Latest Sales Articles

Sales Strategies - If Hamlet was in Sales

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:07:18 -0700

As a fellow salesperson, you and I know that sometimes selling can feel awfully difficult. If your numbers just aren’t where you want them to be or maybe a few sales have fallen through on you recently; you can feel frustrated, bummed out, scared or all three. So, how does a salesperson keep focused and positive while moving diligently forward? You need a SALES STRATEGY.

I’ll give you two sales strategies that you can use any time to get yourself on track and keep yourself there. The first strategy will be for your mental game: how you think and feel. The other one will be for your mechanical game: what you actually do.

For the mental sales strategy you absolutely have to keep things in the proper perspective. You may recall this quote from Hamlet. Now, I may have read the Cliffs Notes for Hamlet in High School; I don’t remember, but I did learn this line at some point and it stuck with me.

“for there is nothing either good or
bad, but thinking makes it so.”

We may THINK that we are having a hard time selling, but by changing what or who we compare ourselves too, we can immediately feel better about where we are in life. Therefore, by changing our overall feeling in general for the better, our sales results will improve in kind.

Think about this. Over half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 per day! Now maybe that is too extreme for you but you can easily think about how many people in this world are worse off than you are right now and compare yourself to them. Think about how many people have no job whatsoever and they are not in a sales position where they can actually earn their keep with their company.

Everything is relative. Have some perspective and compare yourself to the majority of people who would trade places with you in a heartbeat. Then you can feel what you should feel… grateful for all that you have and are.

The mechanical sales strategy is creating a sales plan. Anyone in sales has to have a specific sales plan. The problem for most sales people is that most of us are just winging it and that will only lead to mediocre results at best. You have to know exactly what you want to accomplish and create a sales plan for how to get there.

There are many different sales management tools that you can use for creating a sales plan. My suggestion would be to go online and research which one would be best for you. But perhaps the easiest way to get on track is to use an online sales tracker or a sales activity tracking system. You no longer have to spend hours on spread sheets tracking your results. An online sales tracker will do all the tedious stuff for you.

Remember to be grateful for all that you have and who you are. Keep your thoughts positive and your activities organized and you will be successful.

Fishing Boats For Sale and Being the Owner of Your Personal Fishing Boat

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:38:42 -0800

Fishing boat sales can help you to get the most important catch of all: possessing your personal fishing boat. Some people like to golf, some like to hunt, and a few others love to fish. And if you are one of those who can't wait for the next time they are going to go fishing then you must be conscious of the wide variety of fishing boats which are being sold nowadays. Whether you enjoy salt water fishing or fresh water fishing, there are fishing boats for sale that could positively fulfill your requirements.

The utmost enjoyment that fishing gives to those who take part in it is camaraderie. You can entertain business clients, simply enjoy friendships, or link up with family members while
enjoying the beauty of all water bodies such as lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans.

Even though fishing previously was chiefly a men's sport it is now growing in popularity with women as well. The latest array of boats being offered now are convenient for both sexes. We have to also keep in mind the large number of children who are learning to fish when they are very young. Presently, more than ever before, fishing has become a game which involves the whole family.

Now that fishing has become so acceptable we have also seen the growth of the range of fishing boats available today. All those who are seeking to purchase the correct boat for themselves will find fishing boats being sold in most areas. Whether it's the good looks of the bass boat or the ease of the fishing cruiser that you are looking for, there is definitely a boat to be had for every type of fisherman today. The most difficult part is deciding which boat you feel you want the most as it is easy to fall in love with a variety of the fishing boats which are being sold.

A lot of attention must be paid the size of the boat that you decide upon for a number of reasons. The guidelines and regulations of waterways vary from area to area so it is important to think about where you will be using your boat the most often. Also, the size of the boat can make a big difference in the ease of the ride. All this is based upon the choppiness of the water in which you plan to fish most frequently. In addition do remember that the size of the vessel will also have a bearing on the number of people who can conveniently be in the boat at any one particular time together.

