Not going to call out any specific boats but it seems that when a boat is listed by any LOTO broker they seem to ask a premium for boats that really aren't. Salt water stuff relocates to LOTO and the price jumps 20-100K despite being for sale for years at a lower price? LOTO boats seem to have huge hours on them too.....400-500+ hours and the price is the same for a 300 hour boat elsewhere?

That is because they sell at LOTO. Our market is doing very well. Other markets not so well. It is supply vs. demand. Same thing as the house market, some areas bring big bucks, others you get a mansion for nothing...

Until the buyer has the money to buy, asking prices mean nothing anyway...

What many may not realize is most of the boats that are picked up in other parts of the country, also get an upgrade once they get to LOTO before they are relisted for sale.

My only suggestion is if you are looking at a specific boat, get your money out, this WILL effect what you can get it for...

No truer words spoken, asking prices are just that, asking. Something is only worth what an able buyer is willing to pay.

I went looking last weekend while in LOTO and can't get a simple call or email on a trade value from one of the big names in town.

But besides that I was impressed with all the hardware down there!

I have the wife convinced that if we don't upgrade now the supply of new v hull performance boats is dropping every year with all the manufactures now out of business and the ones that are still in business are building them one at a time for crazy money.

Other problem is she is worse than me for toys. She would have a new 353 stilletto if it where up to her.

I am not by any means in the middle of your deal, So I am speaking generally. A trade value on a boat is not that clean cut. It really depends on what you are looking for and what you expect or owe on your trade.

Many (most) boats at an dealer in todays market are on consignment. So taking a trade towards a consignment boat is not only through the dealer but also the seller.

In many cases in order to even consider a trade, they would need to have a pre sold situation or make a LOW offer on the trade knowing you may be sitting on it.

Now comes into how do you tell the buyer you are about to low ball the hell out of their boat? So I would expect most dealers will try and find someone interested first to get a reasonable trade offer.

In most cases this does not happen immediately. It is NOT like trading a car.... the numbers are SUBSTANTIALLY different and the risk MUCH larger on taking a trade on a boat.

So if it takes a few days, don't get too excited, just stay working forward. Once you have a specific boat you want, that is wen the real numbers will start to move forward. Again, it is not like trading for a car at a car dealer...

I here yah but it is a boat they own it. And if you don't have an answer yet ... A simple email would have made me happy. "Still working on some numbers....." Still giving them the benefit of the doubt but being in the car business I will never prejudge a customer. Anyone in my store is a potential buyer. I research before I buy so I don't have to waste anyone's time. I knew what I wanted. Looked at it with my wife and kids. Asked him about the trade and he was unsure. " I have never sold a 292 so i dont know what its worth" was what i was told. I left with the agreement that I would email him a bunch of pics of mine so he could get a trade value vs. his boat. Told him that I would be in town for a few days but I was only and 8 hour drive away if we could make some numbers work.... Nothing!

Sorry to hijack the thread but it got me pissed about it again. I agree that boat values are only worth what the buyer is willing to pay and the seller is willing to let it go for. Each one is a completely different transaction.

In a boat deal, you are always better dealing out right on a purchase. Either pre selling your own boat your self or putting it on consignment, selling it, then looking to buy is your best deal.

Many times.... a dealer will not necessarily want a trade, because again, the risk is substantially greater for them. I am not saying this is the reason on your situation, But I have seen it numerous times with many dealers.

Even if it is a dealer owned boat, that does not necessarily they own it outright either (floor plans) so there is not always as much profit as one would think. Then throw in a trade and the money gets even more risky.

Ask yourself, are you more offended because it takes a bit of time to get an answer, or would you be more offended by a LOW BALL offer?

And finally, there may be more than one person interested in any specific boat, so they too may be dealing with more than one offer at a time as well. The dealer will take the offer that works out best for their profit.

LOTO and most of the state CA and Lake Havasu City, AZ have the same prices. Somewhat high pricing.

Just asking, as wondering it seems at LOTO that not all the big & medium names around for such a huge boating world are OEM dealers or even OEM certified currently thru the dealership nor do any OEM warranty work. Not saying this bad but really was just asking if this is correct or am I off base. Other areas of the US that would'nt fly especially here in DFW Texas..

Wouldn't be offended at all. More so that I was blown off as a non-buyer.

And if done right you will make more on a trade transaction than a cash one. This assumes that you don't over pay for the trade.

I'm done...

I did really enjoy my 1st time at LOTO!