Selling the boat

[Geargrip]

HI All,

So, I'm just wondering what other would do in the situation that happened to me.  This is my fist time selling a boat,and I was trying to emulate the pleasant experience I had when I bought her.  But, maybe I'm naive or something.  Here's what happened:

I have the listing on here regarding my 99 16CB for sale.  Someone responded to my ad (not the one here, but on another site) and we negotiated a price over the phone subject to a visual inspection.  I drove 135 miles to meet the guy and he walks around the boat a couple of times, crawls beneath her, and looks in the cabin all while I am silently standing to the side letting him do his thing.

He then turns to me and says that he will pay less for the boat; $800 less!  I was really taken aback.  I politely asked him why the price we negotiated on the phone (also confirmed via email) was not in play any longer.  He replied that it was too much and started with the whole "I researched it blah blah blah" stuff.  I then asked him why he waited until I drove 2.5 hours to tell me this and added that if I had misrepresented the condition somehow please tell me as it was not intentional and I'd be happy to renegotiate if he could show me where I had misled him.  He said that there was nothing wrong with the boat - that it seemed solid.  He just did not want to pay what we had agreed to.

I thanked him for wasting my time, re-secured everything and let him know that I did not appreciate what he did.  I emphasized that if I had misrepresented something - just tell me what and I'm all ears.  He had nothing to say other than "I pass".

Hey, if I had done something wrong, just tell me and I'll fix it.  But, I have no idea what happened.

Is this common?  Should I be asking for some sort of deposit?  Has this happened to you?  

Thoughts?  Suggestions?

[SpeakEasy]

I don't see that you did anything "wrong." In fact, I think you went more than the extra mile for the sale. Maybe the thing to do is to let this be an education for you. Lesson #1: If I were selling a boat I would never take the boat to the potential buyer. If someone is serious about buying, they'll find a way to come see the boat. Heck, a year ago when I was ready to buy, I was seriously considering a 13-hour drive to go look at a boat. Lesson #2: There's no such thing as  "deal" until the money is in your pocket. Were you including anything substantial with the boat, such as an outboard? When they guy came back at you with a lower price, maybe you could have pulled something substantial out of the boat and then met him half way. Him: "How about $800 less?" You: "How about if you buy the boat for $400 less, but without the outboard? And you owe me $75 for gas for coming out here."

Stuff like this really irks me.

-Speak

[HideAway]

The guy was just a jerk - probably thinking after the long drive you would let it go cheap.   He would not pass the standards of our group anyway. You did the right thing--  don t give it another thought - - Matt

[Geargrip]

Thanks Speak -- That's a good suggestion.  He did not want the motor to begin with so I did not have much to negotiate with.  Maybe the mast!  Seriously though, I guess I could have taken the full length cockpit cushions out of the deal-they're pretty expensive.  Oh well, definitely something to think about if it happens again. I really don't mind meeting someone, I know its a risk.  You really gave me something to think about.

Yeah, Matt...That's exactly what I was thinking as I drove away.  The jerk got me out here and then thought he had me over a barrel.  Maybe an Intent to Purchase document will help weed out those types.  I gotta believe psychologically it commits one to the deal a little more if they've already signed something.  But, then again; a jerk is a jerk.

LOL the worst case scenario is that I still have a really cool boat that I enjoy very much.  How bad is that really?

Anyone else have ways to help secure the deal?  Are deposits effective - especially if the buyer knows its to cover the expense of travel for the inspection?

[Billy]

what's this guy's name? I don't want him coming on here once he does get a com-pac thinking he can be our friends after trying to pull a move like that. Attention all Com-Pac owners...do not sell this guy your boat!

[Shawn]

You went above and beyond in trying to accommodate the seller.

"Yeah, Matt...That's exactly what I was thinking as I drove away.  The jerk got me out here and then thought he had me over a barrel."

That is what I think his approach was as well, that you wouldn't want to waste the trip.

I think that sort of works in reverse too. If someone drives a long way to view a boat it might help to push them into the purchase. At least if it is for a purchase that can be picked up right then and there.

"Are deposits effective - especially if the buyer knows its to cover the expense of travel for the inspection? "

If you are going to bring the boat to someone for inspection I think you should ask for travel expenses up front through paypal or whatever. Then during any negotiation you could offer to put the travel expenses toward the purchase price if needed.

Shawn

[Geargrip]

what's this guy's name? I don't want him coming on here once he does get a com-pac thinking he can be our friends after trying to pull a move like that. Attention all Com-Pac owners...do not sell this guy your boat!

Thanks Billy.  Believe me; if I see him on here, I'll let you know.

I'll try using paypal like that next time, Shawn.  That's a good idea, I like the security too.

Thanks all for the suggestions and the backup!  I always thought sailors were a cut above.  Unfortunately, I let this goofball make me doubt that for a moment, but my faith has been restored.

Tim

[Geargrip]

Well, she sold today to a great family who drove out to see her all the way from East Central Iowa.  What a weird sale, had the guy I mentioned above, plus another one I drove to who was a no show...very strange.  So glad it went to some good folks who will enjoy her very much.  I'm sure we'll see them on here pretty soon.

Thanks all for your words of wisdom.  I actually used this group as a reason to buy the Com-Pac versus another boat they were looking at.  (I won't mention any names, but it rhymes with Montgomery)  I told them how strong the following was for these crafts and how much support they'll get from this group as well as the factory.

Gotta go find that 19 now.  Thanks again, all.

[brackish]

Hey, glad she sold, and good luck with the search for the 19.  I agree with Speak, in that situation you should have the buyer come to you as those who finally bought the boat did.  I had the same arrangement with the sellers when I bought my 23.  I made a firm offer to buy based on their description of condition, pictures and equipment list subject to inspection and the absence of any misrepresented issues.  Drove the 150 miles to the location, did my inspection that afternoon then, with their help, trailered it and packed it for tow, met them at the bank the next morning to close and was on my way.  They did not require a deposit, but it was all my skin in the game.  I got a very good feeling that there would be no misrepresentation by my phone conversations and that was the case.

[Tom V]

Some people are just looking and researching. Was selling a boat when this fellow who had called several times, finally took a look at my boat. He came with his hippie dippy wife and proceeded to survey the boat. First he told me everything about the boat that was wrong, how I should sail it, etc. Second he told me how he already had a fleet of sailboats in his yard, I thought  how Lucky his neighbors to have Admiral Red Neck next door. Third he wanted a new boat to travel around in, I had already told him that I did not think of this boat as a live aboard unless you where 4'2 or less. After the survey was over he told me he was not interested and just wanted to have a good look at my boat. Thanks for wasting my time! Maybe I should have taking him for a short sail on a long bay. Still not as bad as the guy who let you travel to him, that guy was just plan manipulating you.