Frustrated with yacht brokers

[BruceK]

Anyone in sales will do a "quick qualify" at the outset. It is likely issues of hesitation in acceptance you experienced on TF are mirrored with brokers. You are a very atypical first boat buyer. Buyers may be categorized in the qualification process. You likely do the same with potential buyers and sellers in real estate.
Art has given you good advice which should help. Sooner or later you and a broker should establish rapport.
In my experience, brokers (in Australia) vary greatly. Some are well established, genuinely motivated to help, decent reliable people you`d welcome as a friend. Some others were just not good at used car sales.

[IslandEagle]

Originally Posted by GalaxyGirl

I can't get them to call me back. I have e-mailed, called, and even texted one guy. Nothing.
When I finally did get an appointment to view something, the guy e-mailed me that morning to cancel, then didn't respond to my request to re-schedule.
What gives?

As others have pointed out, and I will emphasize, brokers only make money when they sell a boat. I'm guessing that you're not about to buy a Nordhaven. So why would a broker with a Nordhaven for sale bother showing it to you? He's never going to make money on it.

One thing to remember is that boat brokers are often not located in the same place as the boat. When I was looking for Island Eagle, I looked at a boat in Oakland and the broker flew down from Seattle. That costs real money, and the broker wants to make darn sure that I'm at least a good prospect.

You need to have a realistic idea in mind of what type of boat you are going to buy and how much you are going to spend before a broker will take you seriously. When you have a realistic budget and target boat in mind, I'm sure brokers will take you seriously.

Scott Welch
Island Eagle

[sunchaser]

Until a few months ago I was a very serious "moving up" buyer with several offers made on vessels. The brokers and builders all dealt with me on an immediate basis knowing I was a player. The brokers will have no problem dealing with you once you put skin in the game, telling them you're serious will not matter, money on the table and boots on the ground talks.

[Budds Outlet]

Take advantage of boat shows and trawlerfests to get aboard boats. Pick up various boating magazines in the area you can travel and check them out for advertisements of up-coming boat shows. This is the most efficient way to get aboard a large number of boats.

While it is true that brokers only make money when they close a deal and it takes a substantial amount of work to get to a closed deal, good brokers realize that only 20% of their time will be productive in producing 80% of their income. The other 80% of their time will be "lost" to marketing.

I received sage advice from the first broker I worked under in the land business. He suggested that my numbers were wrong, I was closing a sale on every property show I made. While I thought that was an efficient way of doing business he pointed out that there were deals out there I was missing because I was so tight in my qualifying. I loosened up on the qualifying and ended up scoring some pretty amazing sales. Not everyone is who they appear. Keep you chin up and you will eventually strike up a relationship with a broker that will work with you.

You might also gain the attention of a broker by having your banker make some contacts for you and get you introduced. Most of all, best wishes.

[Art]

By Golly GG

For months, via independent posts entered here and on other threads, You elicited and have freely, happily received the best TF has to give re boat-buy consultations...

Now... Go Forth and Conquer!

[gwkiwi]

As a currently licensed boat salesman and USCG captain and after many other years in other businesses the Golden Rule tends to be forgotten by people selling boats along with other items.

That golden rule which I have run all my businesses on is "Do undo others as you would want done to you if roles were reversed".

If you think this is hard to do with boat sales people try it in a Sheriff's Office with my deputies carrying guns and driving fast cars.

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by Phil Fill

I find some/most brokers are a waste of time. Especially if its a big expensive boat as they like to qualify you. You might want to get pre qualified with a bank or something. When we where looking most brokers were not much help as we/I don't act/look like we can afford much, and we have very little debt so our credit score is high buy not much there. I had to have my banker and insurance broker call the brokers, and then they become interested/helpful. We also did not really have the expereince/knowldge for the size boat we were looking at. Their evaluation/perception of you is important.

Also as mentioned before they are sizing you up! You need to talk the talk and walk the walk! So by now you should be able to at least talk the talk? "Like my SO and I are looking for a big boat as our present boat is to small for a resent needs. Our present boat is a 40 ft ________ and moored at ________." Feed them a line as they are going to feed you a line.

Phil,
Your right. That's the way Real estate works also. Pre-Approvals are key, but I am paying cash.
I would feel funny lying about having a boat already, then I would have to keep the lye going when questioned.

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by Art

G – Girl – I’m sorry to hear you’re getting the brush off from brokers.

As posters implied on this thread... Keep it short in first “phone chat” with selling-broker. Tell em you’re too busy for discussion at this time and am simply calling to set a review date aboard the boat.

I recommend:

1. State which boat you want to review in person and/or ask what boats in general range of your desire the broker has listed and available for review. If none... then, thank em and leave your name/number to call if they get a boat that may fit your needs/desires. Move on!
2. State you are a cash buyer having limited time so you want to set a review date then on the phone if the broker has boat that interests you. Otherwise, leave name/number... move on!
3. Defer any broker questions to: “We can discuss that after I see the boat, I and my associates have the bases covered.”

Basically the first phone chat with broker should take but a couple minutes, maximum - - > All it is for is to establish a date for you to see the boat; not for chat-time... that comes once you locate a boat that really interests you.

Now, please understand I give you these 10 cents of my advice because I believe you really are seeking to locate the correct vessel for purchase and you truly have the wherewithal to finalize said purchase. Otherwise... please don’t waste a boat broker’s time... they are truly working for a living and always seeking to spend their time connected to viable buyers.

