You're better off with a Broker when buying a boat

by Jeni Bone on 27 Sep 2011 Coinciding with summer and peak boating season, the Marine Brokers Association of NSW (MBA), a Division of the Boating Industry Association of NSW (BIA), is joining forces to promote the benefits of dealing with a BIA Accredited Marine Broker when buying a new or pre-owned boat.

The 36 accredited members of the Marine Brokers Association are keen to get the message to boat owners and buyers that buying through a broker is the best way to guarantee a professional sales and service experience.
Adam Waters, general manager at JW Marine and committee member of Marine Brokers Association says the campaign focus is 'education'.

'We are hoping to educate buyers that it makes better sense to buy from an accredited broker rather than risking your time and money on what is a major investment buying online or from overseas.'

Waters says the strength of the Aussie dollar and a belief that everybody is doing it tough are motivating people to shop around for boats, here and overseas.

'There’s this mentality that everybody is suffering and you can get amazing deals. The Internet is fuelling it, making it easy to see what’s on offer around the world. Sometimes, there’s too much information out there, but people need to remember that just because it’s on the net, doesn’t make it fact.'

Waters says the campaign is much needed because 'people are getting burnt'.

'It may look like a good deal, but they don’t realise that here in Australia we have boats that are comparable in price and compliant to Australian standards. As brokers, we know the market and we understand boats.'

The main issues, according to the MBA are:

* Title – ensuring the boat has legal title. The person who is selling it may not have the right to.

* Service history – the condition the boat’s in. You can say whatever you like on a website! Sometimes, when people are trying to offload their boats, they don’t tell the whole truth about the boat’s maintenance.

* Compliance – especially out of the US, where they do not operate to the same electrical system

* Importer responsibilities – you have to pay import duty, arrange transport, and accept liability if the boat is involved in an accident under Australia law.

* Safety standards and specifications – boats need to be up to Australian standards

* Resale value – it is nowhere near as good when it comes to selling a second hand boat not imported through a broker or dealer.

'As brokers, we can advise on all steps of the purchase, find the right boat at the right price, make sure it meets Australian standards, ensure the title passes correctly and make the whole experience enjoyable. It’s a big investment and it’s meant to be a pleasurable one.'

Accredited brokers are endorsed through the Marine Sales Professional Development Program. The Program is focused on service, ethics, and business best-practice, ensuring that boat owners and buyers receive the highest levels of service and support when dealing with a BIA Accredited Marine Broker.

Waters recommends people in in the market to buy or sell boats visit the BIA website – www.boatsonsale.com.au - to locate a broker in their area and find out more about the ways a broker can assist in getting them in to boating.