Scott Shogren's complete blog on used boats for Powerboatmag.com posted this afternoon, http://powerboatmag.com/scott-shogren-s-blog/. It may answer a lot of questiions that were raised in my blog and thread on this site, "Shogren on Used Boats: Be prepared for reality."

The complete blog is called, "Behind the Hunt for Used Boats and Consignment Boats." If you open the link above, you'll go right to it.

Regardless of anyone's take, he does come to the discussion with a well-informed opinion.

I admire the American spirit of going and getting it and making money. But it seems you and scott are trying a little to hard to legitimize a boat broker after some mixed feelings in the last thread.

The blog was written weeks ago and prior to the thread starting which is why blurbs were taken out of it and posted in initial thread.

Appreciate your input and comments though.

Regards,

Scott Shogren

www.teamshogren.com

Not at all. As Scott said, the blog was written weeks ago. I caught up with him when he was writing it and wrote about it myself.

I write daily. Scott writes monthly, or twice a month if he's so inclined. I am always looking for good topics and interesting perspectives, and they come from all over.

There's nothing to "legitimize." In no way is Shogren hiding that he's a boat dealer and broker. In no way is he hiding that he has a point of view. On the contrary, he's giving his take on it, and I found that take to be interesting. Let's face it, the subject remains a hot one.

If you look at the thread, the overwhelming majority of comments were positive. Some were not—and that doesn't invalidate them.Not at all. It just means that intelligent people can have differences of opinion.

In the end, no one puts a gun to anyone's head and says, "Sell me your boat!" Shogren was merely giving his take as a dealer and broker.

no offense, but you seem bitter. As a dealer Scott is offering a service, like anyone you can say yes or no to any deal. As both my accountant and attorney told me not all business is good business. That being said for a dealer to take in a trade, he is taking on quite a bit, usually it's a boat of lesser value and more hours, there is considerable risk involved, but taking a trade is a convenience for the buyer. no business can stay solvent by buying at retail and selling at wholesale, not greed just reality.

I don't get why people take it personal, it's just business if the numbers don't add up, there is usually a good reason, broker commissions are paid by the seller so it has nothing to do with the buyer.

not bitter and like I said before i have shrogren to get parts and would buy a boat from them or any broker after I have shopped everything to death and got them down to a reasonable price. I would buy from a broker but never sell you will never persuade me to think that paying somebody else to sell a boat is a good deal. And when I was shopping boats and using comparisons I put in many offers through brokers but a lot of them wouldnt budge because they had the boat priced at what it was worth plus their comission. And I get it they are on consignment owner wont budge etc. But if you are good broker you shouldnt take on a client that has unrealistic expectations. Personally if you put a boat up for sale with a broker you should realize and be willing to come down to a price of what the boat is worth minus commission. Im not going to pay 10% above value just to buy a boat from shrogren or any other broker for that matter

+1. There will always be a need for brokers. Some folks are unwilling to buy through an individual. Others simply don't have the time or do not want to take the time to deal with the marketing of a boat. A good full-service dealer is priceless and unfortunately all too rare these days.

You are right there are situations. But its just like anything else. Do you hire somebody to clean your house, mow your lawn, or plow your driveway. It all depends on you and the money you make, time you have, how you want yo spend your money, your beleifs and values, etc.

Absolutely.

You are all making a good point... These are things that have driven our company to sell Factory Direct. We sell direct, AND TAKE TRADES. These are elements that dealers took care of in the past.
But due to the economic "issues" over the last years, dealers are becoming a thing of the past.
Why?
The customers are much more price driven now, and there is simply not room for another hand in the deal.

In the end, it can work out fine. But the customer must realize that customer service, no matter how prompt someone answers the phone, is difficult over long distances... Having a "local" dealer eliminates that problem. Dealers were always a benefit to the customer and to the builder.....but will there be enough $ to pay for them???