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megabuff · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject: I first bad deal

Transaction: FIBREGLASS DINGHY WITH 20HP EVENRUDE OUTBOARD RUNS WELL (#4620017555) sold by techo56 on 15-Mar-2006.

The description said

*Fibreglass dinghy with 20 hp outboard.

*Dinghy is dual hull design 309 cm long, 130 cm wide, 43 cm deep and is very stable.

*Dinghy has a few patches but is solid and does not leak.

*Outboard is 20hp starts easily not sure of age but looks like an older design and is very reliable starts easily (too big for this boat).

*There is no trailer required as the dinghy fits easily on the roof racks of most cars.

Any questions just ask.

The photos of the boat in action were long distance and made it look quite good!

One closeup of the motor was taken at night with a flash and made it look very good.

Motor had been painted with a brush in a new color scheme that led me to believe it was much newer than it was.

Techno56 said "test before you buy" but when I finally met with him ( I was mucked around for a few hours as he didnt have his mobile with him at the arranged time, when he knew I comming) he didnt have any fuel to even start it.

I decided to trust him that it worked because of it 96 positive feedback rating and paid for it. It turned out to be a huge mistake.

When I purchase this I though I was getting a bargain. Unfortunatly the motor was a much older model (1972) but from the color scheme it looks like a late 80s.
The motor would not start and the throttle when fully twisted was only opening the carby half way.

I took it to a Mechanic who suggested a full service.

This would include putting a new impellor in the water pump.
When he removed the gearbox to do this, the drive shaft, instead of comming out attached to the G/Box, was left jammed into the crankshaft of the motor and will not com out, despite a lot of force and lubrication.

In order to remove the shaft, the motor would require a lot of disassembley and new gaskets. This was going to cost $600. I would have had to pay for the servce ($140) and new water pump ($150) anyway but it meant I was out of pocket an extra $310.

I would have like for techo to give me $100 - 200 back but he would not budge. He was either thinking I was having a go at him, out of ignorance or he was just rippinh me off. I am not sure but he would not correcponde with me and when I tried to call he hung up.

He claimed it didnt need to be pulled apart but you can see here maritime.nsw.gov.au that regular replacment of waterpump is essential.

So the first time the gearbox was disassembled to change the waterpump this problem would have occured.

The Boat is junk, I have tried to sell it and people laugh at it.

Followup - I did manage to off load the boat for $100

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megabuff · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:07 pm Post subject:

Bought a boat and motor from this guy that was a dud.

below is the copy of the transcript from ebays dispute console.

It reads from the bottom (oldest ) to top (newest

Previous messages
eBay 15-Jun-06 at 08:04:32 AEST

As this dispute has been open for more than 90 days, it has been automatically closed.

mamcgk 30-Apr-06 at 22:51:06 AEST

One bit of good news, i finally managed to get the motor started!! so at least it does run.
so that just leaves the problem of getting the drive shaft out of the motor and the throttle linkage problem.
I have had a look at it and after spending 3 hrs on it it is slightly improved but the main problem seems to be that the motor is so old that all the linkages are worn and have too much back lash. will
see if parts are available. this is difficult due to scrated ID plate

mamcgk 28-Apr-06 at 19:52:23 AEST

the reason I mentioned the repaint and new VRO stickers is it led me to beleive the motor was late 89 because this was when the VRO came out.
Whereas this motor would have originally been light grey and I have been led to beleive is a pre 72 model.

lastly I do find it strange that you said to test before you buy, knew that I was comming up on the day, and failed to ensure you had even a small
amount of fuel to show it could be started.

Why are you not answering me Chris?

mamcgk 28-Apr-06 at 19:44:10 AEST

I should clarify, the drive shaft is stuck in the MOTOR! to reassemble the waterpump and attach the lower leg, the shaft must be first removed from the motor so that the key can be lined up on the shaft and water pump. any competant mechanic will verify what I am saying is true.

The throttle linkages are another problem as the arm is fouling on the coil plate, which stops it getting full throttle. i dont see how you could fix this with a simple adjustment.

mamcgk 25-Apr-06 at 19:13:15 AEST

wow i just read you last message. first of all i am not saying the geabox is seized, of couse it turnes that is fine. what is worng is the shaft is seized INTO the gearbox stub and it wont come out. when you remove the leg the shaft is supposed to slide out EASILY but is cannot becase it is
seized in there. I can send you a photo of this to show you what i mean. as for you threatening me with neg feedback, what have i done wrong? i am the one who is stressed out from all this.

mamcgk 25-Apr-06 at 19:06:16 AEST

Chris this 500 word limit is a pain. Please start at the lower message and work you eay up to this one.

