mitchell1204
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TN
I saw an ad on Craigslist for a old houseboat that was free, just pay the back slip rental fees. I called the woman that lives 40 miles away in the same state of TN. She told me she went through a divorce and she needed to get rid of the boat. The slip rental wasn't paid for 6 months and $1800 was owed.
I went and looked at the boat the next day and really liked it. It was worth around $6000 from my previous houseboat experience. I seen identical boats for $12,995. I called the woman back and told her I wanted it and I wanted to call the marina for the exact amount owed. At this point we had an oral agreement on the sale. I tried for five days to get a hold of someone at the marina. She called me the fifth day and told me she finally got in contact with the marina. She said her ex run the electric up and the bill was $2700. But she would sell me the boat for $1800 as agreed on. I'm a truck driver and had to leave this day. I told her I would send her a $800 good faith deposit to let her know I was serious on the purchase. That I would pay the balance when I come back in and could get a bill of sale. She agreed.
The next day I sent her two $400 money orders ($700 cap on one). Starting two days from this point I kept calling her to verify she got the money orders. I couldn't get her to answer the phone or return calls for ten days. Finally the tenth day she answers the phone. She said she didn't get my money orders until yesterday and didn't think I was interested. She said she sold it to someone else. I asked why didn't she call me?? She couldn't answer.
In the meantime, I even bought two new props for the boat off ebay as she said her ex stole the props off it. My family was excited and I planned on living on it my days off this summer.
Heartbroke, I asked her to send me my money back and that would be the end of the story. She said she would mail the money back the next day.
Now it's over two weeks later and no money and she won't answer the phone or return my calls. Just four days ago I seen the same boat on Craigslist for sale for $4900. The guy said he was helping a friend out and needed a quick sale.
I posted my own ad saying "Houseboat Beware" so I could warn others. He took his ad down within 2 hours. I had some emails with potential buyers thanking me for warning.
I'm 49 yrs old and never had to sue or prosecute anyone, so I don't know what to do. I did my internet homework on the woman from facebook and google. She works at a government weapons facility, has a very nice house and we talked for hours initially. That's why I felt comfortable with the deal. I think she is in a financial burden from a divorce and this is why everything evolved this way. I think after she got my deposit, her friend convinced her the boat was worth more and would help out. The higher amount owed the marina I think also played a role. But a oral agreement and a deposit, she shouldn't of cut my throat. Where do I go from here? I feel it is criminal what she done by not repaying me. But after calling the courthouse to take out a warrant, they told me it was a civil matter. I checked, she cashed the money orders March 2.
So should I sue for what she owes me? the props? punitive damages and how much?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I saw an ad on Craigslist for a old houseboat that was free, just pay the back slip rental fees. I called the woman that lives 40 miles away in the same state of TN. She told me she went through a divorce and she needed to get rid of the boat. The slip rental wasn't paid for 6 months and $1800 was owed.
I went and looked at the boat the next day and really liked it. It was worth around $6000 from my previous houseboat experience. I seen identical boats for $12,995. I called the woman back and told her I wanted it and I wanted to call the marina for the exact amount owed. At this point we had an oral agreement on the sale. I tried for five days to get a hold of someone at the marina. She called me the fifth day and told me she finally got in contact with the marina. She said her ex run the electric up and the bill was $2700. But she would sell me the boat for $1800 as agreed on. I'm a truck driver and had to leave this day. I told her I would send her a $800 good faith deposit to let her know I was serious on the purchase. That I would pay the balance when I come back in and could get a bill of sale. She agreed.
The next day I sent her two $400 money orders ($700 cap on one). Starting two days from this point I kept calling her to verify she got the money orders. I couldn't get her to answer the phone or return calls for ten days. Finally the tenth day she answers the phone. She said she didn't get my money orders until yesterday and didn't think I was interested. She said she sold it to someone else. I asked why didn't she call me?? She couldn't answer.
In the meantime, I even bought two new props for the boat off ebay as she said her ex stole the props off it. My family was excited and I planned on living on it my days off this summer.
Heartbroke, I asked her to send me my money back and that would be the end of the story. She said she would mail the money back the next day.
Now it's over two weeks later and no money and she won't answer the phone or return my calls. Just four days ago I seen the same boat on Craigslist for sale for $4900. The guy said he was helping a friend out and needed a quick sale.
I posted my own ad saying "Houseboat Beware" so I could warn others. He took his ad down within 2 hours. I had some emails with potential buyers thanking me for warning.
I'm 49 yrs old and never had to sue or prosecute anyone, so I don't know what to do. I did my internet homework on the woman from facebook and google. She works at a government weapons facility, has a very nice house and we talked for hours initially. That's why I felt comfortable with the deal. I think she is in a financial burden from a divorce and this is why everything evolved this way. I think after she got my deposit, her friend convinced her the boat was worth more and would help out. The higher amount owed the marina I think also played a role. But a oral agreement and a deposit, she shouldn't of cut my throat. Where do I go from here? I feel it is criminal what she done by not repaying me. But after calling the courthouse to take out a warrant, they told me it was a civil matter. I checked, she cashed the money orders March 2.
So should I sue for what she owes me? the props? punitive damages and how much?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks