"I want to let you know that we remain very happy with our purchase"
Hi Russell
I want to let you know that we remain very happy with our purchase and continue to discover and appreciate her fine attributes every time we leave the dock (and sometimes without even dropping a line!). As you would expect, we have showered her with love and spend as much time on her as we can!
While I'm at it, let me say that Jodi and I really appreciate the way you handled our initial enquiries and then collaborated with us as we went through offer, survey and eventual purchase processes.
There is, I think, a stigma about the stereotype boat broker, just as there is with car salesmen! You are clearly not stereotypical and nor was Wayne or Laurie Collins in general.
You let the boat speak for herself (not hard in this case). You simply facilitated and supported our own investigation, and the way we wished to conduct that. You put us directly in touch with the owner's manager from the outset and allowed us to form our own relationship and understanding of the boat and her owner's circumstances. And when the survey process bogged down, you took the initiative and stepped into the role of project manager in order to ensure we could make informed and timely decisions about whether and how to best progress. You took it on the chin when we looked at alternatives with other brokers and then allowed us to finalise negotiations directly with the owner, trusting that your own interest would be fairly served in the end. Frankly, we were pleased that you could "book the sale" as you deserved to be rewarded for your efforts and excellent approach.
I hope that you have found a new vessel to fill this particular hole we have created in your portfolio of boats and wish you well. I can't imagine requiring your services for a very long while, but you never know!
Kind regards,
Bennett
"the outstanding job that Laurie Collins Brokerage has done in the recent sale"
Hello Wayne
This is to say thank you, and to acknowledge the outstanding job that Laurie Collins Brokerage has done in the recent sale of our Salthouse 65. You and your team have shown professionalism, tenacity, patience and generally made the process easy for everyone involved.
I have no hesitation in recommending Laurie Collins as a trustworthy, get-on-with-the-job organisation. In a tough market, some may say very tough, you and your team stayed focused and willing to endure through to a happy outcome I believe for the purchaser and for the vendor.
The long-standing fine reputation of your Brokerage has certainly been upheld.
Thanks again
Ray Littin
"Throughout the process Wayne showed patience and determination "
Wayne’s handling of the sale of our first boat and subsequent purchase of a replacement vessel could not have been handled more smoothly or more professionally. What started out as an innocence enquiry “would you like to sell your launch?” ended up with my wife and I somewhat sadly parting with our Genesis 320 but becoming the proud owners of a Genesis 400.
Throughout the process Wayne showed patience and determination and found us an excellent buyer at an excellent price and had well researched our replacement vessel.
What amazed me was that everything happened so seamlessly and professionally. Wayne and his team were absolute excellent to deal with both in terms of timing and finding the right buyer for our old boat and a new boat for us to move in to.
I would recommend Laurie Collins to anyone buying or selling a boat, and particularly someone who is doing both at the same time.
John and Megan
"I wish to personally thank both you and Greg for the recent sale of my launch"
Hi Wayne
After unsuccessful marketing by another brokerage firm, and my personal attempts at achieving a sale, I was somewhat tired of the whole process. You and Greg were both positive and enthusiastic from the beginning, and had a buyer for me within weeks.
I really appreciated your sound advice, and have already taken the opportunity to recommend your services to others.
Thanks again and best regards
John Francis
"I have no hesitation in recommending Wayne, and Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd"
Hi Wayne
Having listed my boat with a well known Marine Broker for some months, spending money on marina fees, advertising etc and where there seemed to be little enthusiasm or action, I decided to list with another broker. Wayne Baston, of Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd, soon had a buyer interested and even though it was the middle of winter had a contract signed which became unconditional after the usual surveys etc.
This was a super deal for Wayne as he not only sold my boat, but sold the purchasers boat simultaneously (two happy vendors and two happy purchasers).
I have no hesitation in recommending Wayne, and Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd, to anybody requiring the services of a very motivated and professional Marine Brokerage.
All the best
John Sharp.
"Your team gave us very good advice"
Hi Wayne
We would like to thank you and your team in assisting us with the purchase of our first yacht. We are still novices in all aspects of sailing and you and your team gave us very good advice on organizing the surveying and engineering reports as well as the purchasing of a marina.
We are so glad that we rather used a boat broker than doing a purchase on Trademe due to not having enough knowledge on boats.
Thank you for organizing a marina to rent from you for the time being while we wait for our marina to come open.
Kind Regards
Bernard and Michelle De Wet.
"My dealings with your firm have been a real pleasure."
Dear Wayne
My dealings with your firm and particularly with Jason Hoggard have been a real pleasure.
