Boat buying has changed. Period. While the boats have changed, the economy has changed, the sizes of the boats have changed, the internet has made the largest impact.
We now show boats less often. Buyers can do a lot of their shopping online without traveling. While there is no substitution for actually looking at a boat, photos and specifications can help narrow the search.
Smaller Brokerage Firms now have their boats placed in ads that have the same impact as a larger firm with a bigger advertising budget. This helps firms that have good listings.
While many buyers feel they can get a better deal by going directly to the listing agent, in reality, having an agent representing you -the buyer- can be a real asset in many ways. A professional agent can do a better job of qualifying a boat and save you a lot of travel looking at boats that are not suitable. The internet allows a buyer to easily find boats and talk directly to the central agent, but there is nothing like having someone on your side to help it cost the buyer no more as commissions are split between agents.
The internet is not a bad thing nor is it the ultimate end for your purchase. Buying a used boat is a time consuming process with lots of potential snags. A good agent can make it easier and give lots of protections.
The biggest change is the speed that information travels, no longer is there a 30-60 day lag in getting an advertisement placed. No longer does it take a week to get photographs. With digital photography, email, and electronic signatures, we can now list, advertise, and even prepare and execute purchase agreements without paper and in a matter of minutes instead of days.
The world has changed and we have changed with it. Soon the fax machine will go the way of the typewriter and carbon paper. Yet the need for our services continue because it takes knowledge and expertise to properly market and bring a sale to closing.