File a complaint with paypal ( which they will give you your money back also with your credit card company if you used a card thru paypal ) and also with ebay for grossly misrepresenting the item ebay should kick him off for that one and that way no one else will get burnt by this clown ans alos make sure to leave him bad feedback so other people know what kind of a seller he is

"And now on the flip side..."
 

To make it easier for anybody that wants to learn from an event like this, I paste the full original description of my ad on eBay as an intro;

To much happiness I found Jeff Brown's, ( of Hawthorne, CA), 1976 Team Scarab 9 Meter "Pure Insanity" P-38 (I). She was the overall Production Class race winner at the 1978 Bushmill G.P. in Newport Beach, CA and became Western region Production Class Champion. During the 1979 season Jeff Brown had Larry Smith build him an identical Team Scarab 9 Meter, but a light weight Kevlar 49 built "Pure Insanity" P-38 (II) and after racing the two boats managed to become The National Overall Production Class Champion of 1979. This 1976 "Pure Insanity" I, was used for the races when seas were unusually rough. Team Scarab's lay-up of this boat is unbelievably well made and is basically indestructible. Legendary offshore racer, multiple World and National Champion Al "Popeyes" Copeland leased this boat of mine, that is here for sale, from Jeff Brown for his first offshore powerboat races. Mr. Copeland got so impressed that he became a offshore racing fanatic and would go on the be a living legend in the sport and also racing among other boats a very successful Team Scarab 38.
My "Pure Insanity" (I) was later raced in the early and mid 1980's with great success by Don Noble ( of Costa Mesa, CA), then only with hull saying P-38 and was then set up with these current bullet-proof Kaama drives. She was among other things 1984 MBRA World Record Holder Pro IIIA before being sold to retired aviator LT. Craig Dugan of Fallon, Nevada. Mr. Dugan pulled the engines, awl-grip painted the hull, disassembled the dash, re-wired and restored dash and gages, powder-coated lots of hardware black, (including special motor-mounts), re-chromed many other hardware parts, re-built Kaama drives and had them re-packed. Had boat sitting with his planes in air-craft hangar during restoration and storage, (12 years). After a couple of years of illness he sold boat without re-powering it. It is now sold complete, velvet drive transmissions are included (need to be re-built), BUT WITHOUT ENGINES. The trailer goes with the boat, but is not registered or of any use or value due to severe rust issues. I pulled the boat on this trailer 120 miles a year ago to it's current storage in San Rafael, California, but buyer is recommended to use trailer only for re-load on a better trailer. The boat needs; new engines, all interior recommended re-done, transmissions total rebuild, rebuilt dash to be installed. Apart from these things, the boat is in structural and cosmetic fantastic condition as seen by photos. A secondary fuel tank for additional range comes with her and could be installed. Several Scarab logo trim pieces and a whole box full with magazines, articles and service receipts going back to Don Noble's ownership is included in this sale. The ONLY reason I'm selling this famous Larry Smith Team Scarab boat is that my wife and I have settled in Los Angeles area after my wife's serious back surgery and there is not likely that we will be able to boat together in a high performance boat of this caliber in the foreseeable future. My wish is that the future owner runs her in charitable Poker Run events etc.
Boat is to be PAID IN FULL WITHIN 7 DAYS of auction ending to complete the sale. ONLY money order or CERTIFIED U.S. or Canadian Bank check accepted as payment method. I have title for this boat free and clear. ONLY PAYPAL is accepted as payment method for the required $500 down payment and is due within 48 HOURS of auction ending. Buyer will have to pick up boat within a week of completion of sale.
P.S. 1976 Team Scarab by Larry Smith, P-38 "Pure Insanity" I, is the first famous racing Scarab made and is of great historical value to all true offshore racing fans. May the future owner enjoy her for many years to come. D.S.



