What do you offer (money wise) for the boat

[Cactus Sailing]

So where do you start with your first offer on the boat, iv found a boat it's in good condition, long story short I was thinking of offering 20% below the asking price based on there are other boats same model and spec a little cheaper just further away and also it's been for sale for 3 months

I don't want to overpay but equally I don't want to put in a stupid low offer so I'm confused any help appreciated

 

[Tranona]

Just offer what you think the boat is worth to you. Do your research first to see what others are asking for similar boats and what else you could buy with your money.

There is no definitive fixed price for a used boat - only what the buyer and seller are happy with.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Agree with Tranona really but wouldn't be worried about offering too low - the seller will soon tell you if it's not enough.

 

[Freebee]

make any offer that suits you, then see what the owner says -possibly you need to have reasons why your offer is low ready to tell the owner he will come back with a counter suggestion and you can make your next offer. but always be prepared to walk away.even if you do you go home to think about it and then make another offer. Unless the boat is really nice he wont have that many queueing up to buy.

I dont know how you would finance the purchase but sometimes the appearance of the deposit in cash is a powerful pursuader.

 

[Poignard]

Don't worry about your offer appearing stupid. If the seller isn't able to decline an offer politely, would you want to deal with him anyway?

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Often easier to give low offers if you're dealing with a broker. For them its a deal and they understand deals more than an emotionally attached owner. Equally, I've known brokers who were quite blunt if they didn't like an offer but at least you know where you are.

 

[[70521]]

I have only ever made on off on both boats that I have owned. The value of the boat to me, the seller can accept of reject the offer. Really not into all this haggling as life is too short, and there are a lot of second hand boats out there.

 

[GrahamM376]

Just offer what you think the boat is worth to you. Do your research first to see what others are asking for similar boats and what else you could buy with your money.

There is no definitive fixed price for a used boat - only what the buyer and seller are happy with.

Level and age of equipment/electronics and state of sails also worth considering. Much money can be spent after purchase in some cases.

 

[Tranona]

Level and age of equipment/electronics and state of sails also worth considering. Much money can be spent after purchase in some cases.

Yes, although some people have difficulty in accepting that a used boat is, well, used and don't expect everything to be perfect. Not difficult to tot up a £20k wish list on even a modest used boat. So you have to factor in any expenditure for replacing items that are not functional of unsafe to make the boat usable - if that is what you want. If you want everything to be usable with a long service life and no immediate expenditure you have to accept the price will be higher or even you need to look at a different kind of boat.

 

[Cactus Sailing]

cheers all, made an offer in the end unfortunately the guy is sticking to his guns, while emotionally I really want the boat it just don't make financial sense given the out of date life raft, fire extinguishes engine serving / age of the sails - when I prompted this all to the broker they thought it was a fair offer so at least I know i'm in the right ball park.

off to view another on Saturday priced exactly what I offered this guy, same boat, & spec, just further away (ironically same broker too...)

 

[Freebee]

keep your eye on the first one sometimes its surprising how given a little time a low offer becomes acceptable

 

[Cactus Sailing]

keep your eye on the first one sometimes its surprising how given a little time a low offer becomes acceptable

yeah, I told the broker "well the offer is there until I buy another boat, give me a call if he changes his mind "

 

[Biggles Wader]

If you have several similar boats to look at you effectively have a dutch auction putting you in a very strong position.The keenest seller gets the deal.
I'm guessing the owner of boat one,on the market for only three months has yet to realise what "buyers market" means these days.

 

[superheat6k]

yeah, I told the broker "well the offer is there until I buy another boat, give me a call if he changes his mind "

I would be careful with this statement.

You have made an offer and the seller has rejected it - you are entitled to rescind the offer at that point. Whereas I understand your sentiment, I would couch the word "offer" instead with "well I am still interested and you know the sort of price I would be considering". Just as he has rejected your offer, should he wish to re-approach you are at liberty to re-open negotiations, and now from a seller who wants your attention (and cash !), and this might not have to be at the prior offer price, after all circumstances may well have changed, e.g. he is faced owning a boat he doesn't want for a long cold Winter.

I completely ignore the demeaning comments of brokers - of course they will be disparaging, their commission depends upon attaining a higher price. They are obliged to pass on any offer to their client, and some do not like hearing explained the blooming obvious when it comes to their pride and joy's value, but then reality slowly dawns when the queue of people waiting their chance to buy has not materialised.

If of course the boat is worth more than this then someone else will buy it, in which case best of luck to them.

