What would you do?

[PeteandGigi]

I sold a 84 Evenrude to an out of town buyer a couple months ago. I owned the motor for at least 5 years, always ran well. The day of the sale we ran it on the muff, started on third pull as usual, idled smooth, ran smooth, just like normal. He paid the $675 I asked and headed out. He contacted me a few days ago and said he finally got it on the boat and it failed to attain speed, it bogged and wouldn't take throttle. As the day continued it got worse. He took it to a marina and they told him it was only running on one cylindar, that it had 5 lbs compression. Repairs would be more than what he paid (about $850). I told him when next in town to come by and I'll look at it. I think if the problem pre-exsisted that it should still start and run as it did when I sold it, or it the problem was post sale it should now run different. What do you folks think? I don't want to eat the motor if it was his fault, but don't want to be unfair to the guy. Thanks for your input(s).

 

[jakebrake]

Re: What would you do?

offer to split the repair bill, or fix it yourself, (if you can) that would be the really righteous thing to do.
there sadly is no right answer to this one.

 

[rbh]

Re: What would you do?

it is a hard call! aint that the truth, but if this person brings you the motor you should be able to tear it down to the point were you should know if it was his fault or yours for example, premixed gas or not, ran it hard till it blew head gasket, ring or piston?
but at least your there!
rob

 

[dvan1901]

Re: What would you do?

The trick is, you don't know what he did, or maybe didn't do. If the boat ran fine on the sea trial, it was in good running condition when it left your sight; I wouldn't do anything.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: What would you do?

All sales are final. As is where is. No warranty either express or implied.

Whos to say he didnt run it with no oil or something and now he thinks you should pay for his mistake. If the motor ran fine for you all those years and ren fine when you sold it to him, he also heard it run then. Then it is on him.

 

[towman818181]

Re: What would you do?

if it ran smooth when it left but runs bad now im not real sure how it would be up to you ti fix it i do understand about feeling like you want to do something but the minute you offer any help you will be on the line till its all fixed and dont think if legal action is taken your in the clear if you offer to help i just lost a case in that manor so be carefull what you say or do good luck

 

[BigJ08]

Re: What would you do?

^^^ X2 ^^^ One should understand in sales like these that the seller does not guarantee the item being sold. If it really did take a crap on him right after he bought it, thats just bad luck. I wouldn't feel an obligation to handle the repair.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: What would you do?

IF in your heart, soul & mind you know it was exactly as you discribed it then i would'nt do anything except feel bad for his problems
BUT if you have a doubt about any of the above--Well, thats not for anyone else to decide

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: What would you do?

If I ever sell anything used and without warranty I always write on the receipt
"As seen, tried and tested" and "without any warranty whatsoever"
2 identical receipts and both of you sign both of them. Keep one each.
Sad if the motor crapped out on the next run but unfortunately that is a risk you take when buying used unless the seller does offer a warranty.

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: What would you do?

Sad if the motor crapped out on the next run but unfortunately that is a risk you take when buying used unless the seller does offer a warranty.

Exactly. It's a little tougher now that you talked with him and didn't say this in your first conversation, though, but still within your rights to say it... you can "check it out with him," if that makes you feel better (but again, that makes it even harder to get rid of him).

If I bought something used and it crapped out on me, that's on me...... it's happened a couple of times, but I only blame myself. I guess I'm weird.

My boat I just got had an oil/water leak.... I didn't know until after a couple of runs. I have no idea if the PO knew this and he certainly didn't say anything about it. I should have known what to look for- that's on me. There's no point in contacting him to ask about it.

I believe your side, because why would you bring it up if you knew it was bad? As for his side.... who knows!?! There are some pretty nasty people with 0 conscience. Honest guys seem to attract them.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: What would you do?

it's a 25 year old motor that he bought for under $700. Assuming that you're an honest fellow, either he's dishonest about what he did to it, or it was just unfortunate luck. Quite frankly, I would lay odds on the first of the two, but I give people the benefit of the doubt unless I know better. maybe call and talk to the mechanic? could be that the damage is obviously fresh, etc... never know. I don't feel you have any moral obligation to refund his money nor to pay to have it repaired. He ran it with you, he didn't ask for a compression test (and sounds like you owuld have been just fine doing one) and quite frankly if it only had 5psi in one cylinder, it wouldn't ave run right when you test ran it together.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What would you do?

This thread speaks my opinion on this matter for me http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=331469

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: What would you do?

Siding with everyone else here. If you were truthful about its condition and the buyer was satisfied with how it ran, then you have no obligation to compensate the new owner in any way.

They bought a USED motor and as such they takes their chances. If you choose to partially or fully compensate the new owner then it should be out of the goodness of your heart and not out of guilt.

 

[lowkee]

Re: What would you do?

I agree with all here, as well. I would give my sympathies for his bad luck, remind him I took the time to demo the motor before he bought it and wish him the best of luck. He doesn't have to like the answer to know its intent. As is, where is.

If he didn't get it checked out by a marine surveyer or someone with any engine knowledge, too bad, it's used, it's old, it's an engine with parts that wear out; There is no countdown timer on these things.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: What would you do?

All sales are final. As is where is. No warranty either express or implied.

Whos to say he didnt run it with no oil or something and now he thinks you should pay for his mistake. If the motor ran fine for you all those years and ren fine when you sold it to him, he also heard it run then. Then it is on him.

X2- joe

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: What would you do?

Caveat Emptor.

Although by the description you gave from the buyer it almost sounds like a no oil situation. Definately a talk with the mechanic is at least in order to settle your conscience if needed. However it is up to the buyer to ensure that the item being purchased meets their needs, barring extreme cases of fraud.


Ian

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What would you do?

I'd feel bad if I felt like the guy was honest, and at most might offer to pay half of the diagnosis (but not the repair). This will find either that he did something, you hid something (not suggesting you did) or it was a lurking problem. This would clear the air. All of us who have had sudden failures know that the motors are just time bombs (or time duds?). If your buyer were an experienced buyer he'd know that.
My 20 year old motor just died and I worked hard this spring on the fuel path to get it running. It quit running and wouldn't start; I assumed more carb problems but the mechanic said it blew an exhaust baffle and sucked up water (sea water). Not even worth opening it up. So I could have sold it in good running condition the day before, and left my buyer stranded and cussing. I wouldn't feel bad as in responsible, just bad that stuff happened to a fellow boater.
I also know to have a good bill of sale as others have described.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: What would you do?

If he called you back the next day he might have a case but to call a couple of months later and says he just now tried it out i'd say BS. Don't offer him any thing but a shoulder to cry on for a couple of seconds.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: What would you do?

You sold it a couple of months ago?? And NOW he has a problem.

Too bad, I'm sad,the motor's yours. I'm not your dad.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: What would you do?

I would agree, several months is to long. You have no idea of what the motor as or has not been subject to. On used cars the best you would get is 30 days. When I buy used I expect that I take it as it is when i buy it at that time, not later, not ever.

I is easy to feel some connection to the motor/buyer, is that what they are depending on?

Anything can happen, buy if you took good care, the engine checked out in the tank and they were satified, well what else could you do.

By the way a cylinder at 5 pounds compression most likely would not fire in the tank and the engine would have been rough.

just my two cents worth