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Jeff

* wrote, On 5/6/2007 3:31 PM:
I am trying to negotiate a price for a used sailboat. Is it
appropriate to offer 10% below what they are asking? First time for
this - don't want to offend the seller, but also want to make the best
deal for myself. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks...Cate

Offend the seller? How could you possibly do that?

The first thing, of course, is to figure out what its worth, then
offer 10% (or more) below that. Just because the fates have brought
you together, you are under no obligation to overpay for a boat.

The last used boat I bought (a very nice one, in fact) I paid about
2/3's of what it was originally offered at.

With houses, its usually fairly easy to find comparables that set a
market values, but with boats, especially those in limited production,
its a lot harder, and there's nothing to stop someone from asking 30%
or more above the fair value.

And, absolutely get a proper marine survey, and make sure that the
sale agreement allows you to get out if the survey finds any serious
problem.