Best Luck - Art

This is good advice Art, but I can't even get to the point of an initial phone conversation. I leave a message and no return call.

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by Vashon_Trawler

I had a similiar problem when I was shopping around. I called several brokers and very few actually returned my calls--forget e-mail. One finally responed several days after I called, sent me a few photos based on my request, and only followed-up once. In retrospect, I should have done less communication via phone/e-mail and more face-to-face, stopping in their office. It is shame that it has to be this way.

Some of these guys aren't in my state so it wouldn't even be possible to run into their office. I have no clue why someone would list with an out-of-state broker?

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by ksanders

GG I've taken a few minutes to look over your web site/blog.

You are one very impressive young lady!

The actions you've seen from yacht brokers are probably the same way you, as a young person were dealt with when you first ventured into the real estate business.

I'm guessing nobody took you seriously then and I'm guessing that yacht brokers are not taking you seriously now.

As others have said, I'd keep it short and sweet on the phone. Ask a few questions regarding the condition of the boat your interested in, without sharing much personal. I would not share that you're a single mom and going to live aboard. You will get discounted as a dreamer right away. If they ask, tell them the truth that you are a real estate developer and leave it at that.

Then make it clear, if the boat is remote, that you'll be able to fly there and name a very soon in the future date. I'd bet that brokers get calls from a whole lot of out of state buyers that never show up to actually look at the boat.

Thanks Kevin.

I agree, but I am in Massachusetts calling on boats that are in Massachusetts.
The funny thing is that whenever I e-mail an out of the country brokers they are very attentive. They answer all the questions quickly, send pics, and ask about viewings. Now, here I go calling for showings on boats that are 20 minutes from me and nothing.

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by IslandEagle

As others have pointed out, and I will emphasize, brokers only make money when they sell a boat. I'm guessing that you're not about to buy a Nordhaven. So why would a broker with a Nordhaven for sale bother showing it to you? He's never going to make money on it.

One thing to remember is that boat brokers are often not located in the same place as the boat. When I was looking for Island Eagle, I looked at a boat in Oakland and the broker flew down from Seattle. That costs real money, and the broker wants to make darn sure that I'm at least a good prospect.

You need to have a realistic idea in mind of what type of boat you are going to buy and how much you are going to spend before a broker will take you seriously. When you have a realistic budget and target boat in mind, I'm sure brokers will take you seriously.

Scott Welch
Island Eagle

These guys don't know me.
When I viewed the Hats the owners showed me. This should be no different.
Maybe I will decide that I love the Nordy. I wouldn't know until I look at it. He doesn't know what I will buy.

[GalaxyGirl]

Thanks for all of the responses. I'm going to try again tomorrow.

[BruceK]

Originally Posted by GalaxyGirl

The funny thing is that whenever I e-mail an out of the country brokers they are very attentive. They answer all the questions quickly, send pics, and ask about viewings. Now, here I go calling for showings on boats that are 20 minutes from me and nothing.

Try emailing the local brokers.

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by BruceK

Try emailing the local brokers.

Yup, I did.
I even tried e-mailing them under a different name, "Mike".

I'm calling the main office today instead of their cell. Let's see if that works.

[gwkiwi]

One last comment about suggestions of lying to try and get more attention from a broker.

Dont lie, lying never wins - just be honest. Brokers who dont show you the attention you just need to drop them. I didn't pursue a trawler one time because I didn't trust the broker who never returned my calls and initially made promises of grandeaur which I knew were rubbish.

As in all things in life find a good partner and the results will be much better.

[ksanders]

Originally Posted by GalaxyGirl

Yup, I did.
I even tried e-mailing them under a different name, "Mike".

I'm calling the main office today instead of their cell. Let's see if that works.

This might be more simple than we think.

If you are e-mailing the broker directly...

If you are calling his cell directly...

Possibly he does not work at that brokerage, or any brokerage for that matter any more.

Possibly the listing is expired, or he knows a reason why the boat will never sell.

Calling the main office is a great idea.

[Blue Heron]

Wish I could recommend a buyer broker with integrity. But I cannot.

[BobH]

I don't know if this has been suggested before, but maybe hiring a buyer's broker would be the way to go. Convince your own broker that you are serious, have the money, etc. Let your broker qualify you and then let him make contact with the seller's broker.

Just a thought,

Bob

[Art]

Originally Posted by BobH

I don't know if this has been suggested before, but maybe hiring a buyer's broker would be the way to go. Convince your own broker that you are serious, have the money, etc. Let your broker qualify you and then let him make contact with the seller's broker.

Just a thought,

Bob

Bob - And, a good thought too! To a large extent, especially in the services industry... ya gets whats cha pay fer!

G Girl...

Seeing as you are new to the "boat market"... and... you've implied more than once that you have plenty of dough! One or two "Boat Bucks" up front to a reputable personal boat broker (ya know - one that's on your side!) will probably save you much $$$$ and yards of hassle in the short and long runs.

As always, GG - - > Good Luck!

[bligh]

I agree with Bob, a buyers broker would be the best way to go for you.
Not only for the reasons stated above, but you could also find one that has considerable knowledge about boats that could help educate you and protect you from a bad investment along the way.
I know of several captains in the PNW that have their brokers license only to supplement their regular income. They are sailors first, brokers second. They are not totally focused on the sale so to speak. I would suggest finding a broker that will work with you in that way.