Scam????

[trejac]

I've been hunting Craiglist, Ebay and some local dealers for the right upgrade. I found one that i like and went to look at it, I loved it. One thing was very curious to me, no registration number on the side of the boat and it is from out of state (not registered in my state, trailer tags also from another state). HUMmmmmmm. Then I come home to run some info as I do not know the brand name and I see the exact same photo for the same boat (same buildings in the back ground) posted in the state that the boat came from. Hum... It had a number so I called it and they just sold the boat. Thoughts on to prove this is not a scam for free???

 

[kellmike626]

Re: Scam????

I'd say walk, and continue with your search. If you aren't 100% comfortable with buying the boat, I wouldn't buy it. That's my 2 cents.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Scam????

If in doubt, run like the wind !!!!

 

[Chaparralboater]

Re: Scam????

traded my motorcycle for a boat. Living in NC we had to have everything titled and notorized. I drove to Virgina where the guy with the boat had 2 titles, one to the boat, one to the trailer. Both titles were not in his name. We got my title to the bike notorized and we both signed it. I left his place with a boat and trailer with 2 diffferant titles and none notorized. I thought it was weird and sketchy. I got back to NC and they just titled both titles and gave me my registration. POINT OF STORY..sometimes not all things are as weird as they look. But be careful. Times are tight and everyone is out to make a buck

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Scam????

Have{demand} the seller go with you to the DMV or whatever state agency you use to transfer ownership...scammers/theifs will bail on the idea...CYOA!!!

 

[trejac]

Re: Scam????

Have{demand} the seller go with you to the DMV or whatever state agency you use to transfer ownership...scammers/theifs will bail on the idea...CYOA!!!

Great idea, never would have thought about that.

My bad, I did forget to ask him if he had title in hand.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: Scam????

Most of the time those scams are not physical, you can not touch them ride on them or otherwise and the seller will have all sorts of excuses why.

Is that the case here?

Be aware but if you like the boat and deal well then make it work if the seller is willing to go with you, sign the bill of sale at the court house and show ID.

 

[trejac]

Re: Scam????

Is that the case here?

No, I've seen and touched the boat. it is real!!

I've just never been around a used boat without any registration on it.

I like the idea about going to the registration office to complete the deal.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: Scam????

Do a quick search or call the DMV for the state it is from and ask them if they need a title. If they do and the seller does not have on that should cause you to have a hard look.

If the title is lost the DMV should be able to verify that the boat belongs to the seller and make a new title for you, complicates things a bit but doable.

If lame excuses vote with your feet.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Scam????

probably a flipper. Bought the boat cheap. And selling it.

 

[trejac]

Re: Scam????

probably a flipper. Bought the boat cheap. And selling it.

He pretty mcuh told me that!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Scam????

boats with preferred ships mortgages and titled at the federal level are not registered with the state

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Scam????

He pretty mcuh told me that!

As long as he has the title, you can buy it.

I'm betting he hasnt titled it in his name either. So he doesnt have to pay taxes on it.


Is he middle eastern descent or something around that area?

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Scam????

Bought mine without titles, boat and trailer. In Tn all the seller has to do is write out a description of the craft and include the HIN and both parties sign it. Take the paper to the courthouse for the initial registration and then for renewals you just run down to china-mart.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Scam????

aren't boats registered with coast guard not required to have reg numbers on the side? thought they were exempt from that practice.

but yeah sounds like the guy just bought it and is now moving it. here's my thing in this case. you seen the ad that he probably bought it from, was the price much lower? I would be more wary that he bought it and it's got issues he didn't notice and now he's moving it out rather then spend money on it.

 

[Thad]

Re: Scam????

aren't boats registered with coast guard not required to have reg numbers on the side? thought they were exempt from that practice.

but yeah sounds like the guy just bought it and is now moving it. here's my thing in this case. you seen the ad that he probably bought it from, was the price much lower? I would be more wary that he bought it and it's got issues he didn't notice and now he's moving it out rather then spend money on it.

That is more what I was thinking also. Found some problems with it and is trying to dump it. It happens.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Scam????

Just went through something similar with my boat. Seller bought the boat two years earlier, never registered it (I bet you would be amazed how many vehicles are out there running around with no registration!). When he went to sell it, he made one fatal error - he signed the title. Now to transfer, he had to get the title in his name, ie, he had to pay sales tax. It worked out, but added almost 3 months to my boat purchase.

If it's a special, one of a kind boat and you don't mind doing some legwork to see if it's legit, go for it. If it's a standard 18' runabout, keep looking.

 

[sasto]

Re: Scam????

aren't boats registered with coast guard not required to have reg numbers on the side? thought they were exempt from that practice.

Previous registration is not required as long as you have the title and bill of sale. Avenger is correct, boats registered with the Coast Guard are "documented" and don't have registration numbers. The name and home port are used as identification. I wouldn't sell a boat and give the new owner the registration, as I would neither do with a car. The buyer can renew the registration in my name and carry on, probably to Cuba for a load. Buyer and seller beware.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Scam????

I wouldn't sell a boat and give the new owner the registration, as I would neither do with a car. The buyer can renew the registration in my name and carry on, probably to Cuba for a load. Buyer and seller beware.

Again, it all depends on the state. In Georgia you MUST give the registration card to the new owner, as that's what's needed (along with a notarized bill of sale) to get your new registration (since Georgia doesn't title boats). In this case you notify the DNR that the boat has been sold.

Kind of seems like it would be simpler if boat registration were uniform nationwide.

 

[sasto]

Re: Scam????

Again, it all depends on the state. In Georgia you MUST give the registration card to the new owner, as that's what's needed (along with a notarized bill of sale) to get your new registration (since Georgia doesn't title boats). In this case you notify the DNR that the boat has been sold.

Kind of seems like it would be simpler if boat registration were uniform nationwide.

Thanks, nice to know.