Boat shipping...scam?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I have to ship my boat from Conneticut (sp) to upstate NY. I put in my info on iboats.com, and was contacted by a few companies.

Here's my question:

This one company wants to be paid in advance, by wire transfer or cashiers check (no credit cards or personal checks). This seems to be a red flag to me. People I've never met, only spoken to over the phone, want their money 100% untraceable.

What's to keep them from just never showing up? Or worse, grabbing my boat and then never delivering it? Is it just me, or does this sound fishy?

Anyone ever have their boat shipped? Who did you use?

jzwake · Addict Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 801

GO with that first thought. They don't sound credible. Wire Transfers are the best way to steal money from people who think they are your clients. No recourse to get your cash back.
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Mazda Xedos 6 Specifications

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

wake up and smell the java. do a search on internet scams or cover your bunghole.

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

Always pay by credit card.

Ask for a proof of insurance from the company. It weeds out the bad actors pretty quick. Real certificates come from an insurance broker and are printed on an Accord form.

ElmoG · Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 20

Never pay in advance for anything. If a company does not have the 'mobilization money' to get started on a job then they are too fly-by-night to deal with.

They have your boat, what are you going to do when they arrive, not pay?!?!?

chuck · Outlaw Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 170 City: Arlington Wa

I shipped a boat from mandeville La to Arlington Wa for 1K...paid when the boat arrived. The service was sweet and the boat was on a flatbed w/ a curtain so the boat was totally enclosed. Here is the link....Again the shipping was the least of my worries...very nice professional peeps to deal w/.

http://www.spdtrucking.com/

streeter · Posted: Mar 01, 2004 10:55 am Post subject:

cameraboy, why do you have to ship it? Isn't it only a few (300-400) hundred miles? Why not just tow it yourself?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I'm travelling too much. I literally won't be home for more than 12 hours or so in the next few weeks.

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

a ford dealer in texas hires retired peolpe to deliver new trucks to far away customers. pays them and gives them a greyhound ticket back home. works well for him.

make sure your insurance covers you on this endeavor, i would hate for your boat to end up in nigeria.

the local wrecker driver is like a buck both ways and 150 for one way. how far are you going?

do you have amtrak?

last but not least, maybe someone on one of the boards can help you out.

tparider · Posted: Mar 01, 2004 1:20 pm Post subject:

try

www.findahauler.com

oshensurfer · Posted: Mar 01, 2004 7:13 pm Post subject:

That sounds like a common scam. They are usually based in some overseas country like Nigeria (no joke). They act like they are going to do business with you, like ship your vehicle or buy your car except they don't do jack once they get your cash. This scam is a popular one on car classified websites. Especially VW ones. Thats where I learned about it when I was selling my Bus.

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

You could possibly do an escrow deal...where you escrow the money to a lawyer & the shipping company recieves it once the boat is delivered? I've shipped my boat before, but my grandma and her boyfriend were the ones that took it...I would say escrow the money (esp. if you have a lawyer friend), and get insurance on the ship from someone other than the shipping company (unless it's a well-known company). Get all the material you can on whoever you choose...good luck.

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

If someone were around here and wanted they're boat moved...I'd tow it for them....for a reasonable price. Sorry CB, I can't offer any help. Check around with local trucking agencies....ie. mom and pop type rigs.

lumpy19 · Criminal Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 97 City: Rochester

Cameraboy,

Where in Connecticut? Are we talking like a day trip from Rochester or what? I might be able to help you out.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Yea, it's about 350 miles each way. Help me out, and you'll have gas money free rides all summer, and we can negotiate something in the way of payment too. I'm working on having someone ship it for me, but they are charging an arm and a leg. Almost literally, and arm and a leg.

steelythefez · Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 2004 Posts: 34 City: Natick

I could probably deliver it for you as well. I'm in worcester MA. and i typically have some time to burn on the weekends. shoot me over an email steelythefez@charter.net

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Crap guys, I had it dellivered last Tuesday, and I spend a boatload. I wish I heard from you guys sooner.