Boat Shopping SUCKS

[thumpar]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Another plus to beam is the capacity rating. My Crownline 202 is rated for 12 people by the USCG label. A lot of boats of the same or even bigger lengths are rated for 9 max.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I figured the boat was in NWA. I'd go take a peek at it for you, but I'm three hours away myself. Man, that thing is pretty. If you're still interested in the boat even though the guy sounds like a jackass maybe you could send him another text explaining that you're not a scammer and only wanted a few more specific pics because the drive is so far. I gotta tell you though, the pics in the ad are pretty detailed and would be enough for me to make the drive. Sorry I can't help you out. Good luck!

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I figured the boat was in NWA. I'd go take a peek at it for you, but I'm three hours away myself. Man, that thing is pretty. If you're still interested in the boat even though the guy sounds like a jackass maybe you could send him another text explaining that you're not a scammer and only wanted a few more specific pics because the drive is so far. I gotta tell you though, the pics in the ad are pretty detailed and would be enough for me to make the drive. Sorry I can't help you out. Good luck!

I appreciate the attempt. I tried to explain exactly that, and the fact that scammers rarely text. Even if the boat was next door to you, the guy's attitude was such a turn-off that I wouldn't waste my time. Life is too short to deal with a-holes.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I don't know about Wichita KS, but is it too early to be shopping there? Reason I ask- for me- the same junk that is listed on craigslist now has been recycled since October. Nice boats will pop up April- June here as people unwrap them.

The Crownline 21 ft is a beautiful boat, I'd certainly go for that if new is in your budget!

 

[shrew]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I've had both good and bad experiences with Craig's List. I've never been burned, but if you buy/sell enough it can sure burn you out. I would say that you really need to try and sell a few things on CL first and then you'll understand where the seller is coming from.

I would have discredited the request too. 90% of the replies from perspective buyers are "IS this item still for sale" and "Can you send me pictures". I can understand where the buyer is coming from. He posts pics and then someone asks for pics. When this happens 99 times, you assume the 100th time is the same routine.

Also keep in mind CL is really the lowest common denominator. There are very very few good boats on CL. You're going to get what pay for on that one. Taht applies to the prospective buyers and sellers.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Even if the boat was next door to you, the guy's attitude was such a turn-off that I wouldn't waste my time. Life is too short to deal with a-holes.

I heard that. It's also too short to be an a-hole. Just don't understand some folks. Anywho, happy hunting!

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I don't know about Wichita KS, but is it too early to be shopping there? Reason I ask- for me- the same junk that is listed on craigslist now has been recycled since October. Nice boats will pop up April- June here as people unwrap them.

The Crownline 21 ft is a beautiful boat, I'd certainly go for that if new is in your budget!

That is definitely valid. I'm shopping over the winter because I hope to get a good deal. But my Tahoe is winterized in storage, I won't list it for sale until probably April. Come spring there will be more boats for sale, but also higher prices.

I've had both good and bad experiences with Craig's List. I've never been burned, but if you buy/sell enough it can sure burn you out. I would say that you really need to try and sell a few things on CL first and then you'll understand where the seller is coming from.

I would have discredited the request too. 90% of the replies from perspective buyers are "IS this item still for sale" and "Can you send me pictures". I can understand where the buyer is coming from. He posts pics and then someone asks for pics. When this happens 99 times, you assume the 100th time is the same routine.

Also keep in mind CL is really the lowest common denominator. There are very very few good boats on CL. You're going to get what pay for on that one. Taht applies to the prospective buyers and sellers.

On average I sell probably 5 cars per year on CL, as well as a variety of parts. It's a hobby for me as I buy cars that need TLC, fix them up, and resell them. Most of my cars go out of state, many purchased sight unseen. I do this by writing a comprehensive description of the car, documenting maintenance in Excel (with paper records), honestly noting faults/flaws, and taking a large number of high resolution photos. I normally have over 100 photos that I will host on Photobucket (free BTW) and send to interested parties by request. So I know what it takes to successfully sell expensive items on Craigslist. A short paragraph and 7 photos ain't it.

Just an aside, but if not Craigslist, where? Boattrader and iboats are generally full of overpriced dealer stuff and Ebay has limited selection. Craigslist seems to be the single best source for boats being sold by private parties, and most of the dealers list there as well.

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Many of my bigger purchases the last several years have been via CL. Generally have had good experiences but of course it tends to take a while to find what you want, in the shape you want it in at the price you want to pay aside from the inherent CL deficiencies. I have noticed that the pay sites people ask generally higher prices than on CL. I don't quite understand why that is given my good experiences and legitimately good deals.

 

[john john]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Not having much luck with dealers either. Don't seem to like trading used for used.

