The Boat Broker · Lake Havasu City, AZ · Since 1986

Good Faith Deposits —
The Policy That Puts You First

When you find the right boat, pontoon, RV, or classic car, a good faith deposit holds it exclusively for you — protected, in writing, with a clear refund policy. No gotchas. No pressure. No fine print designed to trap you.

Call to Place a Deposit Browse Inventory First
$1,000 flat deposit — all units, all prices Deposit applied 100% to purchase price Refundable on financing denial or mechanical issues 7-day hold guaranteed in writing Remote deposits accepted — out-of-state buyers welcome

The Basics

What Is a Good Faith Deposit?

A good faith deposit is a flat $1,000 documented payment that tells the seller you are a serious, committed buyer. The moment your deposit is received, the unit is removed from active inventory and held exclusively for you. Nobody else can buy it, negotiate on it, or even view it as an active purchase during your hold period.

The short version: Without a deposit, "I'll think about it and come back tomorrow" means the unit could be gone in an hour. With a deposit, it's legally yours to buy for the next 7 business days — and every dollar you put down comes off the purchase price.
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Unit Locked for You
The unit is immediately marked off-market. No other buyer can purchase or negotiate while your deposit is active.
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100% Applied to Purchase
Your deposit isn't a fee — it's the first payment on your purchase. Every dollar comes off the price at closing.
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Refundable on Financing or Mechanical Issues
If financing falls through or inspection uncovers mechanical problems the seller won't repair, your deposit comes back — or transfers to another unit.
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Everything In Writing
We put our deposit policy in writing before you pay a cent. If a dealer won't do that, that tells you everything.

Step by Step

How the Deposit Process Works

Simple, transparent, and done in one phone call.

  1. Find Your Unit
    Browse our inventory online or visit any of our three Lake Havasu City locations. Found something you love? Call us or walk in — we'll confirm the unit is available and review the listing details with you.
  2. Place Your $1,000 Deposit
    All deposits are a flat $1,000 — no tiers, no surprises. Our team walks you through the deposit agreement before any money moves. Every term, explained in plain English.
  3. Pay Securely
    We accept credit card, debit card, and wire transfer. You do not need to be physically present — out-of-state buyers place deposits over the phone every week. A receipt and written agreement are sent immediately.
  4. Unit Is Held — Exclusively for You
    The unit is immediately removed from active inventory. Our entire staff is notified. We do accept one backup offer — if a second buyer also wants the unit, they're placed in line behind you. If you close, they never get it. If you fall through, they're next. Either way, your deal is never put at risk by the backup buyer.
  5. Arrange Financing, Inspection, or Travel
    Use your 7 business days to get pre-approved for financing, schedule a third-party inspection, or make travel plans to visit in person. Need more time? Call us — we work with buyers, not against them.
  6. Inspect, Repair, and Close — or Get Your Refund
    During your hold period, the unit is inspected and detailed. If the inspection uncovers mechanical issues, the consigner (seller) is responsible for those repairs. If the seller chooses not to repair, we refund your deposit in full — or transfer it to another unit of your choosing. If everything checks out, we close the deal and your $1,000 comes off the purchase price.

The Policy, Plain and Simple

$1,000 Flat — What's Refundable and What Isn't

Every deposit is $1,000, regardless of the unit's price. Here's exactly when you get it back and when you don't.

Situation Deposit Outcome
Financing is denied despite good-faith effortFull Refund
Inspection uncovers mechanical issuesFull Refund
Consigner won't cover required repairsFull Refund — or Transfer to Another Unit
Unit is not as described in the listingFull Refund
You change your mind after work has begunNon-Refundable
You close the dealApplied 100% to Purchase Price
Please be certain before placing a deposit. Once detailing, inspection, and hold logistics have begun on your behalf, work is already in motion. If you decide you no longer want the unit at that point, the deposit is non-refundable. We ask that buyers only place a deposit when they are genuinely committed to moving forward. A good faith deposit is exactly that — a show of good faith on both sides.
Deposit ≠ Down Payment. The deposit is the hold payment — it secures the unit now. Your down payment is the cash portion of your financing (typically 10–20% of purchase price). Your deposit counts toward your down payment, not on top of it. You are never paying both.

Why It Matters

The Boat Broker vs. Everyone Else

We've heard the horror stories. Here's what separates a dealer that actually stands behind their policy from one that uses deposits as a sales trap.

