What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

[Cannondale]

So, we're looking to downsize our boat. Trying to find a fish and ski type boat of around 16' and lowish horsepower motor....under 100hp.

I've spent now three days calling dozens of people about their boats and the level of ignorance of these sellers about their boats is just staggering.

"What year is the motor?"-----"I don't know.....but it runs."

"Have you ever had the motor's compression checked?"-----"Does doing that hurt the motor? How do you do that? What does that show?"

"Do you have the title for the boat/trailer?"------"It's got to be somewhere around here.....but it shouldn't be a problem to register even if I can't find it."

"Has the boat been kept covered/garaged?"-----"Why would you want to do that? Aren't boats supposed to get wet?"



Are there that many clueless sellers/owners of boats out there? I can understand cluelessness about a computer, but a boat? Really?


Sorry, just frustrated a tad.

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

And I'm glad there are people like that out there, otherwise who would we get our restoration projects from

Art

 

[Don S]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Are there that many clueless sellers/owners of boats out there? I can understand cluelessness about a computer, but a boat? Really?

Look at some of the posts on any boating forums. Especially the IO and outboard forums. Look at the number of posts where people bought junk, only to say that "The previous owner said it would only take a minor ____(fill in the blank)______ adjustment and it will run perfect" and believed it.
Who do you blame most? Seller? Buyer?
Do you pay 1000 bucks for a car and never start it or drive it, or look it over????

 

[444]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Well at least if the person comes off as a total idiot, you can see the red flags and walk away. Worse are the guys who know enough to make it sound like they take care of their boat but really don't.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

There are clueless buyers.???
But clueless sellers are easy pickens also.
can't have it both ways.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

How many people know anything about a car, I bet at least half the drivers on the road today couldn't tell you where their spare tire is much less change it.

Alot of people couldn't tell you if they have gas or electric heat in their house so not knowing anything about a boat doesn't suprise me.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Irish. thats pretty harsh. I think I have gas heat.???
I understand what cannon is saying.
Craiglist
this motor ran great last time used, 10 years ago. and they want top dollar for it.
When I ask, can I do a compression check? They say WHAT. Then you walk away.
or lowball them to the max.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Yup, stupidity can go both ways - sometimes those can be the best deals, sometimes not.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Its springtime... Up here in the north, that means there are always a ton of I/O's with cracked blocks. People don't realize that it isn't exactly a car engine, and winterizing means you need to actually DO something. Sometimes they disclose the fact of what happen, other times they try to pass it off.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Keep in mind that many on the forums are mechanically inclined and very interested in all aspects of their boats. Others may not be as knowledgable and may in fact completely lose interest in their pleasure boats. Once in awhile I need to remind myself that my mother doesn't need to know how to rebuild an automatic transmission to be able to drive the car.

I'm not justifying poor maintenance on a boat, just pointing out that not everyone knows as much as the average boating forum member.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

ignorance on the part of the seller is great when buying stuff!!!!!!!! hey you dont have to buy it and you probably wont if the seller is beyond hope of having any idead his boats REAL value!!

to me I dont work like the pawn stars guy.....who in his effort to make sure he doesnt get stiffed, he cost hims self thousands more by openly letting the seller know the REAL value of his stuff..


if I dont get a super deal I never buy stuff...

there are way way too many great deals out there to pay fair market for boat stuff.

this is not say I am decietfull!!!!!!! I dont ever lie...i just dont answer many times!! ha ha ha


bob

 

[lncoop]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Seller ignorance is a phenomenon that is not confined to boats. It's universal, and while it can be downright infuriating, it comes with the territory. It's just a frustration that has to be accepted as part of the experience of buying used.

I bought an old square stern canoe from a young girl late last year. When I called to ask her what she wanted for it she indicated she had no idea and asked me what I would do. I told her I thought $300 was a fair price and explained why in detail, but I also stated very clearly that thirty plus year old aluminum square stern canoes were extremely difficult to price and my advice was worth what she paid for it.

The next day she had amended her ad to state verbatim what I told her. The final sentence was "I have been told this boat is worth $300 and I will take no less than $250." So, I texted her and inquired whether she still had it. She did, and I offered her $250. Her response was, and I quote, "Really????? Sold!!!!!!!" That night she began sending me texts indicating she was "getting lots of calls on it. Guess I need to take down the ad LOL". I asked if they were offering her more. She responded "Don't want more. Just want it gone."

