Purchasing an expensive item off CL out of state. Any way to send funds and be protected.

[onanysunday]

Looking at a newer sled 2888 miles away and found what I want. I did call a local snowmobile dealer in Maine to see if they would let me send them a cashiers check and he brings the sled in. Then hand him the check and U-Ship picks up from their business. Basically act as a middle man. Waiting to hear back but does not sound like the dealer will do it unless there is an actual transaction. Any thoughts to safely send money on something like this? We are talking $13k. These sleds are hard to find anywhere close with the 2" track I want. (No 1.3 or 1.6) Might get lucky this summer and find one in Colorado and drive up to get it. Still a crap shoot and might need to purchase this way from back east at some point. 

[1HasBeen]

Is it Jackman Powersports?

[onanysunday]

1 hour ago, 1HasBeen said:

Is it Jackman Powersports?

He bought it at Jackman. They would not do the check and handoff. I am waiting on a call from someone at Bangor Motor Sports to see if they will do it. Still going on faith buying a vehicle like this without looking at it in person. I bought my Corvette off ebay and had it shipped from Bridgeport Mass. But .... Ebay gives you warranties.  I really should wait and find one I can drive to see. Or fly and rent a Uhaul to bring it home. 

[zilla68]

what town is it in, i may have a friend somewhere close

[1HasBeen]

29 minutes ago, onanysunday said:

He bought it at Jackman. They would not do the check and handoff. I am waiting on a call from someone at Bangor Motor Sports to see if they will do it. Still going on faith buying a vehicle like this without looking at it in person. I bought my Corvette off ebay and had it shipped from Bridgeport Mass. But .... Ebay gives you warranties.  I really should wait and find one I can drive to see. Or fly and rent a Uhaul to bring it home. 

I understand. The reason I asked was I bought a couple sleds in Jackman, as did some of my riding group. Bear in mind this was 1998 and before, but Dave and Doreen were very straight to deal with. I have no clue who runs it now. They were still at the hardware store when I bought mine, then they built the dedicated location. Too bad they wouldn't work with you on this.

[Kraut_n_Rice]

34 minutes ago, onanysunday said:

He bought it at Jackman. They would not do the check and handoff. I am waiting on a call from someone at Bangor Motor Sports to see if they will do it. Still going on faith buying a vehicle like this without looking at it in person. I bought my Corvette off ebay and had it shipped from Bridgeport Mass. But .... Ebay gives you warranties.  I really should wait and find one I can drive to see. Or fly and rent a Uhaul to bring it home. 

So fly out and look at it. If it's a bad deal, fly home. Good deal, bring it home.  I'm doing this very thing this weekend with a Jeep in Utah.

[ANGRYBUTTCRACK]

Hop a jet.. then crate .. insure... ship it to your location.. You'll toss another few $K doing it.. that's how I'd roll..

.. never driven one.. always wanted to.. sold some of my inventory to a dude in WI today... he was out 'snowmobiling' .. funny how they talk in WI.

abc

[Dockmaster]

I assume you would use a shipper to get it to you? Some shippers will hand the seller a cashier’s check for you when they pick it up. They are not going to inspect it or anything but at least you know you will get something and not have your money just evaporate. 

[onanysunday]

Been analyzing this for days and now second guessing myself. Two sleds are so close to each other but now thinking about the SKS over the SBA. 

 

[onanysunday]

My wifey this weekend on her little trail sled. Only 140hp. 

 

[onanysunday]

We had 28 sleds on one of the rides!

 

[onanysunday]

1 hour ago, Dockmaster said:

I assume you would use a shipper to get it to you? Some shippers will hand the seller a cashier’s check for you when they pick it up. They are not going to inspect it or anything but at least you know you will get something and not have your money just evaporate. 

Great point I had not thought of. As long as I trust what I am getting by verbal description and photos. Pretty tough to buy that way. Actually to take it one step further if the seller is close to a snowmobile shop I could insist the seller take the sled in for an inspection. Do both and save all the travel. Cool. 

[1HasBeen]

13 hours ago, onanysunday said:

We had 28 sleds on one of the rides!

 

Was this around Mormon Lake/Lake Mary???

[raspadoo]

That looks like fun! Need to try that, got talked into snowshoeing next week for the first time that looks WAY more fun 👍

[Fullthrottleguy]

I have bought cars as far away as NY for way more $$ and always did wire transfer when the shipping company arrived and texted or emailed me a pic of the title and a pic of the VIN number. 

while not perfect, when I did not have time to fly out, I used local inspectors. I have done that for enclosed trailers and even engines, they give me the report via email with the VIN and Title, I do WT and they put title in Fed Ex. I used ti have the title put in thew car, but Insurance said I would not be covered if it was stolen. 

I have done a cashiers check to the seller - sent to the Shipping company and they hand it over once I see the title and VIN.   I found Uship is hit or miss  = you can find some that are great, but getting them to crate anything is hard. I have done high $$ SC engines and just had them on shipping stand with shrink wrap and no issues  - getting it shipped "inside" is always better than on the back of a truck - many shipper have enclosed trailers 

Having the right shipper in middle is pretty safe, but don';t expect too high an IQ from most - you need to spell it out well. 

By The Way - have not been on a Sled on a long time  - I miss the thrill not the cold so much

[onanysunday]

2 hours ago, 1HasBeen said:

Was this around Mormon Lake/Lake Mary???

Yes. The higher up pictures with the snow all in the trees was close to hutch mountain. We were at 8100 ft at that spot. Had to turn 28 sleds around on a narrow trail because the trees had fallen and were too big to cut.

[onanysunday]

56 minutes ago, Fullthrottleguy said:

I have bought cars as far away as NY for way more $$ and always did wire transfer when the shipping company arrived and texted or emailed me a pic of the title and a pic of the VIN number. 

while not perfect, when I did not have time to fly out, I used local inspectors. I have done that for enclosed trailers and even engines, they give me the report via email with the VIN and Title, I do WT and they put title in Fed Ex. I used ti have the title put in thew car, but Insurance said I would not be covered if it was stolen. 

I have done a cashiers check to the seller - sent to the Shipping company and they hand it over once I see the title and VIN.   I found Uship is hit or miss  = you can find some that are great, but getting them to crate anything is hard. I have done high $$ SC engines and just had them on shipping stand with shrink wrap and no issues  - getting it shipped "inside" is always better than on the back of a truck - many shipper have enclosed trailers 

Having the right shipper in middle is pretty safe, but don';t expect too high an IQ from most - you need to spell it out well. 

By The Way - have not been on a Sled on a long time  - I miss the thrill not the cold so much

Great info thanks. I had a guy on uShip quoting $1,000 to haul it out in the back of his truck. For now I think I'm going to hold off. See what comes up this summer. Maybe find someone within a 6 to 8 hour drive wanting to get rid of their sled.

[1HasBeen]

2 hours ago, onanysunday said:

Yes. The higher up pictures with the snow all in the trees was close to hutch mountain. We were at 8100 ft at that spot. Had to turn 28 sleds around on a narrow trail because the trees had fallen and were too big to cut.

I think my buddy Reuben was on that ride?

[onanysunday]

30 minutes ago, 1HasBeen said:

I think my buddy Reuben was on that ride?

Yes indeed.

[KLC]

Why is there a picture of Susanna Hoffs in your avatar?

[onanysunday]

43 minutes ago, KLC said:

Why is there a picture of Susanna Hoffs in your avatar?

 

[BaBaBouy]

Our riding has improved significantly since I started leading in the plow…

[Crusty]

1 hour ago, BaBaBouy said:

Our riding has improved significantly since I started leading in the plow…