Why don't you call back?

zekester

Member
Jul 25, 2009
74
Lake Huron
Boat Info
1987 Donzi Hornet3
1990 Searay EC310 twin 7.4 inboards
Engines
330 TRS, 7.4 merc inboards
I have been looking for a specific year and model boat, and having found it, have sent an email, called and left my number on Saturday, called and left my number on Monday, to no response...

To a broker, you have a very interested buyer, what could possibly me more important to your business than calling a guy back?

To an owner, would you be happy knowing a buyer with cash in hand it not getting a call back?

You'd think in this market, a brokerage would be bending over backwards to sell a boat...
 
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Inexcusable. (and it has happened to me, and I was as surprised as you are)

If you know the name of the boat, and it's documented, finding the owners info is easy. See if you can contact him and rat out the incompetent broker.
 
Just who is this post directed at? I hope not Jim. I would think you would get more done by contacting the company that has the boat listed than by posting on a user forum:huh:


I have been looking for a specific year and model boat, and having found it, have sent an email, called and left my number on Saturday, called and left my number on Monday, to no response...

To a broker, you have a very interested buyer, what could possibly me more important to your business than calling a guy back?

To an owner, would you be happy knowing a buyer with cash in hand it not getting a call back?

You'd think in this market, a brokerage would be bending over backwards to sell a boat...
 
Chuck, I did not gather that the original post was about Jim. As far as contacting the company, he has done that. they are not responding.

Incidentally, I have aclose friend who is a cash buyer and actively in the market. He frequently gets no response from his calls to brokers. He always leaves a short message saying he is interested in the vessel, prepared to make an offer, but has some questions. A broker that would not follow that message is doing a tremendous disservice to the owner of the listed vessel.
 
That's my take on it too Keokie.

Zekester, we have a few outfits in the area that specialize in non-contract listings. Their listing information is often inaccurate and they often don't have good (or any) communication with the seller.

If the boat you're interested in is near me, let me know and maybe I can help you out.
 
I have friends who found a trawler they liked and were ready to buy. The broker refused their deposit check (he's a doctor) and told them that a sea trial would require a non-refundable $3,000 fee. My friends have now found another boat through a cooperative broker, but I pity the owner of the trawler who keeps dropping his price in a desperate attempt to sell. Something seems a little fishy to me.
 
Having dealt with Jim, I would not think so either.

Being a realtor it drive me crazy when I hear people don't get replies. Although sometimes I understand when the broker never gets the message. In the real estate industry we now have what is called IDX (Brokers can show other Brokers listing on their site). Some sites make it extremely hard to know who the broker really is. Well I had one customer that called and gave me a hard time that I did not return his calls. Come to find out he had been calling another broker that was not even in the area about it.
 
This was not directed at anyone, I don't even know "Jim"? This was just a general comment and vent at broker's in general that exhibit this behaviour, and a broker in particular, who as mentioned is doing the owner a huge dis-service.

I'd like to complain to "the company that had the boat listed"...but, you guessed it, they won't call back...

I guess this is a shot at incompetent brokers and a word to owners to make sure you have a broker who is actually working for his commission...
 
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zekester,

You'll be surprized that this is an issue experienced by many boaters. I had similar case here in NJ and ended up dealing with very responsive broker from FL. If you specify your location then some members might help you and recommend few brokers. Otherwise, just keep searching and you'll find the right boat and broker you'll feel comfortable dealing.
 
I'm on lake Huron, in Canada, about 3 hours north of Detroit. I'm at the mercy of the boat's location, not mine, I'm trying to find an early to mid 90's EC330, they are not easy to find, so I'm open to doing some long distance shopping...
 
Sounds like a girl I once knew...
 
I'm on lake Huron, in Canada, about 3 hours north of Detroit. I'm at the mercy of the boat's location, not mine, I'm trying to find an early to mid 90's EC330, they are not easy to find, so I'm open to doing some long distance shopping...

Send me a PM with your email and I will get you the actual selling prices of 33 searay express cruisers in Great Lakes area through soldboats.com
 
I had a problem with the responsiveness of the broker that I bought my boat from as well. The first time I contacted him I walked into their office and he was very helpful. I explained my situation (I had a boat that I was still paying on and that I may need sell it before I move forward) and that I'd call him in a day or two to let him know. He gave me his business card and I left.

I spent a couple of days researching current asking prices and the blue book as well as continuing my search. I decided that this was the boat that I was interested in, and that I'd take my chances in a bad market and own two boats for a time. I placed a call to his office and left a message for him to call back, no response. I sent an email and left another voicemail, still nothing. I decided that I had had enough and was moving on.

