Trolling motor: Should I buy?

[DDog1]

As we all know so much is out of stock now, no idea on backorder times. I'm looking for an ultrex and found some seller with lots of good ebay reviews, but very few reviews outside of ebay, they seems to sell TONS of stuff yet the address looks like a house lol. They are not authorized but have what I am looking for in stock, what do you all think? Where do they get this stuff? Stay away or trust the many ebay reviews?

[TOXIC]

If the seller cannot offer the factory warranty, it would have to be really cheap.  There’s a lot that can go wrong with a new TM and they are not cheap to fix.  

[Michigander]

I wouldn't buy a new TM without a warranty unless it was cheap AF.

[BigAngus752]

If you want an Ultrex find a Minn Kota factory authorized service center and buy it from them.  The Ultrex is the exact same price no matter where you get them (unless they are on sale or not legit).  I got mine at a boat repair place that is a Minn Kota service center.  They got the Ultrex straight from Minn Kota and installed it for free because they can't offer any discount (Minn Kota sets the price) so they do free installs as an incentive to buy from them.  

 

The ebay account you found is just a drop-shipper.  I had a buddy that did that for years.  He never saw any of the merchandise.  He was just the middle man.  If there was a problem he would give a refund and then try to get his money back from the distributor he went through.  Sometimes he got his money, sometimes he ate it to keep his business reputation good.  I hope the one you found is as reputable because they are under no obligation to help you.   

[Krux5506]

I bought mine off Ebay back in like 2018, it was from some marine store who actually had a brick and mortar location, website etc. But they seemed to do a heck of an ebay business and the price on a new Fortrex was pretty great and pretty sure I didn't have to pay sales tax.  I had no issues with the purchase or product and I still use that TM today with no issues. 

 

If it's from a reputable buyer with good feedback and the product is brand new and has it's regular warranty, I really don't think you can go wrong. 

[DaubsNU1]

I've had some friends have difficult experiences with big $$ items on eBay. 

 

If it were me, I would check with Minn Kota first, to make sure the warranty would be valid / honored through the vendor (eBay seller). Last thing you want is to plunk down $3k+, have the unit need service...and have it denied by Minn Kota authorized service center. 

 

I have purchased and sold a lot of stuff on eBay...all previously used, no warranty. 

[Krux5506]

Also bought my Talon off ebay with zero issue, full warranty. Ebay in general probably does more to protect a buyer than it does the seller. A lot of times you can even just call those bigger sellers too and discuss it with them or find out more info if you feel the need.