Selling a boat.. What to expect..

[kdmiller8251]

Hello:

Yes the time has come, I am selling my first boat. Its a 1990 Cuddy 21' with a merc 350 alpha I. What can I expect from buyers? I am selling it for 7000.00. How do I go about showing it? Who do I let take for a test drive etc? What about if someone wants to have a mechanic look at it... How do I go about doing that? Example: Tomorrow I have someone coming to look at it who has never owned a boat, obviously I dont want them towing the boat to a mechanic or to the lake by themselves, and I dont want to waste my time taking people to a lake who are not serious about buying it etc. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

T

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Selling a boat.. What to expect..

I think that is some of the perils of selling a boat. Would you buy a used boat without taking it for a test run? Or having it inspected? I wouldn't. Its a PITA to the seller but sometimes necessary. Maybe you will make out like I did with the last one I sold. He wanted the boat bad. No test run. No inspection. I just started it for him and he was happy.

 

[Mike722]

Re: Selling a boat.. What to expect..

I think you can answer all those questions with how bad do you want to sell the boat? Selling things privately can be a pain in the butt.

I have found that being up front about the good and bad of the items makes it easlier to find people who are serious. I like to settle on a price before the test drive, on the condition that the boat performs as advertised.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Selling a boat.. What to expect..

I never sold a boat, but I have been a buyer on more than one occasion. So from a buyers perspective this is what to expect:

1) Expect me to badger you on the phone about every little aspect of the boat. Often asking the same questions repeatedly.

2) When I show up, I'll point out every little flaw I can find and constantly exclaim what a pile of crap your boat is, and what a bad boat builder that brand is.

3) Then I will give you a low ball figure in hopes you will take it just to get rid of me.

4) If you balk at my offer, I will ask you to look at something closely on the transom. When you bend down to look, I grab you by the collar and repeatedly smash your head into the transom until you decide that my low ball price is actually a very good one.

5) You sell me the boat for the low ball price.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Selling a boat.. What to expect..

I never sold a boat, but I have been a buyer on more than one occasion. So from a buyers perspective this is what to expect:

1) Expect me to badger you on the phone about every little aspect of the boat. Often asking the same questions repeatedly.

2) When I show up, I'll point out every little flaw I can find and constantly exclaim what a pile of crap your boat is, and what a bad boat builder that brand is.

3) Then I will give you a low ball figure in hopes you will take it just to get rid of me.

4) If you balk at my offer, I will ask you to look at something closely on the transom. When you bend down to look, I grab you by the collar and repeatedly smash your head into the transom until you decide that my low ball price is actually a very good one.

5) You sell me the boat for the low ball price.

In my business that kinda of customer get's shown one thing...........the swinging door....


Just be frendly and point out the highlight's dont over promise, if they like the boat it will become apparent, if they want a test drive a simple question is I guess you found a boat youd like to own and ask for a 100 deposit ..........if they bulk at that......... no deposit no test drive.

Respect is mutual if given and not returned........hmm there's a old say'n here in I-boat's "SMITE THE SACRAN"S"

 

[roscoe]

Re: Selling a boat.. What to expect..

Here you go, read this thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=214265


Offer a test drive only after the deal is made and a deposit is handed over.

After the test drive, its a take it or leave it, deal. No renegotiating.
The test drive is to confirm your representation of the boat, and to demonstrate proper use.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Selling a boat.. What to expect..

Rosco is correct. Use the same model that those buying larger boats do. Boat is inspected, questions asked, etc. Buyer should then make offer contingent upon mechanic's inspection, survey, and/or seatrial.