buying boat on ebay?

Wondering if anyone out there has ever done this before and what kind of experience they had. Here is the story. Found 2005 Alumacraft 175 for $8400 with 90hp, 80lb trolling motor, 4 seats, depth finder, and a couple other things. The post said it was in Benton WI come to find out the guy is in New Jersey in the Air Force and boat is there in New Jersey not in WI. He said he would ship it to me and pay all fees to ship it, then give me 5 days to check it out to see if I wanted it. It would have all paper work to license it with it. After the 5 day trial iI would either keep it and then send him the money or send it back to him. He said we would work through Eay motors to assure each of us of a fair deal. Looking for any comments or info on this situation. Thanks

I wouldn’t do it, sounds like a far less than straight forward transaction. My 2 cents.

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I wouldn’t do it, sounds like a far less than straight forward transaction. My 2 cents.

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I am with you.

That just seems fishy. Their are boats to be had without going through a mess like that.

No way, sounds like a total scam.

Way too many red flags…incorrect location of item, dude in the military, shipping doesn’t make any sense and a gaurantee if you don’t approve.

What I really don’t understand is there’s no money transaction unless you like it? I’ve never seen that…

This is similar to the Craigslist scammers who advertise nice vehicles for cheap in MN and there’s palm trees in the background. Total BS after you inquire.

Just my $.02 fish bucks.

Just say no!

DON’T Go THERE !!!

RUN FORREST RUN !!!

Sounds ” fishy” to me, and no pun intended. Sounds like a scam, just like the ones that contacted me when I had some old sonar/gps units to sell. Couple of them said they would send a check with their “movers” because they were out of the country on business. One guy even claimed to be on his honeymoon and wouldn’t be home for quite some time, but someone would be by to pick it up. Now come on…who on their honeymoon is going to be buying stuff off craigslist? Think I would be taking care of other things on my honeymoon than buying used sonar !

It is a complete scam. The military story is a go to tactic for scammers. I have emailed about cars on craigslist before and other things and a lot of them are always priced to good to be true. Generally things will just look unnatural and it will seem like a real human did not even write it. Never ship a boat or car or anything like that unless it is an actual company or something for sure obviously.

Doesn’t mean you can’t look for a boat on ebay, but it would be rare that you would find one close by and be able to go look at it before bidding.

No way… anyways, not with my $$$. I would try it with someone else’s “lottery money”.

No!!! Obviously you are having doubts about the boat, don’t put yourself in a situation where you need to question yourself about this purchase.

There is just no substitute for an in person inspection and running the motor. Photo’s do not show flaws that are obvious when you do a walk around. Written descriptions can be anything the seller wants them to be.

NO WAY pizza guy

tell him 2 stick it up his

RUN AWAY!! I had a very similar deal that ebay found out was a sham. If it sounds too good to be true…more than likely it is. Why doesn’t he sell it out there so he won’t have to pay the shipping cost and lose that additional $$$? Mentioning the military also makes it sound like a trustworthy deal. If you still want to pursue, I would have him give you a contact # at his work…just so you could contact him at the military base. Just a thought. Keep looking…there is always another good deal out there.

Post a link to the add here, like others have said sounds too good to be true. It should be reported to ebay as a possible scam.

Jersey.. There’s your first red flag.

Warning Will Robinson, Warning!!!

I sent another message with some more specific questions for the owner and have not heard anything. Iwasn’t going to purchase anyway, just wanted to hear what others would say. Thanks