I am a fair and honest person, I am a Christian and am not trying to rip you off. what i am telling you is the truth. I would like ot come out of this with a win win.

Can I propose you give me a refund + you get your boat back
or perhaps give me $200 towards repairs.

mamcgk 25-Apr-06 at 19:01:41 AEST

I think fixing the linkages is easier said than done, if you have any idea i would welcome them

I accept the waterpump being wornout (impellor has cracks and the houseing corroded, works for now but not for long) as OK
If i can get the motor to start and it comes down to the shaft being siezed I will endevour to try and save some money by working on it myself, although i have already spend 3 - 4 hrs on it.

techo56 25-Apr-06 at 18:51:18 AEST

The shaft isnt siezed,if it was the propeller wouldnt turn. You or your so called mechanic have pulled it appart the wrong way and now cant put it back together. Another bidder inspected prior to bidding and it started fine.I have had enough of this I am not taking back an Outboard motor in pieces when it was working fine prior to sale.I have 89 feedback points with only one problem caused by freight damage outside my control.You have 17 points so I will leave negative feedback & so can you.

mamcgk 25-Apr-06 at 18:48:57 AEST

I never said I expect you to pay $600. you said the motor is in good running order, i cant get it to start, i tried for 20mins today, no go. i wanted to test it but you had no petrol. you cant say pulling leg off is unncessary, it should be done every 1 - 2 yrs to inspect the condition of the water pump (you cant rely on the telltale as the pumps deteriate and can unexpectedly fail and this will result in a cooked engine) and to ensure the shaft doesnt sieze like it has.

techo56 25-Apr-06 at 18:20:13 AEST

You paid $510 for a dinky and outboard yet you expect me to pay $600 to have motor serviced prior to listing, so I loose $90 I dont think so. Motor was running OK as in picture. I did not say it was new ,I dont have X Ray vision to see a shaft etc inside motor.You could have tested it proir to bidding.
Your mechanic has done unnecessary work and is just trying to run up the bill or sell you a new motor so he makes more profit. If the motor is not getting full throttle adjustment of linkage will fix

mamcgk 25-Apr-06 at 00:18:09 AEST

1) would not start for me, what can I say? for both our peace of mind you should have started it for me on the day, "test before you buy".
2) Twist throttle fully and linkages do not rotate stator far
enough for cam to open carbi butterfly 50%, u dont need the motor running to observe this.
3)how old is older? the paint scheme and stickers made it look like a newer than 30yr old.

MAIN FACT - drive
shaft is siezed, this is not "good running order". $600 repair bill.

techo56 24-Apr-06 at 18:29:11 AEST

Let me answer your complaint.
1) You said "couldnt get it to run":Listing clearly shows motor running
,it was taken two days proir to listing.Motor started after two or three pulls on cord.
2) Doesnt physically get full throttle:Photo clearly show motor throttles up OK, but if you supposedly couldnt
get it to start how do you know theres throttle problem?
3)Listing clearly says about outboard"not
sure of age but looks like an older design"&"Check item&test before purchase".Painted years ago.

mamcgk 23-Apr-06 at 22:52:03 AEST

Item Significantly Not As Described: FIBREGLASS DINGHY WITH 20HP EVENRUDE OUTBOARD RUNS WELL (#4620017555)
Payment Method: Cash
Payment Date: 15-Mar-2006
Additional Details: The seller had said in the listing that the motor was in good working order

I couldnt get it to run!
Doesnt physically get full throttle!
Painted the color of a new model and new type stickers
added. Photos of motor taken in low light/flash make it look nicer.
Drive Shaft siezed into
gearbox!

Est $600 to repair.

k700 · Power Member Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 146

Unlucky especially with a high value item like this. Sounds like the buyer knew what he was doing all along!

CLASSYRED · Contributor Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 10

Sounds like you really got a raw deal on this, people that sel expensive items should realize thaey need many many pictures from every angle I only sells children items and take a minuim of 10 photos, although in your case the photos would not of helped if it did not run right al together.