Opinions please

[BADFISH II]

Ok, if you were selling your boat, and wanted to get the most for it, why not auction it? Just like ebay, but for boats? Does that idea appeal to anyone, or are you content with boattraderonline?

If you were to auction it, you would get hopefully more for your boat and no haggling because you would have a minimum reserve price and you could only get at least that price or more for it, whereas if you just sell it you still have to show it, still have to do the deal, but you may sell your boat for less than you could have gotten.

Opinions???

[THOR]

Very cool. Very original. The only problem is getting the average boater to buy into to the whole e-bay thing. For instance, my brother has limited computer skills and is very old school. If he wants something he will buy a hard copy advertisement or look in the paper. But, how many people are like that now. We are definitely striving toward a paperless society.

My only problem with the boatbay.com thing (cool huh?) is that I cannot sit in the boat, start it up, open the engine compartment, etc..

Other than that, I like it. If this comes about I will definitely be moving back to LV because I will spending so much time on this site I will get fired.

[BADFISH II]

Nice, boatbay.com I like it! I'll check that out!

Well, I figure like this. If you were buying a boat you would go see it before you bought it, if you're selling a boat you'd have to show it anyway. This would be the same thing, you could still go see it, and they would still show it, then it would go to bid.

I think I might do it like this, that the owner would always have the right to close auction early if someone came up with the cash on the spot and the owner wanted to just take it. That would be different than ebay.

http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I just want to offer more to our boating community!

[THOR]

Greg,
Why the Essex? Why did you pick any boat you have had? Colors? Speed? Female Magnetism?

[BADFISH II]

I'm not sure if I understand the question, but as for why I bought the essex, it was because I looked at several manufacturers and they were the best I thought. I toured the plant, saw how they were made, and even watched it being built a couple of times a week.

It's a great boat and I love it!

If I was to buy a used boat though, I would want to see it for sure, but I would want to get the best deal too. I think the auctions make sure both sides get the best deal, but especially the seller.

[waterndog]

I really like the idea, but I do agree with THOR about the computer thing. As far as bidding on something you haven't seen, you should still have the right to see the boat before the final $$ transaction is completed like a pre-delivery inspection, and the only way you would be able to get out of buying it after you've bid on it would be if the seller was misleading the buyer into believing the boat is something its not.

[RiverLife]

One of the reasons I like the internet so much is because if I were going to sell something like my boat, it reaches a much broader range of people. If you put it in the Boat Trader (the publication) you are only reaching the Orange County area (or the Clark County area for you guys), whereas on the internet it is visible to anyone in the world who happens to pull up that site. I also see positive and negative with a site like ebay. I have sold many things using ebay and was pleasantly surprised at the prices my items fetched, however, I am looking to sell my truck and have noticed that almost all of the trucks for sale on ebay either have a "starting price" in which case there are no bids yet, or have open bidding but are fetching extremely low bids.

I guess what I would do would be to start out my selling process with an auction and have a starting price letting bidding go on from there. If no one bid, no problem, I would then start listing it for sale on the internet and in publications with the traditional asking price. Again, just thinking out loud here.

RL the Thinker http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[BADFISH II]

good point RL. If I understand you correctly, you would try to auction your boat before you sold it with a "reserve price" correct? If there were a site out there like that you would use that first over boattraderonline? or not?

Anyone else? Would you auction first with a reserve price or just sell it on boattraderonline? Which is more attractive to a seller?

And what about a buyer? Either way you have to preview the boat, or you would have right to revoke the deal if the seller lies materially, but would you rather try to get it cheaper by auctioning or would you just look at BTraderonline?

What would you prefer as a buyer and as a seller?

[RiverLife]

You got it Greg, I would first try to auction it, say on boatbay.com http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif, but with a starting price (reserve price). Â*I would list it, which is also cool because on, say boatbay.com http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif you can make your ad a lot more professional looking and informative than a newspaper or even boattraderonline.com with an unlimited descripton and unlimited COLOR photos of your boat even a 360 degree view..... etc. Â*I would then start bidding at X amount of dollars, which would be a price that I am OK to get, but wouldn't want any less.
Â* Â*
Â* Â*ex.) Â*My boat is worth $40,000 (certified appraisal) but I am willing to accept $30,000 but no less. Â*I would start bidding at $30,000 (reserve price) and cross my fingers.
Â*
Â* Â*That way if people bid..... bonus!! Â*I'm going to get at least what I was willing to take and if it stays under $40 K then the buyer is feelin good because he/she is getting a good deal (a win/ win kind of thing). Â*If no one bids, no big deal, I pay the $1.75 (I think that's what a comparable ad costs on ebay) then move on to a "set price" online ad and publications.

As a seller, this would be very appealing to me (starting with auction) because it is very simple to do. Â*As a buyer, it is also very appealing because I have the opportunity to buy a boat at a much better price than I may somewhere else. Â*There would have to be some kind of inspection guaranty (or however they do it when you buy a car over the internet) to make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

I know I type a lot lately, sorry, but one more thought ....... Â*I also think that at boatbay.com Â*it would be the ultimate if it were a "one-stop-shop" where you could list your boat for auction or list it for sale (no auction) but either way have unlimited ads.

Hope that all made sense!!!


