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Hi all,
So I am selling a Montauk and wanted to get opinions as to how to handle multiple people stating they have interest and wanting to come see it. I had a bunch of folks respond that they wanted to see the boat. I had told 2 guys that had wanted to come in the window of time that i had available to show it one weekend (only time I can show it at all) that there was another guy coming and would they like to look at it, before, after or did they not mind seeing at same time as the other guy. One was fine with this and said he'd come same time, and the other guy got kind of mad and said I was not handling properly. I imagine the guy who got mad was intending to show a pretty lowball offer and the fact that there would be another guy there messed up the plan....but did I do something wrong in anyone's eyes?

I mean I have very limited time I can show it and don't want to show it to a string of lowball offer guys while keeping potential real buyers waiting. And I think of home selling as an example, where if multiple people are interested, then it effectively turns into an auction. Which seems like a completely fair and accepted market practice there...

Thank for any opinions!

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Yes you are fine. Its called freedom.

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Ha, yeah thats what i thought. Guy will have tough time finding a boat with that mindset i think...at least one that is in good shape that multiple people may want.

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Yes. Whats most important in any uncoerced interaction between two individuals is mutual respect.

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Agree, tried to convey that by disclosing to everyone the situation and asking how they would like to handle.

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I think a little preplanning could go a long way... You might have said Yea you can see it at the requested time but I still plan on taking other appointments if they can get here first, in other words first come first serve. I think having two people come at the same time is a little awkward, if the first guy low balls you can always say I still have a couple of other people coming to see it, that usually get's you the asking price and everybody is happy. IMO

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I have sold many a restored tractor or an item or two I have picked up to flip. Nothing more annoying than people telling me they would be there and I would change plans for a "no show". I came up with a method that left me both comfortable as well as ethical. I would designate a slotted time that would work for me. Say, Saturday morning. I would then make scheduled appointments in the order of who called up first. Explain to each that called that they would have a "turn in line". I would give each a 30 minute slot to view. I also explained to all that I have been stood up too many times to work with what was convenient for them. Sometimes it would not be a designated day but a time that worked for both of us (within reason) in caller order. I generally had good responses and scolded those who would say "... I got cash and could be there in 45 minutes...". Who cares, I would treat the prospective buyers as I would like to be treated when I was buying.

A funny story when I had a 1940's Oliver Crawler for sale with a loader bucket and factory rippers. An annoying fellow showed up and verbally trashed the machine "...sprocket worn..." "....dented and pitted...." etc.... I was asking $3000. He reached in his pocket and told me he was going to give me $2500 and took out the cash (I always knew I was going to take $2500). I told him to wait a minute. The machine was now for sale for $4000. A couple of unpleasant comments, nothing to bad, and off he went. The next fellow who came gave me the $2500 and thanked me for the deal. He noted the boiled fuel tank, new head, freed up linkage, etc... After all, it was a 60 year old tractor.

If an item is what you say it is. Is reasonable in price. It will sell. Sell it to some one who respects the person who is selling it.
gchuba

edit: suppose the first person who shows up (in order of showings previously described) and low balls. You say (even if he is the only caller/appointment) "Look there are others waiting, no thank you..." Watch how quick he reaches into the wallet if he really wants it.

PSS: never ever ever entertain an offer that is below your asking price over the phone or e-mail. Those idiots play games. "Flash some cash in person.... I might...." You are offering a fair deal.

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I usually just say "the boat is for sale for $3000.00 not $2500.00. This is not an auction.

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Boy, this reminds me of when I sold my 1976 Montauk. This guy and his two buddies come by to look at it. It certainly wasn't pristine (it was probably 30 years old at the time) but it had a couple year old trailer, a couple year old motor, and it the boat had been maintained and cleaned its whole life.

They showed up and just started pointing out every little thing wrong with it. They asked me to start it, I went to get the muffs and the garden hose. When I got back, they'd peeled away (as in totally) the caulking around the engine mounting bolts, and it looked like crap. I started it up for them, ran it a few minutes, and shut it down.

Then they started in on the low-balling, and to add insult to injury they were tag teaming me. I finally told them "as far as I'm concerned, the boat can sit and rot on the trailer before I sell it to you".

Oddly enough (or not) when it comes to selling a Whaler, I want the buyer to appreciate the boat as much as I did, and I'll take a little less money if I know they will.

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I agree. No matter what you are selling, whether a Whaler or a pair of socks, you come, you look, you kick, you run, but Its up to you on what you are buying. One buyer, or four, to me its your call. I think your right on.

Duf

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My advice is to not have more than one buyer looking at any given time. Give each SERIOUS prospective buyer his own space.

