Does something sound bizarre here???

UncleSpidey

Seaman
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
50
Okay...so I've been in the market for a family boat, and I think I've found one that I'd like to purchase. The boat is being listed by a broker, and here's how they like to work.

5% of the purchase price placed as a down payment will get you a sea trial and gives you the right of first refusal. They'll still show the boat, but if an offer comes in you get a phone call and first dibs. The down payment is fully refundable any time you decide you're not interested. No real risk to either them or me, and security that I'm first in line. Okay...sounds great so far. Did that last Saturday.

Sea trial is scheduled for next Tuesday. Having a surveyor as part of the process is fine. I fully anticipate everything is going to be check out just fine. Still good.

I've arranged for my financing, have been fully approved, and funds are ready as soon as I give the green light. Once I've made sure everything is satisfactory and made a decision buy the boat, I contact my bank guy who closes the loan and sends me a check for the purchase. I drive to the broker, hand the check over, and drive away with my new toy. All seems logical to me.

The broker is pissed off at me because I don't plan on having the check in my hand ready to complete the deal on the day of the sea trial, assuming I'm pleased with how it goes. He says that in the 20 years he's been in business, he's never done a deal this way before. The way the broker likes to work is, you come have your sea trial, and if you like it you pay for the boat that day and drive away with it. The only way I can have the check is to tell my bank guy to complete the loan. If I do that, then decide after the sea trial I don't like something, I'll have to immediately cancel the loan I just made. :confused: That seems completely bass-ackwards to me. Far better to have my survey / sea trial, decide this is the boat for me, THEN complete my loan and have the funds released. :) The check gets sent overnight for heaven's sake. We're talking about a difference of two or three days. The broker is PISSED about me wanting to work this way, and I'm getting MAJOR red flags going off in my mind, but I'm willing to consider that boat purchases may not work like EVERY OTHER vehicle financing deal I've ever done.

Am I nuts here? I get that the guy doesn't want to run sea trials for the tire kickers, but I think I've demonstrated I'm a little beyond the tire kicking stage. Anybody worked a deal this way before???

Spidey
 

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

Honestly you being the buyer don't have to do it his way, there's no law stating that. It would be simple enough to tell him it is what it is.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

Its a used boat, he is probabally used to people paying with actual cash or line of credit not taking out a loan specifically for the boat. What kind of money are you talking about?
 

The Rooster

Ensign
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
936
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

Yes, "Spidey", his attitude seems uncalled for especially in this economy !!! Can you give more details about boat, and price?
 

nwcove

Admiral
Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
6,293
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

you are at the helm on the deal.....tell the broker how its going to work! sounds like a pushy salesman to me.
 

Fed

Commander
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
2,457
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

I'd walk away from it.
 

UncleSpidey

Seaman
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
50
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

It's an 02 Stingray 230SX with a 350 mag / bravo. 170 hrs on the clock. $14000

Agreed, we're not talking huge money but it qualifies for a second home mortgage deduction so the cost of financing can get written off.

I dont think there's a problem with the boat, although I'm more wary than I was. I think the guy just doesn't want to bother splashing a boat unless he knows he can use the emotional high of the day to his advantage.
 

sschefer

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
4,530
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

I agree, this is a buyers market. But, if this is a short sell the broker may not be making much on the deal and only wants to deal with cash in hand customers. He could just be testing the waters with you to see if you're serous enough for him to waste his time.
 

kemer1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 13, 2011
Messages
122
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

If you're uncomfortable then just tell him to go ahead and find another buyer. Had he actually arranged financing, he would have to wait a few days for the check from the bank anyways. He can wait or he can kiss your back side as you walk away.
 

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

Anyone who gives you an attitude doesn't really deserve your business imo. How big of a loan are we talking here if you don't mind saying?

Sounds like the guy is in a rush to get this sold, that is ok, but it also throws up red flags.

When he said he has never done business that way in 20 years, I would have said there is a first time for everything! And then asked him for some referals!!

Screw that dude man. In this economy, they need to be catering to you, not the other way around.

5% down for a sea trial is bs to. If they would like to do a credit check,fine, but 5%??
 

sschefer

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
4,530
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

I think some of you might not realize that this is a broker who's been commissioned to sell this boat. He's not a dealer. The way this is being presented is not unusual for brokered deals.
 

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

I think some of you might not realize that this is a broker who's been commissioned to sell this boat. He's not a dealer. The way this is being presented is not unusual for brokered deals.

Broker or no broker, why would that matter? Imo being a broker doesn't give you the right to be pushy. The guy is being pushy and should be catering to the client instead.
 

halfmoa

Ensign
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
955
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

I'll go out on a (short) limb here and say you're being pushed around. Don't be pressured into doing ANYTHING you're not comfortable with. He's following the ABC's of sales: Always Be Closing. i.e. always be pressuring, pushing, and demanding to make the sale right now.

You nailed it when you said he's using the "emotional high" as leverage to make a sale...Always Be Closing.

Don't be pushed around. When you're done with the sea trial show no emotional attachment and when he asks what you think, tell him WITHOUT using emotional words.
 

UncleSpidey

Seaman
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
50
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

I think some of you might not realize that this is a broker who's been commissioned to sell this boat. He's not a dealer. The way this is being presented is not unusual for brokered deals.

Correct, he's not a dealer, so he doesn't offer financing. I have to arrange that on my own. But my point is, I've never financed anything where I said to the bank "send me a check so I can buy this thing I want, but it's possible I'm not going to buy it so you might be getting it back." That just seems weird to me.

Also, you're right that his job is to get the boat sold. It seems very odd to go about that by accusing me of buying it wrong.
 

UncleSpidey

Seaman
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
50
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

5% down for a sea trial is bs to. If they would like to do a credit check,fine, but 5%??

I was actually okay with that part. A little good faith money to show I was serious didn't seem out of the ordinary.
 

Cincyrunner

Seaman
Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
62
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

I'd walk and keep looking. Same goes for pushy car salesmen. You push me to buy, I'll push back and balk.
 

88wellcraft

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2007
Messages
208
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

good faith $$$ seems alright as long as it's gaurenteed returned if the deal breaks down.

i think the broker is just being pushy. you're the buyer and if he can find another buyer between the time you decide to buy (after the sea trial) and getting the check...more power to him.....boats aren't exactley flying off the shelves these days.....so to speak
 

cyclops2

Banned
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
1,237
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

The person with the money SHOULD CALL all the shots.

Only in the USA do companies insult a customer regularly. Brokers USUALLY deal in more expensive boats. He is panicking / cracking under the pressure of a small sale to possibly keep his job / company.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

If you're doing a 2nd mortgage why not just take out a 2nd mort line of credit. Rate should be the same, you get a bunch of checks and then you decide if you're going to spend it or not. Then you can be the cash(ish) buyer that folks are looking for and it'll get you a better deal.
 

H20Rat

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5,204
Re: Does something sound bizarre here???

5% down for a sea trial is bs to. If they would like to do a credit check,fine, but 5%??

Thinking the exact same thing!

Reading the OP's story, I was thinking it was something like a 45 ft cruiser with 6 digits in the price. Its a $14000 23' boat, one notch above a rowboat. (no offense to the OP, that is a very nice boat, but the dealings so far sound like the broker thinks he is selling a private cruiseship!)

$700 bucks for the honor of taking it for a test drive? A car salesman will let you take a $50,000 vehicle home from a dealership for a weekend with nothing more than your drivers license and a couple signatures.
 
Top