CATransplant
Admiral
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2005
- Messages
- 6,319
As a lark, I often put together small aluminum boat, trailer, and motor combos from separate units on Craig's list. I buy the stuff separately or in combination, rehab them to be reliably functional and reasonably presentable, then sell them as a ready for the water combination. I make a little money on this, but I do it because it's fun. For awhile, the selling part was a hassle, but I found a strategy that makes it easy and that works very well. Even though my boats are cheap when I sell them, the same strategy should work for any reasonably priced boat you're trying to sell. Here are the steps:
1. Make sure the boat is in good operating condition and looks decent. You don't have to restore it, but it has to be reliable and safe. Let the next owner do the painting and so forth.
2. Place a local ad, and make people call you before you meet. Don't do anything via email, even though you can let them make the initial contact that way. Have a selling price in mind and add 20% to that to post in the ad. You will be bargaining with someone, after all, and it's expected.
3. When you talk to the person on the phone, be absolutely honest about the boat. If it has a dent, mention it. If the paint's scruffy, mention it. Honesty works.
4. Assess the seriousness of the potential buyer. It's not that easy, but you need to know that the buyer's serious before proceeding.
5. Arrange to meet the buyer at a launch ramp near you, and tell them to bring the cash to buy the boat. If they don't agree to come ready to buy, don't bother. Set up a time to meet and give the prospective buyer your cell phone number and get his.
6. Get to the ramp about 20 minutes early and prep the boat for launch. Have a couple or three life jackets in the boat, and be prepared to give them to the buyer if he or she buys. Also, add any accessories you can to the boat. I buy this stuff at garage sales, so there's usually an anchor, a throwable PDF, and even an old fish locator if I have one lying around. A couple of fishing rods and reels and a box of unwanted tackle is always good, too. More garage sale stuff. Anything helps.
7. When the potential buyer arrives, exchange pleasantries, then show the prospective buyer how to launch the boat. Talk the buyer through the process.
8. Next, show the potential buyer how to start the outboard. You should have made sure that it will start easily. Don't try to sell outboards that don't start and run well. Talk the buyer through the entire process.
9. Get the buyer to hop in the front seat and hop in the driver's seat. Go for a ride around the lake. Go fast. Go slow. Turn in all directions. Shut off the outboard and restart it. Explain what you're doing, at every step.
10. Switch places with the potential buyer. Let him/her drive the boat around as long has he/she pleases. It won't be long.
11. Switch places again to return to the ramp. Back the trailer down and put the boat back on the trailer, or help the prospective buyer load it himself with you talking him through it.
12. Pull back into the parking area. Kick the dirt a little. Discuss the price. Take his money, exchange paperwork, then hook the boat up to his vehicle, and you're done. (Note: I always have a correct-sized hitch ball for the trailer on hand, along with the tools needed to switch balls on the buyer's vehicle. I also have a suitable car side trailer wiring connector to suit the boat and connectors and crimping tool. I buy these at garage sales for a couple of bucks.)
Here's the best part: I have never had to do this more than once with any boat I've sold. It's the package that sells the boat. The buyer sees it, rides in it, drives it, and takes it home.
I've gotta go: There's a good-running 1958 10hp Johnson, complete with tank I have to go buy for $150. It'll be great on the next 14' aluminum boat I find. Seeya at the launch ramp!
1. Make sure the boat is in good operating condition and looks decent. You don't have to restore it, but it has to be reliable and safe. Let the next owner do the painting and so forth.
2. Place a local ad, and make people call you before you meet. Don't do anything via email, even though you can let them make the initial contact that way. Have a selling price in mind and add 20% to that to post in the ad. You will be bargaining with someone, after all, and it's expected.
3. When you talk to the person on the phone, be absolutely honest about the boat. If it has a dent, mention it. If the paint's scruffy, mention it. Honesty works.
4. Assess the seriousness of the potential buyer. It's not that easy, but you need to know that the buyer's serious before proceeding.
5. Arrange to meet the buyer at a launch ramp near you, and tell them to bring the cash to buy the boat. If they don't agree to come ready to buy, don't bother. Set up a time to meet and give the prospective buyer your cell phone number and get his.
6. Get to the ramp about 20 minutes early and prep the boat for launch. Have a couple or three life jackets in the boat, and be prepared to give them to the buyer if he or she buys. Also, add any accessories you can to the boat. I buy this stuff at garage sales, so there's usually an anchor, a throwable PDF, and even an old fish locator if I have one lying around. A couple of fishing rods and reels and a box of unwanted tackle is always good, too. More garage sale stuff. Anything helps.
7. When the potential buyer arrives, exchange pleasantries, then show the prospective buyer how to launch the boat. Talk the buyer through the process.
8. Next, show the potential buyer how to start the outboard. You should have made sure that it will start easily. Don't try to sell outboards that don't start and run well. Talk the buyer through the entire process.
9. Get the buyer to hop in the front seat and hop in the driver's seat. Go for a ride around the lake. Go fast. Go slow. Turn in all directions. Shut off the outboard and restart it. Explain what you're doing, at every step.
10. Switch places with the potential buyer. Let him/her drive the boat around as long has he/she pleases. It won't be long.
11. Switch places again to return to the ramp. Back the trailer down and put the boat back on the trailer, or help the prospective buyer load it himself with you talking him through it.
12. Pull back into the parking area. Kick the dirt a little. Discuss the price. Take his money, exchange paperwork, then hook the boat up to his vehicle, and you're done. (Note: I always have a correct-sized hitch ball for the trailer on hand, along with the tools needed to switch balls on the buyer's vehicle. I also have a suitable car side trailer wiring connector to suit the boat and connectors and crimping tool. I buy these at garage sales for a couple of bucks.)
Here's the best part: I have never had to do this more than once with any boat I've sold. It's the package that sells the boat. The buyer sees it, rides in it, drives it, and takes it home.
I've gotta go: There's a good-running 1958 10hp Johnson, complete with tank I have to go buy for $150. It'll be great on the next 14' aluminum boat I find. Seeya at the launch ramp!
