Mrs. Snowgod
<font color=red>A <font color=blue>very <font colo
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
- Messages
- 1,033
I promised to let you all know how things went with the boat listed on eBay motors, so here goes...
We're up to 2 bids now, with just under 5 days remaining. It has 1,487 views!
I've gotten 5 inquiries, 3 of which wanted to know how much I wanted to sell the boat "off of eBay". Another was from someone in Latvia, which I mentioned above.
The fifth was a man who wanted my phone number so he could call with questions.... he also mentioned where he lived (150 + miles away) and that he might like to come see the boat before bidding. His message came yesterday afternoon. So, I emailed him my phone number with a good time to call, and didn't hear from him last night, so pretty much forgot about it.
Well, this evening at 7:10, he calls. He and his wife went for a ride today and ended up in a town 25 miles away from me and decided to call to see if they could look at the boat. So, my hubby and I kind of mumble and stutter and reluctantly say OK. After I give directions and hang up, we look at each other and realize that we must be nuts! He runs out to make sure the boat will start, and the battery is dead. He grabs the battery charger and one of the wires is burnt out. Naturally bickering ensues, and it starts getting dark.
I'm imagining all kinds of wierd stuff, like stories about old relatives who would show up unannounced and invite themselves to dinner. And worse. I ask myself why I ever agreed to this.
They arrive. The man introduces himself to my husband, apologizes for the short notice, and thanks us for letting him come. He checks out the boat with a flashlight, and it starts raining. He says that he'll think about it and decide Saturday, and I mention that I plan to let the auction run it's course, so if he decides favorably, he will want to bid. He says of course. Thanks us again. They left within 5 minutes of their arrival, maybe even less.
Whew! Now that it's over, I feel like a louse for all my suspicion. Though I am accustomed to the anonymity of eBay selling, I really can't expect everyone in the world to be comfortable spending hundreds or maybe (hopefully) thousands of dollars on something from only pictures. I will be better prepared next time, and DH and I will decide in advance how to handle something like this.
Sorry this is so long, but I thought it would give you all some food for thought if you are considering eBay Motors.
We're up to 2 bids now, with just under 5 days remaining. It has 1,487 views!
I've gotten 5 inquiries, 3 of which wanted to know how much I wanted to sell the boat "off of eBay". Another was from someone in Latvia, which I mentioned above.
The fifth was a man who wanted my phone number so he could call with questions.... he also mentioned where he lived (150 + miles away) and that he might like to come see the boat before bidding. His message came yesterday afternoon. So, I emailed him my phone number with a good time to call, and didn't hear from him last night, so pretty much forgot about it.
Well, this evening at 7:10, he calls. He and his wife went for a ride today and ended up in a town 25 miles away from me and decided to call to see if they could look at the boat. So, my hubby and I kind of mumble and stutter and reluctantly say OK. After I give directions and hang up, we look at each other and realize that we must be nuts! He runs out to make sure the boat will start, and the battery is dead. He grabs the battery charger and one of the wires is burnt out. Naturally bickering ensues, and it starts getting dark.
I'm imagining all kinds of wierd stuff, like stories about old relatives who would show up unannounced and invite themselves to dinner. And worse. I ask myself why I ever agreed to this.
They arrive. The man introduces himself to my husband, apologizes for the short notice, and thanks us for letting him come. He checks out the boat with a flashlight, and it starts raining. He says that he'll think about it and decide Saturday, and I mention that I plan to let the auction run it's course, so if he decides favorably, he will want to bid. He says of course. Thanks us again. They left within 5 minutes of their arrival, maybe even less.
Whew! Now that it's over, I feel like a louse for all my suspicion. Though I am accustomed to the anonymity of eBay selling, I really can't expect everyone in the world to be comfortable spending hundreds or maybe (hopefully) thousands of dollars on something from only pictures. I will be better prepared next time, and DH and I will decide in advance how to handle something like this.
Sorry this is so long, but I thought it would give you all some food for thought if you are considering eBay Motors.
I wasn't planning on listing till after the holiday and I probably still won't. I bet they're hoping that a lot of folks won't take advantage of this for exactly that reason.
Who really knows for sure? 