I looked on craigslist and saw the same boat listed there, this time with the owners email address and for considerably less than the brokers asking price, and almost exactly what my offer was going to be. I contacted the owner directly, he was excited to have an interested buyer as he hadn't had any offers yet. I explained that I had spoken with the broker and that he hadn't gotten back to me after several attempts. The owner indicated that the broker would handle all offers and that he'd contact the broker and have him return my call. He also indicated that the price he listed on craigslist was pretty firm but that they'd be willing to make any minor repairs if any were required.

Finally, I got a call back. He apologized and said that he'd been extremely busy. I scheduled a time to bring my wife with me to do a much more comprehensive inspection. When we arrived, at the scheduled time, he wasn't there but his partner was happy to show her to us. At this point we were ready to make a deposit and arrange a sea trial and an inspection by my mechanic. I asked the brokers partner to have him get back to me, again I got no call back.

I called him back again and surprisingly he took my call. I made a deposit and scheduled the sea trial / mechanical inspection. These were handled as I had expected and we were satisfied with the results though we had several thing that we found during the inspection that we wanted to deal with.

That evening, I sent him an email detailing the (short) list of items that I wanted taken care of prior to delivery if our offer was accepted and told him I'd call the next day. Again, he took my call but seemed unimpressed with my offer (exactly what the owner had listed on craigslist) and list of minor items I wanted repaired. He told me that he would contact the owner with the offer and get back to me.

Two days later I called back and he said that he had left a message but had not heard from the owner yet and that he'd try back and give me a call. By now, I was beginning to get upset at this guy, I asked him to give me a call by the end of the next day (a Friday), he agreed. Again no call. Now I was furious. I called him saturday morning and he told me that the offer was rejected, the owner felt he could get more for the boat. I didn't believe him, I talked to the owner already, and he was firm at my offering price.

I called the owner directly this time. I told the owner that I had made an offer on Tuesday and had not heard back from the broker regarding it yet. He was confused, he had not been called with any offers. I told him what my offer was, and the work I expected to be completed prior to delivery. He accepted the offer without any thought and was angry that the broker had not called him. He told me he would call him first thing Monday morning and tell him that he had accepted my offer.

I got a call on Monday morning from a very apologetic broker. He suggested that he must have confused which boat he was selling. Clearly, HE decided that HE could sell it for more and hadn't even considered contacting the owner.

Because I didn't trust this guy at this point I had it specified in the contract that delivery acceptance was dependent on this work being properly completed and a second sea trial at delivery. I scheduled a dry inspection followed by a wet delivery and had my mechanic verify that all work had been performed as specified.

While my dealing with this broker left a bad taste in my mouth, I am happy with the boat I purchased. I will avoid this broker in the future for both purchasing and selling.

Before I decide on a broker to sell my boat I will certainly call them as a buyer to evaluate the service they provide. It would not be acceptable to me to have the brokers poor service result in the loss of a sale.
 
I have no idea how they can stay in business????
Maybe I just like the small things like eating and a roof over my family too much:huh:



I had a problem with the responsiveness of the broker that I bought my boat from as well. The first time I contacted him I walked into their office and he was very helpful. I explained my situation (I had a boat that I was still paying on and that I may need sell it before I move forward) and that I'd call him in a day or two to let him know. He gave me his business card and I left.

I spent a couple of days researching current asking prices and the blue book as well as continuing my search. I decided that this was the boat that I was interested in, and that I'd take my chances in a bad market and own two boats for a time. I placed a call to his office and left a message for him to call back, no response. I sent an email and left another voicemail, still nothing. I decided that I had had enough and was moving on.

I looked on craigslist and saw the same boat listed there, this time with the owners email address and for considerably less than the brokers asking price, and almost exactly what my offer was going to be. I contacted the owner directly, he was excited to have an interested buyer as he hadn't had any offers yet. I explained that I had spoken with the broker and that he hadn't gotten back to me after several attempts. The owner indicated that the broker would handle all offers and that he'd contact the broker and have him return my call. He also indicated that the price he listed on craigslist was pretty firm but that they'd be willing to make any minor repairs if any were required.

Finally, I got a call back. He apologized and said that he'd been extremely busy. I scheduled a time to bring my wife with me to do a much more comprehensive inspection. When we arrived, at the scheduled time, he wasn't there but his partner was happy to show her to us. At this point we were ready to make a deposit and arrange a sea trial and an inspection by my mechanic. I asked the brokers partner to have him get back to me, again I got no call back.

I called him back again and surprisingly he took my call. I made a deposit and scheduled the sea trial / mechanical inspection. These were handled as I had expected and we were satisfied with the results though we had several thing that we found during the inspection that we wanted to deal with.

That evening, I sent him an email detailing the (short) list of items that I wanted taken care of prior to delivery if our offer was accepted and told him I'd call the next day. Again, he took my call but seemed unimpressed with my offer (exactly what the owner had listed on craigslist) and list of minor items I wanted repaired. He told me that he would contact the owner with the offer and get back to me.

