Should I pounce?

[endoit]

A retired sailor is offering a combination circa 2000 avon 8-9 foot tender and a 1990 Johnson 6hp. Motor has 100 hrs and tender 10-15 uses with most of its life in a basement. Should I jump on it and how much should I consider spending.

[bljones]

How much is he asking?

Offer half.

Conversely, offer $500. If he balks, ask how much he wants. If it's not over $1000, offer halfway between $500 and his figure, and put out your hand for a handshake. $1000 is full retail always-for-sale-at-that-price-somewhere figure on that combination, so don't pay more than that. anything under $750, IMO would be good value.

[Faster]

There's a wide range in quality of inflatables.. the brand is going to make a difference to the value as well.

Assuming its a good boat, boat and motor for $1K would be a deal, seems to me....

[endoit]

He wants 1k for both with an open invitation to return if not fully satisfied. I think the shape is decent and it would work well with a 35 foot sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay.

[mitiempo]

$800?

[bljones]

If you've got the nerves of a good Texas Hold 'Em player, try this:

Go to the bank, take out $900 in cash. Put $500 in $20s in one pocket, $250 in $50s in another, and $150 in another. Check out the boat, then pull out that thick $500 wad and start counting them off, then ask, "will this do it?" and put out your hand for a shake. If the answer is no, and the seller counters with a number over $750, without saying a word, pull out your $250 wad and count it off, and say, "I've got $750. Have we got a deal?" and put out your hand for a shake. If the answer is still no, and the seller is still sticking to his guns, then reach into your last pocket with a sigh. "Okay, I'll give you my gas and grocery money."

I rarely have to reach for the last pocket... and when I do, I never have to use all of it.

[mitiempo]

Good plan.

[rikhall]

Originally Posted by bljones

If you've got the nerves of a good Texas Hold 'Em player, try this:
I rarely have to reach for the last pocket... and when I do, I never have to use all of it.

I have never played Texas Hold 'Em, but I did live for a number of years in Taiwan.

After "Where's the bathroom"

The first Chinese I learned was "How much is that?"
The second phrase learned was "Too much"
I loved it there. Buying and selling were wondrful social events.

And there is just something about Cash in Hand!

Good advice bljones.

Heck - I bargin at Sears!

Rik

[eherlihy]

I'm looking at a motor on eBay right now. Based on the above description, $700 would be a fair price for the motor alone.

There are a lot of different Avon inflatables, with a lot of different options (floor type, PVC / Hypalon etc.), so its value could range from $100 (assuming that it holds air) to $500.

You have to decide if you want to treat this retired sailor fairly, or not... However, if you make a ridiculously low offer, you run the risk of loosing his respect (which may, or may not, mean something to you).

My friends and I used to say that when bargaining the first person to reveal a price usually looses. I suggest that you come up with a fair valuation of what it is worth TO YOU. Then, ask him what he wants. You will likely get into a discussion of what is good, bad about the package before he tells you. I also believe that what goes around, eventually comes around...

When he finally gets around to telling you a price, if he tells you >200% of what you believe it is worth, then thank him for his time and walk away. You'll then know that he's cheap SOB, and not someone that you want to deal with. If he comes in at your target, tell him that he is getting a good deal, and agree to strike a deal. If he comes in less than your target, politely agree, and know that you got a great deal.

[eherlihy]

For comparison: $950 2000 8 HP MERCURY 2-STROKE SHORT SHAFT OUTBOARD - eBay (item 250763313305 end time Apr-25-11 09:26:55 PDT)
and $800 USED 2002 Mercury 9.9 Short Shaft manual start outboard - eBay (item 180647947030 end time May-01-11 21:17:54 PDT)