Whats the views on sharing your experience had with bad brokers?

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mattysupra

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Hi all, had a very bad experience buying a boat. Wasn't going to share but getting emails a week later (after i decided to walk) from the broker. I don't want anyone to have same experience ( he is already listed with finance companies and Lawyers as not to deal with) . Should I post up emails for all to see and decide if i was out of order? If the broker is wrong? Which forum (if you agree I should name and shame) should i post in ?
 
When I lived and sailed in UK ... I ended up with a list of Brokers - Insurance and Sales / Surveyors I would not touch with a proverbial barge pole. I never posted any names on forum back that time, (I was here long before the date at left ... that was an error by admin when Forum was restarted many years ago) ... and I don't think its good to publicly post ...

But if anyone should wish to know - they should PM you and then its purely your private chat ..
 
Refueler said:
When I lived and sailed in UK ... I ended up with a list of Brokers - Insurance and Sales / Surveyors I would not touch with a proverbial barge pole. I never posted any names on forum back that time, (I was here long before the date at left ... that was an error by admin when Forum was restarted many years ago) ... and I don't think its good to publicly post ...

But if anyone should wish to know - they should PM you and then its purely your private chat ..
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What if you could save lots of money (wasted in surveys etc) to find out the broker is no good? To find out they lie and so on? Someone posting up could save you money , in my case thousands.
 
In my case, for example, the Lawyer stopped me paying £10,000 deposit we would not have got back when he pointed out the contract was no good. Even with no deposit paid, im still a good £5k minimum out of pocket.
 
mattysupra said:
What if you could save lots of money (wasted in surveys etc) to find out the broker is no good? To find out they lie and so on? Someone posting up could save you money , in my case thousands.
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I agree that there are cases that need to be aired .... but generally I am wary because you have no idea of what reaction is of the accused. I know that there was a case many years ago and I am reasonably sure it was on YBW - that a thread stating bad practice was deleted by YBW and we were advised it was not accepted to Name and Shame.

I remember also that I was advised not to Name and Shame the Insurance Broker I had serious issues with.

In the case of that 5K lost / Lawyer advising you - I would think that posting the reasons it was bad and how to look for similar to avoid without naming the broker would be sufficient ? I appreciate your view though ..

I posted on another thread about a well known Surveyor who conned a widower when she sold her deceased husbands Westerly Pageant. But I did not name the Surveyor. But all details were there ...
 
I can name at least three so called surveyors that are banned from any boats I may ever own, but I have chosen not to name them on here. If a would be buyer doesn't like me placing a restriction on these idiots then he would be at liberty to walk away from a sale, and my preference (requirement) these people do not step foot on my boat would be explained as early in the sale offer and acceptance process as was reasonable and practical.

I am fortunate to have had less poor experience from brokers, indeed I can sing the praises of several with whom I have conducted very successful transactions both as buyer and seller.
 
mattysupra said:
Hi all, had a very bad experience buying a boat. Wasn't going to share but getting emails a week later (after i decided to walk) from the broker. I don't want anyone to have same experience ( he is already listed with finance companies and Lawyers as not to deal with) . Should I post up emails for all to see and decide if i was out of order? If the broker is wrong? Which forum (if you agree I should name and shame) should i post in ?
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I’d be interested to hear via pm who they are .
 
Some brokers are on the same level as a dodgy used car dealers,
I bought a boat 4 months ago from a company who sell new boats, used boats and brokerage boats, you would think i was in safe hands,
i was being told by the dealer the said boat was a brokerage boat,
but what they did'nt know was i new the lady that put the boat in part exchange, I even new the numbers, they owned the boat and feed me lots of bs.
they finished off with forged signatures and the wrong address on he title deed.
i never blew cover. i kept it as an ace up my sleeve.
 
rather than name & shame a broker - whose staff or contracts may change for the better in future - perhaps it's better to say what was specifically wrong (and would be wrong from any broker not just the one named), e.g. what was the problem with the contract in this case. This leaves people better armed for the future.
 
sorabain said:
rather than name & shame a broker - whose staff or contracts may change for the better in future - perhaps it's better to say what was specifically wrong (and would be wrong from any broker not just the one named), e.g. what was the problem with the contract in this case. This leaves people better armed for the future.
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Exactly ... see post #5
 
I had a very poor experience with a broker 2.5 years ago which caused me a lot of bother. The problems were caused by incompetence and arrogance rather than dishonesty and I only got it sorted when I complained to the professional body to which they're attached. I would strongly recommend anyone - seller or buyer - to steer clear of this broker and I named them on this forum - Williams and Smithells in Lefkas.
 
