Low ball?

T

tcontic

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Nov 20, 2007
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28985
Messages
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Is offering 9K for a boat list at 12K a low ball offer? NADA is about 10K
 
I am sure that others will jump in but in the middle of this depression there is no such thing as a low ball offer.

The seller will have to take what he can get or die with the boat.
 
the worst he will do is say no, may even counter....

Just might take it...!! In this market, he would be foolish to say no...

All the best...
 
I'm tempted to say you are high relative to the ask in this very soft market. The seller could have the best boat in class offered at a fair asking price AND he is personally in a strong financial position, ie, no loan or one easily managed. If he has all of that going for him he should be able to be patient and wait 'til the offer he is looking for comes along. HOWEVER!!
However, in this market (again) remove one or two of the above mentioned and remember there isn't a line of buyers queueing up behind you. Offer a low low number. If there is no counter, so what?! You have to suffer the embarressment of raising your offer.
I know of no other way to find out who is desperate and there are a lot who are. Good luck!
 
I made offers on 4 different boqats this winter. All listed around 110K, but NADA was at 65K, not one even offered a counter. I am still stunned. One just called me back last week, and countered at 75K, I told him I am still at 65K, call me at the end of the seaosn when the owner pays another 6K in storage and monthly payments, of course the boat will be yet another year older and my offer may be less.
 
In the negotiating game, the buyer's job is to get as low a price as possible and the seller to get the highest price. If the seller says no and becomes offended at a low offer, they either: owe a bunch on the boat and/or have a strong emotional attachment which really has no real dollar value, (except to the seller)
Don't ever be scared to low-ball, though some on the forum may disagree, but what if the seller is willing and able to take 50% of the list price?
It's possible the lack of counter-offers in Tin's case is what these folks owe on their boats.
 
Although NADA pricing is a ballpark figure, you'll have to see the boat. A NADA price is just an average of selling prices. A boat well maintained in very good condition may be worth +$15k and the owner is looking to sell for $12k. On the other hand this may be a boat that was not cared for over the years. It may be worth less than NADA. Buying a boat that is 3-4 years old should almost look like new. A boat 5-10 years old should be in very good condition to obtain NADA pricing. At 10-20 years old it should still look good but will normally show signs here and there that it was used but should not have: torn or moldly seats in the cokpit, canvas that is not torn, gelcoat that is not shiney, cabin area clean with mildew/mold or tears, problems with the engine or outdrive, etc... The cost to bring up a subpar to average will cost thousands unless you do it yourself and spends weeks doing it.
 
Unless you are in a hurry to buy a boat. Make the offer and see what happens. Worse case scenario you have to keep looking. Best case you didn't overpay for a boat.

In the last year I have made 10 offers on 9 boats. Not a single counter with the exception of one guy that called me back 9 months later. I have offered 80% of low retail on all but one offer. I made a second offer at 90% of low retail. All of the boats are still on the market and with the exception of one they were all on the market for at least 6 months prior to the offers. And these are all offers sight unseen (save for ad pictures) pending surveys and sea trials so god knows what that would turn up. I know in the price range I am shopping that most likely owe more than I am offering and refuse to take that hit. I know I will find my boat eventually just need patience.
 
I bought my Carver in 2000 for 9200, nada was 23k, most were asking 19-26k. I sold it 4 years later, much improved, for 9200. and was 14-15k and most were listed at 15-23k. I sold it in 1 day and had a back up buyer. Why anyone tries to milk every $ out of their boat and spend their time doing it is beyond me, save for those with loans.

Offer 8275. saying you calculated conservatively what the boat will need right off the bat.
 
And I find L.I. & S. FL people are much more negotiable than many other parts of the country. I think you'll own that boat soon.
 
My friend is busy bringing home a 2002 60'MY Viking from Texas. Listed 600K He offered 400K and stayed there, owner caved in in two weeks.
 
And I saw House Hunters in FL last night, looking at 2.2-2.9M houses, bout the 2.9M for 1.5M!! Only in FL but it's time to low ball, nothing is worth anything anymore(except Krugerrands).
 
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