Any "Shetlanders" here?

Courageous · 26 October 2011, 13:47

Hi guys, looking for a favour if anyone can help. In my quest to find a replacement outboard I have stumbled upon one and just my luck it's in the Shetland Isles!!!! I was wondering whether anyone might be able to take a peek on my behalf just to clarify that it's genuine as I am well aware of the number of scams around these days.

Thanx in advance. Ian

Poly · 26 October 2011, 15:06

Phone him - if you can understand a word he says its a scam!

I'd be particularly wary of anything for sale that "remote" because this seems to be part of the thinking with the scam - they know that you aren't going to pop round.

There's only 2 users who list their location as shetland and unfortunately neither has ever been very active (3 posts max) and neither logged on recently.

Courageous · 26 October 2011, 15:44

Thanx Polwart - I was already think that way. Starting to show the classic signs I'm afraid although collection was offered but they now have that covered as you say with a ridiculous location. Has offered me a copy of a utility bill to prove he's genuine but I could make that up in 5 minutes too!

Another obvious sign is only one photo.

Looks like my search will continue.

Poly · 26 October 2011, 16:03

Pick something that is not clear in the phone (e.g. the prop and or skeg) and ask for a picture to show those. A legit seller will be happy to do it, a scammer will not. There is no real reason not to provide those.

Courageous · 26 October 2011, 16:04

Yes, at the moment I can't even get him to reply to the question "what is the shaft length?" He's probably on wiki as we speak.......

Rogue Wave · 26 October 2011, 16:25

I'm sure one of my offshore colleagues lives in the Sgetlands, but they are the Shetlans Isles if it's on the same Island as him he will probably do me a favour and have a look but I cant see him crossing water too easily.

So what the location in Shetland

Downhilldai · 26 October 2011, 16:40

gArfie used to have a Shettland:

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/live-fro...tml#post147331

Courageous · 26 October 2011, 16:59

Ta RW. It's a lot to ask really but I will try to ascertain the address. That will likely expose them if they are scamming at least!

Shog69 · 26 October 2011, 20:42

Bought an engine from a chap on the Isle of Lewis, it was problem after problem and at first he was okay, promised to send us parts, give some money back etc, but in the end nothing. Planning on popping over sometime for a visit during one of our diving trips.

Anyway, would i buy an outboard without seeing it myself again, no.

Courageous · 27 October 2011, 06:03

Yeah Shog - some people eh? Well, still nothing from "My little pony" but get this - the next enquiry has replied now and "it" lives in Tobermory. Well done Polwart - right on the money hunny!

Shog, can I come wi'd ya?