How to get more information before travel

[youmeandthed]

there is no harm in asking, i agree that the more up front info the seller gives, the more willing they are to sell/negotiate. if they bs around a question assume the worst and put that into your offer. we bought our boat this way, and the sellers who wouldn't answer or provide their most recent survey we just said thank you and good luck. it's a buyers market and for those who want to sell and aren't just testing the waters they will answer your questions.

it also depends on the price for the specific boat. if it's premium priced, yes the questions are fair. a boat at a discount, well i wouldn't expect all the questions answered.

good luck to your friend.

[CalebD]

Originally Posted by MikeOReilly

As someone who is currently selling an older boat for a small price (www.elysian.ca) I would do my best to answer these questions. I prefer this kind of approach over someone who clearly hasn't done even the most basic of research before asking questions.

I think this level of questioning detail is perfectly acceptable for a second or third round of inquiry. Your message indicates you've done your homework online, and have had a conversation with the seller. So you've already dealt with the easy show stopper questions. Getting into this level of detail indicates you (as the potential buyer) are still interested, and therefore tells the seller it is worth spending time answering your detailed questions.

Nice advert for your 34' Grampian, Mike.
However I could not find the year the boat was made.

[MikeOReilly]

Originally Posted by CalebD

Nice advert for your 34' Grampian, Mike.
However I could not find the year the boat was made.

Really? Did I really forget such an obvious detail?? Damn... Sorry about that, and thanks. I'll add it right away.

Elysian was made in 1973.

[hellosailor]

David, there's an old maxim in the sales business, EVERY sales business. "Get their ass in the door."

You do and say whatever you have to to get the customer's ass in the door, knowing that even if you can't sell them what they are looking for, you stand zero chance of selling anything unless the customer is there. And once they are there, you may just grind them down to the point where they buy what you've got, not what they asked for.

You're buying a boat in 30 days? OK, if today is day 28...and you haven't found anything better, maybe you'll buy my junk.

As to condition and features, maybe you've noticed every brokerage ad says something about "We're uncertain as to the equipment and condition and we rely on everything the owner told us. The rumours about multiple homicides in the v-berth and repeated DEA confiscations of the boat are all news to us."

Yeah, a GOOD broker who's in it for life an repeat customers will do their work and tell the truth all the time. There are at least four of those guys on this planet, now you go figure out which ones they are.

I tihnk you're friend would be better to plot a linear trip, from a to b to c and plan to spend 2-3 days in each town, as needed. While there, work the phones and gang up some local visits and if a boat looks good--stop there.

Just zooming around, back and forth, you can earn a lot of flyer miles and hear a lot of tall tales but that's just gonna be a long hard way to buy a boat. IMO.

Then again, maybe your friend's name is Midas and everything he steps in turns out to be...ergh, gold?

[Lake Superior Sailor]

First off your survey looks and sounds like a broker trying to sell something,not a buyer! If I"m lieing in the ad do you really expect I wouldn"t just continue to lie on your survey? I would still toss it!..It's a used boat : apples & oranges doesn't compare.You don"t send out for Bids.....Dale

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by MikeOReilly

As someone who is currently selling an older boat for a small price (www.elysian.ca) I would do my best to answer these questions. I prefer this kind of approach over someone who clearly hasn't done even the most basic of research before asking questions.

I think this level of questioning detail is perfectly acceptable for a second or third round of inquiry. Your message indicates you've done your homework online, and have had a conversation with the seller. So you've already dealt with the easy show stopper questions. Getting into this level of detail indicates you (as the potential buyer) are still interested, and therefore tells the seller it is worth spending time answering your detailed questions.

I think you nailed it.
This kind of questioning has to come after some phone work but before buying a plane ticket.

[Siamese]

That guy has nut job written all over him. Probably best to just let him know that the boat is currently resting on the bottom and accessible only with scuba.

Or just deflect him: "Thank you for your interest in xxxxxx. She's an x year old vessel in ready to sail condition. I know I would always trust in a qualified surveyor as opposed to a seller unknown to me. xxxxx is available for inspection at any time."

Otherwise, this sounds like the kind of guy that will tie you up in knots.

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by Siamese

That guy has nut job written all over him. Probably best to just let him know that the boat is currently resting on the bottom and accessible only with scuba.

Or just deflect him: "Thank you for your interest in xxxxxx. She's an x year old vessel in ready to sail condition. I know I would always trust in a qualified surveyor as opposed to a seller unknown to me. xxxxx is available for inspection at any time."

Otherwise, this sounds like the kind of guy that will tie you up in knots.

Ok I guess I didn't communicate that well.
I wrote that letter, as a sample to send to a potential buyer to try to get more information before spending a grand on plane tickets.
So how do I sound less like a nut job but still get some objective information before buying a ticket.

[BarryL]

Hey,

I think a more productive method would be to say to the broker / owner / seller "hey, I'm real serious about buying a boat, but I am not going to travel only to be disappointed. What condition is the boat REALLY in?" And then ask particular questions about how clean it is, the age of the sails, the condition the bottom is in, etc. Maybe ask for pictures taken THAT day so you know how the boat will really look.

If those answers come back good, then look here
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-r...ssistance.html
for a local sailnetter who is willing to look at the boat, take pictures, get a feel, etc.

If that checks out then make travel plans.

Barry