Customer disservice
If my recent experiences are anything to go by it is a wonder that we have a marine industry at all.
I have been in contact (or attempted to be in contact) with numerous brokers concerning listed vessels, but 90% of these have been ignored. Where they have bothered to reply they have either been unhelpful or downright curt.
And this lethargy and utterly uncommercial stance is not confined to brokers. Of emails to seven yacht designers only one elicited a reply, and a total of 12 enquiries regarding moorings went unanswered. Numerous training providers listed on the RYA website seem to not want my money for ICC or Diesel Maintenance courses either!
In fact I’ve never had such a hard time getting people to sell me things! I could understand encountering this odd sales behaviour if I was dealing with auction sites or classified ad sellers, but every company I’ve been attempting to deal with have been (supposedly) professional suppliers, all registered with their various trade bodies
This is also not limited to the UK – I have had similar experiences with firms in the
Netherlands and the US.
Eventually I did find proper professionals in the areas I required, and they are now enjoying the profits from my not insignificant purchases.
For anyone wondering why it’s taking so long for a broker to sell their boat can I suggest you get someone to mystery shop your sale – you might be shocked by what you find!”
Name and address witheld