What would you do?

[skargo]

Re: What would you do?

He's on his own! 25 year old engine, and months later he calls. He wouldn't get a penny from me. I would give him some sand to pound if he persisted.

 

[travbl]

Re: What would you do?

I agree with everyone else, if it ran fine when you tested it then it is now his problem. Alot can happen in a couple months..It is his problem now.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: What would you do?

Keep your money.

He bought the motor 2 months ago AFTER testing and was satisfied at that time. Who knows what might have happened during the interim.

 

[MikDee]

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.

Well put Tyme! I totally agree

 

[fishrdan]

Re: What would you do?

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.

So it was running poorly and he continued to run it without correcting the problem? Wouldn't be the first time someone ruined an engine by running it when there were problems. Could have been a simple fuel delivery problem that he ignored, thus burning up the cylinder.

Sorry bud, but we checked it out together and it ran A' OK when it was sold.

 

[Thad]

Re: What would you do?

I've gotta go with everyone here on this.
I sold a z-turn mower last year. Guy test drove it, liked it, bought it. Called two weeks later said it would only turn right and I sc*%@ed him. I felt bad but knew it was nothing I did.

After checking on my own, I called back, asked if he had done any "playing" on it (firts z-turn). Foud out HE spun the spindle nut.
On him any way you cut it.
Same goes for you. It is natural for an honest person to think "MAYBE".

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: What would you do?

Lets see. 25 year old two stroke engine with ? hours on it, runs good on muffs he seems happy pays for engine and leaves. Two months later says engine is running on 1 cyl and it only has 5 psi of compression and wants money back? Say it out loud to yourself and it sounds even more rediculous.

What size engine are we talking here, not that it matters but even a 6 cyl you can do a comp test on in about 1/2 hr. Did he do anything when he looked at it, check lube, pull a plug, look down carb, etc. I am sorry but this is ALL on him. Don't be his scapegoat because he didn't do some research and come a bit more prepared at time of purchase.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: What would you do?

Two months thats a long time for him to call you back and tell you he has a problem. He should have takin the engine to the mech and have oils changed and it looked over. That what I do whenever I buy somthing because I just dont know what im doing. And the person selling you somthing is most likly going to tell you what you want to hear that things where changed blah blah but you dont know until you have it done or do it your self.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What would you do?

I missed the two month thing. Cancel my suggestion; do nothing. But be nice, and sympathetic; it's better to avoid a fight than to win one.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: What would you do?

I agree with the majority on here. There are a few things to consider on this one.

1. He did a test run on the muffs...So there was no load or backpressure on the cylinders. Most outboards will run great on the muffs but put them under any load or with the exhaust underwater and they will run differently.

2. It took him 2 months to finally get around to using it?...How did he store it? Were the plugs old? Was the gas old? Did it freeze outside and the cylinders were cracked by ice? Anything's possible.

3. It's buyer beware. The buyer had every right to have the engine checked out. He also could have put a deposit down and a water tested it with you on his boat. Again, anything is possible.

The bottom line is, you don't have any responsibility after money and goods are exchanged. Two months is a long time to beat on an engine. Also, if his mechanic looked at it, couldn't you hire ($$$) a mechanic to counter what his said?

 

[dwhite1031]

Re: What would you do?

I have to agree with the other folks about the time period that had elapsed. Who knows what he may have done in or out of the water during that time.

I had a similar experience with a guy I sold a bass amplifier to. It was in great condition when he bought it, but 3 weeks later he calls me saying I sold him an amp with blown speakers and wanted a full refund. Turns out he took it on the road for those 3 weeks to use while his rig was in the shop. Found this out from one of his band mates that called me and ratted him out.​

 

[jkust]

Re: What would you do?

The buyer really has guts to even make the call. Tell him his bail out money is in the mail.

 

[PeteandGigi]

Re: What would you do?

I really appreciate all of you that gave your opinion. Good advice that I will follow. Thank You, One and All...Pete, the thread initiator

 

[mphy98]

Re: What would you do?

My 2 cents, 2 months is too long. A day to a week maybe, but you really do not know what he has done with it over the time. Sorry I have to agree with the majority here, no money back.