Lack of Broker Response?

[MonacoMike]

I can understand not returning the phone call right away. People are busy these days and I don't like to call before/after certain times. But a quick response to the emails would be nice. That you can do at 11:00 pm.

There could be some similarities in the situations that explains why no “quick” emails. Recently Trying to get parts from Taylor Made marine I had emailed several times then called several times. One day they answered, during a successful call I gently complained about no reply to my email, he apologized and said my emails were among 1500 back logged in his inbox. He was taking them one at a time.

I suspect even the Good brokers are flooded with questions and interest and cannot keep up. Probably spending more time trying to find a boats to sell...

 

[Golfman25]

There could be some similarities in the situations that explains why no “quick” emails. Recently Trying to get parts from Taylor Made marine I had emailed several times then called several times. One day they answered, during a successful call I gently complained about no reply to my email, he apologized and said my emails were among 1500 back logged in his inbox. He was taking them one at a time.

I suspect even the Good brokers are flooded with questions and interest and cannot keep up. Probably spending more time trying to find a boats to sell...

That's why I mentioned 11:00 pm. I frequently hit my emails after hours at home. Easier to do without distractions.

 

[MonacoMike]

I like it when a potential buyer says it'll be a cash deal. At least I know from the start the deal shouldn't fall apart because of the inability to get bank financing. What the source of the money is I don't care, maybe he has his money buried in glass jugs like my Uncle George, it's none of my business

I care greatly the source of the cash. Many people believe they have cash but when they call their investment people to get the money it’s not a simple as just getting a check or a wire. Cash means many different things to many different people.

Cash buyers are not as invested in the sale, particularly of homes, as a buyer following all the steps that can be monitored getting alone.

So “cash buyer” is not some kind of panacea that is that much better over financing.

 

[MonacoMike]

That's why I mentioned 11:00 pm. I frequently hit my emails after hours at home. Easier to do without distractions.

An entrepreneur might do this, but do you think some run-of-the-mill boat broker is sitting up at 11 PM at night returning emails from all the Internet leads? NO!

To most of them it is just a job, and they treat it as such.

I am not defending bad service, just explaining it.

 

[Woody]

I care greatly the source of the cash. Many people believe they have cash but when they call their investment people to get the money it’s not a simple as just getting a check or a wire. Cash means many different things to many different people.

Cash buyers are not as invested in the sale, particularly of homes, as a buyer following all the steps that can be monitored getting alone.

So “cash buyer” is not some kind of panacea that is that much better over financing.

Why? Pay me when your supposed to pay me or I walk. Things don't have to always be complicated.

 

[Leardriver]

I have inquired on at least 6 boats in the last 2 weeks, with no response. I know that when a boat sells, the listing agency leaves it on to generate more sales traffic.

 

[Golfman25]

An entrepreneur might do this, but do you think some run-of-the-mill boat broker is sitting up at 11 PM at night returning emails from all the Internet leads? NO!

To most of them it is just a job, and they treat it as such.

I am not defending bad service, just explaining it.

They are paid on commission, thus they are entrepreneurs. As we know, the good ones are responsive.

 

[MonacoMike]

Why? Pay me when your supposed to pay me or I walk. Things don't have to always be complicated.

That only applies in a sellers market. I’ve seen a lot of that big talk in my time. The funniest is the parents that folded like a cheap tent in negotiations on their own home telling their kids to be hard asses in negotiations. LOL

 

[rtp]

I have inquired on at least 6 boats in the last 2 weeks, with no response. I know that when a boat sells, the listing agency leaves it on to generate more sales traffic.

Yes on the last sentence. Even pre-COVID, when I was able to get someone on the phone, they at times didn't even know the boat in question - could have been sold a long time ago...if they even had it.

Apparently since the shut-in/outbreak, anyone/everyone ever considering buying a boat - now is. My broker said he can't even find boats to sell. With that in mind, I'd target your initial contacts as much as possible to e.g. - 'Have $ in hand or ready to go, here's what I'm looking for, and where I'm willing to go on $ range' or for a specific boat of interest, 'ready to come sea trial and inspect with cash in hand' as may be appropriate for a better chance of some reply in an already-questionable area of getting responses from the 'typical' broker, etc.

 

[MonacoMike]

They are paid on commission, thus they are entrepreneurs. As we know, the good ones are responsive.

They are paid on commission, thus they are entrepreneurs. As we know, the good ones are responsive.

That is all true, but most of them do not approach their work as if they were entrepreneurs. Only a few smart ones really get it.

Fewer than 20% of people who enter commission sales make it a long-term career and generally about half of the field drops out and is replaced by a new half every 24-36 months.

 

[Woody]

That only applies in a sellers market. I’ve seen a lot of that big talk in my time. The funniest is the parents that folded like a cheap tent in negotiations on their own home telling their kids to be hard asses in negotiations. LOL

Pay me as agreed by the contract or the deal is off per the contract. That's as basic as you can get, it's applicable in any market.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Related to the subject only different issue... I was wanting go look at a 50 foot OA Pilot house boat this weekend in the Los Angeles area which is a 6.5 hour car ride for us. I hate driving almost as much as my wife hates riding in a car so its a stretch for us to do this. I had my broker call the selling broker to arrange a viewing. The selling broker got back to him the next day but this weekend wont work for him cause he will be out of town. Here's the kicker. The selling broker's office is 2 hours from the marina where the boat is and he does not have a contact in that area to show the boat! No wonder the boat has been sitting on the market for months. The numbers are good and it is well equipped with updated everything. What owner in his right mind would engage the services of a broker that is 2 hours from the boat with no proxy to help in that town? I got to thinking that even if the boat was THE ONE, what a royal hassle it would be making the transaction happen.
We are passing on this one and will continue to wait until a local boat pops on the market. I won't let buying a boat bring chaos into my life.
Carpe Diem