Joe's Rant

R

R-Matey

Member
Have you ever been here?

I have sold a good number of boats in my time and have a few good stories to tell.

The worst ones are people who never owned a boat of any kind. They've spent a day with a friend on some boat. Then they call and give you a time and day when they want to look your boat over...Then call again and say "Sorry I can't make it today. I will try again later"

When they finally show up you know within minutes you are giving away time and effort answering a multitude of questions. Looking into their eyes you can tell they really did not understand a damn thing about boats - Navigation - Weather - Safety - or Maintenance. THEN they say you don't have a "Bathroom" and your "Bedroom" is way too small.

And last but not least - Is there a way you could build a ramp so my poor old dog could get off onto the dock?

OH, YES!! ---- AND I WANT A SEA TRIAL!!

Joe says he could go on and on but he decided to keep his mouth shut (smiley face here)
 
Sea trial? Sure: show me the money.

I sold a sailboat once to a guy who had never owned a boat. He drove from Florida to Texas to look at it... so, I figured he must have some serious interest. We took him out for a sea trial, after he said he wanted the boat. I let him know that the sea trial was to show the boat was as stated, and on a successful trial he would be taking the boat. He was hesitant about taking the helm, as it was a windy day.

He bought the boat. I had some doubts about his capabilities, and strongly suggested he take some ASA Sailing classes. The last thing I said to him: "I don't want to read about you doing something to get yourself hurt with this boat. Drop me a note once in a while to let me know how you're doing."

Two months later, I got an e-mail from him, letting me know he had done several of the ASA classes and was sailing the boat daily. Next time I heard from him was an e-mail, with a photo attached of him and the boat in the Bahamas.

Just relating this to say that: you don't know who will buy. You can set the rules for a sea trial (like, after you have a signed sales agreement and a deposit). And do what you can to eliminate the "tire kickers" before you meet face to face.

I recently sold some music gear. Or, I should say, my music partner sold some of my music gear. I told him I didn't want to deal with the weirdos who come out of the woodwork if you put something on Craigslist. He was fine with it, and sold all my excess gear. And, yes, there were a few weirdos.

You can post "serious inquiries only," but that seems to bring out the weirdos who think they are serious. :roll:

Good luck with the sale, Joe and Ruth. Have patience... boating season is approaching, and that will bring out more lookers. Those of us who have been around this forum for a while know that any boat you have owned will be a prize for a real buyer... and there are real buyers out there.

Hugs,
Jim & Joan
 
Jim and Mike, Thanks for sharing and bringing down Joe's temperature.

PS: Mike - my Dad was a longshoreman and I have many stories about him and his use of various words that he used especially if he was following someone on the freeway and they were in his way (another smiley face here).

PSS: Thanks for having this Forum
 
We sold our. 62’ ketch to couple who had just received over $500,000 in a personal injury case, after the sale I spent a few days teaching some basics. A few years later he &the boat end upon the Bahamas ( From Long Beach, a a .
 
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