I was recently approached by a person who wanted to buy ‘Minnow’.
He suggested a sum of money and asked what he would get for that amount. I
replied that he could have the boat, minus most of her gear and the engine and
without her trailer for less than he had suggested, but if he offered an extra
£300 he could have the same package including the trailer. Bearing in mind the
trailer originally cost £1,092 I felt he would have had a bargain. I was
surprised therefore, that he reacted by telling me that ‘Minnow’ was expensive, and he would not be pursuing
his interest in purchasing her. One thing I could understand was that he would
have to do a two-way trip across the English Channel by ferry to collect ‘Minnow’
and take her to his home. Bearing in mind transportation costs, perhaps for him
it would have been an ‘expensive’ exercise. However, at the time he suggested an
amount he was prepared to pay, he would have been aware of the expense of
collecting her.
I have noted comments on the blog regarding the proposed
sale of ‘Minnow’ when originally advertised at Ebay for £2,900 with all of her
gear, including the engine and road trailer. Commentators intimated I was not
asking enough! And what I was offering was an absolute bargain. Well, the truth
is that I want to cover my costs and hopefully a little more for the labour
lavished on renovating her. Anyone wanting a Paradox should note that to build
and fit out one, it will require the expenditure of well over £4000 - more
likely in the region of £4,500 without a road trailer. Furthermore, it will
take the builder about 18 months of his spare time, working evenings and
weekends to complete her.
I am still offering ‘Minnow’ for sale, and I am open to
reasonable offers according to what will be included in the deal. Come the
spring of 2015 she may not be for sale, because I may have overcome my lack of
desire for being on the water. I may have regained the confidence I once had. I
may again be looking forward to the challenge of long distance coastal sailing,
or even to being satisfied with cruising locally.
When one says that a thing is too expensive, it must be seen as a relative statement. For one person
it would be cheap and inexpensive, but for another who is not so well off, it
could indeed be expensive.
Links
Selling Paradox ‘Minnow’
Paradox ‘For Sale’ Advertisement at Ebay £2,900
Minnow for Sale - Further Clarification
The Cost of Building a Paradox
Hello Bill, you stand your ground. 'Minnow'as examined by myself, represents first class value for money. If and when I raise the nessesary, there will be absolutely no argument as to price.
ReplyDeleteIt would also please me lots if you did regurgitate the anchor, and let us all know, via your excellent blog, how you're getting on.
A Happy New Year to you and yours, and indeed everyone who reads your blog.
Hear Hear Richard.
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy New Year to you and everyone else too.
Thanks guys. A very happy new year to all our readers.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Bill.
Hi Bill,
ReplyDeleteI must say I am astounded that someone hasn't bitten your arm off at that price.
Maybe it is a higher power telling you to keep it and get back on the water.