[Rhodes22-list] direct sailes and purchases of Rhodes via the List.

[stan]

>From General Boats to those who have not heard all this before:

It is our policy (not the List's policy, but general boats policy) to ask that sellers of Rhodes contribute a 5% commission to General boats on a completed sale and that those buying a used Rhodes also contribute a 5% fee to General Boats.

While many direct sellers and buyers have at first said "why would I do that", almost every one of those conscientious objectors, after thoughtful thinking, has ended up paying these fees to General Boats.

When General Boats income came exclusively from selling new boats, we helped used buyers and sellers get together with no compensation to the company.  However, the bulk of General Boats cash flow today comes from the sale of recycled and used boats.  Almost all of General Boats selling costs go to creating interest in the buying and selling of used Rhodes.  Much of that investment is lost if we are allowed to promote the boat at shows, print and mail out literature and service prospects endless questions either by phone or mail or visits to the plant.  It is easy for anyone to understand that this kind of pro bono effort cannot go on for long without General Boats having to withdraw the term "unsinkable" from its 47 year old claim.  Not a day goes by that someone does not call and say "you will be happy to know that I purchased a Rhodes from someone else and so you will not be making one cent on it to cover all the help you have supplied to me in getting me interested in buying this boat and now I need another half day of your free time to answer some questions I have in putting things together or what this gizmo is for or to help me decide if I need some parts (etc., etc..)"         

Actually, as an Enlightened Capitalist, we are happy to provide whatever help we can to anyone buying or selling through general boats or direct with each other, conservative or liberal, day or night (my home number is 252 426 1769) but, as an enlightened capitalist, we have to limit our time and sympathies to those who understand and appreciate and respond to the 5% fee request on direct Rhodes sales and purchases.

Our thanks to all of you who have done just that up to now.  We are pleased to let all the Rhodies on the List know that hardly anyone who has used this list for buying or selling Rhodes, has not ended up agreeing with General Boats voluntary policy.

stan