The Boat Broker
  • $1,000 flat deposit — all units, all prices
  • Deposit 100% applied to purchase price
  • Full refund on financing denial or mechanical issues
  • Consigner pays for repairs found in inspection
  • Deposit transfers to another unit if seller won't repair
  • One backup offer accepted — 2nd buyer only gets the unit if 1st falls through
  • 7-day hold — guaranteed, in writing
  • Remote deposits accepted (phone/wire)
  • Video walkthroughs for out-of-state buyers
  • Deposit agreement sent before payment
  • No cash-only deposits — paper trail protects you
  • Licensed Arizona dealer since 1986
Some Other Dealers
  • "Non-refundable" even if unit has undisclosed issues
  • 24-hour hold that expires while you're still driving there
  • No written agreement — just a verbal promise
  • Cash-only deposits with no receipt
  • Unit shown to other buyers "just in case you fall through"
  • Deposit forfeited if financing is denied
  • No video walkthroughs — "come in or lose your spot"
  • Private sellers who can ghost you entirely
  • No licensing, bonding, or accountability
  • Fine print that costs you when you read it too late

Every Question Answered

Good Faith Deposit FAQ

Everything you want to know — and everything other dealers hope you never ask.

A good faith deposit is a flat $1,000 documented payment that signals to the seller that you are a serious, committed buyer. The moment it's received, the unit comes off the market and is held exclusively for you. Without one, a verbal "hold it for me" means nothing legally or practically. Another buyer can walk in 10 minutes after you leave and purchase the unit. The deposit creates a binding agreement that protects your claim to the unit while you complete financing, inspection, or travel plans — and prevents the unit from being undersold out from under you.
It depends on why — and we spell this out clearly before you pay anything.

Your deposit IS refunded if:
  • Your financing is denied despite a genuine effort to secure it
  • The inspection uncovers mechanical or technical issues with the unit
  • The consigner (seller) refuses to pay for required repairs discovered in inspection — in that case, we refund your deposit in full or transfer it to another unit of your choosing
  • The unit is materially not as described in the listing
Your deposit is NOT refunded if:
  • You decide you no longer want the boat after work has already begun — once detailing, inspection logistics, and hold prep are in motion, that work is done on your behalf. Please do not place a deposit unless you are genuinely committed to moving forward.
We ask you to be certain before placing a deposit. We think this policy is fair — it protects serious buyers and serious sellers equally.
It means something about the unit's condition, features, or function was not accurately represented in our listing. It does NOT mean cosmetic preferences ("I liked the color better in photos"). It DOES mean things like:
  • Undisclosed mechanical problems (engine won't start, transmission issues, trim problems)
  • Hull, frame, or structural damage not mentioned or shown
  • Accessories, features, or equipment listed as included that are missing
  • Significant cosmetic damage (deep gouges, tears, cracks) not visible in listing photos
  • Title issues, lien problems, or paperwork discrepancies not disclosed upfront
If we got it wrong, you get your money back. Full stop.
$1,000 — flat, on every unit, regardless of purchase price. No tiers, no sliding scale, no surprises. Whether you're buying a $8,000 fishing boat or a $120,000 offshore cruiser, the deposit is $1,000. Every dollar is credited toward your purchase price at closing.
Yes — 100%. Your deposit is not a fee. It's the first payment on your unit. Every dollar is credited toward the purchase price at closing. On a $35,000 pontoon with a $1,000 deposit, you're paying $34,000 at closing. You are never paying the deposit on top of the price.
These are two different things that are often confused:
  • Good faith deposit: The hold payment — secures the unit now, removed from inventory immediately, credited 100% to purchase at closing.
  • Down payment: The cash portion of your financing arrangement — typically 10–20% of the purchase price, paid at closing.
Your deposit counts toward your down payment, not in addition to it. If your down payment is $3,000 and your deposit was $1,000, you pay $2,000 more at closing — not $3,000 plus $1,000.
Our standard hold period is 7 business days. This gives you time to arrange financing, schedule a third-party inspection, or make travel plans if you're coming from out of state. If you need more time, call us — we regularly extend holds for buyers who are actively working through the process. We're not trying to pressure you into a panic decision.
Yes — and we do this constantly. Many of our buyers are from California, Nevada, Colorado, and other states. We accept deposits over the phone by credit card, debit card, or wire transfer. You receive a written deposit agreement and receipt by email before any money moves. We'll also do a video walkthrough of the unit so you can see it in real-time before committing.
We accept credit card, debit card, and wire transfer. We do not accept cash for deposits. This isn't a limitation — it's a protection. A cash deposit with no paper trail protects nobody if something goes wrong. We want every deposit documented, timestamped, and traceable.
Your deposit is refunded. If your financing is denied despite a genuine effort to secure it, you get your $1,000 back. That said, before assuming the worst, call us — we have relationships with multiple lenders, including marine specialists and credit unions, and we often find approvals where other lenders have passed. We'd rather help you get financed than send you home empty-handed.
No — your unit is protected. We do accept one backup offer while your deposit is active. That means a second buyer can express interest and get in line. But the backup buyer cannot purchase the unit, negotiate on it, or take any action on it while your deposit is active. They simply wait.

