At what point does a brokers' duties end?

[nauticaldog]

I found a boat a few states away and the sellers' broker helped me get it surveyed and hooked me up with a nice shipper, so I now have my new boat.

Trouble is though, they only sent the signed titles, but no bills of sale, so technically I can't register the boat and the trailer. Six days of asking for him to send me the needed documents has gotten me yelled at by him ( the broker) and a list of excuses from "you were rushing me too much" to " I had a BOS but I screwed it up".

Last night he called me to tell me that he had mailed the BOS to to previous owner and I would " get it when I get it", as it was out of his hands. Am I wrong to feel that this is completely unprofessional? I feel like I am being held hostage.

Thoughts, input? Do I have any recourse?

 

[Gofirstclass]

I'd suggest you call the Department of Licensing in the state where the broker is located and explain your predicament to them. Since they are in charge of licensing brokers they are all powerful when it comes to making sure brokers follow the law. In your situation it doesn't sound like he is following it and needs a little "boot in the butt" to get him moving.

 

[fwebster]

You are at the broker's mercy now. Every state's requirements are different, but a signed title will get you registered in most places.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but in the future, make a list of documents you need before closing, comminucate that to your broker with a note saying: "I will need these documents at closing in order to take title and register the boat in my state". Then don't write the check until you see properly executed documents that you told them you need. The 'golden rule' always works with brokers and F&I guys....."He who has the gold sets the rules." As long as you have the money and he needs it to make a sale (collect a commission), then you are in control and the documents seem to magically appear when getting your $$ hinges on them.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Frank, that's good advice. Frank and to the point. (Sorry, just couldn't resist that one!) :smt024

 

[alnav]

You may know this but here are the boat registration documents needed for Maryland from the DNR web site:

• Vessel is currently titled in another state
  
  

  • DNR Form B-240
  • Original title (properly assigned – purchaser name, seller’s signature and date, purchase price)
  • Original Certified / Notarized Bill of Sale if seller’s signature, purchaser’s name, sale date or price is missing from assignment of title
    
    

    • A bill of sale must include the names of the buyer and the seller, date of sale, seller’s signature, amount of sale and vessel description (year, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or current registration number).
  • Original lien release if seller’s title shows a recorded lien

  
  
  So, if the title you got has enough info, that's all you need. I assume you know they are going to want 5% of the purchase price in tax when you register.
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