scoops
Member
I want to buy a boat. I had a list of 9 that were lying in various locations along the south coast. I contacted each of the brokers and arranged a viewing. Most said that they personally would not be able to show me around (boat show) but that they would arrange for someone else to be available. BOAT1. The very young lady (student on a temp basis) took me to where (or so she thought) the boat was berthed. It was not there. A neighbouring boat owner informed us that the owner had moved her to Portsmouth. The owner had omitted to tell the broker. The broker didn’t check with the owner.
BOAT2. The broker, very lacking in personality, after showing me the boat I had gone to view, informed me of a Feeling 326 that was on his books that was lying at the Hamble. I am sure this piece of info was as a result of me telling him my next viewing was a Feeling. But he didn’t ask any questions or volunteer to look out any other boats that he thought may be suitable.
BOAT 3. Mmmm interesting this bit. Arrived at the brokers. The secretary informed me that the boat was unlocked and that I could get aboard as the Surveyor was already onboard. Surveyor? What I Surveyor? Not mine. After a chat with said gent he informed me that he was surveying for a potential customer. Why hadn’t the broker informed me of this 2 days previously when I arranged to view?. Whilst in the office, I picked up details of 2 others boats. The secretary was unable to give me any info on either of them but handed me the keys to one, but the keys for the other could not be found. Perhaps it has been sold/moved I suggested. Oh no came the reply. I wandered on to the hard, by myself. There were ladders lashed to all the other boats that were for sale with the brokerage except for the one I wanted to view. No one around, and no one in the office to hump a very heavy big ladder for me. As for the other boat with the missing keys? Couldn’t find it!
BOAT4 Upon arrival at the brokers I was informed the boat I wanted to view was unlocked, I could wander around myself. He remained in the office.
In between all this, the broker who I was due to meet the next day called to say he couldn’t meet me because he had been called to the boat show and as the secretary couldn’t leave the office there would be no-one to show me the boat. Seeing as it seems to be broker policy to leave boats unlocked, I called back the next morning, and asked if there was any way I could view the boat as I was in the area anyway? She put me through to the broker, who in fact was not going to the show and he could show me the boat after all.
My next days viewings were not quite as fraught. Two brokers were extremely professional , (they even shook my hand!!!!)asked me lots of questions, what was I looking for, what was my budget etc. and were able to answer all of mine. Whereas another couldn’t answer any of my questions when he showed me the boat.
So what is this brokerage biz all about then? Put boat details on a website, fill the office with pictures and specs and then sit back and make the customer do the rest.? Bit like estate agents I reckon. And as for leaving boats unlocked? I could have lifted all sorts of equipment from the boats I look at unescorted, and you know what? - no one would have been any the wiser!. One of the boats was a real mess. Cushions upended and stuff left laying around. The broker informed me that if I wished to do a second viewing he would come down before hand and “tidy her up a bit“. It also amazed me the lack of knowledge these guys had about the boat. Simple questions like “why is she for sale, how long has she been on the market? Has there been much interest? Does she come with everything on my spec list, what is her history” could not be answered. I was also amazed at the condition owners leave their boats in when they put them on the market. Dirty, (one boat stunk of cigs and the headlinings were yellow and it was generally very grubby), another looked like the Marie Celeste, tools and beer cans left laying around - looked like the owner had just popped out for a minute. I do not think for one minute that it is the brokers responsibility to clean and tidy a boat, that, I feel is what the owner should do, but I do think that when a broker knows of a viewing he should check all is well with the boat and be armed with as much information as is available to him and if that is not a lot then contact the owner and get more.. None of the brokers made any effort to give me details of any other boats that they thought may fit my criteria. They just didn’t seem bothered or interested. I wonder if this is because I am a female and didn’t have a male in tow? One broker said he looked forward to meeting me and my husband! No, there is no husband -it’s just me. Oh I see came the reply. I am a serious buyer. I live on an island so have to maximise the time I have available to view. Having done all the hard work myself- (spent hours trawling websites, making calls, and then travelling to various locations ) I do expect these guys to take me seriously and do what YOU, the boat seller pays them to do!!!
BOAT2. The broker, very lacking in personality, after showing me the boat I had gone to view, informed me of a Feeling 326 that was on his books that was lying at the Hamble. I am sure this piece of info was as a result of me telling him my next viewing was a Feeling. But he didn’t ask any questions or volunteer to look out any other boats that he thought may be suitable.
BOAT 3. Mmmm interesting this bit. Arrived at the brokers. The secretary informed me that the boat was unlocked and that I could get aboard as the Surveyor was already onboard. Surveyor? What I Surveyor? Not mine. After a chat with said gent he informed me that he was surveying for a potential customer. Why hadn’t the broker informed me of this 2 days previously when I arranged to view?. Whilst in the office, I picked up details of 2 others boats. The secretary was unable to give me any info on either of them but handed me the keys to one, but the keys for the other could not be found. Perhaps it has been sold/moved I suggested. Oh no came the reply. I wandered on to the hard, by myself. There were ladders lashed to all the other boats that were for sale with the brokerage except for the one I wanted to view. No one around, and no one in the office to hump a very heavy big ladder for me. As for the other boat with the missing keys? Couldn’t find it!
BOAT4 Upon arrival at the brokers I was informed the boat I wanted to view was unlocked, I could wander around myself. He remained in the office.
In between all this, the broker who I was due to meet the next day called to say he couldn’t meet me because he had been called to the boat show and as the secretary couldn’t leave the office there would be no-one to show me the boat. Seeing as it seems to be broker policy to leave boats unlocked, I called back the next morning, and asked if there was any way I could view the boat as I was in the area anyway? She put me through to the broker, who in fact was not going to the show and he could show me the boat after all.
My next days viewings were not quite as fraught. Two brokers were extremely professional , (they even shook my hand!!!!)asked me lots of questions, what was I looking for, what was my budget etc. and were able to answer all of mine. Whereas another couldn’t answer any of my questions when he showed me the boat.
So what is this brokerage biz all about then? Put boat details on a website, fill the office with pictures and specs and then sit back and make the customer do the rest.? Bit like estate agents I reckon. And as for leaving boats unlocked? I could have lifted all sorts of equipment from the boats I look at unescorted, and you know what? - no one would have been any the wiser!. One of the boats was a real mess. Cushions upended and stuff left laying around. The broker informed me that if I wished to do a second viewing he would come down before hand and “tidy her up a bit“. It also amazed me the lack of knowledge these guys had about the boat. Simple questions like “why is she for sale, how long has she been on the market? Has there been much interest? Does she come with everything on my spec list, what is her history” could not be answered. I was also amazed at the condition owners leave their boats in when they put them on the market. Dirty, (one boat stunk of cigs and the headlinings were yellow and it was generally very grubby), another looked like the Marie Celeste, tools and beer cans left laying around - looked like the owner had just popped out for a minute. I do not think for one minute that it is the brokers responsibility to clean and tidy a boat, that, I feel is what the owner should do, but I do think that when a broker knows of a viewing he should check all is well with the boat and be armed with as much information as is available to him and if that is not a lot then contact the owner and get more.. None of the brokers made any effort to give me details of any other boats that they thought may fit my criteria. They just didn’t seem bothered or interested. I wonder if this is because I am a female and didn’t have a male in tow? One broker said he looked forward to meeting me and my husband! No, there is no husband -it’s just me. Oh I see came the reply. I am a serious buyer. I live on an island so have to maximise the time I have available to view. Having done all the hard work myself- (spent hours trawling websites, making calls, and then travelling to various locations ) I do expect these guys to take me seriously and do what YOU, the boat seller pays them to do!!!