My BIL was kind enough to go pick it up the following day, after which I received another text from her accusing me of cheating her, saying "Well, I hope y'all enjoy the canoe. I found out I could have got a lot more but I trusted you when you said $300 was top dollar." I responded that I never claimed it was top dollar, rather what I thought it was worth, and that I readily gave her her asking price. I even took the time to reiterate my logic. The passive aggressive texts continued until I offered to return the canoe immediately so she could sell it for more to one of the other numerous callers. That was the last I heard from her.

 

[Jerico]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

It's amazing what a seller will do to a boat then not understand why you won't pay top dollar. Last week had a Crownline I was going to buy. Great pics. Went to see it and found black mold everywhere and the floor buckled. The seller was PO'd at me and told me it's no big deal to fix when I told her she cut the value of the boat in half. Wouldn't even consider adjusting the price. Saddest part is she'll probably find a buyer who is clueless...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Relax. Boating is not one size fits all.
Many boat owners (including me) don't check their own compression. Why would you if everything is running well?

Many boat owners own boats that are made for the outdoors, and therefore don't cover or garage them. For every person who can't believe a boat was left outdoors, is a boater who can't believe someone would buy a boat that can't be left outdoors.

when a motor is more than 20 years old, it's not unusual not to be certain of the exact year. I recently got an old 70 that had been worked on, so even the mechanics couldn't be sure. But it was a good buy.

Some sellers know nothing because they never learned anything. Some sellers know nothing because they are selling the boat for a family member who isn't around any more. As long as they are up front about lack of knowledge, why get mad? It's just part of "as is."

A smart "as is" seller will give little information to a stranger. Buyers are quick to forget the "as is" part when the boat breaks down shortly after they buy it--as all old boats will do at some time. You avoid trouble by not saying "the motor runs great" or "compression is fine" or "the trailer is solid; the tires are fine."

Many sellers haven't gone through the title process but once, a long time ago when it was easy, and do not know how important a title is today. Look at all the posts we have here about title-less boats. And if they don't have the title, as long as they tell you up front, it's part of the "as is" process.

I think someone could just as easily start a post about buyers with unreasonable expectations. Or sellers who act ignorant to chase off a buyer who will be a PITA.

 

[V153]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

I think someone could just as easily start a post about buyers with unreasonable expectations. Or sellers who act ignorant to chase off a buyer who could be a PITA.

Right on HC. I have a set of red flags as well but never ever chase off a PITA buyer prematurely. Cuz that moron might just prove to actually have some money? Ignorance is bliss I reckon, If'n ya can afford it.

On the other hand bargaining with sellers who may posess less than one's level of education & etiquette is all part of the game. (This is how you unearth the gems.) Deal with it ...

 

[v_fourmax]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

Probably 70% or more of boat owners are people that start off and are sitting at home with a family looking for something to do with the family on weekends and decide that boating and going to the lake will be fun so they buy a boat.

All they know is they put gas and oil in boat, put boat in water and turn the key and they have fun for the weekend. Many of those same folks associate the boat with water and its waterproof so sitting out in the rain and sun is supposed to be okay right, its a boat water will not hurt it.

Then one day after the boat has sat out all winter they go to get the boat ready and the interior is all to pieces, mold and algea growing on the carpet, batteries dead and no good from freezing from lack of a charge and they suddenly do not want to fool with it anymore. So they put it up for sale at a ridiculous price for the condition. All they know is they paid 20,000 for it a few years ago so it has to be still worth at least 15,000 dollars right? Heck they still owe 11500.00 on it how could it possibly be only worth 6000.00 on a good day!

They have no clue as to what the motor is and you mean the motor has a water pump? Change what grease or lube where? I have not seen a dipstick to check any lube!

There are many that own boats that do not have a clue. Sometimes you are better paying a bit more buying from an owner that knows what he has and has maintained it correctly as it will be cheaper in the long run. And yes you can still find great buys even if a boat has been well cared for if you look hard enough and long enough.

 

[DJ]

Re: What is wrong with most of the people selling boats these days?

I think it's more common for boats for many of the reasons stated.

Heck, I don't leave my cars outside. That's what garages are for. That's why they have those GREAT BIG doors! I have to laugh at people that have $500.00 worth of junk stuffed into their garage and leave a $50K truck or car sitting outside. Duh???

I've never had more than one looker at any boat or engine I've ever sold. I give them a complete run down on what I've done and what may need to be done-in writing. Yes, their eyes sometimes glaze over but there are NO doubts as to what they are getting.