Boats For Sale and Wanted - "About to make an offer" advice

This will be the first time for me to make an offer to a dealer (for a used boat). Is there any rule of thumb about an appropriate offer below the list price on sites like Yachtworld? I understand that there will be huge variations based on the boat itself, but wonder if there is an appropriate starting point as a general rule. Obviously, I want to end as low as possible, but don't want to seem like a jerk by starting totally off base.

Thanks for any advice!

check nada pricing and then start 25% below that ## Another consideration is who owns the boat if it is a dealer there may not be the play in the cost that a brokerage boat has:thumbsup:

Thanks for the suggestion. I misstated -- it is the brokerage arm of the builder. As I understand it, a customer is moving to a larger boat from the same builder.

There are so many variables to the situation that you need to consider them all. After doing so, make the lowest offer that you can without being downright offensive. Then let the volley begin!

With it being a used boat make sure you use the add ons to your negotiating advantage. Sometimes along with a good price you can work fishing gear, safety equipment, ect into the whole package. With it going through a broker he's looking at the $$$ you can really make out with the stuff that gets thrown because it's not always calculated into the final sales price. It can sweeten the pot because you won't have to go out and buy it yourself.

Make your price contingent on a survey. That is, you are making your offer based on your feeling that the boat is fully operational and there are no issues other than what the seller tells you up front. You guys reach a price point you both agree with and then make a P&S contract. You get your survey and if there are issues you then renegotiate your price (lower!) to take into account the deficiencies you were not aware of when you agreed to the price. This would be for significant issues like the motor trim or a pump not working, not for things like there's a scratch in the windsheild. Just like buying a house, you agree on a price, inspect, re-assess price based on inspection results. This gives the seller incentive to tell you all issues up front!

chris