Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

[wbeaton]

I feel like I've either got sucker written across my forehead or I'm just too trusting. I'm 0-3 and starting to get upset.

I recently picked up a 1972 6 hp "that runs, but needs a clutch dog". I felt I knew this motor since I tried to help its previous owner fix it on a fishing board I go to. He decided he didn't want the expense or trouble to fix it and offered it to me for a reasonable price. Since it only needed a clutch dog or possibly gear set that I happen to already have I bought it. Turns out the coils are toast. The top plug has been rebored and threaded to a larger size as well. Also, the carb needs a good cleaning since it won't even think about sparking. This is not the motor I thought it was. Certainly not the one he was posting about.

The 1974 Mercury 7.5 hp I bought this fall that has a "new water pump" didn't. Only saving grace is that the impeller is in such tiny pieces it may have all blown out of the powerhead instead of plugging it. Of course, I can't find the brand new impeller I had that fits this motor so I'm off to the marina again tomorrow.

Still can't get my 1968 Mercury 3.9 hp to pump water. Yet, another "it runs...I only took it apart to paint it, but forgot how to put it back together". Well, to be fair it does run.

And the real topper...I took a cheque for a 1959 Evinrude Sportwin 10 hp from a prop shop owner two hours from me and it bounced. He said he'd email me so I could send him my address, but I haven't heard from him in almost a week. Now I have to call him again or worse, go to his shop and get my money or motor.

I always try to deal people with honesty and a hand shake. I'm not sure if I can do that any more. I'm a little disillusioned. And I'm Canadian, so don't let our reputation fool you. There are bad apples here too.

Thanks. I just needed to vent. Mods you can erase this now.

 

[baconbiscut]

Re: Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

Yeah its hard to trust anybody these days. You gotta be careful for cheepskates I can understand how pisted off it makes ya when you think your getting the honest truth when infact they're just BSing you.
I feel your pain

Dan

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

Yeah, ain't our species great...well, actually it is, but not when you're dealing with some folks. Don't let them get you down, you did the right thing...just make sure you follow up and get your money or motor. Worst thing you can do is not get what you are due/promised...even if the process sometimes su**s.

 

[JB]

Re: Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

Well, I disagree.

I, too, have been had by bad persons but I have been treated fairly by many more than that.

I still believe that those who trust everyone except the obvious crook make far fewer mistakes than those who trust nobody.

 

[waterwezl]

Re: Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

I'm in complete agreement with JB. More often than not you'll find someone who's actully trustworthy. Ya can't let a few bad apples ruin the pie. I've been burned more times than I can count but if I'd let them get to me I'd have missed out on several great deals and even better people.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

Myself, buying , or selling....I take a good look around the surroundings..and the persons "tude"..(can't fool me easy anymore)
But *****holes are all over.
Bought a 1965 Merc 50hp with controls here Puget Sound (gotta watch the salt thing)...jerk said ''it did spin over, but been sitting..,..kinda stuck now".
Grabbed it anyway. Got my money back Ebay on a part out + $.
The damn thing was a rusted piece of junk inside. JUNK!. Rods were colored "blue"..from heat..nothing was salvagable.
Jerk...hope he goes out someday in the ocean..and starts sinking, and Seatow...says.."your 15th in line..be there in 4 days.."
What goes around, comes around...myself?..honest as all giddi'up...

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

Thanks for the encouragement. I was just a little PO'd last night. Mostly I'm annoyed that it happened three times in a row. Bad things happen in threes right so I'm good now?

 

[BF]

Re: Just venting - I feel like a sucker.

bummer... but I think outboard motors are one of those things that the majority of users/owners actually don't know much about. Whether because of dishonesty (sure that happens) or ignorance (probably more common) people often represent OB's as being in better shape than they are.

I always interpret "it runs" as meaning it will probably spark and have compression on at least one cylinder, and will fire for a few seconds if you squirt fuel down it's throat

Once you have those expectations you get bad surprises less often. I've never bought a used outboard without inspecting it in person first, and I think the internet has lots of opportunity to represent things as better then they are.

As for the cheque bouncing, well at least you have a business or whatever to go to... but you should consider that a lesson. Would you go shopping and expect a stranger let you take home an outboard if you just wrote them a personal cheque? Probably not. For an old 10 hp you're probably talking a few hundred $ max, so if someone's serious about wanting it, they should've hit an ATM on the way to your place. If they don't have the money in their account to get at an ATM, I sure don't want their cheque. I had a guy come to my place to buy a snowmobile once on a sunday. Said he couldn't get that much cash etc out of ATM and his buddies were going out that afternoon so pleaded with me to take his cheque (for full asking price) and let him take the sled. I chuckled and said "I don't think so". He then promised he'd be back monday AM with a money order so not to sell it out from him... (hmmm... he didn't have cash on him for a deposit either). I said sure, see ya tomorrow, but was 99% sure I'd never see him again.... and was correct. At least that guy was so transparent that he was easy to figure out. I'm pretty sure his "sunday shopping" was looking for some sucker desperate to make a sale and willing to take a chance on a cheque. (who knows whose cheque it would've been... someone whose wallet he swiped??)

So, upshot is I think you've got to lower your expectations.... that way most of the surprises are good ones.