Denis Marier wrote:
I am shopping to get another sailboat.
When I ask some brokers for a sea trial they reply that I have to make an
offer and put a deposit before getting to the sea trial.
Some people tell me that brokers have to insist on a deposit and offer to
eliminate people looking for a free ride. Conversely when you want to
purchase a house real estate agent may request that you have been accepted
for a mortgage before an offer is accepted.
As I will be looking at more than one sailboats this could be an expensive
proposition.
I wonder what is really going on in the world of sailboats brokerage?



It's all refundable if there is substantial shortcoming during the
trial.

What is really going on is that a lot of freeloaders take free boat
rides, consume some hospitality, and gallop off into the sunset, or
try to cut the broker out.

Why don't someone suggest a better plan?

Offer to pay for a boat ride, applicable against purchase if it is
satisfactory.

You could tell the broker you want him to do as you say, or you will
offer more to the owner, after his contract expires. Good luck. If
you do it, you could wind up in court.

Then you will find out your plan is an old one. Brokers spend
almost all of their effort to ensure they get their commission. They
don't like to introduce owners and buyers until they have written
evidence of making the intro. Guess why?

Can you figure out why?

If not, you don't know what goes on in sailboat brokers' world.

It's a sad, sad world, sometimes.

But it's not your fault, right? Did you ever market a substantial
sailboat, or spend a week courting a buyer only to see him bugger
off without a thank you or a by your leave. How's an honest broker
to make a living?

There is always the for sale by owner route.

'course, sellers don't last long when the volunteer broker ninja
"buyers" wear the seller out with free rides. People of substance
get tired of freeloaders, too.

Terry K