I have no previous experience of buying and owning a keeler and from start to finish the people at Westhaven and Opua have been unfailingly helpful and obliging.
Jason has been friendly, open and reliable throughout, both in the sales process and in providing introductions and advice on boating at Opua and in the Bay and acting as my agent in arranging work on the boat.
I am very grateful and will continue to hold your firm in high regard.
Kind Regards
Jim Kirker
"We can't thank you enough all your patience and assistance"
Dear Wayne
Thank you for managing the sale and purchase of our new Townson 34. Greg and yourself made this process uncluttered and easy . We can't thank you enough all your patience and assistance in arranging access, the test sail, the survey and the delicate negotiation that helped remove all stress from us.
Without hesitation, we would recommend anybody looking at selling or buying a boat to contact you.
Regards
Andrew and Rhonda
"Thank you very much!"
Dear Lachlan
Thank you very much for handling the sale of my Yacht I found Laurie Collins Brokerage easy to work with and very professional in all respects .
Regards
Bruce
"Thank you for all your assistance"
Dear Graham
Thank you for all your assistance during the processes of my purchasing a boat recently.
I appreciated your response to my many questions, your negotiations, your patience with the surveying and testing process, and your advice.
Hopefully “Driftwood” will be the delight we have looked forward to.
Regards
Roger Harvey
"Graham and Greg were really helpful and nothing was too much trouble for them"
Hi Wayne
We would like thank you and your team for facilitating the sale of our Townson and with the purchase of Kiwi Maid. Both Graham and Greg were really helpful and nothing was too much trouble for them.
I didn't realise how protracted the process can be selling and buying boats - much like selling a house except you don't have to sea trial a house. Having experienced brokers helped us through the process and made it much easier.
Thanks again
Simon Jones and Annika Aronsson
"friendly and efficient way you both brought the deal to fruition"
Hi Wayne
We wish to let you know how much we appreciated Lachlan's and your professionalism in handling the recent sale of our launch. As you know we had the boat listed with other brokers for eight months and you found us a buyer in the first week of listing with you.
What impressed us most was the friendly and efficient way you both brought the deal to fruition and we would happily recommend your brokerage to anyone buying or selling a boat.
Regards
Bill and Robyn Cobb
"I am extremely satisfied with the service I received from your organization"
Hi Wayne
I am extremely satisfied with the service I received from your organization,We had set you several major challenges. End of season in a poor market, a vendor round the other side of the world. Not an easy task. you came through far better than I could ever have hoped for.
Thank you from one very satisfied customer.
Best regards
John
"your interest and the support you provided was fantastic"
Dear Wayne,
A belated note to extend my thanks for your help in my purchase of Shamadae (H28). Although only a relatively small transaction in financial terms your interest and the support you provided both myself and Clarrie (the vendor) was fantastic.
I was particularly appreciative of your participation in the inspections and the sea trial. Your operation is very professional and should I be in the position at some point to upgrade I’d be knocking on your door.
Your handling of the process, from communicating with the prospective client and encouraging his interest in our vessel, to accompanying us during the sea trial and hull inspection, to ensuring agreed repairs were done in a timely manner, resulted in a successful transaction...both for ourselves and the new owner.
Thanks again
Regards
Michael Crawford
Consul General
Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner (Pacific Markets)
"We have been very impressed with the professional way in which everything has been conducted"
Dear Wayne,
Just a short note to thank you for all your efforts in the recent purchase of our yacht.You made the whole process easy,organising the Survey and engineering reports etc.
Living out of town we feel like we have had a representative down at Westhaven.
Your after sales service has been exceptional helping with a number of contractors doing little fix it jobs,and I have appreciated your follow up calls to see how everything is going.
We have been very impressed with the professional way in which everything has been conducted and look forward to having you aboard soon for a little thank you.
If in the future we are wanting to upgrade we would have no hesitation in just giving you the business.
Once again thank you for all your efforts.
Trevor and Julie Lewis
"We can thoroughly recommend you and would have no hesitation in using your services again."
Dear Wayne,
On behalf of our mother Mrs Cornelia Leenman and our family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you profoundly for the excellent service you provided during the recent sales process of our Townson yacht MoonTide.
We were recommended to use Laurie Collins Brokerage and cannot speak highly enough of the professional, courteous, informative service we received at all times.
Your handling of the process, from communicating with the prospective client and encouraging his interest in our vessel, to accompanying us during the sea trial and hull inspection, to ensuring agreed repairs were done in a timely manner, resulted in a successful transaction...both for ourselves and the new owner.
Thank you again for your honesty and integrity.
