Unfair to brokers?

pessimist

pessimist

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Serious question.

Health problems are making it increasingly difficult for us to enjoy our Rival 41. Steep companionway steps and fairly heavy gear amongst the problems.

We are seriously considering switching to a cat, but would obviously like to view a few before making a decision. Can't see an easy way of doing this without viewing brokerage boats. We have contacted a number of brokers and been up front with them. Not sold our boat, not a customer right now but potentially in the relatively near future. We've received no replies and I wonder if we are being unfair to the brokers by using this approach.

Views?
 
Hmmm I contacted a fairly large broker in your area recently to ask a question about a 42' yacht they have for sale, no reply!
 
pessimist said:
Serious question.

Health problems are making it increasingly difficult for us to enjoy our Rival 41. Steep companionway steps and fairly heavy gear amongst the problems.

We are seriously considering switching to a cat, but would obviously like to view a few before making a decision. Can't see an easy way of doing this without viewing brokerage boats. We have contacted a number of brokers and been up front with them. Not sold our boat, not a customer right now but potentially in the relatively near future. We've received no replies and I wonder if we are being unfair to the brokers by using this approach.

Views?
Click to expand...
Not sure what your problem is. If you are not in a position to buy - and declare it, unlikely you will get a strong response from any seller - broker or not. Brokers mostly provide extensive information about the boats for sale so not difficult to see what is available. The vast majority of viewers do not buy anyway, so not unreasonable to go and see one or two, but don't expect too much attention if you are not a genuine buyer. You might find it easier to view boats that are out of the water on display like a used car lot.
 
There's a multihull boat show coming up in a week or so at Haslar, Gosport. Might be your best bet to see several cats in one go.

http://www.ancastamultihulls.com/portsmouth-harbour-multihull-show-2014/

As to the brokers - I'd have thought if they had any vision they'd see that a bit of co-operation now might put a nice R41 on their books in a few months time.
 
I've had no problems with brokers responding to me, but then I've been enquiring about specific boats and I've already disposed of my last boat. I guess that they are going to be reluctant to invest time and effort into a vague enquiry, it must be difficult to sort out the true potential purchasers from those with unrealistic aspirations. Maybe a better approach is to visit some of the boat shows around the coast and do research there.
 
We went to the Multihull Centre (? Plymouth, somewhere?) a few years ago with the same idea in mind. TBH it was a bit of a dump, not much to see and IIRC we couldn't find anyone to talk to. We sailed of into the sunset.

I've always found that, if I knock on someone's hull and say that I'ld like to have a look around, they have been more than happy to welcome me on board. Most sailors enjoy showing off their boats to an appreciative audience. Where you are in Dartmouth may be a good place to view some victims to pounce upon?
.
 
pessimist said:
We have contacted a number of brokers and been up front with them. Not sold our boat, not a customer right now but potentially in the relatively near future. We've received no replies and I wonder if we are being unfair to the brokers by using this approach.

Views?
Click to expand...

Try not telling them that you are currently a tyre kicker who will almost certainly be taking up their time finding out what you like, and don't like, with little chance of buying from any individual broker.

Are you looking at web sites or adverts then asking to view particular boats, or are you merely asking if they have any cats available? If the latter, they might have none, hence the lack of response.

I quite often get emails asking if we have any houses available in Manchester - to me, it's so broad, it's a ridiculous question. All of our houses are in Manchester! However, as the sender is not to know, I usually send a reply referring them to our web site where every house is in Manchester. Sometimes, if something else is more pressing, (which is usually everything), I put it in the "to do" pile, and often it moves down the pile, rather than up it.

Have you phoned, or merely emailed?
 
In fairness to the Brokers an Email is too impersonal and very hard to sort the wheat from the chaff, plus they get masses. Much better to ring them up and speak to them and both of you can gauge how serious each side are.

I am a freelancer and its pointless sending a cv to an agent without ringing them up to draw you cv to their attention, works the same with brokers, send the email ring them up and say I sent you an email and am interested in ........ you will be far better results that way.

