Ideas needed for selling ski

[idooxp]

2003 xpdi running great but thinking about selling it. How to you handle issues like test drives, for example I'm worried about if the person damages the ski. I can't blame someone for wanting to test drive the machine I know I would but ski's like mine are tipsy so that presents an issue. If someone with previous experience selling their ski could give me some pointers I would appreciate that. Tia

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Rides only with $500 cash deposit, you can usually tell if the person has skis or has ridden before. A quick one, since your in PA like me, is, you are required by law to have a PA Boater's Certificate to operate a PWC in PA. Period. Any age, any water, any time. Being old doesn't mean you automatically know how to boat. (Finally they fixed that loophole).

So, show me the Certificate, and show me the cash deposit, refundable if you don't crash and if you don't want the ski.

If someone is serious in spending $3,000+ with you, then can pony up a deposit and show they are legit on the water.

You can always go with them to the ramp, but obviously it would be a bit weird to ride along w/them.

 

[Dr Honda]

I agree 100%.

The quick way to kill the joy riders is to make sure they have a PWC cert.

In all my years of buying/selling PWC, I only had one person ask about a test ride. So... that may not be an issue. If you are uncomfortable with it... don't offer it. BUT... if you get someone serious... then tell them that they can take it out with a deposit.

Unlike letting a boat out on a test ride... I'm not riding on the back, with someone I do not know. Not to mention... it will cost you $20 to $30 in fuel to go to the lake.

 

[Thumper3322]

The first ski I tried out was over a 4 hour drive away. The guy had it launched fir me and I went for a ride. The ski ran fine, but didn't feel right. At this point no deposit, nothing. I would come back to the beach go over the inside and what I could on the outside, but still wasn't feeling comfortable with it. The guy told me to go for another ride. Which I did. Mind you theses were at least 10 min or mute rides. Came back and decided to say ok. Pull it out of the water and start to go over the whole under body. Well it wasn't in good shape. A huge gouge in the front hull. This with some other things I just couldn't buy it. He went down on price and still I couldn't buy it. I felt really bad, had to reload it on his trailer. we both spent a better part of a day on it. I gave him $20 for gas, as I figured tatty is what I used. As for his time, I figured that's part of selling something and on top of that, if he put the freakin picture of the huge gouge out of the hull on his ad, and or emailed it to me I wouldn't have even gone. I was annoyed, but that's part of it.

use your sense. A refundable deposit minus gas would be fair. I would be more worried about the guys that show up in a vehicle without a hitch. It's all part of the game. Gl

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I drove 5 hrs to look at 2002 RX Carb - the ski I've wanted for a while... WOT was ... 6,000 RPM. a 951 carb. I said I can make you an offer, but you aren't going to like it... I didn't buy that.

I will never buy a ski without water testing it. If the seller doesn't want to let me try it, they are either lazy or hiding something. Running it on land is like idling a car in park... doesn't tell you anything. of course lately I haven't water tested anything since the engine is usually blown when I buy them... so... no real point lol.

 

[Linescreamer]

They can witnessd you on the ski also and see how it preforms. Granted they can't feel the pull; but most people can see a hole shot and mid/upper end.