Cheated and Ripped off

Was not going to post this, being likkin' wounds since 31 Dec
but Westie asked, where had I been
Some of you may know I bought a yacht in UK, last year I decided to take the word of the Broker who, works for the UKS bIGGEST MARINE GROUP, I will not say which at this stage the boat was Finot designed and had circumnavgated
The hull survey was ok and I relied upon the photos and description of the broker and previous(upper class owner)
I asked and received many pics
because my son was graduating I chose skip inspection and paid upfront
When I got to UK on Dec 31, I saw the boat for first time
I climbed up the ladder adn could have wept, the deck needed resurfacing, the perspex was so yellow and cracked it was impossible to see out,
the uholstery was torn, daylight was visable through companionway hatch
The joinerwork which had been described as "excellent" was ply unfinished, what solid there was was amatuerish in extreme
I walked away and wandered around UK in a daze for a week and over to Germany
Calmly I told them to resell and not to lie to any buyer .I said now sell for what its worth I have an offer subject survey 20000 less than I paid, I said take it I am ashamed to own the thing
now you would think that with all my years I would not have fallen into this trap
Fact is I ran my business around honesty and trust And I was betrayed
I can not sue at 1500 gbpounds an hour for barrister plus court costs
Such is life Tim in Marseilles was waiting, many people had been invited to use the yacht
only now can I talk about it

[tinhorn]

Sorry, to hear that, man - what a disaster.

[westlawn5554X]

I am angered by that fact alone... Lazyjack... if you wanna have a beautiful traditional phinisi... I would gladly take you to my worker... Lowest dirt price for lumber floater... I will not take a dime from ya... for only 1 unit... limited to 40 ft. PM me if ya interested, u better find a design you like cause you'll enjoy it.

[masalai]

Sincere commiserations Jack.

[safewalrus]

Hell that's bad 'Jack, can't say much it would sound so hollow, may I appoligise for the UK in general and the marine industry in particular! Unfortunately as you know there's rogues and robbers every where you go, ain't no help I know but you have my sincerest and deepest commiserations mate (for what that's worth)

Originally Posted by safewalrus

Hell that's bad 'Jack, can't say much it would sound so hollow, may I appoligise for the UK in general and the marine industry in particular! Unfortunately as you know there's rogues and robbers every where you go, ain't no help I know but you have my sincerest and deepest commiserations mate (for what that's worth)

thanks mate really!!

[charmc]

Stu,

Really sorry to hear that, friend. The weakness of a man of honor is that he tends to associate with other men of honor ... so he can be vulnerable to dishonest bastards who perfect the skill of artful deception.

My sympathy and best wishes.

[nero]

Stu,

Looks like it will be another year before we hook up. On the positive side, the bottles of red wine in my cave will be another year better!

You know you have many trustworthy people here in europe. Next time, please ask me or one of the others to do the recon for you. I am always happy to look at boats ... and women.

Will call you soon.

[Tad]

What nero said.....big time!

Do not trust any broker acting for the seller. I know someone (an impartial and slightly knowledgeable someone) can be found virtually anywhere on earth to have a quick look and see if it's worth pursuing. This is what the internet is for.....there are lot's of boaty forums. Put the word in several places and someone interested will turn up. Get some general pics taken by an uninterested (financially) party, then find a surveyor acting for you and no one else!

[Frosty]

Tad has hit the nail on the head, using the sellers broker/ surveyor is stupid.
I sold a Grand Banks in Hong kong years ago , she had a little osmosis that was (thumb nail size) ground out and filled . When the broker sold it I said what about the osmosis he said "oh its ok we will use our own surveyor"

I never ever use a surveyor I have heard too many stories like this. After you've owned a few of your own its quite likely you will know more than a college boy surveyor.

Remember they are usually paid for by the broker who arranges this. He wont get much work if he keeps knocking them back. The broker wont use him any more. You would think there would be some laws on this.

I hope this annoys and attracts some surveyor because I know a few stories like this.

[Ike]

Another reason to always hire your own surveyor. Never take the broker's word for anything.

Sorry this happened. Don't beat yourself up. All of us have been taken at one time or another. Live, learn and shake the dust off your boots and get on with life. You did the right thing when you sold it. So you can sleep nights.

thanks but some of you have it a bit wrong I chose NOT TO SURVEY, THE HULL WAS SOUND i relied on photos of the rest, they only showed me the good bits
I normally survey for others, this is an alloy yacht, which is my profession
Yes I learn never trust, not a lesson anyone should need to learn considering
this boat was offered by a group which I will name as soon as it is sold, a group that builds and markets Europes top sailing yacht.

[safewalrus]

the bigger the company the more rogues it attracts - they can hide in big companies!!