People Tick Me Off

[ford4x4fun]

So I have this running Mercury 115 boat motor for sale on craigslist. It is a running early 70's motor, with the controls new fuel tank everything to make it run on a boat. It is listed for 800 dollars. I have had guys want to stick screwdrivers down inside the pistons some people wanting to do compression checks, Last time I looked a new 115 motor sells for more money than I could shake a stick at. If I hear well I can give you three for it right now one more time I am liable to start punching people in the grill. But I don't need to sell it, and it doesn't take up to much room in my garage so I may just keep it.

[fordman]

people on craigslist suck. they think it is a freebie place or something. it [censored] not. as far as them wanting to check this and that. gee it runs you can see and hear it run right in front of you cant you. thats what you tell them when you start it up. the way to deal with people who pull the lowe offer stuff is to walk away and go back in the house and ignore them. to prevent email ofers i have posted ":make offer in person only" in my ads. that stoped that ****.

[Ranchero50]

Spares are a good thing.

Of course it's the economy, folks are tight with their money and the flip side is so much junk is sold as good. Heck, I'd do a compression check before handing over $800 or water test it on a hull.

Jamie

[cdeal28078]

I would also want to do a compression test and hear it run. Carbs. are always gummed up on a boat engine, even newer ones.
Craigslist is a cross section of our country I think. I have met some very nice people on there and one I made a new friend out of and still talk to weekly at least. Many others have only tried to low ball me or just plain rip me off. It is like dealing with the public in any situation. You meet all kinds of people and just have to use your best judgment to figure out who to deal with.
Clint

[Mancar1]

I know you are trying to be fair, and I get a little upset with lookers myself. However I would want to put the motor on my boat and test it before I bought. I know the new motors of that size cost as much as a restored bump or more, but $800. sounds like a top price for a early 70's model. Sounds like yours is worth it. Good luck. Remember, have patience, for he who punches comes out on the short end of the stick.

[ford4x4fun]

Well, I am going to be patient, and would much rather take it for a spin than let so called "OUTBOARD EXPERTS" mess with my running motor. The way I look at it, is I could part it out and make more money. The controls would go for 100 dollars or more on there own. The sad thing is, I want 600 dollars for the boat motor. I never list anything for the exact price that way someone goes home with a big head thinking they talked me down. And I have been watching adds in my area, and listed mine below all of the others. People just want something for nothing anymore. I understand the economy is bad but that doesn't mean that people can just come over and start tearing apart another mans equipment to get it at a lower price.

[cdeal28078]

That is right. It is your engine so you decide what people can and cannot do to it. When you put an add on a classified web site it is just normal business to have to deal with all of the low ballers and flakes. Anytime I list something on Craigslist I know the 1st 5 or 6 replies will be some arab or indian trying to buy my stuff working through a 3rd party member of his organization with a so called shipping clerk and a certified cheque worth about $2000 more than the piece I am trying to sell.
Then the tire kickers come in and tell you they will be there at 5 PM the next day, give you their phone number and email address but never show up after you put your schedule aside to deal with them. Then you get somebody that sounds so serious. You talk to him on the phone and get along with him alright and he sounds so honest and you just know he'll be there at 2 the next afternoon. Of course he never shows up. That is just part of selling stuff online these days. A sign of our sad times in the great US of A these days. Sad but true. Can't get way from it as it is a fact of life!
Clint

[hazelnut]

The best way ive found to deal with the flakes that come out the wood work on craigslist is to have them meet you at 7am, People that want to meet in the afternoon i tell them ive got a lot of things going on and cant do afternoons. People are always late for some reason. Dosent mess up my whole day waiting on a no show, Most of the people have bought what they come to look at if they come in the mornings. Most deadbeats are not going to get out early in the morning and it dosent mess up your day if someone dosent show up. I can fully relate to what your saying about selling on craigslist, In the end you fell like you gave away the item and got a little for the PITA.

[Ranger72]

I just say the price is FIRM.

I don't even let someone take it for a test drive unless they show up with a fist full of dollars.

[tmcalavy]

Bypass craigslist and check this site: www.aomci.org
They have a free classifieds just for us geezers who dabble in old outboards. Then check their club/chapter page to see when the Fla. members are having their next swap/sell meet. I think you're underpriced on that Merc, specially if it is clean and still looks as good as it runs.