Ebay motors

[izuizme]

I am considering a used motor purchase, 175 to 200hp.

Anyone have experience buying one from ebay?
Positive or negative feedback welcome, after all this is research ..

Thanks in advance

 

[steelespike]

Re: Ebay motors

I wouldn't make that kind of investment without a hands on check or test drive.Any ebay purchase you need to carefully check their feedback randomly select some who have dealt with them see what they think.
Number of feedbacks and type help but aren't fool proof.I just had a buyer with over 3,000 feedbacks 7 days no contact or payment.Lucky I was able to do a second chance offer for just a few cents less.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Ebay motors

bigobass has some motors on ebay he does some really nice work
look on scream and fly in buy and sell hes on there also,has real nice 200 carbed with new fitch syle pan and cowl he also has a real nice faststrike
3800$ he gos thru rhem thouroughly but he in fla,

 

[jspringator]

Re: Ebay motors

A motor that size is really too big to ship so you will have to pick it up. That will give you a chance to personally inspect it prior to final payment. It is a good way to look at a lot of motors and find one exactly like the one you want.

I've bought 2 motors on e-bay. One was great; the other one not so great. Both of these motors were shipped.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Ebay motors

I've bought a lot of stuff off eBay.
The best advice I can give you is to ask questions to avoid surprises.
you'll find a plethora of questions right here. Make a list.

 

[Mike722]

Re: Ebay motors

I would have a hard time buying an expensive motor without hearing it run. I sold a really nice looking 40hp on email couple of years ago. On the pallet it was nice, but on the boat it smoked and was hard starting due to a weak cylinder. I of coarse listed it as a parts only bad cylinder but not all sellers will.

 

[JB]

Re: Ebay motors

I would never pay as much for an unseen outboard (plus shipping) as I would for the same outboard that I had seen demonstrated. Always expect it to need some work, always.

With that rule in mind I have bought several outboards on eBay. One was moderately disappointing, the rest were all pleasant surprises.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ebay motors

i have had good luck, but you have to ask the right questions, and consider shipping. also good luck with these guys on shipping. http://www.freightcenter.com/

 

[izuizme]

Re: Ebay motors

Thanks for the advice.......

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Ebay motors

I've purchased a couple of outboards on EBay. including the 1972 Johnson 65hp that is now on my boat.

As others have said, you have to ask alot of questions. You also have to be willing to walk away from bidding if your gut tells you that you're not being told the truth, or are not being given all of the information that you have requested.

One rule that I have on significant purchases on EBay, is that I won't bid on anything that I cant examine personally before I pay for it. I tell the sellers up front that I will arrive with funds in hand, but reserve the right to refuse the item, if it isn't as described.

That said, I have a friend who bought a vintage Mercedes 300D on Ebay for a few thousand dollars. He did not inspect the vehicle prior to purchase and took delivery of it by having it shipped from California to Louisiana. The car was exactly as described - owned by an elderly couple who rarely drove it, garage kept and meticulously maintained. The car was pristine and I was majorly jealous of my friends stroke of luck!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Ebay motors

When it comes to eBay, I'll only bid on motors that either are cheap enough that it don't matter if they end up only being a parts motor, or those that are very close. I'd not likely bid on a used motor site unseen, plus have to ship it, all the while taking a chance on it's condition or possible hidden problems.
I've pretty much come to the conclusion that no one sells a good motor, if it's for sale, there's most likely a reason. Knowing that reason can help in the decision to bid or not to bid.

The best way to buy a motor is on another boat which has another visible problem, like a big hole in it or crash damage. You can always junk or sell the boat after you take the motor off.