I've done this in the past. Have twice purchased a kite without seeing it from the buy and sell section on this site. Have also sold a kite to someone in QLD before. And havent had any dramas.

Best thing to do is get them to send you a photo or scan of their drivers license before any money changes hands. Also get them to take close up photos of gear... (Pig tails, lines, bridles, repair jobs, etc etc.)

You've really just gotta be careful. Most of the time you can gauge how genuine someone is by speaking to them on the phone. If you cant get them on the phone to deal with them in person.... be wary!

Good Luck.

I've bought and sold sight unseen before no dramas.

But I'm honest so the whoever bought from me got a full description of any problems, possible problems, points of interest about the kite, anything and everything, warts and all. And they got a fair price, I'm never trying to wheel and deal, just get something reasonable back.

It's always been the same for the the other way, I've got what I paid for, no probs.

Oz post COD has been the easiest, then it's guaranteed delivered and the seller will be paid.

Yeah there should be facility to leave buyer/seller feedback

I bought a kite from seabreeze from a girl once. It was a very nice experience.
Kite was also in great condition.

I also bought a kite from a guy (what's worse, a shop also), and there were a bit more repairs than what i was told over the phone and email.

Therefore, always buy from a girl.

I bought a kite from WA a few years back, the seller is on seabreeze still, but I won't name and shame. It was a Best Waroo for the wifes birthday, sold as perfect condition and hardly used. When I received the kite the valves had nearly had it and the whole kite was covered in small holes, obviously dragged across oyster shells or similar, so be very careful......

i bought a kite for one of my sons of sea breeze buy and sell, and i thought reputable business owner in se qld, the ad said
kite vg condition no rips nor tears , get it home pump it up, get the kite between the sun and me and it was a train wreck.
Lang, not interstate i know but sight unseen beware, you may be in for a touch up so beware.

Trend I'm seeing ,anyone else seeing this?.

is Don't buy a 2nd hand kite from WA!,

Everyday, there are multitudes of kites exchanged between buyers all around the country.


Don't take my word for it .. have a read yourself on what folks say:

www.seabreeze.com.au/classifieds/Testimonials.aspx

And that's not all of them .. there are over 3,500 positive feedback comments on using the Buy & Sell.

Some recent comments:



"I contlinue to be impressed by the fast responses of seabreeze and the quality of people it attracts."

"new member, first time used and sold in 10 days. Very happy and will definately use again. Thanks"

"Buying and selling is often a case of being in the right place at the right. Seabreeze is definitely the right place, board sold within an hour of being listed."

"seabreeze friends came to my rescue! back on the water in 3 days ! Thanks"

"Always happy with Seabreeze ad results. Sold several kites and boards now, cheers."

"Too Easy! a great place to trade craft with like minded crew.
cheers"

"As usaul sold gear fast and efficiently using seabreeze fantasic way to move your second hand gear in a hurry"

"Sweet, easy and always gets results"

"Still the best place to advertise water sports gear !"

"sold my board and had heaps of calls about it. There's obviously some serious traffic thru the site! cheers"

.. and on it goes...

This one is particularly relevent:

"Keep this fantastic service going so far bought 5 kites and sold 2 with no issues to date. Well done seabreeze and users that make this possible."



Need more knowledge?

Here's a comprehensive article on the How To of Buying Second Hand Kites

www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/About-Buying-Second-Hand-kites_3539609.aspx

Enjoy

I have purchased a few kites and boards etc.... here on seabreeze and have never had a problem... my little rule of thumb is to buy off someone who is a reasonably regular forum contributor....ie not someone with just 3 posts ....if they are a regular contributor they probably reasonably well know in their local area and not too hard to track down.

I have had good luck buying a kite from a regular contributor to the forum, kite was everything he said it would be, its a great kite! Board was a little worse for wear, but half a day of patching and a new set of fins and the board works a treat. I did have a friend who happened to be traveling up the dudes way and checked it out and brought it back for me saving the shipping. All in all, good experience.
If you read this mr ok, all is very okay dokay!
dafish

Hi everyone

Thanks for the posts and updates, particularly the first few that described the payment methods they used. Thought I would let you know how the “would be” purchase went.

The kite looked great in the photos.
Asking price was 1k, firm.
The seller was a recent member with only a couple posts.
I offered 1k including the postage and Aus Post Cash on delivery method as he wouldn't come down in price and I wanted the kite. Also said my offer would expire Wednesday, yesterday.

He would only sell if I paid up front, and wouldn't use the Aus Post. This didn't seam right to me as if i was selling a 1k kite that was in the condition I described, I would go ahead with the Aus Post COD. I decided not to pay up front.

Wednesday has been and gone so my offer is now closed. My gut feeling was this person (guy not girl) was legitimate and it was the kite I wanted, I just didn't want to risk it.

Lang.

I've sold interstate on Seabreeze and have basically offered my reputation as a forum contributor as a guarantee that the gear is how I say it is (that, and my real name is in my profile). In each case the purchaser paid in advance and was super happy with the deal.

A person's word still means something if he or she is part of a community and wants to continue to enjoy community membership.

Lang said...

Hi everyone

Thanks for the posts and updates, particularly the first few that described the payment methods they used. Thought I would let you know how the “would be” purchase went.

The kite looked great in the photos.
Asking price was 1k, firm.
The seller was a recent member with only a couple posts.
I offered 1k including the postage and Aus Post Cash on delivery method as he wouldn't come down in price and I wanted the kite. Also said my offer would expire Wednesday, yesterday.

He would only sell if I paid up front, and wouldn't use the Aus Post. This didn't seam right to me as if i was selling a 1k kite that was in the condition I described, I would go ahead with the Aus Post COD. I decided not to pay up front.

Wednesday has been and gone so my offer is now closed. My gut feeling was this person (guy not girl) was legitimate and it was the kite I wanted, I just didn't want to risk it.

Lang.

If the guy is in West Oz (metro) mate i'm happy to help.
Zap me a pm with some details and i will pop around check the kite legitimise who he is and ease the 'unknown' a bit.