[dlowings]

Is it just me, or is dealing with boat brokers very irritating .. Twice now while looking for a newer Mariah 1998 I've ran into brokers.. The never want you to talk to the owner, and I never feel like im getting quality answers when asking history questions. In the day of the internet, why do people still use brokers, ANYONE can post ads on several outlets.

[indykoch]

I think you answered your own question... some sellers don't want the hassle of phone calls at all hours. They figure a broker can be a sort of buffer to weed out the tire kickers. Some sellers are happy to stick the boat on someone's lot and let them do all the work for them.

I don't like them either, though. I totally agree about the desire for good info only getting distorted or missed by the middle guy. I'd take a dealer's trade-in, or a private seller before dealing with brokers. I can't stand the whole "let me check with the owner" for every single question or offer.

[dlowings]

Originally Posted by indykoch

I think you answered your own question... some sellers don't want the hassle of phone calls at all hours. They figure a broker can be a sort of buffer to weed out the tire kickers. Some sellers are happy to stick the boat on someone's lot and let them do all the work for them.

I don't like them either, though. I totally agree about the desire for good info only getting distorted or missed by the middle guy. I'd take a dealer's trade-in, or a private seller before dealing with brokers. I can't stand the whole "let me check with the owner" for every single question or offer.

I agree, I'm trying to get this Z 246 and it really bugs me that I know there will be money going to a middle man.. I want the boat, but they have it priced as if it were sitting on a trailer, and it is not.. I'm new to this and trying to track down the boat is one thing, but on top of that I need to track down a nice looking somewhat matching trailer. I suspect that my trailer for my Davanti Z 225may work short term, but like I said im new to this and would have liked to talk to an owner as opposed to a guy looking at taking a cut.....

[ShabahZ250]

I know exactly how you feel. One of the clever marketing schemes going around my area is "Free Winter Storage if We Broker Your Boat". I think a lot of people who don't have the space to store their boats are brokering just for that reason.

Chances are, many people will be disappointed with brokerage services and resort to finally selling it themselves. I've seen that recently too, (as someone who tracks used Mariah boat sales across the country) the trend is the boat will be listed for 6 months or so with no luck at some outrageous price, and then the boat will show up on ebay or craigslist for a significant amount less as the buyer needs to unload it quickly.

[dlowings]

Originally Posted by ShabahZ250

I know exactly how you feel. One of the clever marketing schemes going around my area is "Free Winter Storage if We Broker Your Boat". I think a lot of people who don't have the space to store their boats are brokering just for that reason.

Chances are, many people will be disappointed with brokerage services and resort to finally selling it themselves. I've seen that recently too, (as someone who tracks used Mariah boat sales across the country) the trend is the boat will be listed for 6 months or so with no luck at some outrageous price, and then the boat will show up on ebay or craigslist for a significant amount less as the buyer needs to unload it quickly.

I agree, the crux is that the broker has a lock on the price over the off season and wont take any offers back to the seller. This is when we can get the best deals.. So it's bad new for a buyer like me..

[dlowings]

Thought I would bump this on the off chance the owner of this Mariah is a member of the forum..

1998 Mariah Boats Z246 Talari For Sale In Homosassa, Florida - BoatTrader.com

I'm trying to get backgound info on the boat, however the person you brokered it to is not willing to give me background info, also wanted to know if this was the rock bottom price.. The fact that the boat does not have a trailer may put your price a little on the high side, but I'm willing to work that out.

Other then the seating on the passanger side I like the boat and would be willing to travle..