When you are looking for relaxation, pay special attention to the seats. Are they padded? Do they offer backrests? Are different sections quickly reachable from the seats or does it require a lot of moving around the boat? Does the fishing boat offer fishing equipment support and if so, for how many people? These are but a few of the many factors of comfort to think about when looking at fishing boats for sale.

Don't forget to consider how easy is to transport and launch the boat as well. Can it be easily loaded onto and off the trailer or is it a tricky task to do such a thing? Or are you planning on taking a slip on rental and thereby, paying others to haul the boat? Is the boat easily moved into boat slips and do you feel at ease maneuvering such a vessel on your own. If you have just bought a new boat, occasionally it is suggested to begin small and work your way up to a bigger boat. Boat safety classes are another option for any one who is presently looking at fishing boat sales for the ideal buy.

The list of issues in choosing the ideal fishing boat could go on and on. Much like purchasing a vehicle, boats now have a lot more accessories and choices. Even name brands have become very vital to many knowledgeable boat buyers today. Keep in mind when viewing fishing boats for sale every reservation must be cleared. If you are uncertain about something then positively take the time to ask the salesperson who is telling you about the features and benefits of the specific boat models that you are most likely to buy.

You must, however, always remain conscious of how you are going to finance your boat. It does not make sense to be visiting fishing boat sales, seeing your perfect boat, and then having to wait a few days to organize the finance. The boat will have been sold by then! Meet your finance agent, and organize your fishing boat finances in advance, and then you can bid on your dream fishing boat knowing that the finance is available.

Things You May Not Know Regarding Used Boat Sales

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:22:47 -0800

Used boat sales are very prevalent currently, and the market only keeps on growing. Boat sales are similar to car sales in a lot of ways. Several of the hints on buying and selling a car also apply when you are planning to buy a boat.

For one thing, boat sales seldom take place at the price first suggested. Whether purchasing a new or a used boat, it is profitable to discuss your boat sales. If you are the one selling the boat, do not forget that purchasers wish to make a counter offer, so you are generally in a better position if you set your asking price for boat sales a little higher than what you hope will be the final price. In thatway, the buyer will be under the impression they've been very successful when you bring down your initial asking price

Single boat owners are usually the ones selling secondhand boats. If you are the seller, here are some tips you should remember.

Do not delay selling your boat till the final moment. Generally, boat sales take three or four months from first advertisement until final sale. If your boat is not fully paid up, you will need to factor in the payments you are going to have to make while it is on the market. Your estimate must factor in insurance and storage costs. Many boat sales have been a hardship on the sellers since they had not taken these interim costs into account.

Triumphant boat sales are nearly due to public advertising. This could be a classified ad in the newspaper, an ad in a magazine dedicated to boat sales, or even a short ad on the cable channel. Posters on the bulletin board at work or in the neighborhood market may facilitate, but boat sales seldom are a outcome of those. Likewise, word of mouth is generally not favorable to boat sales; if you know someone searching for a boat of the type you are selling, certainly, tell him. However spreading the word among your friends and relatives is not an efficient strategy for boat sales, apart from certain extraordinary circumstances.

Be sure that you are going to be home to reply to the calls from possible buyers. If the purchaser and seller do not talk to each other the sale will not be completed. A lot of boat sales buyers are reluctant to leave a message on the answering machine, because they are not certain who they are calling or whether you are a legitimate seller. It is of no use to advertise your boat sales unless the purchaser can reach you. You might consider using your cell phone number or specifying the days or times buyers can call in the ad.

Clean the boat completely before you show it to a potential buyer. More boat sales are lost because of the façade of the boat than any other issue except price. Clean the boat until it gleams, and be sure any equipment included is scrubbed and properly stowed. A clean boat is the most significant part of boat sales, because purchasers subconsciously base their decision on the appearance of the boat

The façade of the boat is very important for its sale. If you promote in a boat sales magazine or on the Internet, it is crucial to include photographs. Boat sales will not occur without the buyer inspecting the boat first. Because an Internet or magazine buyer may live very far away, he or she would like to get a sense of the appearance of your boat prior to making a long trip.