The only differens to this description and the current one is that now the ad also states, "velvet drive transmissions are included, need to be re-built". Theres a reason for this and I'll get to that shortly.
The "buyer" nopostduce, (Spencer), contacted me after he won the boat an eBay for $5,800. (Two weeks earlier I had the boat up for sale first time around and it went up to $6,700 on a no sale and I turned down an approach after the auction from the high-bidder, since I felt that he didn't seem very serious about keeping the boat as a KAAMA or at least twin I/O, but liked to stick twin OB on a bracket). Due to the historical value of the boat and it's current good condition I felt it was the right thing to do. Got a short lecture by my wife and decided to put her up for auction again and hope for a caring buyer, even though I decided to lower the reserve. Also sent a PM to late Al Copeland's racing partner Stan Ware, who had wanted to be reconnected with this their first race-boat and use it for charity events, raising money for Al's skin-cancer research foundation, since I felt I was giving the boat away for a fraction of it's true value in the first place I might as well give it to him. Due to the upcoming holidays maybe? Stan didn't get back to me on the OSO forum unfortunately.
Back to "the buyer" Spencer's phone call. He called to tell me that even though he had won the boat he didn't like to pay the required posted downpayment of $500 since he couldn't pick up the boat right away. He also said that he had found another Scarab 30' KAAMA that was turnkey for $12,000 in Kansas. He also mentioned that he had talked to that fellow and had just realized that since my boat didn't even have transmissions it would cost him 2 x $3,500 to cover that and his budget to get a boat turn-key was not more than $12K-$15K, so he wasn't to excited about his auction won boat anymore. After I told him that my boat had Velvet transmissions included, but they needed to be totally re-built, I had only decided to mentioned that the KAAMA drives and that their drive shafts were rebuilt in the ad since that was something I thought was of the most concern and left out the minor selling point that the (rebuildable)transmissions were actually present/included too. Spencer then talked to me for an hour about transmissions, (he's a very knowledgeable, current transmission mechanic), and his plans to put two Corvette LS1 engines (that he said he could get for $800 a piece and easily rebuild in no time for next to nothing. After We compared notes on Our above, (mentioned in a different manner by Spencer in his post), experience in the automotive business I felt really good about this "buyer" of my dear boat. I told him that I would make sure that one of my really good boating Buddies, (who's been friends with the fellow who runs the storage yard for 35 years and has a 1975 Team Scarab 9 Meter himself), would meet Spencer when he'd get to the bay area on New Years Eve, (since my wife is still recovering from a bad back surgery) and make sure that he'd get the pallet with the transmissions, exhoust manifolds, carborators etc, etc..that also was included with the boat and the titles, a full box with service history, photos, old magazines where the boat is featured, all going back to the early 80's and help with loading everything if needed. Spencer after all this insisted that he still didn't feel comfortable giving me the $500 downpayment since he'd have to spend $400 in diesel on his truck, coming & going. I then couldn't help explaining that if he still didn't feel good about this, I wish he would have thought about it before he bid twice on my boat, but I rather let him pass on it now, than go there, still not pay me and go and buy the Scarab in Kansas or something else. Spencer then said; "I'll bring a friend, drive the 1,300 miles, if I like it, I'll then shop for a decent trailer which I know I can find for a thousand dollars and then complete the transaction with Your Buddie Steve". He then asked me to guarantee that I'll give him the $500 downpayment back if he didn't like the boat. I told him that I'd be happy to and then explained that it could be hard to find a trailer during New Years. He said that they had some time and would just get a cheap hotel room and hang out for a few days. I gave Spencer my friend Steve's number and they talked at length several times. In between Spencer would call me and talk about his plans for the boat and also about his knowledge regarding high performance diesel truck engines and used cars. I enjoyed the conversations and felt like this guy seemed very sincere about putting engines in the boat and get it running in, his words, "3-4 months and I'll be running her".

"On the flip side...", continued.
 

