HSLD

Thanks, I was just trying to make sense out your web site: [www.3yinc.com]. The affiliation with BlueStar isn't clear and it's still not clear what your site represents?

What is it 3yinc does, looks like a link farm?

Climbto450

They are but the industry is fooled.

EXTW

Repost from last night.

f16falcon

Then why not just completely eliminate them and deal directly with the sellers? For example in realestate you can bypass the broker and just buy directly from the homeowner just like buying a used car outside the dealership.

AKASHA

Some customers do exactly that. Others prefer the convienence and service of a broker. And typically, a broker gets wholesale pricing because of volume, then sells to a customer at retail. An individual buyer is likely to receive a retail price from the start if purchasing directly from a provider. So in the end, customer pays a retail price anyway.... in other words, the price is often not that different between using a broker and dealing directly with a seller.

I understand this is not always the case, especially if you've found a local charter company who satisfies your needs.

Ziggy

Typically, I find customers use brokers for convenience only. Brokers who call us only get the same discounts we would any other customer, except preferred. In this regard brokers are more expensive because they add on their finders fee. Also brokers as with any other organization protect their cliental roster.

f16falcon

This is why I like to research recommendations. Looks like a lot of mixed views here on Brokers in general so let's look at the obvious question. What is the best way to go if you are looking for a convenience and cost effective way to travel to anywhere in the US and Europe(western) on a moments notice?

-Good broker? Then which one?
-Purchase an aircraft and perhaps share the privilege/expense with a colleague or somehow figure a way to make money with the jet when you are not using it.
-Hire somebody to identify a few relevant charters that can handle your needs and then deal with extended notice requirements that these charters will bring.

I think the 2nd and third options are the way to go. The 3rd being the most attainable.

Ziggy

As with most people here, I have no respect for brokers. As far as purchasing an aircraft and finding other co-owners it's certainly possible. You would just want to address all the issues before getting stuck with the aircraft. My recommendation would be to locate a charter operator in your area and built a rapport with them. Also you can buy block hrs from them and most would offer discounts after X amount of hrs purchased. If you can find a local corporate pilot they can be a wealth of information.

To answer your other question about convenient and cost effective, there isn't. Cost effective is business class on the airlines. Convenient is charter. Charter has almost never been cost effective, unless you're moving a really large group.

Climbto450

"Hire somebody to identify a few relevant charters that can handle your needs and then deal with extended notice requirements that these charters will bring". This is the process I would recomend. Majority of the people that fly on corporate jets have a PA of somesort. You only need a hand full of good charter companies. West coast AVJET, TWC or a company of that size. East coast there are various companies in New York area that one can get familiar with. For one stop shopping I would avoid smaller charter companies, they usually don't have the alot of manpower to always be able to find you an aircraft. Brokers make money by being in the middle get them out of the middle means one can save that 5-15 %. The savings in a year can pay for a PA's salery and then some. Plus charter companies cherish end users they look at brokers as necessary evils. I find that companies and pilots take extra pride in taking care of end users.

FLSTCI

I'm just curious about the three-engined Gulfstream with the main cabin door on the right side in their ads...