buying boat from individual

[jon7271]

do you folks use paypal, and how is done. does the buyer set up acct or seller or both? i'm new to this game! thanx, jon

[Sir Adam]

Whatever works for the buyer and seller. I've purchased an embarrassing number of boats "on line" now without ever having seen the boat or the owner (images or third parties checking it out are usually a good idea and my preference of course ).

If nothing else it has really made me feel good about dealing with my fellow CBoaters-It's always worked out fine for all parties involved. Sometimes I have a friend nearby pay cash (I send them a check and pick up the boat), other times I send a check and let them wait until it clears.

My two current examples of how truely great and honest boaters are:

-the FIRST boat I purchased this way was in Maine (thanks again Roy!)-it was left at a friends house of the seller-I drove there and sent a check after picking the boat up (talk about trust! of course, there are not THAT many cherry-and blue standard cut acrobats out there... ).

-on of my last purchases-I sent the check months ago and the owner (Thanks again CheaJack!) brought the boat to a friends house, who then had a friend take it to the Tohickon this past weekend (thanks Court and Bob!). Worked out for everyone (I wasn't in a hurry and really didn't want to pay shipping), and all in the boater network for transport (I've transported a number of boats for folks in the past at no charge as well...even picked up and paid for a few (you know who you are ).)

So, I've trusted others and have been treated well in return. That said, don't do anything you feel is uncomfortable...trust your "gut" instinct, and when in doubt be as safe about it as you can, both in terms of meeting the seller and making sure you receive what you think you're buying and it's in the shape that you expect (this is the most difficult thing about buying something without inspecting it yourself).

Good luck!
Adam

[PAC]

I have to agree with Adam and say go with your gut. I also agree that as a rule Cboaters are good folks - then again it's a smaller community.
I've bought, sold and transported boats for other who have bought / sold boats. Thanks to Sir Adam, C1Dub, Warren, Kaz, Chuck and others!!
Right now I'm awaiting on a ride for a C2 so that it can get closer to home and were I can pick it up. I sent the check off blind for it based on the description. The owner called me and explained the condition - stressing the bad points - based on that I still bought it (Another winter project). The owner then waited until the shuttling started to post the check.
Also on a whole the boats I buy are relatively cheaper than those cuting edge designs (I would have liked a Wheel Boy but finances said NO!) so that make problems less like (folks are usually happy that I'm clearing out their garage).
So overall my cut is buyer beware but have trust in your fellow Cboaters - unless the seller is from Nigeria and has sort of complicated financial program the are looking for you to buy into.
Good luck and let us know how it works out for you!

[jon7271]

thanx sir adam and pac for the thoughtful and helpful replies. i've got complete confidence in my fellow boaters from face to face encounters, just wasn't comfortable with the spooky unknown of the internet encounters. thanx for the reassurrance. will let you know how it works out! see you on the river. jon

[Dale]

Hi Jon
Glad to see you are checking around. Sir Adam and I have met actually when I sold him a boat a C1 - met him at an exit on the New York Thurway. I had just gotten my soon to be your Detonator and had it with me when I sold the C!1 to him. So at least he can vouch for me as actually having met me in person 1 x.
Dale

[OC1_SURFER]

Jon, I likewise have had good fortune in dealing with fellow boaters on the internet. I bought my girlfriend's Ovation from a fellow in Alaska. He actually shipped the like new canoe down here to me BEFORE I sent him a cashiers check. Is that trust, or what?!

If you do pay through Pay-Pal, I'd just like to warn you that there are some scams going on. I've recieved a few e-mails from Pay-Pal look-alike sites which wanted me to verify my credit card number. I remember that when I registered with Pay-Pal, they stated that they would never ask me for my complete credit card number again. To be on the safe side, I always delete my card from my account after using it.

Hope this helps.

Terry

[jon7271]

hey terry thanx for the reply. are you also the zoom paddler, didn't know you had an ovation in your livery too. see you on the river. i'm buying a detonator this week. jon

[OC1_SURFER]

I'm really glad that you found your Detonator, Jon. If you need to do any reoutfitting, let me know. I've got some extra vynabond, minicell foam, etc. Hope we can get together for a Hailstone run soon.

Terry

[jon7271]

thanx to all who responded, as dale had posted earlier today, we were amazed to be charged only ~$19 to ship a 10' esquif detonator from PA to MO! paypal was painless also, just took a few days to verify my acct. i should receive my boat later this week. see ya'll on the river! jon