Two days later I called back and he said that he had left a message but had not heard from the owner yet and that he'd try back and give me a call. By now, I was beginning to get upset at this guy, I asked him to give me a call by the end of the next day (a Friday), he agreed. Again no call. Now I was furious. I called him saturday morning and he told me that the offer was rejected, the owner felt he could get more for the boat. I didn't believe him, I talked to the owner already, and he was firm at my offering price.

I called the owner directly this time. I told the owner that I had made an offer on Tuesday and had not heard back from the broker regarding it yet. He was confused, he had not been called with any offers. I told him what my offer was, and the work I expected to be completed prior to delivery. He accepted the offer without any thought and was angry that the broker had not called him. He told me he would call him first thing Monday morning and tell him that he had accepted my offer.

I got a call on Monday morning from a very apologetic broker. He suggested that he must have confused which boat he was selling. Clearly, HE decided that HE could sell it for more and hadn't even considered contacting the owner.

Because I didn't trust this guy at this point I had it specified in the contract that delivery acceptance was dependent on this work being properly completed and a second sea trial at delivery. I scheduled a dry inspection followed by a wet delivery and had my mechanic verify that all work had been performed as specified.

While my dealing with this broker left a bad taste in my mouth, I am happy with the boat I purchased. I will avoid this broker in the future for both purchasing and selling.

Before I decide on a broker to sell my boat I will certainly call them as a buyer to evaluate the service they provide. It would not be acceptable to me to have the brokers poor service result in the loss of a sale.
 
try using a broker to represent you. the brokerage fees come out of the sellers proceeds and it is great to have someone on your side help to navigate through a market full of dead wood.
 
As a broker I can say that this kind of behavior is a joke. There are a lot of brokers out there who are incompetent and I will tell you why. many of us are old, retire, and doing this for fun. I on the other hand am young and realize that this is a business and not some excuse to get near boats even thought I love them more than my bride to be on occasion. Fact, a phone call returned within the first two hours increases a sale of a boat to that customer by close to 600 %! Fact, nearly 50 % of all internet leads are never followed up. I was shocked to learn this at a recent conference. This business can be very rewarding and a great deal of fun. We are here to help you. Thats what boat buying is all about.. FUN! Its a shame that brokerage houses try and snake people or in this case are lazy resulting in a tarnished name for myself. Call them out for sure!
 
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I cannot speak to the sales ability of others, but my company's slogan is "When you want the job done". This does not happen by accident.

I am a Yacht Broker with my own firm here in California and can appreciate the situation when dealing with different salespeople at brokerage firms. My, firm, South Mountain Yachts, does almost 95% of it's business by referrals: from buyers, sellers, new boat dealers, marine surveyors, mechanics, Dock Masters other industry professionals.
My rules are simple:
1. Calls are answered or returned as soon as possible (I will not answer if I have a client in front of me).
2. Full Disclosure of known or suspected situations.
3. Every vessel is visited weekly and walked thru.
4. We take all photos and videos.
5. Do a "125 Point Checklist" on any vessel 3 years old or more.
6. Contact the manufacturer with the HIN to get informed on the vessel (if possible).
7.The client sets the price,however, they are given an extensive pricing report.
In California we are Licensed and Bonded with the state. I have increased my certification by becoming a CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL YACHT BROKER.
As I can sell worldwide, I will only list those vessels I can see. But if anyone would like input either on the buy or sell side, feel free to contact me.
 
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I have friends who found a trawler they liked and were ready to buy. The broker refused their deposit check (he's a doctor) and told them that a sea trial would require a non-refundable $3,000 fee. My friends have now found another boat through a cooperative broker, but I pity the owner of the trawler who keeps dropping his price in a desperate attempt to sell. Something seems a little fishy to me.

Yeah... then the broker buys it for a song and flips it... I pity the owner too.
 
So just an update...

I did find 4 boats to look at with what I wanted...2 were...well we'll say "misrepresented", and didn't make the cut...one was close to what I wanted...the 4th...well the 4th was EXACTLY what I wanted. When I discussed the price with the broker, we were miles apart...he asked me to make an offer to work from..I did...and he informed me he would not even take the offer to the owner...which is fine, I had a limit, so did he...I ended up buying my 2nd choice, which to be honest, I have regretted, but am making it work. And the other boat? a week after my "unacceptable offer"...it was re-listed...at 10% over my offer. So...you have an owner could have moved his boat, and a new owner who would have gotten exactly what he wanted...and a broker that would have made his commisson, if he just picked up teh phone and called the owner with the offer...
 
I was walking through a Marina this last weekend and saw a 330 for sale Mooney Bay Marina Plattsburg NY. On Lake Champlain. You could have a great 2 week trip back.
 

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