Ebay boat purchase, the sequel

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pcatterall

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For those of you who were interested in the outcome.
The vendor has asked me to withdraw my offer and I have (with some reluctance) done this
He insisted on a cheque before preparing the boat and I insisted on it being out of the water ready to be taken away as per his description.
I guess we were both at fault, he in expecting that the buyer would part with cash without being certain that the boat was even truly his to sell and that his promise to recover her and put her onto the trailer would be fulfilled.
My fault for not questioning his terms, I guess that I thought he would agree to the usual format of deposit and cash on collection.
 
pcatterall said:
My fault for not questioning his terms, I guess that I thought he would agree to the usual format of deposit and cash on collection.
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What was the value involved? I've just concluded a private sale - well it will be when the boat is delivered on wedensday.. The money involved is almost £50k so I have done it like a house purchase - buyer places his solicitor in funds - his solicitor confirms to mine payment is being made once the buyer tells him the boats arrived safely - No unloading of the boat before my solicitor advises me that he has funds -

Sufficient deposit to cover my costs in the event the deal goes ti*ts up at the last second - no bounced cheques and no massive brokers fees - hopefully it will all go smoothly!
 
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Seems odd that he had a buyer ready to go and wouldn't haul her out and put her on the trailer. I wonder why not?
Was it the one on Windermere?
 
pcatterall said:
For those of you who were interested in the outcome.
The vendor has asked me to withdraw my offer and I have (with some reluctance) done this
He insisted on a cheque before preparing the boat and I insisted on it being out of the water ready to be taken away as per his description.
I guess we were both at fault, he in expecting that the buyer would part with cash without being certain that the boat was even truly his to sell and that his promise to recover her and put her onto the trailer would be fulfilled.
My fault for not questioning his terms, I guess that I thought he would agree to the usual format of deposit and cash on collection.
Click to expand...

Honestly, Walking away is the best route on this one. You're still a customer, however you look at it. This one has hassle written all over it.
 
yes it is a vivacity 21 on Windermere ( Ferry Nab?)
I was not really suspicious that anything was wrong just cautious.
Its was only when the vendor dug his heals in over payment terms that I started to have doubts about the condition.
If he was going to haul her out to sell then I assume that she has been on her mooring all winter, and how many other winters.
This was his first Ebay sale so I began to have some doubts.
 
I know a few people with boats on Windermere who don't have a trailer for them.
One boat has been in the water for 8 years to my knowledge.
 
Be very careful, many boats were damaged or sank on Windermere with the November floods, ( inspect the boat before any cash given over or walk away now )

from MBM Feb 2010

IMG-40.jpg


also see

http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/galleries/featured/25206/1/0/windermere-marina-village


http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/news/435192/boat-carnage-at-windermere-marina-village

check the boat out first.......
 
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pcatterall said:
yes it is a vivacity 21 on Windermere ( Ferry Nab?)
I was not really suspicious that anything was wrong just cautious.
Its was only when the vendor dug his heals in over payment terms that I started to have doubts about the condition.
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You would have difficulty making a case to reject it on the grounds of condition as there is no description of its condition in the eBay listing. It is usual to list any defects in the advertisement to avoid any argument after the sale has ended but this appears to be the first time for the seller.
 
It seems to me that you've both been quite sensible in your own ways, you've erred on the side of caution and he's dug his heels in possibly because it's his first ebay sale. I think the chances are everything would have been OK so in a way a bit of a shame, but there's plenty of boats...

Did you communicate with him electronically throughout or did you speak to him?
 
Now speek to him outside of ebay. He wont be under the same preasure and will save on his Ebay fees. Offer him a bit less though.
 
Croak said:
Now speek to him outside of ebay. He wont be under the same preasure and will save on his Ebay fees. Offer him a bit less though.
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Personally I wouldn't offer him anything at this stage without first having a full examination of his boat to your satisfaction. A seller with nothing to hide would not have caused such hassle and would at the very least have been willing to accept a fair deposit, say 10%. Either this seller is "green" or should be avoided.

As someone else has said - there are plenty of boats out there and it's a buyer's market.
 
My advice is to treat Ebay like taxes

Try to pay as little as you can.

I know its not popular, but a bid is not a legal contract, it may get you in trouble with Ebay. and may not be moral, but it will not end up in court if you do not pay.
 
SolentBoy said:
And don't do this if you ever want to trade on ebay again!
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Why? Ebay have no authority over a private sale of a auction once it's been cancelled. Hell i've offered fixed prices for stuff that is still up for auction via email.

If you cancel an auction you still have to pay listing fees so they don't care. They get their money either way!
 
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