Boatshed Code of Practice
Boatshed.com

Boatshed Code of Practice (V200422)

  1. Legal
    1. Every person working within Boatshed must sign a Non Disclosure Agreement and one of the following; Licence Agreement, Modular Agreement or Agent Contract.
    2. Each Boatshed Business should only operate within the exclusive area which is stated in the Licence Agreement for the brand. This includes any broker/agent working with the business owner. If you wish to list a boat outside of your exclusive area you will need written permission from Boatshed HQ.
    3. Within the signed licence agreement the terms state the minimum listings target. Boatshed HQ expects you to meet your target or provide evidence of how you are sourcing listings.
    4. We recommend as a Boatshed Business you become a member of a National Marine Industry Body local to the country you operate in.
    5. A copy of the following documents must be uploaded to the dashboard; Public Liability Insurance Certificate, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Proof of Address, Proof of Identity (either passport or driving licence)
    6. Any Boatshed Business intending to start legal proceedings must obtain written permission from Boatshed HQ.
    7. Boatshed.com Ltd does not sell data third parties
    8. All Boatshed offices must comply with GDPR
  2. Operations
    1. You will be provided with a Boatshed email account which must only be used for Boatshed Business. Boatshed reserves the right to access any Boatshed email account for monitoring, training or security purposes.
    2. For your email and our systems to remain secure, all email accounts must have 2 step verification enabled. Boatshed HQ can provide details on how to enable this.
    3. Boatshed HQ supplies an email signature template which should be used on your email (via gmail) and dashboard email signatures. The signature includes up to date statistics and should be reviewed regularly.
    4. The Boatshed Dashboard includes sensitive information about boats, vendors and customers. When accessing the Boatshed Dashboard you must do so by your own personal admin Username & Password supplied by Boatshed HQ.
    5. All Business owners are permitted two Dashboard Admins included in their hosting package. Extra dashboard accesses are available and are charged at a standard monthly rate.
    6. All Boatshed users should log into the dashboard at least once per week in order to maintain their account access.
    7. Boatshed HQ will notify all Boatshed users of important information via the Boatshed Dashboard News and Announcements. You are required to read all internal news.
    8. Every boat listed on Boatshed.com must have a fully completed and signed Listing Agreement which is uploaded into the media section on the dashboard.
    9. The standard commission rate for Boatshed is 8% in the UK or 10% for all other non UK locations. Boatshed recommends a minimum commission fee of 1200.00.
    10. Copies should be made of all boat documents held by the vendor and uploaded to the media section of the boat in the Boatshed Dashboard.
    11. Boatshed recommends any representatives taking photos, videos, VR have completed the ‘How to Photograph a Boat’ online training.
    12. Every boat that is listed on Boatshed.com must include full inventory details, at least the minimum required photos, interior and exterior videos and VR images before it is activated.
    13. All boat names must be removed from photos and videos wherever possible to protect the boat's identity.
    14. The boat will be assessed by the Quality Check Team and if there isn’t sufficient boat information; lack of photos, videos, VR; non removal of boat names etc, the boat may be deactivated without notice. The Quality Check Team will revisit the listing once the boat has been submitted for a re-check.
    15. Boatshed HQ strongly recommends viewings are undertaken by the Boatshed Broker in all but exceptional circumstances.
    16. All listing enquiries sent to the broker must be accepted/declined within 5 days of receipt. If the boat is listed on the website the listing enquiry must be marked as listed within 5 days of the boat being activated. Outstanding listing enquiries should be reviewed on a weekly basis.
    17. All boat sales must be processed through the Dashboard. The boat should be finalised on the day of handover/completion.
    18. Boatshed HQ provides ‘The Knowledge Base’ help system which contains help articles on many aspects of the business. Please ensure you always check the answer is not in the Knowledge Base before contacting support for any advice.
    19. Boatshed internal commission sharing within the network (e.g. Refer) are designed to stimulate listings and customers. Internal commission sharing between offices (ICSBO) arrangements may change over time due to operational requirements. Full details of any ICSBO changes will be given in writing before any changes take place.
  3. Finance
    1. Boatshed promote trust, openness, teamwork and professionalism in all business conduct and transactions. Any attempt by a member to subvert, disrupt or steal any monies, information or intellectual property will result in immediate legal action and suspension from the group and all information will be passed to the appropriate authorities.
    2. Each Boatshed Business must operate a separate bank account called "Client Account". All client funds must be kept in this account at all times. Any use of client funds for business purposes is illegal and will result in immediate cancellation of your Boatshed Business Agreement. Legal action will be taken.
    3. Minimum Commission Requirement: All Boatshed Offices are allocated a MCR (Minimum Commission Requirement) target. Boatshed HQ may choose to bill any licensee that has fallen short of their MCR. A payment plan to spread the MCR over a 12 month period may be used and this must be paid by any businesses by the payment date.
    4. Boatshed payments on all commissions relating to boats sold during each month must be paid to Boatshed by the 15th day of the following month.
    5. Boatshed monthly ongoing payments must be cleared in the Boatshed account by the 15th of the month. Failure to pay any outstanding funds by 15th of each month may result in suspension of access to Boatshed Admin Dashboard without notice until monies are received.
