Scams on Sailboatlistings.com

[Max Sail]

I've been noticing a lot of scam listings on sailboat listings.com (Smells lie a cam o me at least) The formula seems to be a 40 something foot blue water cruiser, listed for 10k or so... With a gibberish looking email address for a contact. I emailed on a 10k Vagabond listing out of curiosity, and got a reply claiming the husband had died, wanted to move it right away, and "will you require a loan or be able to pay cash."

I assume they then ask the sucker for a deposit and vanish...

1983 47' Custom Pilothouse Sloop with bowthruster Custom Pilothouse sailboat for sale in California

Bummer to see this site get junked up with scam listings, makes me distrust them all.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Max Sail

I've been noticing a lot of scam listings on sailboat listings.com (Smells lie a cam o me at least) The formula seems to be a 40 something foot blue water cruiser, listed for 10k or so... With a gibberish looking email address for a contact. I emailed on a 10k Vagabond listing out of curiosity, and got a reply claiming the husband had died, wanted to move it right away, and "will you require a loan or be able to pay cash."

I assume they then ask the sucker for a deposit and vanish...

1983 47' Custom Pilothouse Sloop with bowthruster Custom Pilothouse sailboat for sale in California

Bummer to see this site get junked up with scam listings, makes me distrust them all.

Maybe they're so desperate to get shot they'll take monthly payments... considering the market... worth a look if your in the area.
if your daft enough to pay a deposit (un-notarised) before seeing everything your asking for trouble...

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by Max Sail

I've been noticing a lot of scam listings on sailboat listings.com (Smells lie a cam o me at least) The formula seems to be a 40 something foot blue water cruiser, listed for 10k or so... With a gibberish looking email address for a contact. I emailed on a 10k Vagabond listing out of curiosity, and got a reply claiming the husband had died, wanted to move it right away, and "will you require a loan or be able to pay cash."

I assume they then ask the sucker for a deposit and vanish...

1983 47' Custom Pilothouse Sloop with bowthruster Custom Pilothouse sailboat for sale in California

Bummer to see this site get junked up with scam listings, makes me distrust them all.

At that price, I'm confident people send them a check looking at nothing more than the ad. A sucker born every minute.

On the plus side though, I just got an email informing me that I'm the Crown Prince of Nigeria and can get my $300M inheritance as soon as I send them my bank info and SSN. In three days, I'll be rich!

[sailcruiser]

These are common on Craigslist too with the same story. Ask about the terms of sale and ask to see the boat. Usually they say it is priced low to move to avoid hassle and closing will be through their attorney. If they have a boat to show then by all means go look but if they want it sold sight unseen or won't provide a HIN then move along...
SC

[sailcruiser]

On a side note here is a listing for that same boat on Yachtworld:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...url=&imc=pg-fs

Looks like it was listed cheap originally ay $34k
SC

[The Garbone]

Reminds me of a scam here in Florida were people were renting out vacant foreclosures. They would change the locks, move the tenant in and take off with first, last and security deposit. The tenant would be a squater and not even know it.

[Max Sail]

Originally Posted by sailcruiser

On a side note here is a listing for that same boat on Yachtworld:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...url=&imc=pg-fs

Looks like it was listed cheap originally ay $34k
SC

Meh, who knows.... I suppose it's possible that one is legit. Pretty sure the vagabond wa bs.

[boatman61]

$8,800 now... 1983 47' Custom Pilothouse Sloop with bowthruster Custom Pilothouse sailboat for sale in California
Wrong place again... lmao

[Capt.Fred]

In all history, most business transactions have a measure of scam involved. No matter, "Buyer beware"...

[delmarrey]

If you want to learn how to do this all yourself >>>>> 3rd Annual Nigerian EMail Conference

[snort]

Originally Posted by boatman61

$8,800 now... 1983 47' Custom Pilothouse Sloop with bowthruster Custom Pilothouse sailboat for sale in California
Wrong place again... lmao

I hear standard logic is to offer 2/3rds of the asking price.
I should be able to snag this one for under 6K.
See you all on the high seas soon!

[tdoster]

A lot of scams will find ads for actual boats and duplicate the ad. You can imagine our surprise when we found our boat for sale and the ad placed three states away on Craigslist. Sailboatlistings.com is a great site, the only issue is they do zero verification and zero cleanup. You will find boats on there from 10 years ago. It is so bad that the last boat we owned was still on there from the prior owner when we went to sell it.

On the other side of the coin, when selling your boat, there are scams there as well. You have to be very careful. There are even brokers out there who have taken money in escrow and left town. I have found my gut plays well.

Also, if you are selling a boat on a trailer (or any vehicle). Remove your plates when they pick it up.