If you are too attached your boat to market it in an unbiased way, you might want to think about giving it to a dealer who handles used boat sales. There are some other benefits to this system of boat sales, also. Thebroker will possibly have a superior idea of the true value of the boat, and can help you set your price. If he has a used boat sales dealership, it will most probably be open during the week as well as weekends. This means that not only do you not have to plan your life around your ads to conclude the sale of your boat, but also that several more possible buyers will be able to view your boat.

Here are some tips for the buyers of used boats. Ask about any damages or repairs that have been made to the boat. It is not uncommon for a new boater to crash the dock, but it's a different matter altogether to drive into it at thirty miles an hour. You should purchase a boat only after you have got a satisfactory answer to any damage issues.

Try to test drive the boat, if possible, but before you make the payment think a little more. Quite a few boat sales happen too quickly, because of the fun and excitement of taking it out to the sea. It's a good idea to take the test drive, and then give yourself a cooling off period to see whether you really want a boat in a few days. Do not forget that boat sales generally happen slowly, so the chances of anyone else buying this boat within the next day or two are very few. (There are exceptions, of course. Similar to other sales, a boat sale gets concluded very promptly if it is good bargain. A yacht in excellent condition being sold for a third of its value might move soon. And in certain situations this might not happen

Whether you are the buyer or the seller, take the time to educate yourself about everything concerning boat sales. This will allow you to have a much better experience while the actual process is going on, and to have less regrets later.

Pent Up Demand Boosts Sales of Household Appliances Says The Maytag Store Ajax

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:05:41 -0800

The Bank of Canada has recently announced that an economic recovery is under way in Canada. Judging by the latest retail sales figures, it appears that many Canadian consumers feel that the recent economic troubles may be over. Despite high unemployment and lower wages, Canadian retail sales increased twice as fast as forecasted in August. This seems to indicate higher levels of optimism and confidence in the Canadian economy. According to Statistics Canada, sales were up in four of the eight major retail components tracked. While department stores and small specialty retailers, particularity those selling home electronics and automotive products, reported losses, major household appliance retailers realized a significant increase in sales. According to The Maytag Store Ajax (http://www.maytagclearance.com), falling prices and pent up demand are boosting household appliance sales.

Canadian retail sales of large appliances for the home, such as refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, washers and dryers, have risen faster than forecasted. Industry experts feel that there are a number of factors contributing to the increase in appliance sales and one of the main factors is price. Over the last year, prices for major home appliances have come down to the extent that consumers who had been putting off making expensive purchases are now willing to make the plunge. Attractive pricing, combined with consumer confidence that the worst of the recession is over, has freed up spending in this sector. Consumers, who have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to see how the recession would affect them, are shopping once again.

"Our volume has increased steadily as customers gain confidence in the economy," states Chase Almeida, manager of The Maytag Store Ajax (http://www.maytagclearance.com), a household appliance retailer selling Whirlpool brand products from their 6,000ft Ajax, Ontario showroom. "People have been putting off appliance purchases over the past year and now we have pent up demand ... along with the lowest prices we've seen in many years. Canadian consumers vote with their wallets. They tend to be more cautious with their money than American consumers. If they are worried about their jobs, they are not going to buy. If they are not happy with the price, they are going to shop elsewhere," observes Almeida.

By their actions, Canadian consumers are showing confidence in the nation's recovery from recession and a brighter long term economic outlook for the future. Increased sales of major consumer goods demonstrate that, for many Canadians, the lingering negative economic fundamentals are no longer a deterrent to spending on big ticket items. Although October's unemployment rate rose slightly, Canadian major household appliance retailers remain confident that sales will continue to hold firm.

Contact Information:
Chase Almeida - Manager
The Maytag Store Ajax
2-280 Kingston Road East
Ajax, Ontario
L1Z 1G1
(905) 426-6900
info@maytagstores.ca
www.maytagclearance.com

How Do You Make Money With Power Bar Club?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:10:35 -0800

Are you looking to make money on the internet today? What about making a whopping $40,000+ every month? You have probably heard this from hundreds of other internet marketing scams online, but the Power Bar Club is one opportunity that can truly provide you with these kinds of results.

