Want to move our 2006 Formula 400 SS (in classifieds). I am intriqued by the advise and stories I've heard. Some advise genuine and fair, and some things make you wonder!

Let's hear some good words of wisdom!

FYI: A few things I've heard/experienced:

"Don't ever list your boat with a dealer who sells your boat new."

"Don't list with a broker who has the same boat as your boat already listed, unless you are priced much, much lower."

"Don't list with a broker unless it is an open contract."

"Us brokers do not work for free, we need to have an exclusive, even if you show the boat and find the buyer."

"Our brokerage only expects to get paid if we find the buyer. If you find buyer, that is your deal."

"Trade your boat at a dealer to save on taxes, you will only pay taxes on any incremental increase in the value of the boat you take home (at least WI and MN)."

"Sell your boat privately in IL, the buyer will appreciate the tax savings, because dealers their have to charge sales tax."

"You have to beat everyone on price to sell your boat."

"You should not try to compete with unwilling sellers such as repos or divorces. Those boats often have issues."

"Condition and features are worth paying for."

"Condition and features will not gain you much as a seller, you just have to be priced low."

"Use NADA to evaluate fair value."

"Use Buc to evaluate fair value."

"Soldboats.com gives a good indication of what your boat has sold for in various states."

"We are happy to share with you soldboats.com data."

"Sorry, only brokers and marine surveyors can view soldboats.com data."

"No, that boat we list and you are are interested in just isn't going to work out, what else are you interested in buying or trading for?"

"That boat we list is not really available."

"We need 10 percent commission, period."

"Our commissions are negotiable, depending upon what services you would like."

"I am happy to do a skinny deal that involves transactions of 3 boats to move that one boat."

"Brokers do not work for free, a trade or deal involving multiple boats means 10 percent commission on each."

"Ebay works."

"Hey, I am interested and will make you an offer tomorrow for sure."

"Well, the wholesale on your boat is...."

"The engine package is not right for me."

"Your boat is too far away."

"The only place you advertise is offshoreonly.com?" (Not quite true).

"List your boat with a broker by Dec 31st or miss out for the entire next year's selling season."

"There is glut of your boats on the market, you have to be the cheapest."

"But I think I want a hard top."

"Doesn't it have pods?"

"Wait, is that a go-fast boat?" ...No, it is not a go fast boat..."I disagree, that's a go fast boat."

LOL. Selling a boat blows.

use the tactics of Charlie Abruzzo at Redline Marine

I looked at your ad here on OSO. Nice looking boat, looks to be outfitted for a lot of use (dinghy lift, etc) but you don't mention hours or engines.

The other boat that was listed (now says sold) was an 07 hard top w/ diesels and only 150 hrs was last listed for 50K more than your current list price.....That seemed like a lot of value from the pics/ad.

As far as not listing with a dealer that sells new ones.....in 04-07 yes that would be true due to the low interest financing offered back then on new boats (a buyer could have a lower payment on a brand new boat than a used one) but today with the cost of the new boats and lack of cheap financing that argument is moot.

Good Luck!

Thanks, I updated my listing! Also, good point about the theory of not listing with a dealer was more applicable to 04 - 07. If I were a buyer, I would think working through a dealer, even for a brokered boat, would have some advantages. The Formula dealers seem fairly responsive.

I agree with Jupiter, I wouldn't shy away from someone that sells new....your boat makes a nice sticker shock alternative for a prospective new buyer.

If you boat is truely clean, and shows new, make sure it is in the ad. More bad than good out there IMO. Being clean and near new may not make it worth more, but it will make it sell faster against similar boats that do not show as well.

You should not be rushed to sell, some of the comments you wrote are from brokers that want the quick nickle of a sale. This is the worst time of year to sell, so limited activity on your ad may not mean you are overpriced. However, if you get activity come Feb, you have a short window to adjust your price if you are not seeing offers. I constantly search my boat for sale on line, so I know what the market is. I still see boats for sale on line that were there when I bought mine! Average asking price is NOT market value. Watch similar boats and see what sells.

Lastly choose a broker that spends money on exposure. Some will use all resources online, lisitng the boat EVERYWHERE. Others will choose their own site and one or two others. Find a guy that is willing to work for your business and understands the market and boats. I would be ok with the exlcusive contract, many brokers get taken sideways on direct sales, and even it if it was someone you know they may have seen the boat up for sale becauase of the work done by the broker.

Make sure your broker does not require seperate payment from the buyer, this is a new practice as of late and can seriously muck up a deal. I walked on a boat a few years ago because the broker wanted a $10k cash payment up front just to get the ball rolling, this was his way to insure he got paid. Broker should be able to take payment in full for the boat, run through his books, escrow or accept payment in person at the boat, and return the required paperwork. Also ask your broker what his down payment requirements are, they should be zero IMO. Too many shady things going on, buyers are not trusting anyone in the marine industry

If you are selling (or trying to) on your own don't ignore EBAY. You get tons of exposure there and may not sell the boat through EBAY but will get some interested parties. All the usual "watch its" apply. Just my $.02