4 P.M. on Wednesday December the 30th I get a phone call from Spencer. He's an hour away from the boat and heading to the yard. It's raining and this is the beginning of the second rainstorm. There was a severe one a little more than a week before. My Buddie Steve and I had been trying to get the storage yard owner to call Us back the last couple of days since Steve's appointment with Spencer was around lunch time Dec. 31st, but he was all of a sudden not responding. Since Steve lives an hour and a half drive away from his Buddie that has the yard I called Spencer and suggest that since it was raining and getting dark by 5 P.M. it probably would be better if Steve met them at the yard in the morning on the 31st, since he knows how to open it up and also could go by his friend the yard-owner on the way. Spencer then says he just want to see if he can get a peek of the boat somehow. I tell him he could try and asked him to call me back. I called Steve and told him what was going on. At 6 P.M. I got a phone call back from Steve and he said that his Buddie the yard-owner had just called him and sounded intoxicated. He was complaining that some guys were trying to get into the yard in the dark, woke him and the dog up in the office, (though in the reverse order most likely). He had told them that they could forget about getting the boat out without Steve present and that he had also told the two fellows that the storage contract had to be signed off/closed and Januari payment paid. He finished by telling them that he was open for business under normal hours 8-5 tomorrow, New Years Eve, as a favor to Steve. While Steve and I were talking Spencer called and I took his call. He said that he had managed to get to the boat, while he his friend was keeping the yard-owner occupied talking and he said several boats were out from under the storage roof on their trailers and the Scarab was one of them. He described that he had found her with the storage cover half blown off, torn, trailer as mentioned on the tongue and the bow with several inches of water, "more than a hundred gallons of water"(Spencer's post "well over a 1,000 gal.") ??. Now I'm shocked! I last saw her 5 months earlier in great shape, when I started contemplating selling her, pulled her out, uncovered her, took the photos displayed in the ad and had her put back. I ask Spencer if he could document the whole thing with photos. He tells me he'll go back in the morning 'cause he thinks it's not that bad of a situation and that he'll take both photos and video even if he decides at that point to pass on her. I'm still fumeing long after We finish Our phone call and then slowly I calm down,but instead start wanting to throw-up. I love this boat!!! It was painful enough to decide to basically give her away and now this. My only thought is: I hope she's O.K.? I feel to weak to even call Steve for empathy.

"And now on the flip side...", last of it all.
 