I have bought my last two boat based upon an indication I expressed of what I thought the boat was worth, nothing to do with the asking price. One broker thought I was taking the rise and said so, the other secured me a purchase, when I explained how I arrived at the price I did. Both boats were more or less identical in terms of model, age, condition and inventory. The second did not sell until the following year, and at a price much closer to what I paid than what was being asked.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Skylark]

Seems a bit of an archaic process. Do sellers / brokers add 20% to the price in the expectation of receiving an offer 20% below the asking price. A bit of a pointless exercise. I was pleased to read that the buyer rejected the low offer. I don't see the point is going to see a boat, wasting everyone's time, if you can't afford or aren't prepared to pay the asking price. I accept that I hold a minority view, though.

 

[oldgit]

Having just bought and sold, would suggest the following.
As seller,
the boat really does need to be in decent condition, clean dry and presentable. Apart from a few niches and a tiny section of the boating community that has no idea things have been difficult for the last ten years, it is a buyers market for the boats that most of us buy.
If somebody comes to look,you need to nail them and fast.
As buyer.
market is full of rocks ie. stuff on the brokers lists/internet which has been up for sale for ages,the owner still living in the salad days of a decade ago, knocking off the odd few hundred every so often..
Spent two weekends recently driving up the East Coast,only to look at tired worn out old dogs with ridiculous asking prices which could not even prompt an offer from me at half the asking price.
Fared a little better with a couple of Thames viewings and made an offer on a boat, owner rigidly stuck to his guns, wish him luck in selling that boat.

Finally organised a round Britain tour,with boats in Scotland,Wales,The Solent and the Midlands.
First up was to have been Scotland, rang to see if seller was interested in a ball park figure somewhat below his asking price, told no chance,boat was virtually sold etc etc,
Fine, just saved a 600 mile round trip, so off to North Wales. Even as we walked up the pontoon, knew this was the boat for us and meeting the owner merely sealed the deal.
Shook hands on price considerably below the Scottish boat.
While sitting in the Marina bar gathering strength for the journey home, get a phone call from the chap in Scotland to say he is prepared to consider my viewing his boat at the sort of money I was prepared to pay.
Just a weeny bit late mate.
As for the state of the boat market. Have never seen so many yachts/mobos left ashore on the hard standing this season, both in local yacht clubs and nearbye boat yards.

 

[Poignard]

Seems a bit of an archaic process. Do sellers / brokers add 20% to the price in the expectation of receiving an offer 20% below the asking price. A bit of a pointless exercise. I was pleased to read that the buyer rejected the low offer. I don't see the point is going to see a boat, wasting everyone's time, if you can't afford or aren't prepared to pay the asking price. I accept that I hold a minority view, though.

A very minority view!

 

[theoldsalt]

Seems a bit of an archaic process. Do sellers / brokers add 20% to the price in the expectation of receiving an offer 20% below the asking price. A bit of a pointless exercise. I was pleased to read that the buyer rejected the low offer. I don't see the point is going to see a boat, wasting everyone's time, if you can't afford or aren't prepared to pay the asking price. I accept that I hold a minority view, though.

Maybe a minority but I'm with you. Not that adding 20% to the asking price expecting a low offer is common.
I too cannot understand people travelling sometimes hundreds of miles to view a boat when they have no serious intention of paying (or even have the finances) anywhere near the asking price.
My boat is for sale and the only viewings I've had are from people who do not even have the money to make a low offer since they have their own boat to sell first. They do not even have the depost.
i'm certainly not going to wait months or even years until their boat is sold.
I have to travel hundreds of miles to show potential buyers my boat which costs me money. I now ensure enquirers are cash buyers and have the finances before even showing them the boat.
It's not all about the buyers, the sellers need some consideration too.
My boat is in commission and being used. Yes I could use a broker but I take pride in my boat - it is my second home and I have personal and valuable things on board so do not want loads of complete strangers going over my boat when I'm not their to look after it.

 

[Neill]

I was recently in the situation of finding a boat far away that I was interested in. The price was higher than I wanted to pay.
I made a conditional offer giving clear reasons why my price was as it was and asked if the owner was willing to consider such an offer. The broker got back to me with a yes.
I flew/drove to look at the boat, commissioned surveys and then confirmed my offer. The boat is now mine.

I feel that the asking price is irrelevant. As the buyer, you know how much you are willing to pay and that is what you offer. If the seller rejects the offer, you move on.
I would never travel any distance to look at a boat until the seller had agreed conditionally to what I was willing to pay.

 

[Poignard]

Sellers who not wish to be inconvenienced by those nuisance buyers who are unwilling to buy their boats unseen and pay the full asking price can always include in their adverts the magic words: " NO TIME WASTERS !" That's usually pretty effective.