Selling Boat on Ebay

[mlawler34]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to get into my first Nautique this year, hopefully prior to summer, But in order to do so I need to sell my boat. I currently have a 2004 Four Winns that I have had listed on craiglist and a short ad on Boattrader. I have had only a few legitimate inquiries, I mostly get the usual craiglist scams claiming they are out of town and want to use paypal and shipping company etc.

Therefore, I am looking to list on eBay. Sounds like a lot of people on here have had good luck using the make and offer option. Obviously, it makes me a little nervous since there are those craiglist scams out there with paypal, so what has everyones experience been? When you sold on ebay was it always customer pick-up? Has anyone shipped to someone? How did you verify payment etc?

Looking for people experience and wisdom on the subject.

I appreciate everyones help!!!

Thanks,
Mike

[DealsGapCobra]

I would never ship but don't really have any other advise. In fact, I am going to watch this thread for advise as a friend has a Malibu Sportster he is looking to sell.

[NautiqueJeff]

I have sold two almost new Nautiques on eBay. I have also sold a Porsche 911 there. No problems at all. Met one guy down in Jacksonville and he pulled my boat from there to AZ. The other Nautique went to MD. Great experiences both times.

[ccs]

I too have had great luck on EBAY - - sold a boat, Jeep, 2 Harley's, a Lexus LS460L (guy flew up from Atlanta to pick it up and drove it back home), etc. etc. - - best advice is to place a thorough and complete ad, very detailed description, lots and lots of pictures, let sellers know how meticulous you are with care (assuming you are).

I use a buy it now with make an offer type sale and have had good luck with negotiating to get to an acceptable sale amount....I never ship as I dont want to be bothered with arranging the details...my feeling is that if you have a Serious buyer they are more than willing to come to you to see what they are buying...a genuine buyer should always seem more interested in the condition of what you're selling and that you've taken great care of your item, rather than the financial terms and details of payment...again, if they are a legitimate buyer and you have what they want, they will find a way to pay you properly and come get their merchandise - especially since we are talking about big boys toys, not some insignificant trinket. Insist they send you a deposit to hold the item, doesnt have to be much money $500 or $1,000 but make it non refundable (explain to them the deposit is to show they are serious, I have always said in my auctions that if I have misrepresented the item in any way, I will gladly refund any and all money -- Ive never had to). When they come to pick it up, insist on a certified or cashiers check and go to your bank with them and get the check verified that its good (yes even certified and cashiers checks can be scammed these days) - if they want to pay you cash, fine, go buy a testing pen to verify each and every hundred dollar bill is real - if they are a legitimate buyer, they wont mind your precautions.

best of luck with your sale - hoping you get the opportunity to step up and into a Nautique - you'll never go back...

[mlawler34]

Thanks everyone. I definately appreciate the feedback. I am going to type up a clear concise add to put up tonight or tomorrow! Thankfully I cleaned the boat (AGAIN) and took pictures last weekend.

[east tx skier]

When I sold my last boat, nowhere did it get more traffic than on ebay. Do a buy it now or best offer listing. At the very least, it will let you know what people are willing to pay. But you retain control of whether your boat sells for less than the B.I.N. price.