On Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:29:49 GMT, wrote:

I do not feel differently.
Same thing happened to me.
Another classic is the offer scenario.
The following technique works wells.
A boat's real price is around $50,000. The broker is asking $85,000 and is
fishing for about $65,000. You know he is way out to lunch. You like the
boat but you hesitate to make an offer of $50,000. because you might insult
the seller/broker.

I don't give a damn about insulting the seller/broker. I dealt
privately with a guy who went from $31K to $23K over a beer. I offered
$19K. He looked shocked, because 12 years back, he had paid $35K or
something. I said: "That was the eighties, this is 1999 and the boat
is tired and survey says X, Y and Z need immediate attention" We
agreed much closer to my price than to his.

I've spent about $10K on the boat. If I get $28-30K, I'll be quite
fortunate. But the boat is 33 this year, and even though structurally
and functionally it's arguably "better than factory", it's
unfashionable and cosmetically compromised G. C'est la vie. It sails
great. Sellers have to get real that not everyone finds their "wives"
irresistable. I am currently looking at more than one steel cruiser in
the Great Lakes, most of which need finishing. What "you paid for cool
stuff" is frankly irrelevant to me as a buyer. I am aware it's a small
pond in terms of brutal steel ketches. It's more like "sell it or
don't". 95% of people will get a used C&C or J/Boat or a new
Beneteau/Hunter/Catalina. It's the way of things. Your very capable
offshore tank ain't going to command a premium here.


You request to sea trial the boat. The broker states
that he need a firm offer before a sea trial can take place. You then
decide to make an offer of $60,000. The broker tells you that your offer
is too low and make you feel a little cheap.

Sod it. Immediately look him in the eye, tell him your offer is now
$59,000 and will drop by $1,000/minute for every minute he blocks your
sea trial. Tell him it's the fine old tradition of capitalism, and
reach for the doorknob.

Later the broker comes in with
a counter offer of $75,000. You tell him that it is too high, then he tells
you to make another offer. Then you both agree to go half way to
$68,500.00. At that stage you feel happy because you negotiated the price
from $85,000. to $68,500. Conversely the seller/broker is please to have
sold a $50,000. for $68,500. and the seller does not mind to paid the broker
his commission.

********. Brokers can be a great help and can really facilitate a
sale, but at times they have the function and utility of crack ho
pimps. It's clear early on which type you have in hand, and whether or
not you need to put your wallet back and walk on. There's always
another stroll.

R.