Is it a scam?

John Kennett · 02 February 2011, 10:18

We regularly have people posting here about offers that appear too good to be true, wanting to know whether or not it's a scam.

Almost without exception the answer is "yes, of course it is, but you knew that anyway really didn't you?".

A few simple things to bear in mind:

If the price is so low as to be unbelievable, you can assume it's a scam. Nobody is going to sell you a brand new 200hp Verado for £4,000. It's just never going to happen. But you knew that really, didn't you?

If you can't speak to someone, or can't see the boat for some reason or another, you can assume it's a scam. It's a bit obvious really, just think whether you would really be happy wiring thousands of pounds to someone you can only contact by email, for something you have never seen. Even if they offer you all sorts of guarantees. Duh, like they'll really give your money back.

If the company is using a .co.cc domain for their web site you can assume it's a scam. Simple as that. Do not pass Go, do not collect £200. I'm not aware of any legitimate company in this industry using a .co.cc domain name, and it would be foolish to do so as everyone would assume you're a scammer anyway.

Here's a bit of light reading:

Any one know this seller? Watch out?
To good to be true
dodgey prices
Massive scam--ebay !!! Tornado 5.5
Do you know this seller ??
Fraudulent outboard seller
This is a scam!
Dodgy or a bargain??????
Scam? to good to be true?
Scams - who on earth falls for these
The Scam That Worked

BogMonster · 08 July 2011, 21:07

Here's a bit more light reading

Google dumps all 11+ million .co.cc sites from its results ? The Register

Salty · 31 July 2013, 09:34

Saw this one..........

Boat was sold over 12 months ago using the same pictures and write up.

Valiant 490 RIB 60 HP 2 stroke 2006, RIB, Petrol, Valiant in Bristol, TT243I746 | Trade-It Classifieds

Scam?

Jeff Hutcheon · 31 July 2013, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty

Saw this one..........

Boat was sold over 12 months ago using the same pictures and write up.

Valiant 490 RIB 60 HP 2 stroke 2006, RIB, Petrol, Valiant in Bristol, TT243I746 | Trade-It Classifieds

Scam?

I looked at two boats on trade it earlier this year both were scams, when I pointed this out to trade it they said there was a lot of it going on and was trying their best to get on top of it and removed them .
The thread run on here a couple on months ago.

two stroke mick · 31 July 2013, 13:48

At 2800 I think it is good value

Deflated tubes · 04 November 2013, 20:34

It would be a good idea for the equivalent of an HPI check for boats (if there is not already one!).

Ribballraid · 22 February 2014, 16:55

Tried this week to do a refreshment course for my Yachtman. However, the owner of the site is not responding anymore. He gave me a login, but no codes to unlock the courses. As soon as he recieved my proof of payment, he stopped answering his phone...

http://www.ryainteractive.org

Mathieu Vanbockrijck

Ribochet · 22 February 2014, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribballraid

Tried this week to do a refreshment course for my Yachtman. However, the owner of the site is not responding anymore. He gave me a login, but no codes to unlock the courses. As soon as he recieved my proof of payment, he stopped answering his phone...

http://www.ryainteractive.org

Mathieu Vanbockrijck

Hi Mathieu

Thanks for bringing this very unfortunate experience to the attention of the forum

Would you please contact RYA Training as a matter of urgency to let them know of your despicable experience with this website.

Their email address is: training@rya.org.uk (note the addition of .uk)

Or ring them - details on RYA House contacts | Telephone Numbers | Contact Us | RYA

Ribochet · 22 February 2014, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Hi Mathieu

Thanks for bringing this very unfortunate experience to the attention of the forum

Would you please contact RYA Training as a matter of urgency to let them know of your despicable experience with this website.

Their email address is: training@rya.org.uk (note the addition of .uk)

Or ring them - details on RYA House contacts | Telephone Numbers | Contact Us | RYA

Thanks to clarification by SPR - www.ryainteractive.org is indeed the genuine RYA Interactive website - however please still contact RYA Training and give them the details of the Training Centre that you have been dealing with.

jonp · 06 May 2015, 05:35

Recently saw a boat advertised way out of my price range, the boat was less than 1 year old with a Yamaha 70 4 stroke with only run in hours.

I was heading off to buy a much older (10yrs) boat and passing through the town where the almost new boat was for sale. I offered half the asking price and the boat is now sitting in my garage after doing all the police and finance checks on it.

Sounds to good to be true?.... Im happy.

jonp

ba_fisher · 06 May 2015, 06:03

jonp, what did you do to the body inside the anchor locker?

Anyway, congrats!

Last Tango · 06 May 2015, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ba_fisher

jonp, what did you do to the body inside the anchor locker?

Anyway, congrats!

You've got to do a bit of digging if you're after a bargain

John Kennett · 06 May 2015, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonp

Sounds to good to be true?.... Im happy.

Sounds like you had a bit of good luck on your side!

jonp · 07 May 2015, 11:43

My other boat was also a very good deal. We have a huge boating community in Australia and with unemployment on the rise many people sell their boats extremely cheap. Boatsales.com alone have 17,000 boats online right now but many people rather sell through Gumtree or eBay for the lower fees.

Not sure how the Zodiac would compare to the UK prices but mine cost roughly 10000 quid for a 9 month old boat with 47 hours on the clock, heavy duty braked trailer,vhf, hds 8mk2 plus safety gear etc.

Jon

Shadow81 · 04 August 2017, 16:43

I was recently nearly caught out on a Ribeye 6 metre on B & O - was about to pull the trigger on sending payment when I noticed the link was boatsandoutboads.co.uk - just the R missing. They had sent several emails, photos, even gave me an address in wales for the owner. Don't know what made me notice the incorrect spelling but thank goodness didn't send any cash! Reported it to B & O but they didn't seem too interested.

HDAV · 04 August 2017, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow81

I was recently nearly caught out on a Ribeye 6 metre on B & O - was about to pull the trigger on sending payment when I noticed the link was boatsandoutboads.co.uk - just the R missing. They had sent several emails, photos, even gave me an address in wales for the owner. Don't know what made me notice the incorrect spelling but thank goodness didn't send any cash! Reported it to B & O but they didn't seem too interested.

odd https://www.whois.com/whois/boatsandoutboads.co.uk how did you find it?

Shadow81 · 04 August 2017, 16:49

It was advertised on Boats and Outboards in with all the usual adverts.

I responded as usual through the site and it was only on later emails that they put a link for payment without the r

seaseagull · 15 March 2018, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow81

It was advertised on Boats and Outboards in with all the usual adverts.

I responded as usual through the site and it was only on later emails that they put a link for payment without the r

Hopefully you found out early enough.

pumpmanphil · 21 December 2019, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by seaseagull

Hopefully you found out early enough.

Well I’ve had my boat up for sale less than 24hrs I’ve lost count of the amount of plonkas trying to scam me 🤮
It’s really putting me off life. So just be prepared for the looooonys before you place adverts.

GuyC · 21 December 2019, 19:04

Phil

With all due respect, your advert is quite odd.

It's a 2020 Vipermax but it has recently been re-tubed.

It has also been driven NaN miles.

Other than a possibly realistic price, it sort of smacks as a scam in itself.