Broker recommendations?
-
- deckhand
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2004 11:50 am
Broker recommendations?
Anyone had a good (or bad) experience with brokers in the Chesapeake Bay area? I thought that Chesapeake Catamarans was the place to list, but can't say that I am overwhelmed with their efforts/responsiveness. I'm thinking about pulling my listing and either hanging on to the boat (Folie a Deux- Altair) for a while longer, or listing it myself. I'd be interested in any recommendations- I can be reached backchannel at crandol@lumc.edu
Chris Randolph
Chris Randolph
Annapolis Brokers Reply
Prior to buying a 36, we made a number of trips to Annapolis to look at boats. The brokers that we met were, in a word...useless.
We showed up in jeans, ready to look into the bilges and lockers of any PDQ we viewed.
At the the brokers then billing themselves as "pdq specialists" in that little grey building that looks like a house (sound familiar?) we were literally IGNORED by the broker who literally was falling all over himself serving 2 couples (well dressed) who seemed to have no idea what they were looking at. In frustration at his ignorance and incredible rudeness, we left.
Later we happened to meet the two couples at the Chartroom. Over a beer or two they told us that the were school teachers on vacation, had ZERO interest in buying anything at all, and had decided to get dressed up and go "yacht shopping" to pass some time. We laughed together at the foolishness of the broker.
Subsequently, we abandoned those brokers and their B.S. and bought privately instead. It was a wise decision. We saved money and believe me, when you meet an OWNER who wants to sell, he is attentive to your needs and answers your questions.
Brokers (at the least the CAT ones) in Annapolis are in my opinion a total waste of time and money.
We showed up in jeans, ready to look into the bilges and lockers of any PDQ we viewed.
At the the brokers then billing themselves as "pdq specialists" in that little grey building that looks like a house (sound familiar?) we were literally IGNORED by the broker who literally was falling all over himself serving 2 couples (well dressed) who seemed to have no idea what they were looking at. In frustration at his ignorance and incredible rudeness, we left.
Later we happened to meet the two couples at the Chartroom. Over a beer or two they told us that the were school teachers on vacation, had ZERO interest in buying anything at all, and had decided to get dressed up and go "yacht shopping" to pass some time. We laughed together at the foolishness of the broker.
Subsequently, we abandoned those brokers and their B.S. and bought privately instead. It was a wise decision. We saved money and believe me, when you meet an OWNER who wants to sell, he is attentive to your needs and answers your questions.
Brokers (at the least the CAT ones) in Annapolis are in my opinion a total waste of time and money.
- SecondWind
- admiral
- Posts: 404
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 8:57 am
- Location: Punta Gorda, Fl (33950)
- Contact:
Brokers
Hints about using brokers.
1. They are not just waiting for you to drop in.
2. Call and make an APPOINTMENT. If they are busy with someone else, those folks probably made an appointment. Don't expect the broker to drop everything for you.
3. Have a budget figure in mind for buying your vessel. If you are looking for bargain pricing in Catamarans, you might as well forget it.
4. Know what vessels you might be interested in. If you really want a PDQ 36, don't run around looking at Lagoon 42's.
5. This is just like buying real estate! Have your ducks in order, show up on time, and don't waste the brokers time.
The folks in the little grey building in Annapolis treated us very well. We did not take them for granted.
1. They are not just waiting for you to drop in.
2. Call and make an APPOINTMENT. If they are busy with someone else, those folks probably made an appointment. Don't expect the broker to drop everything for you.
3. Have a budget figure in mind for buying your vessel. If you are looking for bargain pricing in Catamarans, you might as well forget it.
4. Know what vessels you might be interested in. If you really want a PDQ 36, don't run around looking at Lagoon 42's.
5. This is just like buying real estate! Have your ducks in order, show up on time, and don't waste the brokers time.
The folks in the little grey building in Annapolis treated us very well. We did not take them for granted.
My experience with Chesapeake Catamarans
I am shopping for a used PDQ cat in the MD - VA area and contacted Chesapeake Cats. My family and I drove 3 hours to view them.