Everything within this company relies on marketing and advertising. Companies of all sorts spend millions of dollars on advertising every year. In order to bring in business, companies must be willing to get their name out in the eye of the public. If you think about it, you see ads for companies like Geico, McDonalds, Ford and many more on a daily basis.

It has been found that a trillion dollars was spent on advertising and 60 million of that was on internet advertising alone. What is even more astonishing is the fact that these numbers are projected to double over the next 36 months. So what does this mean to you?

How you are going to make money with the Power Bar Club is simply by taking a look at various ads. While there are millions of dollars being spent on advertising, there are millions of ads just waiting to be seen. All you have to do is with this program is look at different ads for around 10 seconds.

Companies hope that their ads will be placed in front of the right people who will convert into a customer. For this reason, they are willing to pay you to look at their ads. When first starting out, it will seem like you are making next to nothing. However, you will be amazed at how quickly the numbers can increase.

You can easily look at 750 ads a month considering the fact that it takes no more than 10 seconds to look at a single ad. From there, you want to share this opportunity with at least 5 others and have them look at 750 ads a month. If you can do this, you will be making $2.25 per month. Big deal you are probably saying.

However, if each of them shares it to 5 other people you will make money off of those people as well. Little by little your income will begin to increase until you have over 75,000 people clicking on ads. This is where you can begin to make over $43,000 every month simply by clicking on ads.

The Power Bar Club is a simple yet efficient concept that can catapult your monthly income in no time. With no selling or tricky concepts to learn, it is only a matter of time before you can make over $43,000 a month just by clicking on ads.

Solutions for Digital Signage

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:24:23 -0700

Branches, shops, and retails are the perfect places to promote your goods and services to customers and impact their purchasing behavior.
It's a well known fact that the point-of-sale is the place where 90% of all purchasing decisions are made!
This is your best, and most crucial, opportunity to connect with your customers, and it's your best chance to leverage up-sell opportunities and build customer loyalty to ensure repeat business - and maximized revenue!

It's about time for you to start Looking up for Industry Leading Solutions for digital signage that can target your On-Site customers.
The leading digital signage & Marketing Intelligence software solutions enable you to communicate directly with each one of your customers - at every single branch location - in a way that makes a positive impact on their purchasing decisions.
Advanced solutions for digital signage automatically create and deliver on-screen marketing messages based on real-time analysis of your marketing strategies, intelligence rules, and the actual conditions at the store or branch.
Your company has strategies that must be implemented at national, regional and local branch levels. At the same time, each branch faces unique conditions that affect the message that needs to be communicated to customers (inventory levels, weather conditions). Advanced solutions for digital signage simultaneously analyze your overall marketing strategy and unique local conditions to produce effective messages that promote your strategies and conform to local conditions.

Make Sure Your Marketing Promotions Can Change In An Instant To Target Your Customers - Whoever And Wherever They Are!
Computerized solutions for digital signage captures your business goals and analyzes real-time data from your business systems to automatically trigger actions based on predefined business rules set up according to your marketing strategies. Relevant, timely, effective promotions are dynamically created and delivered to LCD or plasma screens placed in strategic locations in the store or branch. Those signage solutions enable you to positively impact customer purchase decisions by delivering the right content, to the right audience, at the right time, and the right place.
The power of auto-creation and of on-the-fly delivery of advertisements based on relevant data enables you to significantly increase the impact of the messages delivered to your customers immediately prior to their final transaction.

