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.

Oh, you didn't mention that before. estrogen based life forms can really change the rational to something else.

In this market? I'd be all over it. I get a couple offers a week on my boat. Of course, they are all $10-15K less than I would reasonably sell it for and they always offer cash in hand, pick it up tomorrow type of deals. It seems the bottom feeders are the only ones buying right now.

The wife was in full agreement with me. Only thing we are countering is the buyer "wanted everything on the boat". Heck, I don't even remember what we left on there. But I am thinking he wants the lines, fender, life jackets, etc. We were planning on using that stuff on our new boat so that will not be part of the deal. Appreciate all the thoughts.

Why would the new buyer want to wear your smelly life vest? Let the lines and fenders go with it but keep the vests. Compremise?

Was his original offer $1K low with everything on the boat or did he toss that in later? If he tossed that on the table later I'd tell him there are certain things on the boat you want and certain things you will let go with the boat.

Don't lose the deal over it, but if you can pull off dock lines, etc, I'd do it. I would probably let the power cord, life jackets and stuff like that go with the boat. Probably not the dishes, glassware, silverware, cookware, stuff like that. It's not worth anything until you go to replace it.

Coming from a guy that recently sold a boat and got the full asking price for it, I'd say sell it.

Don't let a thousand bucks cause you grief over it not selling for a few more months.

And yes, negotiate the "extra" items that are on board (I wouldn't want old mangey used dock lines and fenders on my new boat anyway. Let him think he is getting something out of it).

As a side note, I specifically listed what was included (and what wasn't) on my boat in the ad for it. No confusion or hard feelings that way.

Good luck!

It was listed with none of that stuff included. He asked for that stuff in his original offer. I am not going to let that stuff go. Like most of us here I take care of the lines, fender, jackets, etc. and are essentially new and all mangey. So since I am taking less for the boat I am not going to just throw that stuff in. He agreed, dealer has $1,000 deposit with paperwork to be filled out tomorrow. Now we just need to see if we can whine enough to get our storage place to move the boat out early, we both would like to seal the deal next weekend.

Yeah, he can't expect it both ways (lower price AND with the "personal" equipment).

Good for you! Seal the deal!

Sounds good. Congrats.

I know you will miss her. She has been a good boat to you two.
Farewell.........

Boat should be sold with basic needed gear like it came with originally. Fenders 4, lines 4, anchor and rode, the 4 or 6 five dollar pfds but no personal items and no extra long lines skiropes etc.

I hope you sold it already, by the way. All these consultants statements are worth the 1,000 in a heartbeat.

good luck on the 2nd happiest day in a boaters life.

h

Did he spot those pink crocs on board?

I agree with Power and Sail, the boat should come with the minimum basic safety gear. But that means 4 orange type II life vests, two small fenders, minimum count fire extinguishers, and 4 or the cheap 3-strand dock lines, and a set of flares.

Even if you bought all that equipment new, you are talking less than $100 if bought at Wal-Mart.

So if pressured, counter the buyer's offer that the boat is considered your second home, and like a home, stuff like drapes and carpeting are customarily included, but not your clothing or photos of the kids. Tell the buyer you want your life vests and such for sentimental reasons, but you'll include all new USCG required safety equipment for him (the Type II vests, etc.). It will cost you $100 for the effort, but at least you will keep your expensive gear.

When I traded my last two boats with a dealer, I had to provide the basic minimum safety gear - which again - I removed my good stuff, and added the orange vests, etc., but I got the same stuff with the next boat. For our current boat, I let go 4 Type II orange vests with the Vista268, and I got 8 almost brand new Type I vests with the Carver.

If you buy a new boat from a dealer, they usually throw all that stuff in, but will include $100 worth of Wal-Mart stuff, including those Type II orange vests.

I think the only "real" market for Type II vests are boat sales.

Congrats WD!

As far as "stuff" on the boat goes I'd say let it all go, unless there was something special to you or really expensive, let him have it.

Think how fun it will be this spring shopping for new lines, fenders, and "stuff" for the new boat. Seriously, you'd probably end up replacing most of the odds and ends anyway.

It looks like the tribe has spoken