I am selling at the moment and I want my broker to be only talking to serious buyers.
 
davidwf said:
In fairness to the Brokers an Email is too impersonal and very hard to sort the wheat from the chaff, plus they get masses. Much better to ring them up and speak to them and both of you can gauge how serious each side are.
Click to expand...

Its their job to reply to enquiries, with the market the way it is right now I would have thought they would be delighted to be getting e-mails.

I am a freelancer and its pointless sending a cv to an agent without ringing them up to draw you cv to their attention, works the same with brokers, send the email ring them up and say I sent you an email and am interested in ........ you will be far better results that way.
Click to expand...

That's the exact opposite, as a freelancer you are selling yourself to the agent, a broker should be trying to sell the boat to the person enquiring.

I am selling at the moment and I want my broker to be only talking to serious buyers.
Click to expand...

By not replying to people you miss out on plenty of serious buyers. Its been discussed many times on here...but its 2014 not 1970, many people prefer to communicate via e-mail, if a broker doesn't reply, as there are generally plenty of boats out there its very easy for the buyer to simply move onto the next one.

As to the original poster, personally I would view as many boats as possible, seem serious, ask the right questions, only one broker can make the sale and it may not be the first time you see the boat, but if they are half decent and are selling a good boat then if they treat you well, when you come to buy it may be their boat you buy.

The attitude that persists on here, that brokers shouldn't have their time wasted by potential buyers is pretty amazing frankly! Without buyers they would not be employed and a boat is a massive outlay for most people. Its only sensible for them to shop around and see the competition.
 
I would say it would be very difficult for a broker to reply to a general email like that - what would you expect him to say? Fine for specific queries like "is this still for sale" or asking for a specific point in clarification.

If you want more general info try a phone call. Much easier to get information, and easier for the broker to gauge your true level of interest,
 
I have not been able to reply to this thread until now due to the text box being 'greyed out'-obviously OK now.
I had a similar response when contacting a Broker and asked for advice from this forum last month.I followed the advice and phoned the Broker.This resulted in an extreamly usefull,educational and enjoyable day in the company of the Broker and it basically ticked all the boxes I wanted.I got to see the boat that I am primerily interested in plus got to view many more 'while I was there'.I have not bought the boat in mind yet,but the Broker was most helpfull and I will be getting back to them.
Try contacting Multihull World in Emsworth and ask to speak to Ryan.Please give him my regards when you do.
Please mention that I reffered you-it may not help you,but may help me.
Happy boat hunting:encouragement:
Cheers
 
Going back to the first part of the OP, should I get a cat?

You will of course expect me to say yes.... Indeed we went "flat" because First Officer has arthritis in her hips and stqnding on an inclined deck was about to put an end to all our sailing.

The question becomes one of size style .etc. Again as with half boats there is no single answer. Cats are more espensive because there us a lot more boat .. as in two boats ? They are espensive to moor and dry out. Indeed there are only three places we get Tomahawk out the water on the East Coat.. so it does get more difficult.

As to the sailing.. Again it is horses and courses. The majority of cats are sold at boatshows to the women as floating caravans. They have high standing room and lots of roomy cabins in the hulls.. This makes them sail like dogs to windward. But a gentleman does not sail to windward.:encouragement:..

One big difference is the sailing motion. Cats pitch a lot more than mono's. This film of last years ralley in La Grande Motte shows the movement comon to all cats.

I just wish we had made it!!
PS, that speed is standardoin an Outremer!!
 
I'm still waiting for three brokers to finish their tea (5 days). One said he would send details, the second was going away for a few days and has yet to reply to my detailed email and the third has yet to respond to my telephone call asking for a viewing. A thread of this forum has suggested that they get 8% commission. If so, why?
 
Slightly different, but we have been considering buying a house in Port Solent, one with a berth at the bottom of the garden. We explained to the agent (Waterside) that we were not in the market right now, but wanted to get a feel for the houses. They were most obliging, and showed us around one that was for sale, but no longer lived in. They were most helpful. By the way, the house was far too small, even though we are looking to downsize.
 
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