Next morning Steve calls me instead and said that he had talked to Spencer already. Spencer had said that he'd got the yard-owner's help with getting the water out, it's not bad and that things look OK. It's still raining, but Spencer and his Buddie is checking all the parts out and evaluating the situation. I call Spencer and he said he got plenty of photos and that even though the trailer probably could make it to Texas he's going to go and take a look at a couple of trailers though, maybe he could "find a deal?" After talking to him I feel a little better but not much. I call the yard-owner. After listening to a story about construction at the yard and moving a few boats out of the way I still can't swallow what had happened. I ask him how he'd feel if I left his boat tongue down for a couple of weeks during a major rainstorm out on the lot. He said he didn't have much choice and also tried to make me feel better by saying that the immaculate, classic Cigarette 28SS that he knows I always admired also spent these last few weeks on the lot next to mine. I asked him why the cover is blown/torn and if the Cigarette is full of water too? He answers that it was extremely windy and that due to the construction on the lot he couldn't move anything back and that he's had his hands too full to make sure all stored boats were perfectly covered. While I'm trying not to loose it I ask him to kindly help Spencer. He answers that he doesn't appreciate the guy's pushy attitude, but will help me load the stuff for him. He confesses to me that he probably overreacted the evening before and when I hit him up about "the back storage", he says that he probably got the money for December, but wanted to make sure "this Texan understands that he can't keep the boat here for a week or something without paying or sign a contract". I tell him that I know for a fact that he cashed the rent for December and that I have never paid my rent late. I end it by reminding him that for $200/month I had hoped that my boat would be well protected. He appologizes and said that it was a lot of unfortunate circumstances that caused this to happen. I'm at that point still amazed that I kept semi calm and end the call.
At 2 P.M. Spencer calls me and says that they're on the way back to Texas, he continues, " I don't think I can find a trailer for less than $1,500 and then I'm into this close to $8,000. For a few thousand more I can get this KAAMA Scarab I mentioned that is turn key". I tell him I already know, "but do You realize Spencer that it's not a Larry Smith Team Scarab, rigged by John Conner and Larry Smith while they where trying to optimize the efficiency of the KAAMA drives. It's probably the boat they spent the most time in together according to Larry and they perfected it over a time-period of over a year?" I hear myself sounding like the used car salesman I am, but why am I trying to explain myself so hard? Is it because I really want this guy to have her? Spencer goes: "well i I didn't tell You that I knew it's a Wellcraft in Kansas, but it's all about the money". I hear myself reply, "are You telling me You still want my boat You bought?", Spencer, "well I give You $3,000!". I go, "You mean $3,000 plus the $500 You paid me down?", he goes, "no I give You $3,000, that's it". In disbelief I hear myself say, "You know what Spencer, give me $2,800 for a total of $3,300, but she's only Yours if You promise to do Your absolutely best to get her going this season coming and if You don't do it, You should call me back so I can get her in somebodies hands that will get her going. Bill on the Donzi.net forum is in Texas, he followed the eBay auction and he already told me he wants to buy her from You, if You decide to eventually sell her and he's a very solid guy". Spencer answers, "we're turning around, You got a deal, thank's for working with me, I'll call Steve and go and get the paperwork done, talk to You later". A few minutes goes buy during which I try to figure out why I totally just gave my boat away and then my phone rings, "it's Steve, I talked to Spencer and We're hooking up at around 4:30P.M. and get things squared away, why the hell did You give her away pal? I might go back more than 30 years with my Buddie, but You should have kept the boat and taken the inconsiderate bum to court for not storing Your boat right. I'm convinced she's O.K., but sh.t what could have happened if he'd kept her out there on the lot for another couple of weeks/months, while he's collecting Your money every month for nothing? Sue the b....rd, it's about time he wakes up, I don't ever wanna see him again, anyways it is what it is now! I call You when the nightmare is over", I quietly utter, "thanks Steve".
Sometime around 6 P.M. Steve calls, "the guy is flaking, they left for Reno, only God knows why, sorry Bud, but I think it's better this way, something weired about this whole thing". 8 P.M., "ay Bud it's Steve, this Spencer caracter called and said they left their toolbox at the boatyard and wanted me to see if I could arrange something, he said it's hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of tools. Why would unload a full toolbox? There's nothing to wrench on? He also said they already were in Reno? Go figure? Please call the guy and talk to him".
Three phone messages, three weeks later and several email attempts I out of the blue miss a call at 07:35 A.M. on a weekend morning with a voicemail message, Spencer says, "thanks I finally got Your phone messages, I lost my phone two times and had to get new ones, but if You could send my downpayment back like You mentioned in Your phone messages that would be great. You can reach me on my email which is [email protected] , paypal might be best even though it takes a while to clear into the account, contact me and We can decide".
Well Spencer it's now a week and a half later. I can't get through to You on Your new the phone and Your email You asked me to contact You on is not correct. Most of Your facts in regards to this whole story are twisted and I think any member on this and the OSO forum who cares to read my original eBay ad can see that it's a lot that doesn't ad up in Your claimed facts; AZ storage, claimed to have a decent trailer, $3,800, waited 5 hours to be able to get into the storage yard, called ME back, I use more than one name, by RESEARCH You found out about me selling used cars, (what about our several hour long chats about selling used cars, performance diesel engines and You telling me about the multimillion dollar tax evading transmission-shop owners You've been working for and how disgusting You find them), do You recall any of these things Spencer? I could go on and and on and on, where did You get these so called stated facts from me from?... I even offered to put the $500 down payment cash straight into Your account so You could get the money instantly. Not a word back. My Buddie Steve really tried to figure out the story about Your tools 'cause he wanted to help You, what really took place? Did You ever bother calling him back either, or had You already lost the phone first time around at that point? Why would You not bother driving 2 1/2 hours for claimed $400 worth of personal tools left behind, but otherwise in general be pretty money-concious? I won't ask myself any more questions at this point. I'd like to finish this by asking You Spencer, why have You failed to complete several boat purchases on eBay before, (did You try to re-negotiate Your buying price?), and they said NO, why don't You inspect a boat before You bid to buy, will You please check Your paypal the next 5 days or so? Are You happy for me now, when the pin-type moisture meter and the fellow that used it assures me that the bulk head and everything else in the bow is definitely still O.K.?
I guess I owe You for letting me know what was going on with my boat during those rainy two weeks. I'm glad she's still mine and when she goes off eBay today I hope that nobody "bought her". This was the first and probably last time I tried selling something of real personal value on eBay. It's always been a pleasure buying things and that I will keep doing. I welcome You on this forum Spencer and I'll see You on the OSO forum too since You've just got started there too, maybe even donzi.net, but before You think about giving me an appology, please Spencer spend some time on these forums and see if: Brownie, Ritchie Powers, John Crouse, Charlie McCarthy, Jeff Camire, Al Stoker, Lee Spindler, Jim 'Buizilla" Haas and last but not least Larry Smith thinks I'm a stand up guy? If one of them says NO, I promise to rest my case. 'Till that day I'd like to continue my pleasure boating on the water and on-line 'cause I think I've earned it over the years.

