Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

[coreybv]

Argh....

So after a few years of not having a boat due to recession induced financial issues, we just moved to a place where I'm a 5 minute drive from the Mississippi. Needless to say I'm itching to get back on the water.

While the money situation is improving slowly and steadily, I'm still not a rich man yet, so I've been keeping an eye on craigslist for a decent "fixer upper". Think I found one. Nothing special, just a '74 tri-hull with a Merc 120 I/O. Has some fiberglass damage on the keel, but I'm reasonably confident I can make that water tight for next to nothing. It's snowing as I look out the window right now, so when I was over looking at it I didn't make him start it up. Didn't feel right about making him have to re-winterize it if I ended up not buying. Thinking it over for a few days I've decided I want to take the risk and buy it now before someone else snatches it up. I feel safe money-wise, worst case is I take the hull to the landfill, make my money back selling the trailer, then whatever I can get out of the motor and outdrive is a little icing on the cake.

That's worst case. The actual plan is I get an ugly but usable boat to do a little fishing and tubing in for one summer while I save up the money for the boat I actually want.

So I made my mind up to buy it. Without seeing it run. And for his asking price.

The ad is still up. Sent two emails and called three times over the course of three days. Can't get a response.

Arghh!!!

 

[coreybv]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

God don't want you in a barge like that.

That may be true, but I still want to do some fishin' while I scrounge up the cash for the one He wants me in. (All due respect to God and His choice of boats, but God ain't been writing me many checks lately...)

I should mention that this is only 300 bucks for a (probably) usable 18' bow rider. Even if everything goes wrong and I have to scrap the boat, I can get that back and then some just selling the trailer once boating weather comes around. There's so many boats sold around here with no trailer that when a trailer does come up for sale, the ad is generally gone in a few hours.

 

[wlg]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

Don't you just hate that? You are not supposed tohave that one. Let it be.

JMO

 

[BonairII]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

The ad is still up. Sent two emails and called three times over the course of three days. Can't get a response.

Arghh!!!

If it was just a case of not replying to an email, I would assume that the seller is one of those "I don't check my email often" kind of people. But since you are not getting a return phone call, I would assume the boat is sold OR he is "working" another buyer at the same time.

I would be careful about buying a "fixer upper" in hopes of getting it seaworthy 'on the cheap'. Fixer uppers end up costing A LOT more than you think. Many times it's cheaper to buy a running $700 boat than it is to pick up a $300 fixer upper that isn't running.

 

[coreybv]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

I would be careful about buying a "fixer upper" in hopes of getting it seaworthy 'on the cheap'. Fixer uppers end up costing A LOT more than you think. Many times it's cheaper to buy a running $700 boat than it is to pick up a $300 fixer upper that isn't running.

100% agreed. But I've looked at the boat, and the damage, and I've been boating for a while and know a thing or two about them.

Buying it is a calculated risk, with the guess that I end up back on the water for $500 or less. Worst case is I have to spend an afternoon hauling the boat to the scrap yard and I have a $600 trailer to sell.

I've been to see the boat and looked at the damage that's causing him to sell it cheap. I've fixed worse damage for under 20 bucks and the fix lasted over 10 years.

I'm new to this forum, but I'm not new to boats. I know that "cheap" boats are usually the most expensive, but I also know that every now and then someone lets a boat go cheap for reasons that only make sense to them. Been scouring craigslist for over a year now looking for just that situation and think I've found it.

But, my main reason for posting was just to blow off steam. It's frustrating when you're calling someone to say "Hey, I have money, let me come give it to you" and they don't answer.....

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

Welcome to iboats and good luck with your buy. You certainly sound like you are going in with your eyes open anyway. Definitely have had your experience with buying all sorts of stuff. Latest experience was leaving several emails about some snow tires. Great condition and very good price. I just assumed they were gone when I get a response several days later. He just said he was too busy to check his mail. Go figure.

 

[Trim]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

I've had the same problem coreybv. I have sent an email, left a phone message, and sent a text over the last couple days. No response. It is a boat I am very interested in and could very well buy it this weekend if the guy would get back to me. I dont think it has been sold because it is still listed. Doesn't take much time to return a phone call, email, or text. Very frustrating.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

You are meant to have a tinnie

 

[coreybv]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

I dont think it has been sold because it is still listed.

Well.... That doesn't always mean much...

Got the butt-chewin' of a lifetime once when I called about a transmission for my old Durango. Guy went into a full-blown screaming, yelling hissy fit because he was sick and tired of getting phone calls about this "gosh darn" transmission that he sold 3 "flipping" weeks ago.

Thought about telling him that he could just delete the ad, but, eh, didn't seem like he was in the mood for suggestions....

 

[coreybv]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

You are meant to have a tinnie

Oh, I wouldn't mind it, but in this neck of the woods it's just so much easier to find good deals on glass boats. And given that I have to watch my budget for now, well....

Plus glass is what I'm used to, so I'm much more comfortable repairing it should the need arise.

 

[coreybv]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

Heard back this morning, finally.

Apparently he's just been busy. Oh well, I've been there, too.

Offered him $200 if I just come pick it up as is, or $300 if we start it up and I can see it run first. He wants to wait for a warm enough day to fire it up.

So I'll take that as something resembling a good sign....

 

[BonairII]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

If the seller is reasonably close....I would drive out to him and find out why he isn't returning phone calls. If he's not home(and the boat is still there), you can pin a note on his door.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

That boat sounds over priced by $275 and EZ is right

 

[BonairII]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

Heard back this morning, finally.

Apparently he's just been busy. Oh well, I've been there, too.

Offered him $200 if I just come pick it up as is, or $300 if we start it up and I can see it run first. He wants to wait for a warm enough day to fire it up.

So I'll take that as something resembling a good sign....

I love that....the guy puts an ad in the paper to sell something, but is "too busy" to return a phone call. Believe me, NOBODY is so busy that they don't have 2 mins to make a phone call or return an email.

Waiting for a warm day, gives him time to try to get a better price in the meantime.

If you really want it, tell him it's now or never.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

I run into this all the time. If you are looking at a free ad site like Craigs List, there is a reason. When people can list things for free, the have no motivation to sell. Back in the days of news paper ads, people would rip the phone off the wall to talk to you when you called.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Unmotivated Sellers (little bit of a rant....)

Mine is currently for sale, and I would rip a phone off a wall to try and sell it. Getting a lot of calls/emails can be overwhelming but it's all part of the game.