Free deal check
Got a quote? Send it before you sign.
Tell us the boat and the numbers you were given. Someone here reads it, compares it with the market, and tells you plainly what we think. If it is a good deal, we will say so.
What we look at
Three things decide whether a quote is any good
- The price against the marketThe same model, year and power, listed elsewhere, and how long those boats have been sitting.
- What is actually includedEngine size, trailer, propeller, freight and prep. A low price on a bare hull is not a low price.
- Everything added below itDocumentation fee, protection packages, service contracts, and the interest rate if the dealer is arranging the loan.
About to sign today? It is fine to tell the seller you need a day. A good deal survives a night's sleep.
Do it yourself first
Read your own quote in five minutes
You can catch most problems before you send anything to us. Work down this list with the quote sheet in front of you.
Find the out-the-door total
One figure with tax, title, registration and every fee in it. If the sheet only shows a monthly payment, ask for the total in writing.
Confirm the engine
Brand, horsepower and model year. Outboard boats are often advertised with the smallest engine option, or none.
Check the trailer
Included or extra, and which one. A painted single-axle and a galvanized tandem with brakes are very different numbers.
List every fee by name
Freight, prep, rigging, documentation. Ask what each one pays for. "It is standard" is not an answer.
Strike the add-ons
Service contracts, protection packages and gap coverage should each have their own price and be optional. Decide on them last.
Get the rate and the term
If the dealer is arranging the loan, compare the rate with one outside approval. The calculator shows what a point costs.
Each of those lines is covered in detail in our guide to boat dealer fees. If the check shows there is room left in the deal and you would like us to go get it, that becomes a buyer's agent engagement with a flat fee quoted up front. If there is no room, you sign with confidence and it cost you nothing.
Questions
About the deal check
Is it really free?
Yes. We look at the quote and tell you what we think. We only charge if you then hire us to negotiate, and you will know the flat fee before you decide. See how we charge.
Does it work for a private-party boat?
Yes. There are no dealer fees to read, so the check focuses on price against comparable boats, engine hours, and what you should verify about title and liens before paying.
I already put down a deposit. Is it too late?
Maybe not. It depends on what you signed and whether the deposit is refundable. Send us the details, including any paperwork language about the deposit, and we will tell you what we see. For legal questions about a signed contract, talk to an attorney in your state.
Can I send a personal watercraft quote?
Please do. Fees are a larger share of a PWC purchase than of a boat, so they are worth a second look.
Two minutes
A second set of eyes costs nothing
Send the numbers. Keep your pen in your pocket until you hear back.