Private Boat Sale

[JDL1475]

Am I at fault here?

What is the name of your state? Arizona

Approximately two weeks ago, I sold my boat as a private party sale (in person, not ebay). The boat was registered in California, because I had recently moved to Arizona (not sure if that makes a difference). The boat is in very good shape, but none the less, it's a used boat. Before the sale, I pointed out everything about the vessel that I could think of. What things have broken in the past, what things have been fixed, and all other basic operation instructions. At the time I even started the boat in my driveway and let it run for about 10 minutes, just to show the purchaser that everything was good and functioning. I then signed over the title, collected the money, and gave him the boat. I also gave him a Bill of Sale that only stated a change in ownership and sale price. It didn't say anything about being sold as is. I just figured that was the general assumption with a private sale. I am not sure if that will make a difference here.

The buyer has since called, about a week later to say he took the boat out, and it wasn't running very well. He said it didn't seem like the engine was going to its potential speed. I nicely suggested some things to look at, but he couldn't seem to find the problem.

Now today, approximately 14 days from the date of the sale, the buyer called to inform me he took the boat to a mechanic. The boat needs a new valve and a new lifter arm installed. He then said it's about $1000 to repair, and he wants to know what I'm going to do about it.

I have since spoken to the buyer and told him it is not my responsibility, and I will not pay for the repairs. The boat has been under his care, control, and custody for two weeks now. For all I know, He might have broke it the day he took it on the water, let alone in his garage.

The buyer is now claiming to take me to to small claims court.

Am I liable for the situation? Does he have a valid case against me?

 

[acmb05]

What is the name of your state? Arizona

Approximately two weeks ago, I sold my boat as a private party sale. The boat was registered in California, because I had recently moved to Arizona (not sure if that makes a difference). The boat is in very good shape, but none the less, it_s a used boat. Before the sale, I pointed out everything about the vessel that I could think of. What things have broken in the past, what things have been fixed, and all other basic operation instructions? At the time I even started the boat in my driveway and let it run for about 10 minutes, just to show the purchaser that everything was good and functioning. I then signed over the title, collected the money, and gave him the boat.

The buyer has since called, about a week later to say he took the boat out, and it wasn_t running very well. He said it didn_t seem like the engine was going to its potential speed. I nicely suggested some things to look at, but he couldn_t seem to find the problem.

Now today, approximately 14 days from the date of the sale, the buyer called to inform me he received the results from his mechanic. The boat needs a new valve and a new lifter arm installed. He then said it_s a pretty expensive fix, and he wants to know what I_m going to do about it.

I would like to tell him that I_m not going to do anything about it, and it is in his hands now. In retrospect, I would like to make sure that I_m not liable before I say that. I have since talked to a mechanic about it, and the mechanic said that the engine would not have ran correctly on the day of the sale if the valve was bad. On top of that, how do I know the buyer didn_t break it the day he took it out on the water?

In your oppinion, do you think I am liable for the situation?

Nope, tell him to fix it himself.

 

[JDL1475]

Nope, tell him to fix it himself.

You don't think it matters that I didn't have him fill out an implied warranties sheet, or something saying "as is"