Any sales position can attract sleeze bags and jerks. Most sales positions take very little education or training to get into including selling yachts. Fill out a form, pay your money and you are a sale person. A broker needs two years experience, but easy to get. Some states are different but pretty much the same. Very similar to a real estate sales or brokers license.
Because it's so easy to get, there's a lot of part time, non qualified and lousy sales people that get into the business.
Back in the 80s and 90s when I was buying a lot of houses, we had these sales people that we called "fat ass cadillac" realtors. They were housewives that got the kids out of the house and got a part time job selling real estate to get out of the husbands hair. They didn't know the difference between a brick and a front door. But because they lived in a house, they were now "experts". We see similar in the boating world. And there's a ton of brokers that have evolved from a different career to sell boats or houses in retirement for something to do. And there's a ton of folks that couldn't get a job anywhere so they decide to sell boats.
There's a reason why brokers and salespeople get a bad rap. It's because it's true. Just look at all the dissatisfied people that have dealt with them.
Granted, there are exceptions and the challenge for a buyer (and a seller) is to find the jewels in the brokerage business. And that CAN be frustrating.
I totally agree that a good buyers broker is worth their weight in gold for the buyer, especially if the selling broker is a jerk.
And, I'd bet that over 50% of the brokers/salespeople out there aint worth the time of day. (It's higher than that for me).
I'm currently selling my 28ft runabout. Talked to a broker from POP Yachts, supposedly the largest brokerage in the world. The guy is a jerk, totally inflexible and everything has to be done his way and I have no say so. Don't think we'll do much business. In the past, I've talked to other POP Yacht brokers and they have been great.... go figure.
As for "dissing" the ladies, yes that happens, and probably way more than dissing the guys. And that's a shame. However, generally the guy buys the boat, does the negotiations, picks out the boat, and most likely pays for it. (I do) So, the guys get the reputation of being the boat buyer in the family and unfortunately the lady is often looked at as a dummy that know nothing, and the only thing she cares about is how pretty the boat it. So that's the way the broker approaches it.
Just food for thought.
The fact you're considering the sham known as Pop Yachts says more than enough about your selection and problems. And you bought their line of largest brokerage in the world. Only have most listings because they copy everyone else's. Run.
As to states being very much the same, not at all. Only two states require any sort of licensing of brokers, Florida and California. The other states require nothing.
I think this thread and the brokers recommended here shows there are plenty of excellent brokers.
As to backgrounds and experience, you can go on brokerage sites and quickly see that in many cases. Most of the brokers in South Florida have been active in boating for years, if not decades.