I don't disagree with the seller too much, after all he is a private seller and the boat is in storage.
When I sold my last Grady, I made it clear over the phone to all callers I'm selling it to a private buyer who wants a Grady, has already made up his mind, and the Grady model I'm selling, not any other.
So there is no discussion or time wasted by me on "how does it ride". Is is dry? Does it pound? None of that.
I advised callers to shop first at a Grady dealer or other brands, and can go out on all the boats they want. That's part of dealer overhead and sales costs. I already have a full time job, just don't have time to be a salesman too.
I got the impression the buyers expected me to act like a salesman, but I'm not. I said I will answer any questions, set up a ladder to board the boat, and stood back and said nothing. Acted stupid just like a boat owner could be, and spoke when spoken to.
My policy was to allow a professional survey and motor evaluation by a certified mechanic, in my driveway. The boat is being sold where is, as is.
If the boat was in a slip in the marina, a different story.
I had a guy call me later and offer me full asking price, even after I agreed to a sales price a little off asking to another guy. I don't play that game, so the first guy got it. I demanded 10% deposit non refundable, he wanted to give me 100 bucks, I said no way.
The reason I do this is to avoid buyers to keep shopping and just throw a few bucks to hold it while they keep looking for something better. I also demand final payment in two - three working days. I fthey want me to hold the boat until the weekend, fine.
The guy offered me $2K below Asking, I said why so low?
He was dumfounded.
I dropped the price 200 bucks as a courtesy, didn't want to embarrass him in front of the Admiral.
But then again the boat was priced right and worth it. So it depends what you are after.
My same boat at a broker would have been plenty $$ more.
That's why anyone would buy on their own, to save cost. Isn't it?
The other thing, I would never discuss nor take a price offer over the phone, only to say it was negotiable (or not).
Callers tried to.
If you offered me a price like you did if over the phone I presume, I would have been insulted.
You have a long way to go before sea trial, that's why I would have pushed you off too.
Once again the asking price was right, my plan doesn't work if you want to start too high and have plenty of time to drop it later if no bites. That's how brokers generally work or people feeling out a market for uninformed buyers (suckers).
I wanted a sale as soon as I posted it, no lingering around for months.
I told buyers the oppposite!
And I priced the boat or whatever I'm selling as I would pay for it, the asking price. Any discount is gravy.
I sold my boats in the driveway, no sea trail, didn't even have to start the motor.
I sold my twin 200 Johnnies off the transom in my driveway, seller asked for no tests or startup. Would have started them with 10% cash in hand, or offer him a compression test w/o a deposit, that's it.
If there are plenty of 265s around fine, but I don't think there is, relative to Sailfish, etc.
The only difference these economic times we are in means, to me, is what the sales price will be in a sellers market, that's it. It's still a Grady, and from what I'm reading on this thread, the 265 wasn't so unpopular as Grady claimed back when - to end it's production. Some are calling it a cult model.
I would work even with difficult sellers, depending on what the condition is, bristol? And the price associated with such a condition, vs. the others. Who knows, he may have a diamond in the rough, and knows it. And you are not buying the seller, you are buying the boat.
Good luck.
