels depend, but in my opinion you have got the balance right.

Hagrid

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Hmmm.... a post criticising brokers commission rates by a "new user" followed the very next day by a "Hi we're Boatmatch.com"

Coincidence, or have we been here before....??

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Re: hm

it does indeed seem a bit naughty.

Nonetheless....surely internet brokers are a directory? They are like a magazine, but with keypressing instead of glossy drooling, albeit with facility to sequence boats from a database. Netty brokers aren't a "service" in the normal sense of the word. A (non-internet) broker towed in a bloke who had just bought a boat from him - internet types can't do that. Oh yes, they can find finance types, insurance types and so on - but again they are a boat directory with loose hooks to these other businesses.

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Excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between a broker who happens to advertise on the internet (Ancasta, for example) and an internet broker as per yourself, apart from the commision rates?

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There are no magic formulae, just...

Good quality customer service
Under promising and over delivering
Doing what you say you are going to do - and on time
Keep your site updated daily - its really annoying trawling through stuff thats sold
Have an automated e-mailer that matches boats to customers requirements
Make it easy for customers to do business with you
...and when you have done all this...
Youv'e earned the right to ask your customers for referral business (friends, colleagues, family)

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>
 
"Excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between a broker who happens to advertise on the internet (Ancasta, for example) and an internet broker as per yourself, apart from the commision rates? "

Fairly basic stuff I guess is a real broker will actually show people over the boat you've listed with them...

Half, no, three quarters of the point of employing a broker is to actually deal with the viewings for you so you don't have to drive to your boat 300 miles away every time someone displays an interest but upon inspecting the boat finds his wife doesn't like the curtains...

You tend to get what you pay for in this world (Or not as the case may be...)

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<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

Fairly basic stuff I guess is a real broker will actually show people over the boat you've listed with them...

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My experience a couple of years back when looking for a new boat was that rarely did brokers show us around a boat. We were far too often simply given the keys and told which berth the boat was in................


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>
 
Fair comment, perhaps I should have said "what a broker SHOULD do". As in all walks of life some are clearly worse than others.

Trick is to place your boat for sale with a good one I guess...

Doesn't help when you are buying though as you can't choose the boat based on the brokerage it is with.

Still, at least the broker is actually on site, has seen the boat, and is able to give you the keys!

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Or, when you're selling a boat through a broker, they ring you up and ask whether you would'nt mind driving 2 hrs down to the S Coast and showing a prospective buyer around your boat and then when you've sold the boat to that buyer, the broker insists he's worth all of that 8%

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What choice did I have? The broker phones me up and tells me he's got a hot prospect for my boat but he has'nt got anyone to show the buyer around. As it happened the buyer bought the boat but, just maybe, he would have gone elsewhere had I refused the broker's request.

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In answer to your question.Internet Brokers are full service brokers with international reach to boats and potential buyers.They should offer all the normal fixed location brokerage services.Internet listing sites for boats are not brokerages at all,normally charging to list.They are to be viewed as a similar route to market as perhaps Autotrader,for vehicle sales.Fixed Brokers with an internet presence,in most cases use the internet as a support tool to their business,but normally do not offer an interactive way of progressing the sale or purchase,only a shop window.

<hr width=100% size=1>Director http://www.boatmatch.com
 
<font color=blue>All I know is I placed my free advert on boatsand outboards.co.uk for my Princess 435. The following day a dude came along, looked and bought it on the spot. Since then I have had two other offers to buy one who was prepared to buy the boat unseen. If one is serious about selling then the price has to be serious too. Far too many dudes are wishful thinkers on price.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.alexander-advertising.co.uk
 
Oh Tim !!

You were defending your corner so well until this blatant bollo*. The Internet world is fundamentally different in terms of channel mangement to traditional channels.

One of the major downsides of the channel is the people who can advertise through the medium. See my earlier post about €2000 down the swanee in Monaco, AND the same boat is still for sale. An internet 'broker' who deals .....!!??

Autotrader treat their internet presence as ADDITIONAL to their hard copy. You are NOT the same business model, to claim you are is ...... while your advertising revenues to MBY are I am sure important such claims are WRONG.

You think you are exempt from blame? If 'Steve' works for you why is it he never responds to requests for additional info?

While I respect and applaud your business initiative , it is a little unfair to claim the 'holy' ground.

P.S. Even Boatmatch are not psychic and know I am a tyrekicker !!!

P.P.S. Nothing wrong with internet brokaerage!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>I am WHAT I say I am</font color=blue>
 
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