Question on selling a boat out of state

[blueflaminhot]

Had an offer on my old boat, buyer is out of state (Texas) and offered to buy it via check mailed to me. Claims I can wait for funds to clear, and they will arrange pickup/shipping. They also didn’t ask to see it which may or may not be a red flag, but I don’t have much experience selling a cars/boats. Any risk from my side doing it this way? Want to make sure I am clear from any potential fraud here, if ok how long before all is clear on the check?

 

[f12517]

Wire transfer....that's the only way I'd sell a boat to a seller out of state. Especially one you're never going to meet. Honestly what you're describing has all of the tell tales of a classic scam. Or use an escrow service to handle the funds and title. If the buyer balks at either of these options its a high probability that its a scam.

 

[blueflaminhot]

Yes I had mentioned wire transfer and they preferred check, so not sure entirely.

 

[ChrisV]

Check is fine once it clears. They can’t take the money out. How much we talking here? Some people don’t know how to do wire transfer.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

If they can write a check they can do a wire

 

[ChrisV]

FaceTime the guy too. You’ll know really quick.

 

[blueflaminhot]

Check is fine once it clears. They can’t take the money out. How much we talking here? Some people don’t know how to do wire transfer.

$28K

 

[Mikes56]

I would think a check is fine, once it clears. I’d go into your bank branch and confirm with them.

Who buys a $28,000 item, sight unseen? That part seems really fishy.

 

[77charger]

I thought I read few years ago that even once a check clears they can still get scammed? Thought it had to do with a fake check or something like that I don’t remember the details though.

 

[PlanB]

I would think a check is fine, once it clears. I’d go into your bank branch and confirm with them.

Who buys a $28,000 item, sight unseen? That part seems really fishy.

Sold a Top Gun for almost 200K to a guy on the east coast sight unseen. He wired me 50K to hold it and the balance before it was hooked up to the tow companies vehicle. If I was the OP I would want a wire transfer and the boat does not leave until cash is in hand.

 

[X Hoser]

If It looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck! “Arrange for shipping"…….Smells like a scam to me. Would be a hard pass for me!

 

[H20 Toie]

Get a check
Go to bank that it’s drawn on
Wells Fargo etc
Cash it

Deposit cash in your account

Or have you wire money

Only two options

 

[Kachina26]

Where at in Texas?

 

[RaceTec]

Do not do a check, your boat will be gone and the check will get returned! It happened to a friend on a car, total disaster! Make sure that when it does sell that you get the release of liability handled immediately! I am dealing with the sale of a boat from 4 years ago to this day because of that crap!

 

[wzuber]

@NicPaus I believe knows a thing or three about these type scenario's from one of his less then desirable experiences with a truck I believe? Maybe he'll weigh in?

 

[NicPaus]

I got a Cashiers check. And they stopped payment on it when it was sent to Ford. Got 2 checks 1 to me 1 to Ford for balance owed. Ford never notified me until payment was behind. Truck was long gone. I cashed 1 at Chase and verified the other. $25 you can stop payment per manager at Chase. Last truck I sold they wanted to do Cashiers check at same chase. Manager cashed it on the spot before I handed over title and I walked out with 38k.


This scenario if it is a scam. They send a check from a hacked account. It clears vehicle gets picked up. Then person with hacked account realizes. Bank reverses payment on it and your account gets overdrawn or the money if still in account gets taken back out. Some thieves will even offer to write it for more and have you pay cash to shipping company. They steal your ride and get free shipping.

It could be legit but I would be very leary.

 

[rrrr]

It's a scam. No doubt at all. What you described is one of the most common there is.

 

[txmxer1]

Thats a scam, I sold my last boat to a texas buyer, he drove 20 hours to come buy it with cash. But I also bought a project boat site unseen, it was 6k, we set up a facetime, lots of videos, I had a u ship shipper show up to his house, then wired him cash when it was hooked up on the tow hitch, we had come to this agreement ahead of time and he was comfortable but it took trust from him, it worked out in the end. I dont take check, I take cashiers check only in person at the bank when I see it delivered by banker or I can cash it same day or I take wire or cash.

 

[blueflaminhot]

Thanks all, this has been very helpful. So many scams out there.

 

[JL95]

What recourse do the banks/hacked account owners have if the check was cashed? How could they go after you? I have not cashed many large checks. Do they keep track of them

 

[Jay Dub]

Had an offer on my old boat, buyer is out of state (Texas) and offered to buy it via check mailed to me. Claims I can wait for funds to clear, and they will arrange pickup/shipping. They also didn’t ask to see it which may or may not be a red flag, but I don’t have much experience selling a cars/boats. Any risk from my side doing it this way? Want to make sure I am clear from any potential fraud here, if ok how long before all is clear on the check?

do not take a check. wired funds only. Also who buys a boat w/o looking at it? Lots of boats for sale in TX