I share your opinion and have more specific information not suitable for this public forum. I will contact you directly.
pdqforum@phaup.cjb.net
I share your opinion and have more specific information not suitable for this public forum. I will contact you directly.
pdqforum@phaup.cjb.net
Re: Annapolis Brokers Reply
Inquired via email about one of their listings, I am a cash buyer located in Florida, received a pushy, ignorant reply from a salesman with a used car dealer's attitude. Quickly wrote them off.None wrote:Prior to buying a 36, we made a number of trips to Annapolis to look at boats. The brokers that we met were, in a word...useless.
At the the brokers then billing themselves as "pdq specialists" in that little grey building that looks like a house (sound familiar?)
-
- admiral
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2004 2:23 pm
- Location: Ontario (32043)
brokers in Annapolis
I had a very positive experience with Jerry Oosterhause who was with Chessie Cats at the time but it appears he has now moved to Authentic Yachts. He was extremely knowlegeable on the PDQ's and had good input on competetive products.
-
- deckhand
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:51 pm
- Location: Miami Beach, FL
Yacht Broker in Annapolis
I second the positive experience with Jerry Oosterhous as we just closed a deal to purchase a PDQ cat through him. He was very helpful, accommodating, and knowledgable throughout the entire process. His company is Severn Yacht Sales and can be reached at 410 263-5655.
Annapolis Brokers
There have been some big changes at Chesapeake Catamaran Center. John Farrow sold the company to Tommy Smith, who is young, agressive and interested in selling bigger boats. John is opening an office in Annapolis for another Canadian manufacturer, of high quality monohull sailboats. Jerry Oosterhous has opened his own brokerage, Severn Yacht Sales at the Eastport Yacht Center, (410)263-5655 or severnyachtsales@verizon.net. I hope those of you who have met him will send him a Christmas Card at 726 Second St. Suite 2D, Annapolis, MD 21403.
I'm working part time at West Marine in Edgewater, MD, and having more fun than I ever did at CCC!
I'm working part time at West Marine in Edgewater, MD, and having more fun than I ever did at CCC!
Sandy Daugherty "Page 83" PDQ 36026
Tommy Smith
I had a very unfortunate experience with Tommy Smith of Chesapeake Catamaran Center. He stiffed me for $2,500 in purchasing my
PDQ32. My final offer to the sellers was 127,500 and they stood firm at
130,000 so Tommy said he'd make up the difference. Unfortunately, I did
not get it in writing and heard all the excuses at various times: check's
in the mail, did I say that?, can't afford it right now, etc. I'm taking
him to small claims court in May but without hard evidence I was wondering what else might be done. Perhaps someone else has had a similar bad experience with them.
Yours,
Tim
PDQ32. My final offer to the sellers was 127,500 and they stood firm at
130,000 so Tommy said he'd make up the difference. Unfortunately, I did
not get it in writing and heard all the excuses at various times: check's
in the mail, did I say that?, can't afford it right now, etc. I'm taking
him to small claims court in May but without hard evidence I was wondering what else might be done. Perhaps someone else has had a similar bad experience with them.
Yours,
Tim
-
- deckhand
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon May 10, 2004 1:35 pm
- Location: Hope Town, Abaco, Bahamas
- Contact:
Broker
After a false start with a broker who was pathetic, we ended up dealing with Carol Robinson of 2Hulls (now part of the Catamaran Company).
We bought our PDQ 36 through her, and her service both before and after the purchase has been way beyond the norm.
She can be reached at:
carolrobinson@2hulls.com
-or-
954 445-6826
We bought our PDQ 36 through her, and her service both before and after the purchase has been way beyond the norm.
She can be reached at:
carolrobinson@2hulls.com
-or-
954 445-6826
Chartering our PDQ 32 and renting our house on the Sea of Abaco
Brokers
I tried selling my PDQ36 through Tommy Smith at Chessie Cat. I found that the only promotion done is a listing on the web. I found the broker more interested in running up a bill for preparing the boat to be shown, which was not done well at all, and collecting dock fees.
I paid to have the boat waxed, and only one side was done. The only offer ever given to me was a low ball offer more suitable for a wreck. I ended up removing my boat and listing from them as soon as my contract allowed.
My 36 with new engines is for sale again.
I paid to have the boat waxed, and only one side was done. The only offer ever given to me was a low ball offer more suitable for a wreck. I ended up removing my boat and listing from them as soon as my contract allowed.
My 36 with new engines is for sale again.