Remote Craigslist purchases

[jspringator]

Found an outboard I would like to consider, but it's 20 hours away (San Antonio). Does anyone have any thoughts as to how to make a long distance Craigslist purchase safer? I was thinking I could have them deliver the motor to a UPS Store, have the clerk verify a motor was dropped off and relay a very brief description, pay the money to the seller via pay pal, and then give a credit card # to the UPS store for shipping. I suppose I could print out the pay pal transfer sheet and fax it to the UPS Store so the seller can verify I transferred the money.

I understand I am always running a risk as to condition, and am willing to take that risk. I just want to make sure I get set something.

I wanted to make sure I had a proposal together before I contacted the seller.

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

What size motor are we talking about here?

Make sure UPS will ship the item.

Pay 1/2 now, 1/2 when delivered. Make sure seller can get tracking nos.

I personally would find a motor on ebay, there you can see their feedback.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

Craig's List is designed for local purchases and it says so right on their site. There are no protections for long-distance transactions. E-bay is set up with protection for both the buyer and the seller. With Craig's List you are at the mercy of the seller. You may be able to find a local dealer that would act as a go-between. Have the seller deliver it to the dealer. The dealer would then check it over. If it checks out OK they would pay the seller and ship the motor to you. Depending on the motor, this may cost more than it is worth. You may want to either make the 20-hour trip, or look for other ways to obtain a motor.

 

[jspringator]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

59 pound short shaft 9.8 hp. $750

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

Unless it's something that is very very unusual (rare) I wouldn't but it sight-unseen.

In todays market; if the guy wants to sell it bad enough; maybe he'll be willing to meet you half-way somehow?

Of course; if it's a great deal someone else will buy it before you can get the details worked out.

Chuck

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

No way i would drive that far to meet someone to sell a 750 buck motor.
Never buy it sight unseen...
Ebay maybe but Craigslist NO WAY...

 

[oops!]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

we were just talking about this in the resto forum......

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=283794

its a good idea

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

a lot of the guys in the AOMCI will post to find a member in that area that will go check out the motor for them. I have personally done it for members wanting to buy motors in my area.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

There is no way that I would spend $750 on a motor that I could not go pick up personally. I would also have an agreement with the seller that I reserved the right to refuse the purchase upon inspection of the motor. For me, that means a compression check, general mechanical inspection, and a sample of the gearbox oil to look for evidence of water or metal particles.

Do yourself a favor, pass on this one.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

i can say this, you have to ask the right questions, and then ask them again in another way, to see if you get straight answers, pictures, etc. to get the feeling for the seller. i've been buying, selling on the web, for about 7 years, asking the right stuff. you will get the feeling the guy is up & up, or to pass on the item. in this time i have never been dissatisfied with my purchases, or had a complaint from a buyer. i have been as far as Miami and Charlotte to pick up or deliver boats. the buyer pays for me to deliver, and i get a free trip, and rarely come home without picking up another item or 2 on the way home.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

I've gone as far as Texas and New Orleans to pickup vehicles, one was eBay the other Craigslist, but only because they were super deals and I would have refused them if they weren't what I was told via email or phone. Both turned out to be fine. The cost of driving out and back was far offset by what I saved and made on each one.
I would be leery about spending that much on a used motor and not being able to really check it out in person or at least hear it run.
Picture the hassle if it turns out to not be a good motor.
I doubt I'd consider it to be worth it if it were me.
A lot would depend on the age of the motor, it's overall condition and what I could get it for locally, or at least closer to home.
Like TD said, ask a lot of questions several different ways and analyze the replies. If it still sounds like something you want, then consider a road trip.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

I wouldn't buy a motor I couldn't put hands on.Also even if professionally
packaged damage is a real possibility even if insured you may have to start all over again or deal with a repair and its delay.I had 2 motors packed by amateures both arrived damaged.One I recovered my investment but ended up parting out.The other was described as seized and I took a gamble
found it had water in a cylinder of a motor with no removeable head.Sold it 3 years later at a huge loss.Probably should have parted out but got lazy.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

What is so special about this motor that you think this would be a good idea? Is it a rare year or model, or does it meet a need that is this important? I only say this because small outboards go up for sale so frequently that I can?t see spending $750 and then pay shipping, or the cost of driving to get it with the risk involved.

You can upgrade to a newer motor locally with the same money you would be spending to get a lesser motor over this long distance.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

See if the seller would agree to either -

A) escrow; allows for you to examine the item before funds are released to the seller

or

B) COD; have the seller ship it C.O.D. Downside is, this does not allow you to examine it, as you have to pay when it's delivered. At least you can confirm a motor was sent.

My $0.02

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

I flew a thousand miles or so to buy the Scout but it was contingent on a sea trial once I got there as well as any other inspection I'd want to have and no money changed hands until I was satisfied there wasn't some big problem waiting to bite me in the butt.
Now, going to that trouble plus showing up with a rented truck to tow her away pretty much made me want to find everything was ok but still, I could have walked had something been really out of whack.

Point is, never buy any mechanical item without trying it out. Even honest people make mistakes or miss things becuase they don't know enough about what they are selling.

Shipping heavy items is also a big gamble unless the person knows how to crate things properly. I had a vintage outboard shipped to me and it arrived with a few more dents in the tank than showed in the ebay pics.

That said, I like the idea of finding someone in an outboard club or something close to the purchaser who could check it out for you.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Remote Craigslist purchases

I think you've got the idea by now.. But just in case... DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

Your only somewhat safe option is to go pick it up but that negates any savings you might be seeking.

Today's economy is producing some unbleivable deals making the crooked deals more believable. You can do just as well closer to home if you wait.