So What's The Deal With These Boats?

[james 14]

Occasionally while scanning the CL ads for used boats I'll run across a boat that is listed for WAY less than what NADA has the boat valued at. I currently have an email into a guy who's selling an '06 Nitro that's valued at 13k for only 4k. I'm sure some of these are scams but I'd love to think that some of them are either unknowing of what something is worth or perhaps is a disgruntled ex-wife who won the boat in a divorce battle and just wants to get rid it...or any number of possibilities. I also have an email in on a '01 Stratos that is valued around 12k that is being sold for 8k.

 

So what do you think...too good to be true? Or scam? I'm hoping one of them work out. It means more $$$ for accessories!

[Crappiebasser]

They are a scam. Most of the ones I've seen either have out of state hull ID's or none at all. Another tip off is they never have a phone number. 

[BassnChris]

There have been a few around here that we're legit.......no or bad motors.

But always beware.

[james 14]

Well the one was pulled off CL after only being up for about 30 min. I think maybe they meant to list it for 13800 instead of 3800.

[Shewillbemine]

In the internet age, the following edict is 99% accurate:

 

"If it's too good to be true, it probably is".

 

When I looked for a used tow vehicle, I found a Toyota Tacoma that was listed as immaculate, unbelievable low mileage and priced lower than comparables. The "owner" told me he's a marine who is about to be deployed and that eBay motors had possession of the car, ready to ship to the buyer. He said I couldn't come see the car because he was out of state but assured me it was ready to go.

 

A day later I saw a listing for another Toyota Tacoma with the same price, mileage and color. This "owner" told me she's a widower whose husband passed away. The car reminded her of her dead husband and she was ready to let it go. She said she couldn't show me the car because she was out of state with her grieving family and that eBay motors has possession of the car.

 

I emailed both of them on the same message and remarked how awesome the coincidence was of their cars looking exactly the same. I didn't hear back from either one. 

 

It's possible you can luck out and find the old man who only used his boat on Sundays to get to the church in the middle of the lake. But unless you have a personal connection to the seller, deals that raise eyebrows usually have darker secrets. 

[james 14]

Agreed. That's a pretty common scam that's been going on recently. I've read about it in a few areas. Now there's a 2004 Triton 21ft with 225 Merc selling for 5k!!!

[Glenn]

Those are scams, hands down.  We've seen these many times over the years, via people like you asking about them.  They always turn out to be a scam.

[Sun Fish]

Most all of them are scams.  They will reply with some story an an excuse why you can't go see the boat in person but they will guarantee a refund if you send the money via some way.  Don't bother, I've e-mails tons of them and received the same scam replies every time.

[james 14]

So here's the response I got back...what do you think?

 

My name is Juliette, happy to see you are interested in my Nitro 591. Let me give you a few details about it. Really good shape, never had any problems with it, it has never been in salt water, powered by 2006 150 HP OPTIMAX Outboard 6 cylinders (120-125 PSI) with only 73hrs and will come with trailer(2006 NITRO Trail Star Single axle) and all the extras included, the title is legally under my name, clear and free of any liens or loans. I wanted sell it at its Blue Book value but without any luck so I changed up my mind and reduced the price at $3.800. I got divorced recently this is how I got the boat and I am trying to sell it because as a single woman I don't have what do with it. Besides, I won't using it all by myself.

I responded saying I was interested but the boat would need to be checked out by a local marine shop and I would need to test drive. I offered to suggest a shop to take it to and work something out where I would tow it if she didn't have a way to do so. Let's just go "pie in the sky" for a moment and think that I'm actually able to get the boat checked out by a shop and test drive it without any apparent problems. Is there something else I should be concerned about in terms of the divorce issue? If the title is signed over to me the deal is done right?

[james 14]

AAAAAAAAND...the scam hits. I was waiting for it and was surprised it took a few emails to finally get to the part where they relocated out of town and the boat was being held at a local shipping company and we would do the deal through some online escrow company...blah, blah, blah.

 

Onto the next candidate.

[BKeith]

Yea, I luv when you try to nail them down at all the lies and excusses they can come up with.  Just to screw with one, I said I would like to check it out and he said the boat was in a storage facility in Tucson Az.  I told him that was perfect, I had a brother the lived near Tucscon (which I really do) and I could make arrangements for him to go by and check it out.  He came back with a coupel more lies and excuses, which I countered with another option.  He finally quit responding.

[james 14]

The thing is there really are some deals to be had...but probably not something ridiculous like 75% off. Patience will be my friend.

[tbone1993]

They are a scam. Most of the ones I've seen either have out of state hull ID's or none at all. Another tip off is they never have a phone number. 

My friends have Wisconsin boat ids. Just because  a boat has a different id doesnt make it a scam .