Altho I am a sailor my sister asked me to help her search for a late model stink boat for her family. I found a 2002 model and emailed the owner for more pictures of the boat. He sent about 10 pictures and the boat looked great. I made an appointment to see the boat this weekend but as I searched the web I found the identical model boat and the same exact pictures. As it turns out the sellers are using factory pictures to represent their boats. Is this a new low for society? I know there are a million boats for sale out there and I will pass on these misleading people but I am curious if anyone wants to admit to doing this and can defend that type of advertising? jack
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not to sound too cynical but
what about this surprises you? Even comtemporary pictures taken by sellers are usually misleading
what about this surprises you? Even comtemporary pictures taken by sellers are usually misleading
So, all you've done is your homework also called
"due diligence." Many brokers' ads are factory pictures and only some are labeled "sister-ship." It is getting worse as time goes by, and not everyone has pictures of "their baby." You will learn to identify those "stock" photos the more you read the ads. The more you read the ads, the more you'll see them for boats for sale. Good for you for noticing. Not really an ethics question, unless he actually said to you that these pictures of are HIS boat. If he did, then he really fudged reality. You asked for "more pictures of the boat." You didn't say HIS boat. I don't wanna seem like a lawyer, but you might have gotten just what you asked for.
And, unless you see the boat, you won't know if his might even be nicer than a factory picture - he could have added improvements. Don't give up yet.
"due diligence." Many brokers' ads are factory pictures and only some are labeled "sister-ship." It is getting worse as time goes by, and not everyone has pictures of "their baby." You will learn to identify those "stock" photos the more you read the ads. The more you read the ads, the more you'll see them for boats for sale. Good for you for noticing. Not really an ethics question, unless he actually said to you that these pictures of are HIS boat. If he did, then he really fudged reality. You asked for "more pictures of the boat." You didn't say HIS boat. I don't wanna seem like a lawyer, but you might have gotten just what you asked for.
And, unless you see the boat, you won't know if his might even be nicer than a factory picture - he could have added improvements. Don't give up yet.Sleaze or scam?
I could see using brochure photos on a listing or web ad. I cannot see someone sending them in response to a request. That's pretty sleazy. I wonder if they were cut and pasted to look like photos of the boat for sale. Did they photo shop in a family dog? I'm looking for my next boat now, and besides floor plans, I don't really see that many brochure photos. Anyone who sees the photos and goes to find a much less desirable boat is going to be a pissed off buyer anyway. I'd be more worried that it's actually a scam of some kind.
I could see using brochure photos on a listing or web ad. I cannot see someone sending them in response to a request. That's pretty sleazy. I wonder if they were cut and pasted to look like photos of the boat for sale. Did they photo shop in a family dog? I'm looking for my next boat now, and besides floor plans, I don't really see that many brochure photos. Anyone who sees the photos and goes to find a much less desirable boat is going to be a pissed off buyer anyway. I'd be more worried that it's actually a scam of some kind.
Judgement is not in yet.....
...I would call him up and ask if these were actual pictures of his boat. Depending upon his response and how he handles the situation will depend if he is sleezzy or not. If he tells you our boat is new so I just posted the brochure pictures....well its hard to call him a sleez. abe
...I would call him up and ask if these were actual pictures of his boat. Depending upon his response and how he handles the situation will depend if he is sleezzy or not. If he tells you our boat is new so I just posted the brochure pictures....well its hard to call him a sleez. abe
Anyone would understand you wanted pictures
of the boat being sold. They indeed are sleazy if they sent stock pictures without saying so. I personally avoid doing business with businesses that use misleading tactics. I don't feel I have to be interpreting the language in their adds. I don't consider it a game as they are trying to rip you off and cannot understand those who think it is OK.
of the boat being sold. They indeed are sleazy if they sent stock pictures without saying so. I personally avoid doing business with businesses that use misleading tactics. I don't feel I have to be interpreting the language in their adds. I don't consider it a game as they are trying to rip you off and cannot understand those who think it is OK.
Don't speculate, find out
I think the question is more around the seller's motives in what was behind his posting those photos. Was he trying to mislead? Was he simply lazy? Ask the seller how long ago he took the pictures. If he gives you a date, he's dishonest. If he explains that they're stock photos and that they're better than the ones he could have taken or something like that, you've got someone to work with.
I think the question is more around the seller's motives in what was behind his posting those photos. Was he trying to mislead? Was he simply lazy? Ask the seller how long ago he took the pictures. If he gives you a date, he's dishonest. If he explains that they're stock photos and that they're better than the ones he could have taken or something like that, you've got someone to work with.
Raises a Red Flag
While you can ask a question or two to find out if he's honest or not, this speaks volumes of what may lie ahead. Will the seller ever tell you about things that you might not discover on your own? Like one eBay seller said, "If I said all the negative things about the item nobody would buy it." I'd say be very, very careful with this seller. If it gets that far, do a lien check.
While you can ask a question or two to find out if he's honest or not, this speaks volumes of what may lie ahead. Will the seller ever tell you about things that you might not discover on your own? Like one eBay seller said, "If I said all the negative things about the item nobody would buy it." I'd say be very, very careful with this seller. If it gets that far, do a lien check.
Just ask -
Like others said, there might not be any intent to scam you. My wife has sold several items on Ebay, and utilized a stock picture instead of one we took ourselves. They were collectors' items, and the items that she sold were either factory condition or better, so the buyer got exactly what they saw in the pictures. The only reason she used a stock photo was simple expedience - the stock photo was likely taken by a professional who knows photography well, how to set up proper lighting, etc. A photo taken by us was not likely to look very good. All the same, ask the seller about it, and if you find any lies or half-truths in their answer, then I'd forget about them.
Like others said, there might not be any intent to scam you. My wife has sold several items on Ebay, and utilized a stock picture instead of one we took ourselves. They were collectors' items, and the items that she sold were either factory condition or better, so the buyer got exactly what they saw in the pictures. The only reason she used a stock photo was simple expedience - the stock photo was likely taken by a professional who knows photography well, how to set up proper lighting, etc. A photo taken by us was not likely to look very good. All the same, ask the seller about it, and if you find any lies or half-truths in their answer, then I'd forget about them.
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