We can thoroughly recommend you and would have no hesitation in using your services again.
We would be very happy to provide a verbal reference at any time.
Kindest regards,
Carol and Roger Fleet
Well known in Westhaven now residing in Katikati
"always encouraging, positive and willing to go the extra mile."
We purchased our launch through Laurie Collins in May 2011. This sale was a real hurdle for the broker involved Greg Stenbeck, over many months he put up with me when things were difficuilt, always encouraging, positive and willing to go the extra mile.
My Husband and I found Greg to be very honest and a pleasure to deal with, without him we would not have a boat today. I would recommend Greg to anyone looking to buy or sell in the Marine Industry; he is very knowledgeable and helpful. We are truly grateful to him and would not look past him if we were to buy or sell again.
"Thanks to Wayne and the Crew!"
Thanks to the guys at Laurie Collins Westhaven especially Wayne and the crew!
Regards
Marrion O'kane.
"I will certainly get Anthony to help me in another one. Once again thanks a lot."
Dear Sir,
I recently purchased a Launch from your brokerage in Westhaven. The agent or Marine Consultant as they are called now was a Mr. Anthony Sunde he was and still is very helpful in helping me and finding for me the boat I was requiring. He gave me all the assistance in purchasing, inspecting and shipping the boat to Napier. Since buying the boat Anthony has kept in touch to see if all is as expected and I am handling it. When it is time to move from the boat I will certainly get Anthony to help me in another one. Once again thanks a lot.
Regards
Bill Brassington.
"Making everything seamless and hassle free that is an art"
After going through the purchasing process for a lotus 10.6, I found that the service and guidance that was provided by Greg Stenbeck, as very helpful. Any questions I asked, he had the answer plus a possible suggestion to go with it. It did not matter to him even if it was on his days off. He accommodated without any problems extra settlement time due to a Family commitment, this took a lot of pressure of me, enabling me to concentrate on the task at hand.
Greg has a sound relationship with marine services such as surveyors, riggers etc and has an idea of approximate costs when asked. To this I would like to say thank you Greg for making the process seamless and hassle free.
My wife and I would recommend anyone looking for a boat to use Laurie Collins Marine.
Regards
Tony and Virginia Stallard.
"The moral; Chat to the team at Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd, they proved to me that not only the sellers expectations can be met in a very difficult market, but just as important, the buyer sailed away a “happy chappie”"
Choosing the right Broker
After some 18months of frustration at not being able to sell my 1997, 10 metre launch, despite the fact that it was a NZ new, relatively low hour twin shaft drive vessel with Radar, GPS, generous fridge freezer, good accommodation and all the other bells & whistles, it seemed impossible to even get an offer, despite a lot of interest. I had it listed with a number of brokers in Westhaven initially, then tried a sole agency with the man who actually sold it brand new, still no joy!
A good friend of mine suggested that Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd had recently changed ownership and were a really enthusiastic team who were committed to “getting sales over the line.”
A week or two went by with a little bit of interest and then a berth in the “hot spot” came available and I moved in.
Wayne & the team embarked on a concerted marketing effort with extra highly visible flag signs and magazine advertising.
Soon after we had an offer come in and although it wasn’t the sort of money I was hopping for at least it was an offer !
A few short weeks later, Wayne called to say he had a possible buyer all the way from Christchurch who had a proposal which, Wayne thought worthy of consideration. Following a survey, the deal was done for me but not complete yet for Wayne. The new owner wanted to have a new set of clears fitted on the Flybridge canopy along with an electrical “once over” and a complete cut and polish since he wanted to sail the boat to its final berth at Paihia. Wayne dutifully liased with the various trades people onsite at Westhaven and the boat was duly all complete on time and much to the satisfaction and relief of the new owner.
The moral; Chat to the team at Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd, they proved to me that not only the sellers expectations can be met in a very difficult market, but just as important, the buyer sailed away a “happy chappie”
"felt we were in honest hands"
We purchased a steel ketch through Laurie Collins in December 2010. Our broker was Graham Watson. Graham was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and investigated to depth some of my dumber queries. In preparation he helped compile a list of expected expenses with which to calculate our offer.
However, for the boats that were unsuitable, he was insistent that they weren't appropriate to our needs, so felt we were in honest hands. Overall, very impressive.
Faithfully
Peter Bateman
"My partner and I have had the pleasure and I sincerely mean 'pleasure' of dealing through Laurie Collins Marine at Westhaven when we purchased our yacht this month"
From Greg our broker to Wayne the 'boss' .. everyone surpassed all expectations in customer service. Wow the service!