    6. Boatshed HQ will display the following credit terms on their invoice:
      1. Payment is due on 15th of each month.
      2. If not received by 23rd of month a reminder will be issued.
      3. If no payment is received by the end of the month suspension of access will result.
    7. Should your dashboard access be removed if your account is in arrears, then you will be charged a Re-Registration fee to be reconnected. This charge covers our expenses for serving notices, removing users, and subsequent reconnection and configuration of our system once your arrears are cleared. This fee is currently £150 + VAT. You will remain liable for all accrued debt and ongoing charges during any period of suspension.
    8. If your Boatshed Dashboard access is suspended, we shall immediately consider whether it is appropriate for you to remain a licensee/a broker. We may exercise our right to terminate your licence agreement altogether, in which case you would forfeit your Territory and Fee paid for your Territory and would still remain liable for minimum payments due under the licence agreement for the remainder of its unexpired term, or until we find a replacement licensee.
    9. Any revenue or reward generated by the brand, system or website including the sale of business or any area shall be deemed part of "Gross Sales" of the business, and therefore eligible for HQ commission.
    10. Any cross commission or commission split is calculated after Boatshed HQ commission has been paid.
    11. A share of commissions is payable to any other Boatshed business that undertakes any tasks relating to the successful sale of a boat according to the principles of the Boatshed Modular process, resulting in a successful sale.
    12. Cross commission payments between offices must be charged inclusive of any VAT or IVA element.
    13. Any Commission split agreed between Boatshed Businesses may be overruled or in the case of non agreement, implemented by Boatshed HQ.
    14. The ongoing commission paid to Boatshed HQ is for Boatshed head office to pay for it's investment in the software, continued development of the system, monitoring and supervision of the group. Whilst Boatshed.com continues to promote the brand, the ongoing commission paid to HQ is not for local or national group advertising, each office is responsible for its own advertising and promotional expenses. Growing your own Boatshed brand and local network is the mission.
    15. Boatshed HQ reserves the right to insist that any Boatshed Business or Customer use the central HQ client Account for any transaction at any time.
    16. Boatshed HQ offer, and may choose to undertake, a client account service to all businesses and customers as per 13.a. Boatshed Accounts team reserve the right to charge £75.00 per hour to process monies. Any commission or charges due to Boatshed HQ may be taken at source and at the time of a boat sale.
    17. Boatshed HQ can offer the provision of accounting services and the following charges will apply:
      1. £200.00 per boat sale which uses, or is made via the Client Account, including processing up to 5 incoming or outgoing transactions.
      2. £75.00 per hour should extra work be required in respect of bank compliance or fraud investigation.
    18. When a boat sale is completed the boat must be finalised in the dashboard on the day of completion/handover.
    19. A minimum accounts processing fee will apply to boat sales and this will be dependent on the commission split detailed in your licence agreement.
  4. Branding
    1. Each Boatshed Business is expected to provide examples of their current branding by uploading a copy of the following to the dashboard; photo of the branded vehicle, photo of business cards, photo of branded clothing
    2. Boatshed HQ via the Promo Site offers a free design service for all brokers. Boatshed HQ expects Boatshed Business owners to spend a minimum of £/€/$1000 on promotional material for their brand per year.
    3. Each Boatshed Business should undertake at least one launch or promotional event each year. An example of this could include sponsoring an event or holding a reception.
    4. Each Boatshed Business should recruit at least one ‘local’ Friend of Boatshed per section, so each brand has at least one Friend of Boatshed provider in each section.
    5. Set up Google My Business via the Google My Business HQ setup service.
    6. When you receive a customer review it should be added to the website via the dashboard.
    7. Boatshed HQ has implemented a system to track referrals made by a third party. If you accept the referral enquiry you are agreeing to pay the referrer a 20% share of the commission.
    8. Publish at least one blog via the website per month (blogs can be written easily via the dashboard and can include text, images and videos to enhance the business to make it more local to Google. A ‘Blogger’ service can be provided via Boatshed HQ for an additional fee.
    9. A photograph of your branded vehicle should be displayed on your website contact page. Your vehicle must be kept clean and presentable at all times.
    10. Your profile photo should be taken as a head and shoulders shot wearing branded clothing and without sunglasses.
    11. If you are using your own social media channel, relevant content should be added regularly. Boatshed HQ have an active social media feed which can be used.
    12. Your personal contact page should include the standard Boatshed profile questions which can be found in the knowledge base.
    13. The boats on the homepage need to be updated regularly with current boats for sale.
  5. Development
    1. Boatshed HQ endeavours to continue to support and mentor all Boatshed Members on an ongoing basis
    2. Everyone within Boatshed must complete the Boatshed Online Training as part of their induction process and before access is permitted to the dashboard and email.
    3. Boatshed HQ is committed to providing ongoing training for all Brokers and Agents. It is expected that everyone working with Boatshed should complete at least one extra module of online training per year.
    4. We encourage Boatshed Businesses to grow value in their business and resales are popular. If you are considering selling, contact Boatshed HQ in the first instance for the full re-sale process.
    5. All Boatshed users should attend one virtual or physical event at HQ every year. An event can be a conference, meeting or training.
    6. Arrange a call every six months with our broker liaison representative.
  6. Miscellaneous
    1. Compile a list of competitor brokers in your area
    2. Record the number of marinas in your area, the number of berths on each Marina, the type of boats and the average value of those boats.