Why Use a Broker?

When Gardner Aircraft brokers an aircraft, multiple tools are used to promote sales including National and International Publications such as Controller, Trade-A-Plane, AeroTrader, and other media sources as well as on-line services including Controller.com, Aerotrader.com, and Trade-A-Plane.com. In addition, each aircraft is listed on our website:

www.GardnerAircraft.com

Answers to frequently asked questions about using a broker:

"Why not run some ads and sell it myself?"

Though expensive and time consuming, placing the advertising is the easy part. Most sellers are unprepared for the hundreds of telephone calls, e-mails and faxes necessary to sell an aircraft.

Few owners have a realistic view of their aircraft's true market value, relative to the ever changing competition at any point in time. This price guidance is essential in determining whether or not an offer is acceptable and in making the sale versus constantly missing by a narrow margin.

Over 95% of retail aircraft disposals involve a brokerage commission. It makes sense to have a professional on board from the beginning instead of collecting a commission at the last minute.

Few owners are prepared to accept a trade-in aircraft. Most dealers and some brokers can facilitate the transaction by accepting a trade. If trade difference is too low to allow taking the trade aircraft into inventory, the broker probably has a list of buyers who can move quickly at a workable price.

An experienced broker knows the buyers and the perennial "tire-kickers". While he will treat all potential buyers with respect, he will insure that the tire-kicker is qualified properly before any demonstration in your aircraft.

Your exclusive broker will work with other dealers, brokers and acquisition agents. He will utilize registrations, if necessary, to sell your aircraft, rather than blocking your sale in favor of another aircraft or producing unnecessary commissions.

Brokering aircraft involves a different focus and a different set of skills than selling new aircraft. One example is the different attitude toward demonstration flights. The experienced broker works hard to limit the expense, disruption, and wear and tear of unnecessary demonstration flights on the seller's aircraft.

"Why not choose the broker who offers the lowest commission rate?"

It is only natural to try to control costs. However, the focus should be on the broker who will net the most out of the aircraft disposal in the proper time frame.

If an exclusive broker's commission rate is too low, he will skimp on advertising and other services. Worse, a few brokers advertise aircraft they have signed up at unrealistically low commissions, then direct the buyers to other non-exclusive aircraft for more profit or higher commissions. The exclusive broker needs to be strongly motivated to sell your aircraft.

"Why not choose the broker who thinks my aircraft is worth the most?"

The exclusive broker who "highballs" the value of your aircraft does you a grave disservice. Unfortunately, some do just that in order to get exclusive listings. They will either give a sad story later about the declining market, or your aircraft will languish while others sell.

Price guidance in an ever-changing market is an important part of what the commission buys. We will ensure your aircraft is priced right to maximize your return, while ensuring it is realistically priced to sell in the market.