Silly For Sale Question

Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
1,171
Why whenever anyone sells a picture of an outboard motor, do they have to take a picture with the cover off too? What are we supposed to be looking at? Make sure there's really an engine under that cover?
 

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: Silly For Sale Question

I certainly would never buy one without looking at the engine...
 

markmwm

Cadet
Joined
Aug 20, 2005
Messages
9
Re: Silly For Sale Question

take pictures of all sides and lower end.<br />that should be good
 

Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
1,171
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> I certainly would never buy one without looking at the engine...
What are you looking for? Missing sparkplugs? Corrosion?
 

AMD Rules

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
1,707
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Missing parts. I've seen many on Ebay that say they run great, but are missing key components. Obviously the motor doesn't run, but the buyer should.
 

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Originally posted by Wimperdink:<br />What are you looking for? Missing sparkplugs? Corrosion?
Any clues as to the condition of the motor. Would you buy a car without opening the hood? Would you buy a house without looking in the garage? I certainly hope not... :eek:
 

Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
1,171
Re: Silly For Sale Question

OK, I'm not talking about answering someones ad in the newspaper and going to their house to pick up a motor and hand them cash. I would definitly take the cover off and check things out. In a picture on an internet classified... you cant see things like cracked hoses, cracked spark plug wires, oil levels, hear it run.. see it smoke or not smoke.. feel it power up, start it, turn knobs or kick tires.. <br /><br />Anyway ZmOz I agree... I would never buy a house without looking in the garage. of course your talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars as apposed to hundreds of dollars. <br /><br />If its a huge concern that you have to see under a cover of an outboard to make your decision I would guess its even more neccessary to stay away from ecommerce and go with the old newspaper ad's making pictures under the cover pretty useless.<br /><br />So anyway with a guarantee of full refund with the exception of shipping. Why is it neccesary to see under the cover? :rolleyes: :eek: :D
 

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Originally posted by Wimperdink:<br />So anyway with a guarantee of full refund with the exception of shipping.
In what fairytale land would that happen? You buy a used motor from someone online and it doesn't work, too bad. 99.5% of the time you're screwed. If you're buying something sight unseen most people want to see pictures of every last detail. A seller offering a good motor should also want to take pictures of every last detail. If they don't it's a clue that they're either hiding something, or are a terrible salesman...
 

Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
1,171
Re: Silly For Sale Question

I guess in my fairytale land :) He did show pictures of everything cover on and off. He also offered refund if not satisfied with the exception of shipping charges both ways.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,657
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Wimperdink, Are you new to ebay?
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Depending on the size of the engine, shipping one way can amount to several hundred bucks so why bid on something there is a good chance is junk and you'll need to return it -- you are still out a couple of big ones. From a private individual, I want to see every square inch of that engine before I even think about bidding on it. I also want a picture of the ID tag that is taken such that identifying marks on the engine prove that that ID plate actually belongs to the engine being sold. I want compression readings and the date they were taken. I will ask enough questions by e-mail or by phone that will indicate whether or not an engine is worth bidding on. Buying an engine from a recognized firm like iBoats, AFA, and others that deal with "program engines" is a different story. They have a reputation to uphold so your chances of a rip off are far less.
 

Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
1,171
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Not new to ebay. Just have more faith in our fellow man than do most. So far whether it be luck, religion, or faith, I've not been screwed.(knock on wood) I've bought and sold expensive items and if you play your cards right your ok. I'm not purchasing a 2006 275hp engine now. I'm talking an older used small outboard that costs $35 to ship and will more than likely require attention.(though the claim is runs great i'm expecting some attention needed)So with that being said... unless I want to step backwards into a hole of paranoia that the world is out to get me... i'm out to win some and lose some along the way in the quest for good times. (ps if I purchase anything of what I figure to be a high dollar amount the prearrangement will be that I see it in person and hand cash on the spot.. no deposits and no bank transfers before shipment. If I bid and win an item and do not purchase for whatever reason, I am fully prepared to refund seller's listing fee's. Do as you want others to do unto you. Now if everyone approached ebay with that standard in mind, we would have a huge happy garage sale.<br /><br />There are some great deals on ebay if your willing to take the chance. Know your financial situation before bidding. Ever been to a casino? Know how much your willing to lose before taking that chance and you'll have fun. When you hit the atm knowing you cant afford it is when you get the sick feeling afterwards.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Better watch your backside these days! Your fellow man will stick it to you given half a chance. And E-bay is that half a chance.
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Nonsense, Upinsmoke. Lots of folks have bought good outboards on eBay. Some of them are even here. There are even dealers selling outboards on eBay, including iboats, the host of this forum.<br /><br />Yes, you have to be careful on eBay. No, you shouldn't pay too much for an outboard on eBay. Yes, you should figure you'll have to do some work on an outboard you buy on eBay, and pay accordingly.<br /><br />I've been buying and selling things on eBay for years. If a customer is dissatisfied with something they buy from me, I'll refund ALL their money, includind shipping, as long as their dissatisfaction is that it doesn't match the description.<br /><br />If I sold an outboard, which I'm probably going to do someday, I'll show it running, if it runs, and disclose anything that it needs. If you buy it, and find that I described it inaccurately, you just send it back and I'll refund your money and shipping one way.<br /><br />So far, I've never had to refund anyone's money. What I sell ends up being BETTER than described. I don't make extravagant claims.<br /><br />I've also bought tons of things on eBay. I read the descriptions, ask questions if I have them, and check the seller's feedback. Then I bid. So far, everything I've purchased has lived up to my expectations.<br /><br />Lots of good sellers and buyers on eBay. There are a few who are not. Not many.
 

Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
1,171
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Understand if you have to have a perfect running machine then you should be at a dealership looking at a new machine with a warrenty to cover your fears and spend the money up front. I myself will take my chances on used that is labeled as running great, hope for the best but still understanding it may need work. If the price is right. That being said.. I just purchased a 1970 4 hp Johnson for 185 + 35 shipping. Now if it runs great as it was advertised, I just got a heck of a deal at a total of 220. If not, I will fix it and cant imagine spending more than another couple of hundred dollars fixing anything on it. So you go ahead and buy the new one and I'll buy the old one and some fishing gear some accessories <br />some parts and maybe another battery and trolling motor and guess what... we are both out the same amount of money. :) Happy bidding..
 

BoatBuoy

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
4,856
Re: Silly For Sale Question

"do they have to take a picture with the cover off too?"<br /><br />It's a guy thing; a Tim Taylor thing. I would never buy a new car without looking under the hood, but nowdays, I have now idea what I'm looking at. Half the time I can't even find the sparkplugs.
 

AMD Rules

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
1,707
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Originally posted by BoatBuoy:<br /><br />It's a guy thing; a Tim Taylor thing. I would never buy a new car without looking under the hood, but nowdays, I have now idea what I'm looking at. Half the time I can't even find the sparkplugs.
lol...too funny :)
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Cat -- I don't dispute that there are happy outboard buyers that made their purchases from private parties on E-bay. And everyone seems to have jumped right over the point I made about private sellers on E-bay vs companies like iBoats, AFA, and others. On the other hand there are many unhappy folks who have bid on and won on a variety of products, including engines that were termed "excellent condition" or "runs great" only to find they are missing parts, don't run or don't run as described. If one feels the price is right and you are happy with having to return a product and eat the cost, great -- go for it. One persons junk is another persons treasure! I guess I'm just a little more cautious with my money and my time.
 

Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
1,171
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Originally posted by BoatBuoy:<br /> <br />It's a guy thing; a Tim Taylor thing. I would never buy a new car without looking under the hood, but nowdays, I have now idea what I'm looking at. Half the time I can't even find the sparkplugs.
BoatBuoy I think you've got it nailed... I'm chaulking the requirement to view a still picture of under the cover up to the need to release some testosterone. Personally I'm considering my question answered realistically. <br /><br /> I am going to laugh soooo stinkin hard if my motor shows up missing a piston. And i'm all happy cause I saw a picture under the cover. Find out later that the .05 font fine print reads.. Runs fine with piston installed however this engine doesnt have one. hehe :p <br /><br />p.s. ever heard of used car salesmen putting raw eggs in the oil filler to temporarily stop smoking for the sale of the car? wonder if a picture under the hood would stop ya from buying that sleek lil sports car. Its testosterone and the desire to prove you know stuff you dont always truely understand. Personally I know nothing about outboards... but when it comes time to figure it out... i'll make my way through it.
 

yater

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 12, 2005
Messages
79
Re: Silly For Sale Question

Another note on ebay....I don't deal with paranoid buyers on ebay. I regularly buy and sell dirtbikes (for my own use) and I'm always honest about what I have. I don't ship so the buyer always sees/rides the bike before making the transaction. If I get emails like "take a picture of the compression reading" or "you'll have to provide maintenance records", I just don't respond. Some buyers try to get pushy and issue ultimatums. Why would I deal with that when there are 100 others in line who are reasonable/knowledgeable? I'm a race wrench and keep my stuff better than new. These people don't know their heads from their asses...otherwise they would know what they're looking at
 
Top