No receipts, no proof of ownership

[Dom]

I can't believe it! I went to look and a fairly new Avon rib today, 18 month old Avon being sold privately with a Yamaha 90 Hp and a very tidy looking package altogether.I asked, 'do you have an original bill of sale, receipts and any engine servicing history?' 'No' was the short reply, 'can't find them'.
Now admitedly the 'owner' was rebuilding his house and things were in a state of disruption, but that surely wouldn't wash when I tried to explain either to the French customs or the 'old bill' that 'he didn't have any receipts to give me!'
I really don't think he was dodgey but he seemed to think I was unreasonable to ask for and to expect them. He lost a sale, I didn't lose any money, and hopefully we should all learn something from this, or am I being a bit too straight laced here! He said he had someone coming who wouldn't care abput all that!

[Louise]

FWIW I think you did the right thing. Peace of mind is a valuable thing! I hope you didn't travel too far to see it! Good luck with your boat hunting.

[DepSol]

Personally I think you should have taken note of the engine and hull numbers and checked it out with the old bill.

There are too many boats being stolen these days and if it was hot then at least some owner may have got his pride and joy back.

If it wasnt then no harm done. If however those numbers were missing then it would look dodgy. Did you check to see if they were there?

Dom

[Dom]

No I didn't, and I really doubt that he or the boat was dodgey. A large house in a very expensive area and undergoing major building work. I did put it too him that it could look dodgey, but he didn't seem to appreciate that.

My experience of trying to buy a rib has so far indicated that many sellers have kept little in the way of servicing records or anything like that. They seem to expect you to take a lot on trust. I doubt that they'd take a cheque from me and let me take it away. Double standards of trust I suspect!

[Rogue Wave]

I don't suppose you want a nice Camel rib. One careful owner and me! I hate the fkkn thing!

[Manos]

Originally Posted by Dom

but that surely wouldn't wash when I tried to explain either to the French customs or the 'old bill' that 'he didn't have any receipts to give me!

Actually if you have an SSR you do not need to explain anything to any European or other customs
You should have taken the serial numbers of engine and boat, checked with SSR in Swansea and with the police and if you found that everything was OK a private bill of sale would have been sufficient.
May be you lost a perfectly good boat

[Dom]

Perhaps I did but why should I have to do the proof of purchase, surely any seller who wants to have a smooth sale would have all this to hand! Perhaps we have different expectations.
Dom

[pettal]

Originally Posted by Dom

No I didn't, and I really doubt that he or the boat was dodgey. A large house in a very expensive area and undergoing major building work.

Expensive house could indicate that he's just very good at stealing stuff!

In my experience you very rarely find a poor, intelligent crook!

Can you also be sure that this bloke was the owner of the house and not just a well dressed foreman with the actual owners away during the rebuild!

Where do I get these ideas from!?!?!?

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Dom

Perhaps I did but why should I have to do the proof of purchase, surely any seller who wants to have a smooth sale would have all this to hand! Perhaps we have different expectations.
Dom

Most people have differnt expectations to Manos

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by pettal

:

In my experience you very rarely find a poor, intelligent crook!

leave politicians out of this!