Private Owner vs. Dealer

[rlb2252]

Dealer or private seller, what?s your preference when buying a used boat?

Obviously, dealers have to add a commission when listing a boat. This would suggest the price has to be bumped up to compensate. But perhaps the dealer acquired the boat as a steal in the first place, leaving more room to maneuver on the final price.

Private owners often have unrealistic expectations, blindly intent on recouping each enhancement or repair they?ve made during their twenty year ownership.

Dealers at least, lack any personal attachment to the craft.

Who?s likely to be most honest regarding the boat?s condition?

A dealer may not have enough experience with the boat to know all its quirks and idiosyncrasies.

A private owner may know and simply not divulge that ticking time bomb buried inside the engine compartment!

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Private Owner vs. Dealer

I bought mine from a private seller, but mine is real basic and under $2000. I would not have a problem buying from a private individual on a larger purchase, but I would dang well have a survey done on any substantial boat like a bowrider, especially a newer one where I am not expecting to replace a bunch of stuff.

 

[Thad]

Re: Private Owner vs. Dealer

They are both liars and they are both honest!

It depends on the character of the individual. Not what he does for a living. I would buy a boat from either. And have.
Trust your gut, if you think they are full of it, they are.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Private Owner vs. Dealer

Buy from either if the price is right. You'll have to do your research to determine that. Check your state laws also, in many states if you buy a boat or trailer from a private individual you don't pay sales tax, but you pay sales tax if you buy from a dealer. Take that additional cost into account when you're deciding whether it's a deal or not.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Private Owner vs. Dealer

They are both liars and they are both honest!

It depends on the character of the individual. Not what he does for a living. I would buy a boat from either. And have.
Trust your gut, if you think they are full of it, they are.

+1

Survey, survey, survey!

 

[jkust]

Re: Private Owner vs. Dealer

In MN you pay almost 7% sales tax on a boat and trailer when purchased from a dealer. You only pay that sales tax on the value of the trailer when purchasing from a private party and the buyer denotes the trailer value when registering. From that standpoint the dealer to me is already at a disadvantage. For me, I went private party from the original owner. He could tell me how he used it, the maintenance that was performed, etc, etc. Then I visited the Chaparral dealership he purchased it from and verified the maintenance records. The other plus is many times the private party sellers throw in the gear. I got well over $1000 of high-end stuff with my rig that I would never have sprung for and it is just thrown in. Also, cash speaks loudly when buying from a private party and some people just want out of boating. I am a proponent in private party boat sales.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Private Owner vs. Dealer

I prefer private parties but get to know them and see if they are trustworthy and knowledgable. The first is obvious but the second is as important; they may think they took good care of the boat but they may have done it wrong, or focused on the wax outside instead of the carbs inside, or changing the water pump. I just got a boat from a guy who ran the motor on the hose fitting--trying to do the right thing while doing the wrong thing. But because he told me, I knew what to fix. Private owners know the boat and sometimes can be helpful if something isn't worknig right and there's a trick to fixing it.

Dealers, OTOH, can fix stuff right there, even stuff you'd get done if you bought from a private party, such as changing the water pump. They may have service records. They are more likely to give you a couple weeks trial period, or better, and after you buy it, you have established a business relationship so you can go back for repairs, or call for advice. If they will answer honestly, they can tell you whether a problem is major or minor.

 

[Bilgamesh]

Re: Private Owner vs. Dealer

A dealer is in business to make a profit. Yes, there is likely to be a commission written in to the bottom line, but all the costs of keeping the doors open and taking home a profit are written in too. This can be off-set for the buyer by a good warranty, assuming the dealer is reputable, and you read the fine print.

In any event, do your homework and ask a lot of questions. DO NOT RELY ON ANYBODY TO TELL THE TRUTH. Some will be completely honest to the best of their knowledge, but some will lie, some will omit, and others will simply pass along anecdotes that may have little basis in truth or reality.