Buying and Selling Online

[alexwood]

Hi,

I’m doing a survey and I’m trying to find out: what is the most annoying thing about buying and selling a boat online?

Thank you in advance for any responses, they’re greatly appreciated.

 

[mr 88]

Not many choices but to sell it online.

 

[briangcc]

Never done it...always traded in to dealer for next boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hi,

I’m doing a survey and I’m trying to find out: what is the most annoying thing about buying and selling a boat online?

Thank you in advance for any responses, they’re greatly appreciated.

the whole on-line thing.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Online surveys.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hi,

I’m doing a survey and I’m trying to find out: what is the most annoying thing about buying and selling a boat online?

Thank you in advance for any responses, they’re greatly appreciated.

seriously.

unless the boat is brand new, and I mean delivery truck fresh. buying anything on-line is simply stupid. so many things that can be wrong with the item, especially a boat where its buyer-beware.

you buy socks, toilet paper and engine oil filters on-line because you can absorb the risk if the project is a fake or is damaged

you do not buy a boat without a sea trial or a first-hand inspection
you do not buy a car without a test drive and a first-hand inspection
you do not buy anything electronic without a a hands-on inspection.

 

[tpenfield]

Are you planning on buying or selling?

I think for buying it is advantageous, because you can get lots of potential boats (assuming boats) well beyond what you might get otherwise.

As for selling, it can be a problem because of the same issue and you will tend to attract ‘tire kickers’ that don’t really have the means to buy what you are selling.

 

[JimS123]

I sold a 35 year old boat online. It was a pristine garage kept beauty with complete maintenance records that were up to date. I sold it as-is with no warranties, but I was sure that there were no issues. I sold it honestly.

The ad ran for 2 days before I got a call. He came right over and bought it on the spot. He didn't ask for a sea trial nor even wanted to run it on the muffs.

I had a few $100 bills in my hand and a cashier's check the next day. One of the best transactions I ever did.

I guess YMMV.

 

[Cbr1000dude]

I can't decide if Facebook marketplace or craigslist has more scams, but both are full of them. Then just assume (if you can get a real person on the phone) the seller is lying about everything, and you will be pretty close to the truth. Then take measures to try not to be robbed or shot.
That said, I have bought and sold on Craigslist lots of times, but only with very local people who gave me their phone number and let me take a photo of their driver's license and pink slip.
I've also walked away from deals where the title was in someone else's name and signed off when I had been assured on the phone it was a clean title.
Then there are dealers who list as private parties and don't have the title, but will do all the DMV for you. Run away fast.
Now if it's a $300 boat, forget what I just said and buy it, what could go wrong!

 

[Scott06]

I sold a 35 year old boat online. It was a pristine garage kept beauty with complete maintenance records that were up to date. I sold it as-is with no warranties, but I was sure that there were no issues. I sold it honestly.

The ad ran for 2 days before I got a call. He came right over and bought it on the spot. He didn't ask for a sea trial nor even wanted to run it on the muffs.

I had a few $100 bills in my hand and a cashier's check the next day. One of the best transactions I ever did.

I guess YMMV.

I had the same experience selling my old boat - 25 years old at the time, and my dads old sailboat - Sold both on craigslist... advertised it as everything works will water test... didn't even ask me to start it...had a wad of $100's. My dads sailboat - had 2 interested in it sold it for a tad more than asking...

You just need to weed through the scammers and tire kickers when using craigslist and understand no matter what you list it at people want to negotiate so leave some fat for trimming... I usually start with text only then speak to them before they come by. You can tell who you are working with real quick.

 

[H20Rat]

define 'online'. Are you talking an ebay type transaction where you don't ever see/touch it in person first, or just an online ad?

Anyway, most frustrating part.. no shows. I've almost given up selling anything in person online. Way too many people will line up x number of say vehicles to look at. They buy the first one they like, and ghost everyone else they committed buying to.

 

[Beagleville]

It's like anything else--you just have to be reasonably smart about it. I've bought and sold through FB marketplace, ebay, and CL many times over the years with pretty good results. I bought a car on CL which was on the west coast and I'm on the east coast. The biggest challenge was convincing the seller I wasn't a scammer; once that was accomplished everything went smoothly. We flew out, they met us at the airport, and we drove the car home. Having said that, I've had my share of no-shows, tire-kickers and other various duds. I'll never understand why people will make an offer sight unseen, usually a low-ball offer which I'll always refuse. Actually, I usually refuse ANY offer sight unseen because that's just bad-faith negotiating--which to me is the most annoying part of online selling. All these challenges are worth the one thing you get with online selling: exposure. Whether it's ebay, cl, or FB marketplace, you get exposure when online.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Anyone else notice the OP hasnt been back

 

[briangcc]

Well....twas a Survey afterall.

Maybe I skewed the results

 

[Scott06]

Anyone else notice the OP hasnt been back

Hey we're bored because we can't get out on the water ( or at least those up north)... I'm waiting for this to turn into and oil thread

 

[JimS123]

Hey we're bored because we can't get out on the water ( or at least those up north)... I'm waiting for this to turn into and oil thread

The boats are all put up for the winter. I only use Mercury marine oil. It's hunting season now anyway.

My lawn tractor uses 1 3/4 qts of oil. So, after a bunch of years I have a bunch of bottles with only 1/4 quart in each. They are all different brands. can I mix them together?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hey we're bored because we can't get out on the water ( or at least those up north)... I'm waiting for this to turn into and oil thread

Bud's boat is still in the water up in Door County. will be for another month or so when he pulls his dock.

Just bought more Amsoil for the drive

 

[Scott Danforth]

can I mix them together?

yes, lawnmower wont care

 

[ahicks]

My "lawn mower" is a Kubota diesel. I'm pretty sure it WOULD care, or at the very least I would not gamble on a mix of old leftover oils....

 

[Texasmark]

The boats are all put up for the winter. I only use Mercury marine oil. It's hunting season now anyway.

My lawn tractor uses 1 3/4 qts of oil. So, after a bunch of years I have a bunch of bottles with only 1/4 quart in each. They are all different brands. can I mix them together?

Sure