Here's how it plays out:
  • You close the deal → backup buyer never gets the unit. End of story.
  • Your deal falls through (financing denial, inspection issue, your choice not to proceed) → backup buyer moves up and has the opportunity to purchase.
The backup system protects the unit from sitting idle if a deal falls apart — but it does not put pressure on you or put your purchase at risk. Your deposit locks the unit for you.
The consigner — meaning the seller of the unit — is responsible for covering repairs required to bring the unit to the condition described in the listing.

If the consigner agrees to repair: repairs are completed, detailing is finished, and you close the deal as planned.

If the consigner refuses to pay for repairs: we refund your full $1,000 deposit, no questions asked. Alternatively, if we have another unit you're interested in, your deposit can be transferred rather than refunded — your choice. We will never hold your deposit because a seller refused to stand behind their unit.
Both options are available. We work with a network of lending partners — including marine-specific lenders and credit unions — and can often get approvals the same day you visit. You're also welcome to bring pre-approval from your own bank or credit union. Either way works, and we don't pressure you into using our preferred lenders.
Most marine and RV lenders require 10–20% down. On a $30,000 pontoon, that's $3,000–$6,000. Your good faith deposit counts toward this — so if you put down a $1,000 deposit and your required down payment is $4,000, you bring $3,000 to closing. We'll walk you through exactly what to expect based on your specific unit and credit profile.
Yes. We accept trade-ins and apply the trade value toward your purchase. Depending on what you're trading and what you're buying, a strong trade can reduce or eliminate your cash down payment entirely. Bring your trade when you visit — or send us photos and we'll give you a ballpark before you make the trip.
No. Placing a deposit is a straightforward financial transaction — it is not a credit inquiry. Your credit score is not checked or impacted when you place a deposit. Only the formal financing application involves a credit inquiry, and we'll walk you through that separately.
When your deposit is received, the unit is immediately marked "Under Deposit" in our internal system. Our staff is notified across all three locations. The unit is removed from our active inventory listings and will not be shown to, negotiated with, or offered to any other buyer during your hold period. If someone calls about that unit, they're told it's under deposit. End of story.
Generally, one deposit per customer at a time — placing deposits on multiple units simultaneously would take multiple units off the market for other buyers who genuinely want them. That said, if you're genuinely deciding between two specific units and have a compelling reason, call us and we'll talk it through. We're humans, not a policy machine.
In some cases, yes. If after placing a deposit you decide you'd prefer a different unit we have in stock, call us before your hold period expires. We'll do our best to accommodate a transfer rather than lose the deal entirely. It's handled case-by-case and depends on availability, timing, and the specifics of both units.
Significant protection. As a licensed Arizona dealership operating since 1986, we are:
  • Regulated by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division
  • Bonded and insured — you have recourse if something goes wrong
  • Required to provide accurate odometer and title disclosures
  • Held to consumer protection standards that private sellers are not
  • Accountable to our reputation and our 40+ years in this community
A private seller can take your deposit and disappear. They can misrepresent the unit with no consequence. They can sell the same unit to two people at once. None of that is possible with a licensed dealer. If you're ever comparing a dealer price to a private-party price — factor in that protection.
Because it benefits the dealer, not you. An "all deposits non-refundable, no exceptions" policy puts 100% of the financial risk on the buyer — even when the dealer is the one who misrepresented the unit. It's used as a pressure tactic: once you've paid, you're trapped. A dealer who is genuinely confident in the accuracy of their listings has no reason to make deposits non-refundable under all circumstances. We've been doing this since 1986. We know what our units are. We stand behind our listings.
We want to know. If anything about our deposit process didn't go as described — timeline, amount, refund, or how you were treated — call Garrett directly at <a href="">. We are a family-owned business. Our reputation in Lake Havasu City is everything. If we got something wrong, we want to fix it.
You can complete much of the process remotely — deposit, financing, even a detailed video walkthrough. For high-value purchases, we strongly encourage an in-person inspection before closing. We'll do a live video call walking through every inch of the unit on your timeline. For out-of-state buyers, we regularly accommodate travel schedules and can hold units beyond 7 days for buyers actively in the process.
Ask us. We'll answer honestly. Want more photos of a specific area? We'll take them. Want to know about service history, hours on the engine, or any prior repairs? We'll tell you what we know. Our job isn't to hide things and hope you don't notice — it's to match the right buyer to the right unit. A sale that falls apart at inspection wastes everyone's time.
If we fail to honor our end of the agreement — unit not as described, title issue, or any other failure on our part — your deposit is refunded in full. We have never had to fight a buyer over this. We've been doing this since 1986 because we do what we say, every time.