Craigslist Boat Sellers

[JoLin]

I mean, c'mon. I didn't call you ugly, didn't say your wife had loose morals, didn't call your kid stupid. I made an offer on your boat, which in my experienced opinion, needs a lot of odds and ends. BOATERS know that stuff adds up real quick.

You didn't like my offer. That's okay. I'm not pointing a gun at you. It's all so simple. REFUSE it. Don't endlessly text me about the 25-year-old GPS you'll toss in for only $200., or that mani's and risers only cost $600. installed, or how you KNOW that a complete flybridge bimini and enclosure only costs $1000., or that I'm just being unreasonable because 'these boats are worth much more than that' (whatever the eff that means).

Tell you what. Even if you now accept my offer, I don't think I want to do business with you. The last thing I need is a disgruntled seller when I'm trying to arrange a short haul, survey, confirm that the paperwork is up to snuff and complete the deal so I can winterize it before the block freezes.

If the deal doesn't make you happy, you shouldn't make the deal.

Thank you for your kind attention.

:facepalm:

 

[xjdriver]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

I dont think its just boats, its craigslist car sellers too, im not sure who defines "great condition" with body mounts rusted completely off. And where do they come up with these effing prices?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

I mean, c'mon. I didn't call you ugly, didn't say your wife had loose morals, didn't call your kid stupid. I made an offer on your boat, which in my experienced opinion, needs a lot of odds and ends. BOATERS know that stuff adds up real quick.

You didn't like my offer. That's okay. I'm not pointing a gun at you. It's all so simple. REFUSE it. Don't endlessly text me about the 25-year-old GPS you'll toss in for only $200., or that mani's and risers only cost $600. installed, or how you KNOW that a complete flybridge bimini and enclosure only costs $1000., or that I'm just being unreasonable because 'these boats are worth much more than that' (whatever the eff that means).

Tell you what. Even if you now accept my offer, I don't think I want to do business with you. The last thing I need is a disgruntled seller when I'm trying to arrange a short haul, survey, confirm that the paperwork is up to snuff and complete the deal so I can winterize it before the block freezes.

If the deal doesn't make you happy, you shouldn't make the deal.

Thank you for your kind attention.

:facepalm:

Did you text this to the seller?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Can you tell the first half of the story.? Usually when sellers act the way you describe, it is out of desperation.

not sure how much information you shared with the seller regarding your offer, but probably less is better.

I hope that a deal works out on a boat that you like.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Can you tell the first half of the story.?

Yes. I looked the boat over pretty well and made note of everything it needed. I discussed the minor things with him on the spot, told them they didn't bother me, but there were other (expensive) things that it needed. I expect to drop at least a grand on little stuff, and that'd probably be true even if the boat was pristine. Told him I'd call him.

Next day, I listed the major items for him and explained what they would cost, what I felt the boat was worth once it was spiffed up, and demonstrated how I backed in to my offer. That's when things got a bit testy (him, not me). Long texts (from him) followed, poo-pooing the idea that 12 year old mani's and risers need to be replaced ('the motor runs cool- there's nothing wrong with them. That's a WANT, not a need, John'), arguing that he planned to sew new eisenglass into the top himself. I've seen it done, btw- usually looks like crap.

It just went like that, item after item. For everything I planned to fix or replace, he had a half-assed alternative that would only cost half as much. I stayed real polite. Told him my offer was my offer. He came down a little, I came up just a little, but we were still too far apart.

My final text to him today read:

'It's only a good deal when both parties are satisfied with the result. I don't think that will happen here. Your reasoning is no better or worse than mine, so do whatever you think is best. No more debating, pls. Thx.'

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

My final text to him today read:

'It's only a good deal when both parties are satisfied with the result. I don't think that will happen here. Your reasoning is no better or worse than mine, so do whatever you think is best. No more debating, pls. Thx.'

More than fair and reasonable. (IMO)

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Yes. I looked the boat over pretty well and made note of everything it needed. I discussed the minor things with him on the spot, told them they didn't bother me, but there were other (expensive) things that it needed. I expect to drop at least a grand on little stuff, and that'd probably be true even if the boat was pristine. Told him I'd call him.

Next day, I listed the major items for him and explained what they would cost, what I felt the boat was worth once it was spiffed up, and demonstrated how I backed in to my offer. That's when things got a bit testy (him, not me). Long texts (from him) followed, poo-pooing the idea that 12 year old mani's and risers need to be replaced ('the motor runs cool- there's nothing wrong with them. That's a WANT, not a need, John'), arguing that he planned to sew new eisenglass into the top himself. I've seen it done, btw- usually looks like crap.

It just went like that, item after item. For everything I planned to fix or replace, he had a half-assed alternative that would only cost half as much. I stayed real polite. Told him my offer was my offer. He came down a little, I came up just a little, but we were still too far apart.

My final text to him today read:

'It's only a good deal when both parties are satisfied with the result. I don't think that will happen here. Your reasoning is no better or worse than mine, so do whatever you think is best. No more debating, pls. Thx.'

Thanks for the info JoLin . . . I have found the most success in buying when the asking price is close to what I think the boat is worth . . . it always is tough to talk a seller off their pedestal.

