Comments about buying or selling a boat on ebay

R

ridley

New Member
Jul 9, 2009
34
Virginia
Boat Info
1997 400 Sedan Bridge
Engines
454 Mercruiser inboards
I'd like to hear pros and cons about buying or selling a boat on EBAY. I know it's loaded with scammers. I'd like to hear your stories. Finally, my primary question: Would you sell your boat on EBAY?
 
ridley said:
I'd like to hear pros and cons about buying or selling a boat on EBAY. I know it's loaded with scammers. I'd like to hear your stories. Finally, my primary question: Would you sell your boat on EBAY?
Click to expand...

No I would not... I would rather use CL, which does not cost any money to be scammed... If I am paying, I will use either boats.com or Yachtworld...
 
I agree, I wouldn't do it...maybe if the boat was local and I was able to go see it first. Seems to be alot of boats from New Jersey for sale on there lately.....
 
my main issue buying is you never know what you are getting until you own it
in most cases there are no provisions for a survey or most times even a physical inspection
until the auction is over.
I bought my 600 on ebay but knew it was junk before I bid ...I got lucky and it still had a good floor and transom.
I would do CL before eBay if I were spending anything over 3k.
I actualy bought the 240 off CL and was quite happy with the deal
but the boats I deal in are <5k when I start on them

just a tangent not a hijack...
I will add to the question...
Would you buy something from one of the "Boat Angel" auctions ???
I have been considering some from there knowing it would be an "unknown condition" project.
 
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I I soldmy 02 yamaha jet boat on ebay a guy from russia was interested and would only talk via email. He didn't speak english. So I said no. It was just to iffy. I had givin him my cell number via email while we were talking and a guy from florida called me. We went over a few specs on the boat (what it needed the condition ect) he then hit the buy it now. I told him the boat does not leave my possesion u til funds are recieved cleared and sat for 7 days In my account. I recieved a check overnight and a truck showed up 2 months later to pick it up and off it went. I received an email 6 months later from the Russia guy and it said "great thanks boat nice. Received ago week. Very happy" so there is a little hope for internet transactions. I also sold my truck for 22k on ebay to a buyer in lousieanna. Very smooth transaction as well. As for buying. Due to my lack of intelligence and researched and being very young and nieve at the time and still am I got scammed out of 7500. But don't wana speak of that.
 
You can't beat eBay for the sheer number of people viewing your ad. I needed to sell my last boat in a hurry, and posted on several sites, including boattrader.com. The only site that generated interest was eBay. To date I have sold a car, a motorcycle, and a boat on eBay. You need to carefully state the selling terms, such as the down-payment, the length of time the buyer has to come up with the balance of the funds, and your shipping terms.
 
rcknecht said:
No I would not... I would rather use CL, which does not cost any money to be scammed... If I am paying, I will use either boats.com or Yachtworld...
Click to expand...

Great advice!......But ebay gets a lot of eyes viewing your boat. Price the reserve a few thousand more than you want to sell just to cover the costs, etc. People will contact you if the boat does not sell. It's a shame but ebay runs a pretty loose ship when it comes to selling cars, trucks and boats due to different laws in different states. I know from experience but it worked out better for me.
 
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From experience on my end, its just another marketing tool that you are paying for. There's a gret chance it won't sell on eBay, but a lot of people will see it. Most likely browsers and dreamers on a large boat, small boats and jet skis are very easy to sell on there, a 400 Sedan not so much.
 
I always thought you just wanted to get exposure for your boat on ebay. Prefer not to sell there because of the final item fees but if you list an on eBay you can usually relist for free if it doesn't sell

I've gotten scammers and low ball offers on my boat lift from CL and none from ebay. You can also tell how many views and number of people who put on watch list on ebay which is nice to know if anyone is interested.
 
From a buyer's prespective:

I tried to buy a boat on Ebay.

It was a buy it now, or best offer. I offered about 10% under what his buy it now price was.

He returned a nasty email, yelling at me, saying that my offer was unreasonable.

The last time I saw the add he was at least 10% again, under my offer.

If you truly want to sell, I would say there are buyers out there. Just be realistic of your expectations.

Boat Trader only produced scams for me last time I listed a boat for sale on there. I eventually sold that boat on Craigslist.
 
Sold my 290DA on Ebay to a great guy who is now on this forum.
 
I purchased my last boat on Ebay. Thought it was to good to be true and I was sceptical. Turned out to be a great experience and I was even able to negotiate a better deal once I was able to inspect the boat. I'm sure not all Ebay experiences go as such.
 
A purchase of a used boat is a gamble at many levels. The risks are compounded if it’s not thoroughly inspected and taken out for a sea trial.
 
I found my second boat, and also sold it on eBay. Sold my third boat on eBay as well. Its a GREAT way to get exposure. All three transactions were done in person, face to face after the auction ended with no winning bidder.
 
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