Irish Rover said:
I had a very poor experience with a broker 2.5 years ago which caused me a lot of bother. The problems were caused by incompetence and arrogance rather than dishonesty and I only got it sorted when I complained to the professional body to which they're attached. I would strongly recommend anyone - seller or buyer - to steer clear of this broker and I named them on this forum - Williams and Smithells in Lefkas.
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With regard to Professional Bodies ..... be careful as there are very few official professional bodies in this - but self governing self appointed bodies ... pays yer money ... do as they say ... get a fancy certificate on the wall ...
 
Refueler said:
With regard to Professional Bodies ..... be careful as there are very few official professional bodies in this - but self governing self appointed bodies ... pays yer money ... do as they say ... get a fancy certificate on the wall ...
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I couldn't praise highly enough the assistance I got from the ABYA and the matter was handled personally by the Chief Executive. Despite what you say I don't believe any reputable professional body will stand over a broker member when they are clearly out of line, as was the case in my instance.
 
Irish Rover said:
I couldn't praise highly enough the assistance I got from the ABYA and the matter was handled personally by the Chief Executive. Despite what you say I don't believe any reputable professional body will stand over a broker member when they are clearly out of line, as was the case in my instance.
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Most times I would agree ... and I am glad they helped you. But its not always the case.

You say Professional Body ... where do they get their 'Professional status' from ?

If you say YBDSA / ABYA etc. - check the real background and how formed ... not the sales pitch.
 
Refueler said:
Most times I would agree ... and I am glad they helped you. But its not always the case.

You say Professional Body ... where do they get their 'Professional status' from ?

If you say YBDSA / ABYA etc. - check the real background and how formed ... not the sales pitch.
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Most professional bodies are self regulating but that doesn't mean they're ineffective. The disciplinary panels are usually made up of officers and members and it quickly becomes known when a member is the subject of a formal complaint. The stigma of this happening is a huge incentive for the member to get a complaint resolved informally and thats where mediation through a full time executive can get rapid results. It's not a perfect system but I believe it can work for most complainants and is definitely preferable to doing nothing or issuing legal proceedings. If it hadn't worked for me I was prepared to go the legal route but who needs that headache and expense if it can be avoided.
 
Irish Rover said:
Most professional bodies are self regulating but that doesn't mean they're ineffective. The disciplinary panels are usually made up of officers and members and it quickly becomes known when a member is the subject of a formal complaint. The stigma of this happening is a huge incentive for the member to get a complaint resolved informally and thats where mediation through a full time executive can get rapid results. It's not a perfect system but I believe it can work for most complainants and is definitely preferable to doing nothing or issuing legal proceedings. If it hadn't worked for me I was prepared to go the legal route but who needs that headache and expense if it can be avoided.
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Don't misunderstand me ... I am in a profession that has such bodies. The saving grace for such as I follow are they are truly international based.

IFIA .... ASTM .... EI (Formerly IP) .... APCS

When well run and structured - I completely agree and often avoids the BS that Governmental Bodies can have.

But I have seen some awful examples in the past of 'protectionism'. One body in UK in particular and it involves yachting. I will not name as previously years ago - I was asked not to name and shame by YBW.
 
Enough drift, I think. Back to the OP. Clearly you have to be careful not to say anything defamatory which you cannot 100% stand over but, if you're sure of your facts and not afraid of legal proceedings then NAME AND SHAME. By the same token we all need to be careful we don't use the forum or other social media to air petty gripes in a way that can damage someone's business and livelihood. I was happy to name Williams & Smithells, Levkas, as I have done before on the forum, and would be more than happy to deal with any form of response from them.
 
FARSCO said:
Post your emails with identifiable info removed...then it’s a discussion on the points you want opinions on ?
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Exactly .... its not only the poster who can find repurcussions if named takes action - its YBW forum Admin as well for allowing it to be publicised.
As was explained years ago to us on the old forum - YBW or any Forum in fact has no way to verify claims and therefore must take the safe path of saying no Name and Shame. But posting facts for 'educating' readers without naming is perfectly acceptable. That way the information is promulgated without the legal side issues.
 
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