Asking too much?

[Bluegills Unlimited]

So, last fall I bought my Blue Fin, got a really nice deal on a boat & motor in pristine condition, (got to love fall boat deals!) which warrants the sale of my '79 Lund runabout, which, while older, is in excelent mechanical shape, and is definitely a turn-key boat, with an '84 Evinrude V4 90hp (max for the boat)

Motor has been gone through by Evinrude mechanic, starts, runs and goes fast, boat dosent leak, no soft spots etc...

Anyway, my asking price is $1,500 obo, it is in the driveway with a for sale sign, and it is also on Craig's List.

I have still been getting low ball offers ($600), or offers to trade (e.g. riding lawnmower, 20ga shotgun) AND WHAT IS EVEN WORSE is I've had one appointment to show it where the guy never show up, and the WORST - Guy came by to check it out, liked it, and we made a date for a test ride. I put the boat in the water, waited, waited, the potential buyer never showed up or answered / returned my calls.

I've never bought or sold anything on Craig's List. Is this the way people are on there? Or am I simply asking too much?

The lack of respect for someone's time is what peeves me the most. I did get to take a nice ride in it by myself however. A day on the lake is always good, right?

P.S. Here's a link to photos of the boat.
http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n178/cheftim1987/Lund Sirius/

 

[JB]

Re: Asking too much?

Looks worth more than $1.5k to me, 'gills, but I am a Boston Whaler guy. Not my style of boat.

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

I was thinking the same thing, I tried asking $2,000, nothing, $1,800, nothing,. I just really want to get rid of it! I cant pick up my new(er) one until this is gone!

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

Thank you, your right it is reassuring to hear that I'm not the only one. And your right about people in general, Bubba.

Very nice point on placing the burden of commitment on the buyer. Very nice indeed.

I am very willing to barter, as long as it is a reasonable discussion that may end in an agreement. I did indeed put NO TRADES PLEASE on my ad. Honestly, I probably WOULD accept a Honda , Yamaha or Kawi motorcycle, or maybe a Trans-Am even (ha) but to try and explain that to someone who thinks that a '91 Camry with 347,000 miles is "close enough..."

You get my point, and even better, I think you feel my pain.

Drink to that.

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

Let me play Devil's advocate for a second.


If you had $1,500 cash in hand and was looking for a boat like this, is your boat the one you would buy given the current market/economy? Not saying your boat isn't in great shape but it is a buyers market.

No, you are absolutely right, and I certianly WOULD shop around. And you are correct sir! It is certianly a buyers market.

The point I was trying to make, was that I have a quality product, at a fair price, and the only hits I see are
1.) Dissapointingly low offers / trades
2.) Folks who don't have the decency to "show up" for appointment times, when I have cancelled other plans, or bugged out of work early to meet with them

So, this leads me to ask myself these simple questions, which is why I was looking for opinions from iBoats members:
A.) Is my pricing reasonable?
B.) Is Craig's List the most effective marketing tool for what I have to offer?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Asking too much?

My experience with Craigs list has been very positive, but in reality its the worst buyer's market i have ever seen.

I have priced things literally for pennies on the dollar and sold them the first day. I have bought things the same way when the owner had no other offers.

For example, 2 weeks ago I answered an ad for a classic OB motor. He wanted $50 and I offered him $20. He counter offered 25, but insisted I take 2 others as well. So, I got 3 motors for $25.

Your price is certainly fair, but with so many others out there the buyers have too many to chose from. Its your choice how low you go. Do you have a relative that would appreciate having it? If so, give it to them.

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

You know, I guess it just wasn't what I was expecting.

Nice score on the 3 for $25 deal, that rocks!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Asking too much?

Bluegills,
Just remember.......it's a buyer's market.
You have to get them there to barter.
Make the advertisement VERY entising, then you go from there.
Good luck.

 

[Rhinocraft]

Re: Asking too much?

I was in the same situation a few years back with a 78 Glasstron that was in great shape. I needed to get rid of it quick to finish sealing the deal on another boat. Lots of low balls, a few river cruises... I was asking 2 grand and finally accepted $1000 cash and a dirt bike that I sold later for $800. Thats Craigslist! Everyone is trying to wheel and deal! Good Luck. Your boat looks worth more than $1500 to me.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Asking too much?

Bluegill, just curious. You mentioned you can't pick up the new rig til you unload the old one. Is this a financial issue or a space one? NOMB, but if it's merely a space issue maybe you could consign it a local marine place. There is someone out there for that boat, they just haven't seen it yet. I've generally had good luck with CL, but man are there some woolybuggers out there and CL seems to bring them out of the woodwork.

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

Bluegill, just curious. You mentioned you can't pick up the new rig til you unload the old one. Is this a financial issue or a space one? NOMB, but if it's merely a space issue maybe you could consign it a local marine place. There is someone out there for that boat, they just haven't seen it yet. I've generally had good luck with CL, but man are there some woolybuggers out there and CL seems to bring them out of the woodwork.

It is a space issue. I did not consider putting it on consignment, I think I will have to look into that. Like I said I have no experience with CL, other than making fun of the postings with you fine folks.