How does Retail Digital Signage Target Your Message?
A Retail Digital Signage System is based on few modules that execute the following roles:
1. Capture: The Marketing Intelligence software captures your business strategy through the dynamic business rules that you defined and implemented into your system
2. Analyze: The Digital Signage software Engine analyzes customer/product/business data to trigger actions based on the dynamic business rules that suit your needs
3. Create: The Auto Creator system generates relevant, targeted promotions - in real time
4. Deliver: The targeted promotion is delivered to strategically placed screens, for immediate impact on customers
5. Measure: Promotion success is automatically measured, and modifications based on these measurements are applied to future promotions for increased effectiveness

Case Study - Banking Digital Signage Systems:
Advanced Digital Signage Systems automatically and continuously analyze branch data - to create and deliver advertisements with maximum impact on purchasing behavior.
• Teller: Advertises relevant products and services based on customer profile as identified at the time of transaction.
• Lobby & Queue: Informs and entertains customers waiting for service. This solution leverages the in-between wait time when customers are not in contact with bank representatives to deliver effective communications and promote sales objectives.
• ATM: Identifies customer profiles and delivers targeted advertisements when the customer - even those who are not bank customers - withdraws cash.
• Client Services: Promotes products and services according to the type of service being provided.
• Queue Management: Improves customer service while identifying and delivering the most relevant messages to customers based on the services they seek.

How Can Consumers Shop Smart in 2009?

Tue, 12 May 2009 21:02:19 -0700

There's good news and bad news for retailers and shoppers, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The bad news is that retail sales are down since the same time last year by about 13 percent, but the good news is that the numbers are up since January of this year by about .2 percent.

The total amount in retail sales is $994.9 billion, which means consumers are still buying, just not as much as last year. And the recent uptick, according to Steve Howard, author of Boomer Selling from Action Press (www.boomerselling.com) means that consumers are starting to open their wallets again.

"They're just being choosier, now," he said. "When the economy was good, they would be quick to buy, and they'd ignore poor sales tactics or even whether they could afford the purchase. They'd just put it on the plastic! Today, they are more discriminating, and they are trying to avoid the mistakes of the past. But they are spending, nearly a trillion dollars, in the retail marketplace."

Howard's belief is that consumers are paying more attention to basic principles of buying and selling, and they are getting wiser to what he calls "the greedy salesman."

"In order for a consumer to be comfortable to buy during this recession, three conditions must first exist," he said. Consumers must:

• Want what the salesman is selling;
• The perceived value of the product must exceed its price;
• The consumer must be able to actually afford it.

However, the "greedy salesman" ignores those conditions, and tries to obscure the truth, Howard said. He pointed out these traits of the "greedy salesman:"

• They try to "guess" how much money consumers have to spend

• They ask canned questions, work from scripts, attempting the one-sales-pitch-fits-all approach

• They offer limited choices, or packages, invariably meaning that no matter what the consumer does, he is likely going to wind up paying for a feature or an option that he may not want.

• They also try to sell the consumer something they just don't want, or couldn't afford, or both

Good salespeople, Howard said, will abide by the three conditions, and work to create confidence in the consumer.

"A better approach, which should be easily recognized by consumers, is that they will work to create confidence on the part of the consumer that the product or service on the table meets those three conditions. They'll work to determine the consumer's desires or needs, and then they will reduce the risk to the consumer by customizing the product or service to address both what they want and how much they can afford."

Howard believes that consumers are still spending, and they are actively looking to more, but they are not going to fall into the traps they fell into over the last couple of years that put them into debt.

"Adjustable rate mortgages, large vehicles they couldn't afford, electronics they didn't need - all of those old buying habits are going away," Howard said. "Consumers are getting smarter, and hopefully that trend will make the greedy salesman a thing of the past, as well."

Top U.S. Retail Chains Bankrupt

Wed, 06 May 2009 19:19:55 -0700

Bombay - Sadly, this chain failed and filed for bankruptcy in September 2007. All assets were liquidated and the company's trademark, intellectual property and trade names were later purchased by Hilco Consumer Resources and Gordon Brothers Group for $2 million in cash. You'll see these investors pop up throughout this list. They acquired many of these dismantled stores.

Circuit City - If you've got any of this company's gift cards, better redeem them before March 31, when they close their doors for good. During the liquidation period, warranties on new purchases will continue to be honored and they will still offer theater installation. This store filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in November of last year but never recovered.

CompUSA - Although this chain closed its last few doors in March of 2008, following a final sales push during the Christmas holiday season in 2007, it is noteworthy to mention. Known for its strong presence in the consumer appliance market, CompUSA met its demise due to sluggish sales and competition with Best Buy, Fry's and Circuit City.

