Terrible sale photos...why??

henryf said:
This falls into the jigsaw category. I have to try and piece together random segments of boat to try and get some sort of idea as to what is for sale. On their own some of the photos are quite good as images but just to use as a couple of fill in stylish detail shots. I need to see the overall context, but you can't do that on a mobile phone.

I started to look but then gave up because it was too difficult.

Henry :)
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Whilst I agree that good quality photos of relevant parts of the boat are a must, I do think this is a bit picky. I thought this particular add was well done and would certainly encourage me to make an inspection visit. I suspect the majority of buyers have already done their home work and are broadly aware of the layout and flow of the boats that interest them. Given how rare well kept examples of certain models appear to be it would be foolish to not visit a boat because you are critical of the photography.
 
NGM said:
Whilst I agree that good quality photos of relevant parts of the boat are a must, I do think this is a bit picky. I thought this particular add was well done and would certainly encourage me to make an inspection visit. I suspect the majority of buyers have already done their home work and are broadly aware of the layout and flow of the boats that interest them. Given how rare well kept examples of certain models appear to be it would be foolish to not visit a boat because you are critical of the photography.
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More so if it’s a rare boat .
When I was looking and nailed it down ( rightly or wrongly) to a specific modal of which only approx 21 were built and only two on the market the quality of the pics really did not effect my actions .
An e mail dialogue was started between the two brokers , one in Naples other in Athens .That progresses to telephone conversations, then a viewing and sea trail .
At the time with the Greek banking crisis, remember folks being shot in the street, circa last 2014 , I ended up viewing the poorer photographed boat .I did request some additional pics and the broker local to the boat kindly sent them from his phone , you know anchor locker , fuel tanks and under floor panels - boring uninteresting stuff that you are never gonna see in someone’s 12 or 23 staged pics .
Unfortunately the better presented by pic quality and broker add did not quite work for the Athens boat .Or course stuck at the far end of the med it needed to be a top quality PR and marketing excerise and it worked hooking interest .
That boat took 2 years to shift .
The one I bought had all of the above pic wise folks are critical of , last time it was sold , some in storage in a hanger 2 1/2 years , some recent , a few with bikinis hanging up , one with a sink full of pots etc etc .

I sort of saw past all that on the pics and realised they were a motley collection .
As the broker was the only person that ever did all the transactions on it , new to 1st , 1st to 2nd and then 2nd to me .

Tbo it was a pleasant surprise condition wise at the viewing as there was a full time skipper looking after it .
 
Great thread judging by recent experiences.

Decided to sell our boat last summer via the local broker (franchise)
He insisted on taking his own photos, showing some weird views (one directly down the toilet?), side decks at deck level, close-up of anchor winch, but only one shot inside?
Result - Nada, zilch zip, even the one enquiry we passed to him fizzled out through lack of response.
Bear in mind this was during July / August of a hot summer... prime time.

Decided to do our own photos (I was a photographer in a previous life and SWMBO is a marketing director) and write the copy. Placed with another Broker 200 miles away - Result sold unseen (but surveyed) within a month (Jan/Feb)
Agree with earlier comments about selling the life - Shots at anchor off a sunny beach, Cockpit in the sunshine with lunch/wine on the table etc etc

Some brokers, I'm sure just don't want to try.
Credit where it's due Sian and James at Ancasta in Plymouth were excellent, top notch, proactive, switched on and generally brilliant to deal with.
 
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NGM said:
Whilst I agree that good quality photos of relevant parts of the boat are a must, I do think this is a bit picky. I thought this particular add was well done and would certainly encourage me to make an inspection visit. I suspect the majority of buyers have already done their home work and are broadly aware of the layout and flow of the boats that interest them. Given how rare well kept examples of certain models appear to be it would be foolish to not visit a boat because you are critical of the photography.
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Maybe but I'm a potential buyer so why alienate me for the sake of a few pounds worth of equipment? There is just no reason to put up barriers. I'm not even asking for obscure photos inside cupboards, under bilges and so on, I'll have a good poke around when I come to look, I just want to be able to understand the layout of the boat easily rather than having to complete a MENSA challenge.

But hey, no skin off my nose....
 
petem said:
I think effort is more important than what type of camera you use. Take this example...

https://youtu.be/o9AlwADbwlw
https://youtu.be/K6Ugv2qby0c

...from this ad http://www.jamesdickensmarine.com/brokerage/Powerboats/EllingE3Monte.htm.

Now James Dickens isn't going to win any prizes for cinematography, website design or even spelling but he makes an effort to work with clients to prepare the boats for sale, he knows what he's talking about and is enthusiastic. I would defy anyone to decline to view the boat just because the photos or video were taken with a phone.
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I have to agree, not least as we bought through him.
 
henryf said:
Maybe but I'm a potential buyer so why alienate me for the sake of a few pounds worth of equipment? There is just no reason to put up barriers. I'm not even asking for obscure photos inside cupboards, under bilges and so on, I'll have a good poke around when I come to look, I just want to be able to understand the layout of the boat easily rather than having to complete a MENSA challenge.