I know, I know I must be paitent. But I cant wait to get the BlueFin up and install my trolling motor!!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Asking too much?

I do understand. Onward!

 

[erikpn]

Re: Asking too much?

No, you are absolutely right, and I certianly WOULD shop around. And you are correct sir! It is certianly a buyers market.

The point I was trying to make, was that I have a quality product, at a fair price, and the only hits I see are
1.) Dissapointingly low offers / trades
2.) Folks who don't have the decency to "show up" for appointment times, when I have cancelled other plans, or bugged out of work early to meet with them

So, this leads me to ask myself these simple questions, which is why I was looking for opinions from iBoats members:
A.) Is my pricing reasonable?
B.) Is Craig's List the most effective marketing tool for what I have to offer?

Your pricing is good from my perspective. Even just for the motor if it runs as well as you say, with no issues.

Looking at the condition of the seats and the age of the boat, I'd think that the hull has rot in it even if it's not immediately obvious. Transom, stringers, and deck would be gone over with a fine tooth comb, and drilling core samples if permitted. Look out for jury-rigged home hackjobs.

Prices vary a lot from region to region though. Is your boat the best deal on CL? Or at least in the top 10%? Only those are ever sold. Nobody is going to buy an average deal at an average price unless they have some strange emergency need for a boat the next day.

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

Is your boat the best deal on CL? Or at least in the top 10%? Only those are ever sold. Nobody is going to buy an average deal at an average price unless they have some strange emergency need for a boat the next day.

Erik-

In my region, as in all, there are different tiers of used boats
-Late model, fiberglass fish & ski
-Aluminum fishing boats
-"Older" boats (like mine)
-Canoes, Kayaks and Pedal boats

Out of the boats in my category, I would say mine is in the top 10%
Obviously the buyer names the price in the end, but I have priced this quite competitively, despite the fact that it is in better condition than most

 

[jfadool]

Re: Asking too much?

Last year I was in your position. I was selling my 13ft whaler, motor, and trailer. It was in great shape, priced well, and I was available to show the boat almost everyday.

I got a ton of phone calls/emails. Most people would set up a time to come and see the boat, then never show. About 1 out of 7 would actually show. Of the 4 people that showed up one had cash and wanted to take it to the lake. The next day we took it out and he made me an offer, I took it and we did the paper work.

Just remember that it only takes one person to buy it. Make sure you ad is complete and you are accessible(sounds like you are).

Good luck

 

[roscoe]

Re: Asking too much?

Hey there, I looked at your Cl ad a few times, thought about contacting you. Really only interested in the motor though. Didn't want to tear apart a nice package rig.

Also, I'm not sure I want to overpower my boat and get into that situation. (only rated for 85hp)

But I may be down to Fremont in a week or two, may look you up.


For what its worth, I just sold a nice 16' Alumacraft fishing boat on ebay today, 3 year old trailer w/700 miles on it, sold to a guy 300 miles away for only $860. The market is tough. Makes me wonder about scrapping my current project boat and buying a finished complete rig.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Asking too much?

I looked at your CL ad as well I think that it is priced very fairly. I may add some constructive criticism on the ad though.

I wouldn't take less than 1500 for it. And if you want 1500 ask 1800. People like room to dicker and love to walk away thinking they talked you down and got a good price.

The motor is worth what your asking but I always say there's nothing that devalues a motor more than sticking it on a boat.

A majority of people that buy boats have no idea what to look for. Cosmetics often play a bigger role than function, and your boat does have some cosmetic issues. I realize that that you are trying to be as upfront as possible about the boat and I was convinced it was worth what you were asking from the pics, until I read the ad and you talked me out of it. Let people look at the pics and decide for themselves.

I realize that you don't want people wasting your time or theirs but as others have said it's a buyers market. As soon as you put something up for sale you are in business, and like any other business you kind of have to cater to customer. Especially in a buyers market. When I read ads that the seller tells me not to waste their time, I don't and they don't get my business.

Anyhow, good luck and I think the boat is worth well what your asking.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Asking too much?

There are charitable organizations that accept donations of boats and cars. Have your local marine dealer write you an appraisal. Probably worth $2500 retail. Then the charity will give you a receipt for that amount. Its a good tax deduction.

My friend did that a few years ago and everybody was happy.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Asking too much?

Ditto what Lionhunter said. You might try removing that ad, giving it a week or two, then placing a new ad with just enough but not too much info. I used that technique on a little fishing rig I wanted to unload and it worked out well for me. As in your case, circumstances were somewhat in my favor since it was the beginning of the high season and I wasn't hurting for cash. No question it's a buyer's market, but I've found that sometimes what a situation like this needs is a little fresh air. You'll get 'er sold.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: Asking too much?

My advice,

make it look nice. I would put a vacum to work (if you didn't already) wipe down the seats with armour all and clean up the hull with some soap and water. I know people are all about curb appeal and thats what you need. If i show up to look at a boat and see leaves in the thing i'm walking away if i'm at all aprehensive. If i see a boat that is clean and shiny i am more inclined to deal. also maybe a 50$ skeg guard on the LU it looks like it has taken a beating and that may deter some novice boaters