As most of you know our boat is up for sale and it is also for sale with a broker. Just received another offer today, our second one. Both have been below whet we feel we want for the boat. When it all comes down to it, if we accepted the current deal on the table would net us about $1,000 less than what we had hoped to get. Minus broker's cut etc. So, would you kill the deal over $1K or get the boat sold and move on? I guess I should also add that this is their best offer, so no room to counter.

Just looking for some opinions...much appreciated.

Does the offer as it stands still fall within what should be acceptable according to published data (i.e. NADA, etc.)? If so, a bird in hand...

On the other hand, do you think that you might get a better offer in a month or so, closer to the boating season? Still, a bird in hand...

On the other hand, I have five fingers.

When I ordered my 2002 Truck in the summer of 2001 heres what happened: I sold my 1993 Suburban myself rather than take the hit on the trade. I initially listed it for $16.5k and lowered the price weekly from July 1 until I sold it September 5, 2001 to the first person that actually made an offer. The offer was for $11.5k and was $1k less than my last advertised price. A week later I would have been hard pressed to give it away or would have taken a big hit a the dealer for $7.5k or something, if you get my drift.

I'd say if you have an offer near what works for you in this market, take now and don't look back. You don't know what other credit freeze is looming around the corner, especially if you've been reading FLB's posts.

How likely do you think the buyers will find another boat? How much activity are you getting on the boat? If you are getting a lot of lookers maybe you could hold off. I suspect that the buyers feel they have the advantage in this market.(They are probably right too.) So you may be best to take the money and run. Then move on to the next chapter of your boating life. Then you will likely have your next boat before the season starts.

$1000 off? right now, I'd be on that like Crocs on a GFC.
If you are serious about another boat, the amount of savings you can get now versus later would surpass that $1000. Not to mention, there are quite a few left overs to pick from, wait to get more for your FW, and you could lose the boat you really like.

+1 to Mutt ('cept I'd be on it like white-on-rice).

Ask yourself; "self, it's 2 months from now, and I've had no good offers ... do I wish I'd taken the one for ONLY $1000 less?"

The answer will be yes.

Can you get the new boat at a discount during boat show sales, or are you looking at used?

When we bought our current boat, we traded in our old one, as we found that the difference of what we could get for trade vs the brokerage fee for having someone sell it was a wash.

So if you are considering another boat, have you compared the brokerage fee + the $1K vs trade in allowance on the next boat?

"A bird in the hand" is the way I look at it. Especially in today's market.

Oh yeah, and make sure you tell the people that don't buy your boat you know where they could find another one.

Sell it now.

Sell it now - especially if you make payments on it. You wil make up that $1000 in no time with the payments you no longer make.

You guys are all telling me what I am already thinking. Now I just need to convince my wife...I know she will want to hold out.

Ad98...your thought on payments is exactly what I was thinking.

"Go on, take the money and run"

You have a bird in the hand - take it ! Chances are with the economy faltering, more boats are going up for sale, or for " distress sales ".

BTW - Tell the broker, you want to see his check and a copy of the write up - do this in order to make sure the dealer is not skimming the 1k off the top from what could be a full price offer.