I also think use of the term "Best offer" or"o.b.o." is a HUGE mistake and just asking for problems. Never sell anything that way. Instead, do your research, determine the REAL price you must have, then increase it 5 or 10% and indicate the price is FIRM. This will get rid of the bottom feeders, while still giving the seller a little leeway if you have underestimated the value. The other thing it is likely to initiate is a question from someone seriously interested, before hand, as to what will you take before he makes the effort to come and see it. Then it's your call if you want to take less or not.

The other thing to avoid is a re-post to an ad that says "price reduced". That is just asking for the bottom feeders again. Instead, just let the ad fade away, and start a new one, several weeks later, at your new FIRM price.

This advice is for people who are selling, whatever it is, at a fair price and for a good product. If you are selling overpriced junk for the sucker market, ignore what I have written, and be prepared to deal with all of the idiots and cheapskates.

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In a previous life I sold cars at a local GM dealership.

The motto there was: Either it's sold or it's not. If someone hasn't entered into an agreement to buy at a price you are willing to sell, it's not sold and subject to be sold to the first person who steps up.

I lost a fine Outrage 22 located a couple hours away. We had an agreement that I woud come down to look at it first thing Saturday morning to buy it, if everything was as claimed. But Thursday evening, a local person who was able to look at it the day it was listed, said he would buy it.

The fellow who sold the Outrage didn't get any money down. It was supposed to take a week for the buyer to get his money together. I was disappointed as I was going to write him a check for the full amount on the spot Saturday.

The buyer eventually did arrange his finances. But the seller was getting nervous about it going through.

So be sure you get an earnest money down payment of a couple of hundred dollars, so they don't back out and leave you starting back at square one.

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I sold a lot of boats and any time I had a guy wanting to negotiate on the phone for my best price I WOULD ALWAYS ASK "Can you get a haircut over the phone?"

always shuts them up or gets rid of them.

Remember it is human nature to point out flaws in an effort to get slower price

Just show a nice clean boat and make sure everything works, I used to start em up about an hour before anyone was coming to make sure it would start. A non starter or a dead battery or a dirty boat or a trailer with a flat tire is a deal killer

Sell the sizzle

I had a guy tell me the pee tube water was too hot and the motor needed a lot of work, that was the newest one I ever heard and it was purring like a kitten at the time.

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It is great how these obscure threads grow. I would like to point out to those who are trying to buy a specific hull (ie Ribside), you now see how all us sellers feel. If the seller is "first come first serve..." stop what you are doing and go after it. If you want to "trash" a particular hull in order to save a couple of dollars.... be prepared to be shown the door. Is the seller a nice guy who wants to find a good home....present yourself as such. As sellers we are calling the shots.
gchuba

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Set your price also know in your mind the minimum price you are comfortable taking. The first person that makes you an offer you like and pays you the money gets the boat pure and simple. First come first serve.

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Private sellers part with personal items in an open viewing forum all the time. We call them flea markets, yard sales, open houses. Nothing wrong with it. It's at the owner's discretion, and if the occasional overbearing fuss pot doesn't like it, as my Polish Grandfather used to say,"Tough Shitski."

Chris

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I don't believe that there is a problem with having several people viewing your boat (or whatever you are selling) at the same time. I have had this happen myself several times, both as a buyer and a seller. While it may be awkward for the buyers, it eliminates the lowball offers if they both wanted it.

Many years ago I purchased a 1968 Buick Skylark convertible when I lived in CA. I called on the car, and the owner said I could come right out to see it. Another guy was getting out of his car when I arrived. The seller came out and asked "Which one of you is Larry?" and indicated that I had called first and had the first choice of buying it. I ended up buying the car, obviously at full price.

It was a similar situation when I sold it; two guys came on the first day. I sold it to the first guy to call and see the car. Potential buyer # 2 came minutes after the first guy bought the car for full asking price, and tried to buy it from me for for quite a bit more than asking. He was pissed when I refused. I set the cost of the car and already agreed to sell it to the first guy.

If a buyer is serious, he should not have a problem with looking at it even if others are there at the same time. He is sour because he may not be able to haggle you down on the price.

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As many folks actual experience out there
I have been buying and selling most of my life.
Emotions when doing both will be seen as having a direct influence when getting down to business.
It will always be better to deal between friends but unknown parties will bring an opportunity to make new acquaintances and perhaps friends.
I can always recall with fondness some great deals made while shopping.
It helps to have a number of what you want or can sell or spend on any items worth of your attention.
Buying on "Faith" usually involve a certain amount of risks and should be avoided unless dealing with trusted parties..
In the end it is often better to agree to disagree about buying or selling and giving you time to think about the necessity of getting a "newer" item then been too hasty and regretting it later.
Plenty of tire kickers and "pickers" may have a way to wrankle the most positive attitudes.

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Try to qualify potential buyers before agreeing to meet with them. Ask them how familiar are they with the model, how many have they looked at, how will they be paying for it, what will they use it for, when are they planning to buy, etc.
A litany of questions prior to meeting will sort out who is a legit, qualified buyer and thus use your own time efficiently.