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Not having much luck with dealers either. Don't seem to like trading used for used.

Dealers massively mark up their boats plus at least in my state, there is no sales tax on used private party boat sales as it should be but there is on dealer sold used boats...brokerage boats skirt the tax.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I don't have one bad experience using Craigslist either buying or selling, and I would say I'm rather active on using it. Not one scam, maybe a few flaky sellers or buyers, but it has nothing to do with the website.
I guess because I would never buy anything new, I find it to be one of the best tools around to buy/sell. I have never been on ebay or used it directly to buy anything. Same goes for Amazon, never used it, but plan on doing so.

To me the show rooms are soon to be GONE. I don't see them ever being a profitable way to sell much of anything these days. I may visit a auto or boat show room, but then I'm looking for used after I leave the showroom.

To me buying new is a waste of $$ because products are still not perfect they should be when buying new. And the hassle of taking a product in for service under warranty is almost always a fail, or miss. So I ask myself, why would I pay a premium and then be exposed to such pathetic customer abuse. The idea that the customer is always right, is no longer even part of the equation.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

0To me buying new is a waste of $$ because products are still not perfect they should be when buying new. And the hassle of taking a product in for service under warranty is almost always a fail, or miss. So I ask myself, why would I pay a premium and then be exposed to such pathetic customer abuse. The idea that the customer is always right, is no longer even part of the equation.

I think we have a different crowd here. I can't wait until my 2012 F150 is OUT of warranty, because it is a HUGE PITA to take it in. No loaner car, I'm without a car, they have to always order parts which prolongs the experience. Typically I tell them what is wrong before I even take it in, and it would be easier for me to fix it myself. Warranties are overrated.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I'm a little late to the party here, but I don't mind shopping for boats. The worst part is when you do not have a boat, because you feel the urge to jump at something that may not be the right thing.

Through shopping you will become familiar with the reality of things versus what Ads and pictures try to project.

FWIW - here is my adventure looking for a 'new-to-me' boat in 2012 -> http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topics-questions-not-engine-topics/looking-new-boat-561385.html

CL can be problematic, lots of scammers . . . people wanting to "trade" not buy or sell. However, I sold my previous boat and bought my current boat via CL Ads.

I looked at a few 'mint' condition boats (as per the Ads) they were beaters.

Many boats are priced high (asking price). Typically prices represent the seller's dream and not reality. So, you have to weed those out. Pictures always look good it seems, and that is why I am willing to travel to see things first hand.

If a seller seems cocky or cops an attitude, I move on. . . plenty of boats out there to be had. Only a small percent of the boats that are For Sale actually sell. So, you have to find the ones that represent a real value.

Anyway, just a few pearls of wisdom from what I have learned shopping for used boats. Keep at it, your hard work will pay off.

 

[quad59]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

If you really want a Crownline 21' then check out Hern Marine in Ohio. They had some left overs 2012's they were making great deals on. My sister just traded in her Tahoe for one.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I think we have a different crowd here. I can't wait until my 2012 F150 is OUT of warranty, because it is a HUGE PITA to take it in. No loaner car, I'm without a car, they have to always order parts which prolongs the experience. Typically I tell them what is wrong before I even take it in, and it would be easier for me to fix it myself. Warranties are overrated.

Sounds like your dealer sucks. There is no reason they shouldn't be providing you with a loaner for warranty work - or even major service work for that matter. You are not having a "new something" problem, you are having a "bought from wrong place" problem.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

My favorite craigslist response so far to my boat ad was someone who wanted to take it for a test drive - we currently have 30" of ice on the lake.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Dealers massively mark up their boats plus at least in my state, there is no sales tax on used private party boat sales as it should be but there is on dealer sold used boats...brokerage boats skirt the tax.

I don't really find the markup comment to be true, at least in the boats I was looking at. The prices that the Malibu dealer was selling their used boats for were in line with the private market. The sales tax thing is a huge deal though, buying private party saved me $4K in sales tax.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Sounds like your dealer sucks. There is no reason they shouldn't be providing you with a loaner for warranty work - or even major service work for that matter. You are not having a "new something" problem, you are having a "bought from wrong place" problem.

They do suck. But pretty much all of them do. I can't speak for all Ford dealerships, but the two here in town don't offer loaner cars for warranty service.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

You might want to ask them about a loaner. Some shops don't offer it buy do have them if asked. If they don't I would complain to Ford.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

You might want to ask them about a loaner. Some shops don't offer it buy do have them if asked. If they don't I would complain to Ford.

Oh they have them........they're called rental cars. In 500 miles I'll be past 36,000 anyway, so it's just about moot.