Re: sold a boat and it busted!
CB, don't worry about it too much. Selling vehicles is like that. I sold vehicles (motorcycles) for quite a few years. You just can't please some people. And to lots of the ones you can't please, the more helpful you try to be the more weakness they think you have. Even if you're not helpful, just openly sorry about the situation, the wrong people take that as being able to push you around. It's why I don't sell anymore. Heres the poop, laws vary from state to state, so take any advice you get from a forum with a grain of salt. Generally, there are a few guidlines that are pretty constant in all states.
For one, you can just laugh off any mention of the term "Lemon Law". It's a phrase that has picked up popularity in the last few year. People use is as a catch all for any reason they decide to get out of a purchase. Truth is, there is a very small segment of sold vehicles that fall under any sort of Lemon Law. Recreational vehicals typically aren't covered. And nothing bought used from a private seller is covered.
"As-Is" isn't a blanket that covers your butt from all liability. But, and this is important, if the boat ran at any point after it was sold, then it was indeed as is. What I mean is, if it ran when you owned it, then the kid bought it and it never started, he'd have something to complain about. Probably stil wouldn't have a case, but it would be closer. If he bought it from you running and he was able to run it, then it was as you represented it to be, until he did god knows what to it.
No time limits, no catchs, no loopholes. If he bought it, and ran it and broke it, you won't be held liable.
DO NOT offer any portion of their money back. This can be seen as an admission of guilt or implied warranty on your part.
I'd be polite but firm. (And consult a lawyer) Explain that you're sorry, theres nothing else you can do. Give them your lawyers contact info and explain that all future contact should be through him. Usually, once it comes to talking to a lawyer, they'll lose their nerve. They'll go back to the mechanic, and now that he knows it's not a reapir that will be covered under a lawsuit, he'll give them a real estimate, not the inflated one I'm sure he fed them when he thought money was no object.
Good luck.
