Handling Pushback From Brokers, Sellers, and Boatyards

Professional strategies for staying independent under pressure.

You work for the Buyer. The Broker works for the Seller. Your interests are diametrically opposed. You want the truth; they want the check.

1. The "It Worked Yesterday" Lie

Scenario: You test the A/C, and it blows warm.
Broker: "It just needs a charge. It was freezing yesterday."
Response: Write "A/C unit powered on but did not produce temperature differential. Service required." Do not write "Needs a charge." You don't know that. It could be a dead compressor.

2. The Hovering Broker

Some brokers follow you around, distracting you or minimizing findings.
The Tactic: Be polite but firm. "I need to focus on this electrical panel for a few minutes. I'll catch up with you in the cockpit."

3. The "Deal Killer" Label

Brokers hate thorough surveyors. They call them "Deal Killers."
Wear it as a badge of honor. If you kill a deal because the boat has structured wet rot, you saved your client $50,000. That client will hire you for the next boat, and the next.

Conclusion

You cannot serve two masters. Be friendly, be professional, but never compromise your finding to smooth things over. Your signature is on the report, not the broker's.

Put this workflow to work on your next survey.

Use the app to capture the inspection, build the report, and export the PDF without a second reporting step later.