A boat is a major purchase just like a house or a vehicle. So, as such, the purchases should be treated with the same thorough consideration. When you are looking for boats, you can try your local classified ads, but finding boats for sale through online auctions may prove to be more fruitful. As with any online auction purchase, some caution should be practiced, but remember that online auctions are a valid source for any boating needs.
Before you begin browsing the boat listings, you may want to go to local stores to shop. This does not mean you have to purchase the boat there, obviously, but this will help you find specific makes, models, and features that you want to look for in the auctions. This will be especially helpful if there comes a point that the boat must be purchased sight unseen. This will also inform you of just how much you will be saving purchasing through an auction, which can be a considerable savings. Then instead of wondering if you have a good deal when you are browsing the auction listings, you will know you have a good deal and place your bids with confidence.
To begin with your auctions, read the description of the boat thoroughly. Examine the photos of the boat in detail, and if you are not satisfied with the views presented contact the seller to see if the seller can post more pictures on the auction for whatever angles of the boat you need to see in order to decide whether or not you want to purchase the boat. Think of any questions you may have for the seller, gather them, and send the seller an email to ask for further clarification. Before placing your bids is the time you have for negotiations or to have the terms spelled out, giving you the chance to walk into the deal with full awareness of what you will and will not be getting.
Assume the boat is in as in condition, and prepare yourself for what this may mean to you. Generally, if a boat has any wear or tear, the seller will post that, at least a good seller will who values his feedback and seller ratings. Often a seller will photograph any problems or blemishes if they exist as a seasoned seller knows to make such problems clear in an auction to prevent any complaints of deceipt or fraud. If the boat you are interested in bidding on has any kind of damages or sections needing touchups, and you are not prepared to make repairs, look for another listing with another boat in better condition.
If it is in your local area, you may see if the seller will arrange for you to see the boat in person, however be prepared that the seller may not want to do this as the seller may not know whether or not you are a person to be trusted or a criminal seeking to cause mischief with such a meeting. However, you might be able to arrange with a seller that if you place the winning bid that you want a window of time to look at the boat and if you decide it isn’t for you, to both mutually withdraw the bid, but, you should state you will cover your seller’s listing fees if the seller will have to pay fees for a cancelled sell. Again, a seller may not want to do this as the seller may not want to choose your bid over someone who is 100% committed to the deal and would not renege the deal after it becomes a binding contract. Please be aware if you cancel an auction after you have won the bid, you may suffer a negative rating with the auction website even if you and the seller both mutually withdraw.
Next, you will want to learn about the seller. Make sure his or her feedback ratings are appropriate. If you see that he or she has an excellent track record with their consumers, you should rest easy when placing your bid. If, however, you see that the consumers are less than satisfied, then you may want to consider another seller. These feedback rating scores are excellent indicators of a person’s transactions on the auction website, and can make or break sales for them. So, in many cases, dealers are willing to go out of the way to make sure you are satisfied.
The last thing to consider is what is your total budget for your boat purchase? Buying a boat is not just about buying the boat itself, but there are other items you will need before you put your boat out in the water. If you plan on boating at night, you will need special boat lights required by law, also depending on the number of passengers you plan on coming with you, you will need life preservers.
All the big and small boat supplies you will need as a new boat owner can add up in addition to the price of the boat. Anchors, ropes, oars, boat motor, marine batteries, marine chargers, depth finder, boat trailer, boat trolley, boat registration fee, and so on can often tag on an additional $500 to $2500 cost to the base price of your boat, not to mention if you require special items such as a boat dock or a boat ramp to lower your boat.
Perhaps you plan on buying those items across a spread of time, and that may be wise for you, for a boat will be as good as this month as 7 months from now for you to launch in the water. However you do have to keep in mind that you require certain items to use your boat and if you fall short of certain key boating supplies, you may not be able to take your boat out at all, and that is something you definitely want to prevent. Nothing is worse than having a sharp-looking boat in your yard that you can’t use.
Therefore, know what you can afford to spend. Be sure you factor in shipping or costs of attaining the boat once you bid for the item. This will help give you a more accurate price range. Also look at your state’s regulations to make sure you can handle the taxes, title fees, etc. Apply for financing if necessary, and familiarize yourself with the limitations that may be in place with your auction provider. The best way to handle this is to have your financing arranged before the bid, though it can be completed afterward if you have received 100% approval from your bank or loan center. Also, some auction sites will require that you have a credit card on file, not to use as payment, but to verify your identity, to protect everyone from fraudulent bids. Buying a boat through an online auction does not have to be stressful. Just do your research, and you will be fine!