Goody's Family Clothing - This retail apparel chain is a privately held company based in Knoxville, Tennessee that came out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in October of last year. The company, however, was forced to liquidate its collateral and inventory the beginning of this year due to the recession in the economy.

Linens `n Things - This retail chain filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in May of 2008, but closed its doors later last year. A joint venture, Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Brothers Brands, purchased the chain for $1 million. That's a far cry from the $1.3 billion a group of private investors paid for it in 2006.

Mervyn's - Most of this retail chain's stores were located in California where it held a strong presence before filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in July of last year. The last stores closed their doors in December of 2008. The store was founded in 1949 by Mervin G. Morris, the stores' namesake, although, the "i" in his first name was changed to a "y" for marketing reasons.

The Sharper Image Corp. - After filing for bankruptcy early last year, this retail store known for its electronic gadgets closed its doors in August of 2008. Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Brothers Group won the bid at the bankruptcy auction for all assets of The Sharper Image. The final cost? Forty-nine million, along with some conditional recapture of the company's assets.

Tweeter - By November of 2007, this retail chain filed bankruptcy for the 2nd time in 18 months. Hit by declining projection and flat screen TV sales and competition from Best Buy and Circuit City, Tweeter finally gave up the ghost. The company had been purchased by Schulze Asset Management in June 2006, but even the $38 million invested in the company couldn't save it.

Woolworth's - This almost century old chain succumbed to the same demise so many others that went before it did - competition and slumping sales. All of this chain's stores were closed earlier this year after filing for bankruptcy in November of last year.

How to Bag a Job in Sales

Sun, 03 May 2009 14:07:05 -0700

Here are some interview tips for anyone interested in marketing or IT sales jobs. Before you set your sights on a marketing or sales job you may want to consider if you have the following qualities. These are qualities that most interviewers will look for in a potential employee and it is important that you project those attributes in your interview. Try to show that you posses the right qualities without having to say so explicitly.

Excellent interpersonal skills
This is something that you can show by the way you interact with your interviewer. Be polite but not stand offish and stay relaxed. Show that you have confidence in yourself and your capabilities without being arrogant.

Good planning and organisational skills.
Make sure you show up to your interview ten minutes early and that you look smart. You may have noticed that other people in the office have a more relaxed dress code however you must show the best and most presentable side of yourself.
Ensure that you have any documents that you were asked to bring along to your interview and think of some examples when you had to use these skills in a previous job. You may be asked of some examples.

Excellent communication and persuasion skills.
If you are bright and articulate then make sure these qualities shine through. It will not only tick a box on the interviewer's list but it will make them like you. Practice answering possible questions that you may be asked and try to avoid using words such as ‘like' or ‘umming' and ‘ahhing' before every sentence.
Using hand gestures shows that you are confident and is more persuasive than sitting straight with your hands in your lap. Do not be afraid to smile, it does not make you look less capable!

Determined and enthusiastic.
Speaking clearly and using hand gestures also conveys the impression that you have energy and are enthusiastic about the interview. Show your determination to get the position by following the submission of your CV with a phone call to the company to ask if it has been received. If you do not hear anything for over a week then call again and enquire about when you are likely to hear back from the company.

Ability to build and maintain relationships.
Give some examples of times when you created a good client relationship. Build up a relationship with the interviewer as if they were a client that you were trying to win over. For a good job in sales you will have to stand out from the crowd so if you exchanged pleasantries with the interviewer at the start of your interview, try to bring one of those things back up positively at the end of the interview when you say goodbye. For example if you talked about the bad weather or the crowded tube journey, say that hopefully on your way back it will stop raining or the tube will be less crowded. Although a small gesture this builds a ‘relationship' with the interviewer.

Luxury Boats

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:58:05 -0700

If you like cruising, then you are blessed with a fabulous range of popular luxury cruisers in Australia. Australia is the biggest island in the world surround by the Pacific Ocean: what better setting for a luxury cruise boat that will enable you spend as long as like at sea, visiting all these islands you wanted to visit or just entertaining friends out on the water.

