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| Advice for Buyers |
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Buying a boat you find online is a lot like buying a boat through
a classified ad in the newspaper. Use the same good judgment on
Boat Crowd. Whether you're communicating with the seller over the
phone or via the Internet, the following tips can help you protect
yourself against fraud so you can buy with confidence.
Inspect the boat.
Schedule an inspection with a professional mechanic. Though an
inspection isn't a warranty and there is no guarantee that all
existing defects will be found, a qualified mechanic can help you
identify and avoid problems.
Know the boat's market value.
Be suspicious if you see a boat that is priced significantly below
market value. This can be an indicator of fraudulent activity.
Confirm contact information.
Before you send payment, verify the seller's address and phone
number. An email address is not enough. If the seller's address
does not match the one on the title, be sure you know why.
We recommend keeping all your transactions
local.
Get a detailed receipt.
Ask the seller for a detailed receipt that states whether the boat
is being sold with a warranty or "as is." Know what's required in
your state to transfer the boat's title from seller to buyer.
Consider reliable escrow services.
For additional security, you may choose to use a dependable escrow
service. Shop carefully — there are an increasing number of fake
escrow services. Don't turn your money over until you've fully
checked the service out. And be sure you understand all terms of
the escrow arrangement. Please remember that Boat Crowd does
not endorse any escrow services.
As in all consumer transactions, there is no
substitute for a healthy skepticism and your own good judgment.
Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. |
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| Advice for Sellers |
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