RL - the Yapper http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[OutCole'd]

I think the key is not the auction thing, but the quantity of nice boats to check out. Boattrader.com is nice, but the selection of performance boats seems to be limited. So maybe a Hotboattrader.com is the way to go.

[BADFISH II]

thanks for the input guys. The Brainlabor crew and I have something cooking. Keep the suggestions coming!

What do you think about a Buy it Now feature like on ebay?

What do you think about inspections? Should the buyer be responsible for inspection before bidding (like what typically would happen with a normal BTOnline sale)? Or should the seller be responsible for full disclosure and buyer has right of refusal upon picking up the boat if the seller doesn't disclose fully? Or the latter of the two with right to inspect before bidding at a convenient time?

Thanks a bunch for the info guys, you're really helping us shape our ideas to give the boating community what it wants.

Hot Boats RULE!

G http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[RiverLife]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Lakemead1 @ May 16 2002, 7:41 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What do you think about a Buy it Now feature like on ebay?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's what I meant. Offer both types of buying on one site. Auction or Buy Now. Inspection is a toss up. If you leave it up to the buyer to inspect the boat before bidding, it could take a while to start the bidding process, hence take a long time to sell the boat. However, if the seller is responsible, there could be problems with the buyer "claiming" non-disclosure..... I need to see how they do it with buying a used car over the internet.

Outcole'd is right with the need for a variety of desirable boats, however I think that will come with the right site. The problem with boattraderonline.com is that ANY kind of boat may be posted. I emphasize ANY, even PWCs. boatbay.com or whatever it will be called should be very specific on what a buyer should expect to find; they are coming to that site because they are looking for a performance custom, and they know that those are all that this site sells.

[RiverLife]

Sorry to type so much, but one more thought, or statement.......

When I was in the market for a "system" for my truck, I went to a company known for show quality systems. Even though I wasn't wanting to spend $10,000 on my system like some of their work costs, I knew I would find the best quality hardware, and have very knowlegeable people helping me...

The same should go for this kind of site. People come here because they know that if they are in the market for a performance custom, this is the site to find it on.

RL - out

[shannon]

greg,
I agree with out cole'd and this is how I see it; I have sold a few cars, I always ask a high price, and have always have gotten the one person who pays all but a few hundred dollars of it, I make money. Mnay people who are buying at auctions are looking to low-ball the seller. I have shopped for cars over ebay, but personally I would not use an auction because I like to call people, discuss the car/boat, see it, listen to it/drive it, and then decide what it is worth to me. Imho, I think a site that has the advertisment quality of ebay, but had more traditional buy/sell options would be extreamly helpful.
shannon
But what the hell do I know, I am just a girl http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[RiverLife]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (shannon @ May 18 2002, 09:55 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">But what the hell do I know, I am just a girl http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Probably more than a lot of us http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Now that's what I'm talkin' about, finally a girl graces us with her presence!!!! Â*Welcome Shannon! Â*However, more info. is needed on the LVHB Roll call (http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=2;t=75) thread, include age (not optional http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Â*)

RL

[calirider]

Hey welcome aboard Shannon. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif We hope you like it here.

D'

[BADFISH II]

good input shannon and thanks! See you tonight http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[RiverLife]

OOOOhhhhhhh, Look out Greg!! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif So you two know eachother huh!?

[BADFISH II]

That's Dave's wife (orange Essex)

[BADFISH II]

I'm still interested in any other likes or dislikes of this approach, so if any of you can think of anything else I would greatly appreciate the input!

[B-Rad502]

I don't know how well the e-bay type of thing would work? Who is going to spend $30k, $40k, $70k on a boat without seeing it?? There are so many things that could be wrong with a boat. I'm currently in the process of selling my boat and have had a total of 13 calls on it. All of them came from the boat trader (not online). I really think that is the way to go. The only problem with my sale is the location. I'm 1 1/2 hours from Phoenix, 3 hrs from Havasu, and 3 1/2 hours from Vegas and nobody wants to drive that far to look at the boat. The big thing is to be very, very patient. It's not like selling a vehicle. I've had one guy look at it and he was very impressed and wants the boat, but, he has to sell his current one first (see classifieds on this forum "21' Rinker for sale!!"). Like anything it just takes the right buyer to show up and see it in person. My last boat sold to the first guy that saw it and I was going through the same thing as now where it has been a few weeks and I'm very anxious to sell and move on. It will happen http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Please pass the word so I can sell it and order my new 29 Magic http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
http://community.webshots.com/user/brad502

On a different note, I was in Vegas for the weekend and had a blast. I think I saw "Fireman's" 24 Commander heading out of town on Friday on my way there. We were there for a wedding so, we did not get to do the full Vegas thing or go boating, but still had a great time. The roller coaster at New York New York and a few trips to In & Out Burger made things just fine http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[LakeRacer]

Greg,
There is already a type of this service on the internet. It is called offshorebid.com. Not that you couldn't start your own, but just thought I'd let you know about it.

Art

[BADFISH II]

Hey Art, Welcome to the boards.

I've seen his site - CJ told me about it. I'm thinking a bit differently though, and it's really all in the marketing - I couldn't find his site on any search engines. But, they're just thoughts right now.

Thanks for checking in and we'll stay in touch.

Greg