I have seen in my local area for 2 years now on CL a couple of sellers that have listed their boats at the same price . . . clearly too high and they have not moved in the 2 years.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

After a few months of winter with no one calling, he may change his mind on the value.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Something tells me you are the only nibble he's had and it might be a desperation sale.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Thanks for the info JoLin . . . I have found the most success in buying when the asking price is close to what I think the boat is worth . . . it always is tough to talk a seller off their pedestal.

Absolutely. As soon as I got a good look at the boat I knew it'd be a tough negotiation. It frustrated him that he came down by $3K and I still wouldn't go for it. Unfortunately, (IMO) his asking price was $5K too high to start with. At the end we weren't terribly far apart on the price and I might have upped my offer enough to close the deal. But I was becoming leery of dealing with him. Maybe he was desperate, but he made me uncomfortable. Surprisingly (she LOVED the boat), my wife backed me up on that. She makes friends with everybody, but she didn't like him.

I've been around the block a few times buying boats. As much as I liked the boat (perfect layout), I don't get caught up in imagining 'how nice it'll be when it's ours'. There's always another boat, and sooner or later I'll find one that fits just as well.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Works the other way, too, JoLin. I am selling a truck on CL right now, and some of the responses are absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn't sell it to some of these people for twice my asking price. Just not worth the headache.

You seem to have been more that reasonable. I'm sure you'll find something to your liking that is a price you're willing to pay. Maybe the guy will come down after it sits for a bit longer. Good luck.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

I find that most Americans find negations rude. I work in a company that has about 2,500 people on its campus. There are forsale lists. Once I went to sell my one year old leaf blower that cost $600 for $475. The guys from India started emailing me offering $50, $75 on and on. Yeah its really low but the price negation has to start some place.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

I always like the ones that don't give an asking price, just saying make an offer. ok $100. than they get all butt hurt about that. I tell them basically the same thing, has to start somewhere. oh you thought I would offer more than you even imagined you could get for it? probably not. LOL

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

I buy and sell a bunch of items on CL. Everything from boats to cars to parts to appliances and furniture.

All I can offer is Been there Done that.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

It's not Craigslist. You're going to get that anywhere. There used to be a thing called the "want ads" in the newspaper. Same thing.

I've never had any issues buying or selling on Craigslist. It's the people, not the medium.

 

[64osby]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

I've never had any issues buying or selling on Craigslist. It's the people, not the medium.

The only issue I have with CL is the scammers / spammers. Otherwise it's free market at it's best.

'It's only a good deal when both parties are satisfied with the result......'

It's a good deal if both party's are satisfied or unsatisfied. Deals where both party's are unsatisfied can still be good deals. If one is happy and the other is not, someone probably got taken.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Personally, It sounds like the seller got to much info from the buyer here. There is no reason anyone selling anything needs to know what my offer is based on or not based on. Make an offer, they either except it or they don't . If they counter offer, same thing, no reason to get upset, you either except it, turn it down or make another counter offer. No reason to argue back and forth over it at all.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

It's not Craigslist. You're going to get that anywhere. There used to be a thing called the "want ads" in the newspaper. Same thing.

I've never had any issues buying or selling on Craigslist. It's the people, not the medium.

THANK YOU Fleetwin...I grow weary of how folks complain about an inanimate object or tool, instead of the human being that is manipulating the tool. Advertising, automobiles, guns, internet, computers, the stock market...none of these things can "hurt" a human being, without another human acting as the force behind said tool. It really disgusts me how we have become a nation of blathering idiots who blame machines for the injury to people, instead of the flesh and bone person who pushes the button, or pulls the trigger.

Sorry for the rant...but it's been a long time coming. I have had great results and met some very nice folks through all of my advertising endeavors. So, let's all take a deep breath and remember, we (humans) are the source of our own misery or happiness, not the technology we created.

 

[canoemang]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

After a few months of winter with no one calling, he may change his mind on the value.

Yup.. wait it out.. Ive gotten some good deals over the winter.. just let it sit..

Then if you want to deal with him again throw him a even lower offer in January

 

[JoLin]

Re: Craigslist Boat Sellers

Personally, It sounds like the seller got to much info from the buyer here. There is no reason anyone selling anything needs to know what my offer is based on or not based on.

That's true... sometimes. When a guy is asking $12K for a boat and I'm offering him $7500., there's a reason and I want him to know what it is. You never know what that dialogue will accomplish. If one of my points is that the mani's are overdue for replacement, he may offer to buy the parts if I put them in, or vice versa. If part of my offer is based on the boat needing $3k worth of canvas and he has a friend in the trade who'll give him a break, that might change the negotiation, too. The windlass that I'll have to swap out because it only accepts rope and not chain? Well, he may have a source for a good used one. Get my drift?

Negotiation is a dance until one (or both) of the partners says, 'No more. You now have my best offer.' That was the case here. Stalled.

64osby, I've made deals that I wasn't happy with and I've prevailed in deals the other party wasn't happy with. The good deals occur when both parties are satisfied and nobody feels he got 'taken'. That's the main reason I've stopped talking to this guy. He thinks I'm trying to take unfair advantage. Doesn't make any sense to me, but who needs the attitude?

I've made an offer on the same model boat in pristine condition. I'm waiting for a counter and I'm willing to bend a lot more than usual in this case. My opening offer is higher by $5500. The boat is that good, and the first guy will never understand it.