Selling RIBs - alternatives to boatsandoutboards?

Channel Ribs · 12 October 2008, 08:22

After a long period of not risking it I recently gave B&O another go, only to be bitterly disappointed.

Is there anywhere else that gets the same coverage from buyers? Or am I stuck with throwing money at them and never seeing the benefit.

Poly · 12 October 2008, 09:29

apolloduck?

Nos4r2 · 12 October 2008, 09:52

Dinghytrader?

Mollers · 12 October 2008, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

Is there anywhere else that gets the same coverage from buyers? Or am I stuck with throwing money at them and never seeing the benefit.

I think we are stuck with them. Ribs, being rather niche, tend not to appeal to the masses. In my opinion, most people that are in the rib market, for what ever reason, will be clued up enough to know where to look. I would suspect that most rib buyers would have some previous boat experience.
Buyers with no prior experience tend not to go for ribs as a first boat.

Ribshop · 12 October 2008, 10:06

We found Hotribs very effective, fewer enquiries than B&O however the enquiries you get are from real people. Ribnet ribs for sale section also brings some enquiries in.

Nos4r2 · 12 October 2008, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribshop

We found Hotribs very effective, fewer enquiries than B&O however the enquiries you get are from real people. Ribnet ribs for sale section also brings some enquiries in.

Careful-you might prove to Riva that he's made a mistake

I have to admit, the B&O inquiries I've had are all either from scammers or people wanting to pay ebay prices for good kit, rather than ebay prices for the tat they'd get on ebay.

alexm · 12 October 2008, 10:33

I sold a Fletcher Arrowflash on B&O and was just about ready to pull the plug with the number of time wasting calls I got (it has to be said, mainly from people with a certain 'regional accent'

) asking questions like:

"what's the lowest you'll take, mate?"

- err... what's the most you'll pay, 'mate'?

"I think it's a bit too pricey"

- Well I don't and it's my boat. So what's your point?

"How long is it?"/"what engine is it?"/<any other question already made clear in the ad>

- As clearly stated in the ad <insert answer here>

One bloke rang up several times asking different questions, I recognised his voice but he denied that he had rang before. He even had me out in the rain on the phone with a tape measure measuring the overall dimensions of boat plus trailer. He said he'd come and look at it - never heard from him again.

I eventually got an email from a chap in Sweden which I'm ashamed to say I ignored as I thought he couldn't possibly be serious. The same chap then rang me up and it turned out he was deadly serious. He wired the money, boat unseen and I dropped it off at Tilbury dock where he had arranged shipping to Sweden! Boat sold!

I think B&O gets a wide audience, but be prepared to have to sort the wheat from the chaff in terms of time wasting scumbags!

Chris · 12 October 2008, 11:00

I found B&O did a great job when I sold my Viper, I think the 2nd call I had was from a serious buyer who took the boat.

Channel Ribs · 12 October 2008, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribshop

We found Hotribs very effective...

Thanks for that, I have been in touch with them re trade advertising and will let you know how that goes.

AndrewH · 14 October 2008, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I found B&O did a great job when I sold my Viper, I think the 2nd call I had was from a serious buyer who took the boat.

I too would echo Chris's sentiments. Have sold two ribs through B&O - in each case the first person to come and view the boat was the one that purchased it. Granted - with the second rib I had to deal with a few of the "less serious" enquiries first.

JSP · 14 October 2008, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexm

I sold a Fletcher Arrowflash on B&O and was just about ready to ...... mainly from people with a certain 'regional accent'

) asking questions like:

What region would that be?

JSP · 14 October 2008, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I have to admit, the B&O inquiries I've had are all either from scammers or people wanting to pay ebay prices for good kit, rather than ebay prices for the tat they'd get on ebay.

This goes the other way too. When I was looking to buy, The amount of people I had contacted by email through B&O only to get no response or a very negative one was shocking. After reading this thread I can see why.

fred bolton · 14 October 2008, 22:01

errrrrr don't tell anyone but maybe RIB.net is a good idea

ian parkes · 14 October 2008, 22:15

I think B&O is a fantastic service , there are not many places where you can sell with a photo for nothing , or just a tenner if its a more expensive boat .
I have bought and sold a few boats on there with no problems at all .
Thanks B&O

Andy JC · 15 October 2008, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I think B&O is a fantastic service , there are not many places where you can sell with a photo for nothing , or just a tenner if its a more expensive boat .
I have bought and sold a few boats on there with no problems at all .
Thanks B&O

Agree with all of that

Although the huge amount of bogus/scam outboard ads is starting to pee me of now

- that problem needs to be addressed!

Searider · 22 October 2008, 16:25

I've bought through Boatsandoutboards and had a very positive experience.

Never tried selling through them.

Used JBT to sell my 5.4 Searider and was very simple and straightforward - although I did have to pay a Brokerage fee.

Boats · 23 October 2008, 16:14

Hi folks,

As stated on here before, if there are any issues with boatsandoutboards.co.uk I would be grateful if you would let me know. We aim to offer a top class service and if for some reason this does not happen then I need to know about it!

I should add that BoatsandOutboards is the UK's most popular boat sales site and therefor the best place to be putting a boat for sale, last month the site attracted over 1/2 million visitors!

my email for any feedback good or bad is stephen@boatsandoutboards.co.uk

Thanks

Stephen

Doug Stormforce · 23 October 2008, 16:30

I've sold a couple of boats through B&O no problem, also had a couple that have not sold, with hinds sight probabally because I over priced them.

Bought an RS 700 (sailing dinghy) on their recently, probabally the easiest transaction I have ever done.

The fact that there are more sellers on the market than buyers does not necassarily mean B&O are to blame. Savy buyers are looking for good deals, if your not prepared to discount or negotiate and they have any sense they will move onto somone who will.

Like any second hand market place their are always going to be time wasters (buyers and sellers) but i'd rather get 5 callers who dont buy followed by one that does than the phone not ring at all.

Channel Ribs · 23 October 2008, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats

I should add that BoatsandOutboards is the UK's most popular boat sales site and therefor the best place to be putting a boat for sale, last month the site attracted over 1/2 million visitors!

my email for any feedback good or bad is stephen@boatsandoutboards.co.uk

Nice one Stephen

I am very happy that the Channel Islands are now a card carrying member of the B&O universe, looking forward to retrying a brokerage package asap.