I've talk to 10-15 brokers when looking for my boat, I didn't have any
of these problems, I was able to eliminate the bad ones either by
looking at their listing or by talking to them on the phone:
1. If price is way too high, don't bother.
2. If the broker doesn't return your phone calls or emails, don't
bother
3. If the brokerage has more than 6 salesmen, don't bother
4. If you've done your research, and you should have, and realize the
broker doesn't really know the boat he is selling, don't bother.
5. Don't bring you checkbook on the 1st visit, then you won't be
tempted to buy before giving it some thought.
6. Don't look for boats in the spring, look at them in in Nov/Dec,
if they haven't sold for a season they are more likely to come down
in price.
I did have 1 broker (after to looking at the boat for an hour) tell me
get got a call with an full-price offer over the phone, I told him I
can't beat that and walked out. He is just doing his job, try to get
the max. $ for his client, don't take it personal, just turn around and
walk out.