Was I Out-of-Line? Deal gone bad

[catfish26]

Dear All,
I have been looking into a Skipper 20 as a likely sailboat for me and my family. I am not looking for anything fancy or fast, just forgiving and safe. I joined a yahoo group dedicated to same and enquired about one listed for sale. It was gone, but another member contacted me. He had one for sale with 75 pictures on the internet. The vessel seemed well cared for so I struck up a conversation. I was interested and agreed to meet with him. The boat is in a different state from me and also a different state from the owner who recently moved and has not yet moved the boat from his former home.
Problems began after I agreed to meet him to see the boat. He wanted me to send him a deposit to cover his travel expenses. I refused and the deal broke offer for a day or two. He then agreed to meet with me afterall at his expense. Then I wanted a seatrial, but he said no. I offered to pay for the seatrial and he said no, but he lowered the price by $500 to allow just a parking lot inspection. The price was sufficiently low that I agreed to buy the boat.
He then wanted cash or the money wired to him. He refused my off to bring a cashiers check from the bank. I was leary of traveling with that much cash and said that I would do the bank wire but not in advance. Thus the transaction would require a weekday morning (when the banks are open).
With that he called off the deal claiming that "sailors are not like used car salesmen".

Was I out-of-line here?
Thanks,
Glen

[sailingdog]

It sounds like you may have dodged a bullet on this one...

[CaptKermie]

Originally Posted by catfish26

Dear All,
He then wanted cash or the money wired to him. He refused my off to bring a cashiers check from the bank. I was leary of traveling with that much cash and said that I would do the bank wire but not in advance. Thus the transaction would require a weekday morning (when the banks are open).
With that he called off the deal claiming that "sailors are not like used car salesmen".

Was I out-of-line here?
Thanks,
Glen

Nope, you were not out of line and if it were me I'd start looking elsewhere and forget that character, he does not sound trustworthy at all.

[ronspiker]

It doesn't sound like it. It sounds alot like some of the scams that happen. Actually it raises a red flag to me when anyone brings up a question of their honesty... There wouldn't be a question if they were honest.

[poopdeckpappy]

You just ruined a scam-artist's day and save yourself a boat load of headaches, one too many red flags on this one

Originally Posted by catfish26

Dear All,
I have been looking into a Skipper 20 as a likely sailboat for me and my family. I am not looking for anything fancy or fast, just forgiving and safe. I joined a yahoo group dedicated to same and enquired about one listed for sale. It was gone, but another member contacted me. He had one for sale with 75 pictures on the internet. The vessel seemed well cared for so I struck up a conversation. I was interested and agreed to meet with him. The boat is in a different state from me and also a different state from the owner who recently moved and has not yet moved the boat from his former home.
Problems began after I agreed to meet him to see the boat. He wanted me to send him a deposit to cover his travel expenses. I refused and the deal broke offer for a day or two. He then agreed to meet with me afterall at his expense. Then I wanted a seatrial, but he said no. I offered to pay for the seatrial and he said no, but he lowered the price by $500 to allow just a parking lot inspection. The price was sufficiently low that I agreed to buy the boat.
He then wanted cash or the money wired to him. He refused my off to bring a cashiers check from the bank. I was leary of traveling with that much cash and said that I would do the bank wire but not in advance. Thus the transaction would require a weekday morning (when the banks are open).
With that he called off the deal claiming that "sailors are not like used car salesmen".

Was I out-of-line here?
Thanks,
Glen

[SteveRobison]

I would walk away from that deal, better yet, run. There is alot of boats out there for sale, You will find one. Good luck.

[rdstanley]

Run away from this...fast. If it's not a scam he's at the very least a jerk and i wouldn't want to deal with him at all. No sea trial, funny money stuff, NO WAY.

[xort]

you did the right thing no matter if he was scamming or not

[mrwuffles]

Don't worry about it it sounded sketchy so just walk away, just to show you how may other boats there are i found this 2 min ago looks like a nice little boat probably not local for you but just figured id post it
1981 Skipper 20 Pocket Cruiser

[djodenda]

I agree. You did the right thing.

Good luck on your continued search. Definitely forget about that guy.

David