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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    25

    Default Buying off Ebay, sight unseen?

    I am in the market for a boat. I look on Ebay now and then. Do people really buy a boat sight unseen off Ebay. Personally, I would never buy a boat that I haven't thoroughly inspected and test drove. There are a couple of auctions that I have been watching that are close to $30k. The auctions have only been going on for two days and they have at least 8 different bidders on each. You know that all 8 of these people could not have seen and inspected the boat in 2 days time.

    Am I just too conservative and safe?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Red Deer Alberta Canada
    Posts
    324

    Default

    Hey Claytorman,

    Bought my Outback out of Eugene Oregon 2 years ago sight unseen, but it was from a dealership on Boat Trader. They were very honest and answered all my questions. I also spoke to the owner of the shop, which made me feel a little less nervous buying not only off the internet, but out of the country!! I also checked their website out and the BBB in Eugene to see if they were a reputable business. It is always a risk buying sight unseen, but I know the members on the forum would probably check it out if they are in the area of where it is located. I think if you do some calling and talking with the seller, you will get an idea of their knowledge of the boat, who has driven it and the maintenance of it.
    But there is always risk, and 30K is nothing anyone likes to risk.

    Kidder
    2016 Craz
    2007 LSV - Sold
    2003 Outback - Sold

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Tallahassee, FL
    Posts
    14,071

    Default

    You're really only risking your deposit. It might be worth it if the boat looks good and you get to see it before you pay the balance. You might even be able to get your deposit back through paypal of the merchandise is not as it was represented. PITA though. Most people put the boat on ebay to get it out there and then sell it locally.
    My Mom said I'm not allowed to get wet!
    2008 LSV (sold)
    2000 Outback LS (sold)
    LLTR!!!!!!!!



  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    477

    Default

    I found my boat on ebay, but didn't technically buy it through ebay. The reserve for my boat was about $1k more than I wanted to pay, so after the auction ended with nobody winning it, I contacted the seller and said I was willing to pay $1k less, and we worked out a deal. However, I drove up to pick up the boat myself (about 10 hours away), so nothing was paid for until I had looked it over. I would have been nervous making a commitment on ebay w/o seeing a boat.
    '19 MAX
    '13 Mobius LSV - Sold
    '05 Mobius LSV - Sold

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    SE PA
    Posts
    184

    Default

    i have bought off of ebay - most sellers wont even want a deposit if you are going to be there in a day or two of auction close - as long as you contact them and discuss it all.....

    I have taken a gamble or two - but then i seem to get lucky or be good in my read of people ....... i had a 4+ hour each way to pick up mine,,,,,and quite frankly did not have time to lake test it...... i did my homework on the company and the guy selling it himself as far as background checking...... and when i met him he seemed trustworthy ....as it turned out boat ran fine......

    like anything else do your homework and go from there......
    When stuck inside......
    Hanging out here and at my favorite camping and truck forums
    same name at www.dogandtrailer.com and www.duramaxforum.com
    2006 Mobius LS, 2009 Sydney Outback 310 BHS, 2011 Duramax - My toys

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Posts
    253

    Default

    I've sold two items items after there eBay auction ended. it's a super cheap way to advertise.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    48

    Default

    I just had the same experience. Found my boat on eBay through a google search of what I was looking for. Contacted the seller before the auction ended to try and work something out as to time frame for pick up, I live 1000 miles from where the boat was. Auction ended without a winning bidder. Spoke again with the guy and worked out a deal, had the boat a few weeks and a long drive later. It helps to find out the seller's name and google it. Found out my guy owned one of the largest home builder in the south.
    Jr.
    '08 Outback V

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Posts
    253

    Default

    I had a 25k item on it and had at least a dozen people ask " what will it take to win it" I always laughed and answered " the highest bid above my reserve". Then I would tell them to contact me if it doesn't sell. there's allot of sharks out there.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    2,522

    Default Re: Buying off Ebay, sight unseen?

    EBay is the safest buy, if you do the transaction thru eBay you're fully covered. You can even pickup the boat, use it for 60(maybe 45) days. If you're not satisfied you submit a item not as described dispute. You can force the seller to either give a partial refund or take it back.. eBay screws the seller, they'll pretty much side with the buyer in almost all cases...

    Bottom line never sell anything on eBay, only buy..

    Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
    http://www.instgram.com/jlyons30
    2002 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2006 Moomba Mobius LSV - Sold
    2017 Moomba Craz - Enzos, Lead

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Posts
    253

    Default

    wholly crap. I didn't know that. there would be a fight if someone used my boat for 45 days and then decided to return it. that's crazy talk there, but I'm sure it's true.

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