But hey, no skin off my nose....
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boat layout = MENSA challenge, blimey Henry !!
 
We are thinking of downsizing from our current boat and have been surfing, Interested in a Princess 42. None of the sites I have looked at are anywhere as good as yours Henry. Why only put up 8 pictures?
 
Chill said:
We are thinking of downsizing from our current boat and have been surfing, Interested in a Princess 42. None of the sites I have looked at are anywhere as good as yours Henry. Why only put up 8 pictures?
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Strange, I could see 68 hi-def pictures on Henry's site? Very good ad too.:encouragement:
 
henryf said:
Money where my mouth is time.

Remember I don't sell boats for a living, I'm not an expert. My efforts should look rubbish compared to a professional broker. Also keep in mind this was produced 5 or 6 years ago and technology has moved on. The boat is not for sale, it sold quickly.
I

Click here to see my home made boat advert

Henry :)
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LOL ... but you do sell ‘look and emotion’ items for a living, H and your ads are beautifully shot with thoughtful and interesting copy ?
 
NGM said:
boat layout = MENSA challenge, blimey Henry !!
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Trying to link random views of individual pieces into an overall view is difficult. It’s a really common problem on boats due to their relatively small size. The frustrating thing from my perspective is that the solution is a really simple one and relatively cheap in terms of investment if you are going to set your stall out as a broker.

Your local mechanic will be spending vastly more on their tools than you need to spend on the right camera equipment. What makes things worse is the level of remuneration expected for brokering a boat. I haven’t looked for some time but 6 years ago it was around 8% from memory. On a £200k boat that’s over £15,000 and people are resistant to investing £1,500.

The stuff we sell is often owned outright by us, when it isn’t we don’t differentiate and we wouldn’t involve ourselves in something we weren’t happy with in terms of condition or pricing. The comparison between brokers and estate agents is a valid one. It’s interesting to see how well some agents embrace the opportunity. Many hire in the services of a professional when commission rates reach those enjoyed by boat brokers - not many estate agents get away with 8% !

Anyway, I still maintain that good images are essential to sell boats. Particularly when the boat in question is good it makes the job so much easier. It does take time though, you can’t just wander round for 30 minutes with your mobile phone.

Henry :)
 
henryf said:
Money where my mouth is time.

Remember I don't sell boats for a living, I'm not an expert. My efforts should look rubbish compared to a professional broker. Also keep in mind this was produced 5 or 6 years ago and technology has moved on. The boat is not for sale, it sold quickly.


Click here to see my home made boat advert

Henry :)
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Henry, you're barking up the wrong tree if you're trying to illustrate how good your photography skills are because we already know that you take great photos!

But the point that I'm trying to make is that for most people, perfect photos aren't the be all and end all of selling boats. I'd much rather buy from a knowledgeable and keen broker using a phone to take photos of a well presented boat than some wide boy who can take beautiful photos.
 
petem said:
Henry, you're barking up the wrong tree if you're trying to illustrate how good your photography skills are because we already know that you take great photos!

But the point that I'm trying to make is that for most people, perfect photos aren't the be all and end all of selling boats. I'd much rather buy from a knowledgeable and keen broker using a phone to take photos of a well presented boat than some wide boy who can take beautiful photos.
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Given the constant moaning on here regarding brokers not getting back in touch or not knowing / lying about the condition do you not think decent photos are a good idea? What's the downside of having good photos? Exactly, there isn't one so get some out there.

Actually there is a downside, it means you're less likely to bag a bargain that's been badly presented and so no one inquires about it but that's hardly what the owner (who pays the broker's fees) wants to hear.

The other thing about taking good photos is it organises you to present the boat properly.

I'm sorry, I can not agree that in this day and age it is acceptable for someone not to have great images on their website when selling a boat of reasonable value.

Even now looking at our old P42 advert I'd buy the boat off myself. It excites me looking at the photos and that means it excites the buyer. Before they go to see the boat they are being sold to, when they get back after a viewing and look at the photos they are being sold to, when they get back from viewing the competition and look at the photos of your boat they are being sold to.

Where do you draw the line? Why have photos at all? Why not just use a couple of stock images and a few lines of text followed by call us for more info....?

Henry :)
 
It makes a difference. Pete I don't see how you can say it doesn't.

It might not if you are local and looking for that model. If not local you need a decent ides of what you are going to see. You know the price, if you feel the price and condition don't match then have that discussion pre getting on the plane.

Window shopping - oh that looks nice - have not considered a XXXXX lets take a look.

Estate agents sub out photo work. It is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. I had my house done, floor plan 15 or so pictures all with post production clear blue sky added etc £150. Nothing special that is the going rate, they do it day in day out.

I could not take similar pics, nor could I do the floorpan. I did ask if he did boats - he said yes from time to time.
 
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