Recommendations on selling boat (solent area)

[Adetheheat]

(My previous thread disappeared for some reason).
The yacht broker valued my boat too low for my likings.
Has anyone got any recommendations on how or where to sell and how to deal with brokers?

 

[B27]

Do brokerages still do deals for their 'used boat shows'?
Autumn deals, lower commission?

If you don't like the valuation, I would suggest studying the market fro similar boats, talking to brokers about how they arrived at the figure etc
I've sold dinghies through ApolloDuck. Looked at a few yachts on there.
Current boat was bought via Facebook marketplace.

Some makes and models are much easier to value than others.

 

[Tranona]

Deal with brokers as you would anybody else. They are "professionals" who earn their living by selling clients' boats for them. Be honest and open in seeking advice on asking price. If you think one has pitched it too low, ask for reasons first (maybe he is using his knowledge on what similar boats sell for!). Get views from other brokers.

There is no single magic way of selling boats other than the basics of preparing it well, getting it in front of potential buyers and setting an asking price that will attract offers. You can do all this yourself if you have the time and can put in the effort, or you can leave it to the professionals. Either approach works.

 

[Caer Urfa]

The only reason I would use a broker is if your boat is some distance from you for anyone wanting viewing, not to mention they will cost you around 6 to 9% commission otherwise there are a few options.

As a surveyor I see many times where so called yacht brokers give the seller a way over the top price to get them to sign with them, then I see some who must look at a book and come up with a number many times under pricing the boat for hopefully a quick turnover.

For example a number of people successfully sell through Apollo Duck (there are other sites) BUT make sure you put it in the right section for the type of boat, make a good specification and plenty of up to date photos you can advertise reasonably weekly or monthly but the best part is you do not pay any commission if you sell your boat.
Yes you need to be alert to the time wasters and do not sell no anybody that does not want at least view the boat

Good luck

 

[saxonpirate]

Years back I had one particularly nasty experience with a broker (who'll remain nameless).. Basically, someone put an offer in for my boat, I accepted, only to find the potential buyer had put in a higher offer.. the broker was going to skim the difference of nearly 2K. Fortunately for me the potential buyer turned up unexpectedly at the weekend and while chatting with my then wife.. told her what offer he'd put in. A phone call was made to the brokers secetary and on the Saturday evening I had a very ashen faced broker at my door mumbling incoherently. I was local to that broker.. I wonder how many long distance clients he'd scammed in the same way and got away with it..

After the experience above I've never used a broker since, and sold my boats through Apollo Duck or Boats and Outboards. Built FOR SALE blogs for them too which helped enormously. With lots of good photo's and a well put together write up its certainly possible to sell your own boat..