Special thanks to Greg. Greg had an uncanny sense of what we were truely looking for, a sound understanding/ relationship with a extensive range of the high quality affiliated services ( I.e. : boat builders, surveyors, upholstery etc) and an idea of approx costs , created a seamless transition through a sale from looking, deciding, the negotiations, survey to quite an extensive after service.Greg was skillfully able to deal with a sailing novice asking multiple 'basic/ interior questions' juxtaposed with a partner with extensive sailing experience asking lots of technical questions.
Greg made it all seem so seamless making it pretty much hassle free. In other words he worked very hard for us! Many many thanks. The Laurie maine office at Westhaven is very comfortable ( the occasional glass of wine -moreish and very hospitable - thank you !) and all the brokers ( Wayne, Greg, Graham ) have the perfect blend of professionalism and are just plain nice people doing what they are passionate about.
Well done guys!! We would highly recommend anyone looking for a boat to use
Laurie Maine."
Suzie Andrew & Gavin Green
"Thanks for the support and the activity you produced to sell our surplus vessel, Deodar 2. The plan was solid and produced the end result we were looking for; a sale"
Police Maritime Unit, Auckland.
"Greg and Wayne took on every detail and gave a level of service second to none."
They handled every aspect with a smile resulting in a hassle free process for me and a successful sale. Many thanks for your extra effort; it is much appreciated
Thanks for your help.
Chris Dickson, MBE,
"My wife and I would like to take the time to thank your company and yourself for your time and effort put into our latest sale and purchase. "
I know we were not the easiest customers as we had been looking around for quite some time and kind of knew exactly what we required. I can not speak highly enough of your dedication to detail and being able to negotiate not only a sale, but a trade of 2 boats, keeping both parties happy.I appreciate the time you spent with us through every aspect of the sale and purchase from the initial phone call, inspections, sea trials, negotiations, and to the final change of hands on the last day. It's great to deal with people that are professional in their field and always keep the customer up to date with what is happening. I wish you the very best in the future and without hesitation, when it comes to upgrade, we will be calling on you.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Darren Miller.
"I wish to thank you and the staff at Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd, with your help to purchase our launch. A great result and will refer our friends interested in purchasing a boat to you."
Regards
John B
"I would like to express my appreciation for your follow up call to me regarding my recent purchase of a launch through your company. This highlighted to me the extra mile you go, to ensure the purchaser is satisfied with the arrangements of the sale."
As you know, I came to you with a history of small boat ownership, so wanting to get into larger launch ownership was a new area for me and one (it seemed) full of minefields for the unwary purchaser.
I would like to thank you for your patience in first determining exactly what I was looking for, which did involve looking at a lot of boats, and then secondly finding the right one that had a tick in all the boxes. Your positive attitude and advice was greatly appreciated
As it turned out we purchased a boat with work to do, but you made sure we were aware of the work required and gave us confidence that we were doing the right thing. I also am assured that you extend this relationship to giving us good information in regard to the ongoing maintenance and changes we will make to the boat.
This all added up to a very satisfying experience and I will have no hesitation in returning to your company with any future boat selling or purchasing that I will make. I would also have no hesitation in recommending your company to anyone looking to purchase or sell a boat.
Regards
Denis O'Donoghue
"I wish to thank you for selling my boat as you are aware I had my yacht for sale for over a year "
when I approached you to sell it you suggested that I put the boat on the marina outside your office previously I had it on the piles and had to row people to view it within a couple of weeks of puting it on the marina you had it sold thanks again
Regards
Clarrie Stewrt
"just a note to offer my sincere thanks for your assistance with the recent purchase of the Mustang sportscruiser"
I was extremely impressed with the personal service I received, your experience, wealth of knowledge and great advice ensured the sales process was totally stress free and I got the right boat at the right price.I should also add your service post purchase was and continues to be without compare.
Details such as arranging sea trials, hull and engine checks as well as your assistance with arranging amongst other things, the dry-stack made it easy, particularly for a novice boat owner like myself.
I'll certainly be using Laurie Collins brokerage when it comes time to trade up!
All the best
Glenn Wright
"I just wanted to thank you for all the help you offered me when purchasing my new boat. Not living in Auckland made it quite challenging but with all the help you gave me"
with names etc I was able to have the boat and engine surveys completed with the minimum of trouble.Being the first "large" boat I have purchased I felt very comfortable dealing with you and have no hesitation in recommending you to any of my friends
Once again thank you and all the best for the future
Ian
"Thank you for successfully negotiating the sale of my yacht “Wizard”"
It was nice to deal with a professional organisation, makes life easy!
Regards
Parru Horne & Garry Horne