Australia is a world leader in luxury boatbuilding, with luxury cruisers built for sports and also just for pleasure. Although these cruisers are not designed for sports such as skiing, you can get a lot of fishing in. Many are fitted out for fishing, with plenty storage space for equipment, and with serious fishing arsenals. However, rather than talk about it, let's have a look at some of the options you have when you are looking for a luxury cruiser.

We shall focus on four of Australia's popular luxury boatbuilders: Sunrunner, Maritimo, Eureka and the fabulous Riviera, and have a look at a representative boat from the range of each company. Let's start off with the Sunrunner 4800, a 49 foot cruiser with a beam of just over 14 feet. This is a big boat with about 6 foot 8 inches headroom below and two double berths in forward and aft staterooms, and also a convertible dinette in the saloon; although I am sure you will find more sleeping room than that if you have to.

Other luxuries include an electric Barbie, an icemaker, fridge and Corian countertops. The air conditioning is essential for these hot evenings at sea and the heads are roomy and more than adequate. The galley offers black granite counters, teak floors and loads of cupboard space. You also get a Samsung microwave/convection oven and a Miele cooker with a small dishwasher to allow more time on deck and less time cleaning up!

With twin Cummins engines and a fuel capacity of 2000 litres, this boat is seriously ocean-going luxury.

Next comes the Maritimo 60 Flybridge, designed for long range luxury cruising with its twin
Caterpillar C18 1000 MHP diesel engines that allow you to cruise a thousand miles without stopping. This boat is well balanced with an advanced hull design providing the poise you would expect of a top class luxury boat.

This is true luxury with two of just about everything: staterooms, heads, helm stations and aft decks all designed with long range luxury cruising in mind. This boat is 18.7 metres (61 feet 4 inches) long and 5.6 metres wide - just over 18 feet. With a total of three cabins, it can sleep six. The cabins and galley are appointed in a similar fashion to the Sunrunner, and most of the popular luxury cruisers in Australia are pretty similar in the way they are fitted out.

The Eureka 42 flybridge competes with its twin 575hp, C9 Caterpillar ACERT electronic marine diesel engines and 25000 litre fuel tank. The galley ad heads are well fitted with Corian bench tops, and everything you would expect in a luxury cruiser such as fridge, freezer, shower and so on.

This is a spacious boat, handling well in all sea conditions, and is appointed as you would expect a luxury boats to be. Both this and the Maritimo are top class flybridge cruisers, and fitted both for serious fishing and serious cruising. Where used for sport or pleasure, these are amongst Australia's favourite pleasure cruisers.

Finally Riviera. The Riviera 5800 Sports Yacht is luxury personified. The entertainments system offers a Bose AM/FM stereo and a 40" LCD TV with 5.1 DVD player and all the speakers including sub-woofer. Some might think this is leaving the best till last, since the Riviera range appear to offer more than the rest, but you pay for what you get.

First let's look at the engines: three Volvo IPS 435 HP engines that provide all the power you will need for ocean cruising, and a 22.5 KW Onan generator for all your electrical needs. You can choose between 3 cabins and 4, and are also offered the option of separate quarters.

In the galley you will find a water purifier, freezer, microwave and dishwasher, and there are three heads in total. This is real luxury, and Riviera are hard to beat. A total of 63 feet in length, this cruiser is intended for serious long distance trans-oceanic sailing and can take from 8 to 12 people. It is fully fitted for diving and fishing, and you can have the open version or have targa if you prefer. You also have the option of the luxury all weather closed cruiser that really does this boatbuilding company proud.

If you prefer a smaller version, the 4400 Sports Yacht was voted the 2008 Australian Manufactured Boat of the Year and thoroughly deserves the accolade. Both these cruisers are luxury boats of the highest quality.

So there you have four of the most popular luxury cruisers in Australia, or five if you include the Riviera 4400. Each one of them truly deserves the term 'luxury', and there isn't an Aussie in the whole country that wouldn't give up a whole year of 4X for one of these babies: and that's saying something!