Boat markup

[brentlamb6708]

I have noticed on several classified ads that the seller reduces the price by 15-25 percent with out any negotiations. Would it be fair to say that when you go to sell your boat that you mark it up 25-35 percent from what your bottom dollar is? I know when I sell my dirt boiled it's usually that much but I was just currious about boats. Most boats list way over nada value(is that accurate most times?).

[TRBenj]

I dont believe NADA is very accurate when it comes to ski boats, at least not CC's. Market prices seem to be significantly higher.

No, I dont think the trend is to price 25-35% above what the boat is worth. Thats a lot. As a buyer, I would not expect there to be that much negotiating room. When I see overpriced boats, I assume the sellers are out of touch (ignorant) and generally dont inquire.

[Nautiquehunter]

Its worth what someone will pay at the time the owner needs to sell it. I havent sold a boat since 1989 I guess they are worth more to me than I could sell them for.

[xrichard]

I think a few observations of individual seller behavior isn't very meaningful. More meaningful is to understand what the boats are selling for. When I've bought used in the past, I've tracked adds over a period of months and followed up with sellers and asked if they'd be willing to disclose their actual selling price and how long it took. I'm nice about it and I've never been turned down.

For me, when I go to sell something, I typically price slightly above where I expect it will sell...that way I can give a little to the buyer as most buyers want to feel like they've negotiated your price down a bit.

[bsb4fsu]

I think sellers tend to put the price they would like to get for their boat as their original asking price. As Nautiquehunter mentioned, a boat is worth what someone is willing to pay for it at the time. If a seller really needs to sell their boat, they will reduce the price until it sells (many times for less than they wanted to accept).

[MARK-S]

It all depends on how bad the seller wants to sell the boat.

[ccs]

Can only say what I think, and have done - - I typically leave around 10% of negotiating room with a buyer...much more up or down on pricing than that and I feel I'm either over pricing or they are low balling me.