Regards, Lars "The Swedish Viking" Lindroth. That's been my

one and only name. Please don't call call me anything else!

P.S. Always respected Your great resto work Jamie and have enjoyed being on the donzi.net for many years. No hard feelings with regards to my beloved wife. Feel free to contact me any time. All the best, Lars Lindroth. D.S.

Storage facility
 

Just my opinion, The dude that owns the storage yard should not be dissed here or anywhere else! I have had personal experience with Anthony and i find him to be very much a stand up guy! So please refrain from any negativity toward him! Rich

more poop!!!
 

:bsflag: i found his myspace, facebook, twittre, ect, ect, through research and he claims to be single in all of them. has a PO box addy, and claims to be car sales men, software tech, import export specialist, business management, webb designer something different in each one.... sometimes more then one acc at the same place with different stats. i talked to him many times on the phone and he acted as if he knew nothing about the boat. EX. what all parts are there to complete this thing? " im not sure two pallets of parts." (witch were outside on the ground uncovered and junk. its a dam shame because it was all bagged and tagged and full of water. tones of new parts still in packages full of water) are the motors there? not sure what they look like." but he is a car sales men..... i

its to bad, the boat was ultra cool!!! its twin V drive with velvets on borg warners ,and shafts under the motors. but he didnt know that untill i told him. the drives are real close togather and real low. im sure its ridged right and would have been a fast boat with little power!

it really pisses me off because i have two 6.0L lq9 late model GM LS type motors i was going to turbo to repower it with...

you could tell it was in real good shape before it was left in the weather. the guy at the yard said it had been there for over two years.

MY QUESTION TO larslindroth.

If this boat was your pride and joy like your claiming, and you are so worried about it being put back original. And also the fact that you did not know it was sitting outside. Then comes a crap load of rain and the boat gets bucket loads of water in it.

WHY DID YOU NOT DRIVE DOWN TO WHERE THE BOAT WAS AND MEET THE BUYER AND SETTLE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE BUYER AND STORAGE YARD.

:bsflag::bsflag::bsflag::bsflag::bsflag::bsflag::b sflag::bsflag::bsflag:

LMAO..... in my presents at the yard you were not there, it never rained, and it was never dark, i arrived during business hours, the gates were open, the dude was wasted and obnoxious. i extended my hand for a handshake and he said "you f..king woke me up (as he lived in a shack at this trash can yard that i wouldnt store a dingy at) then said oh so your here to give me my money, OH and PS im CLOSED for the for the new year" the mangy mutt was running lose and barking at us. i have called countless times with no answer, my phone# has been the same for 10 years, and we corresponded through email prier to the trasation going south. i have talked to steve and he said he called you with no answer. he also again said you were a cool guy and i would get my money back. there was no construction taking place at the yard, the boat was full to the cockpit floor bow down. do the math, surprised it wasent seeping from under the cleats on the nose.

as for the rest of the :bsflag: i did not want to give the down payment and i told you i had been burned in the past. I NEVER OFFERED IT. but did to as you said to "LOCK IT IN"

copy and past from your post above from the auction i won.......

Boat is to be PAID IN FULL WITHIN 7 DAYS of auction ending to complete the sale. ONLY money order or CERTIFIED U.S. or Canadian Bank check accepted as payment method. I have title for this boat free and clear. ONLY PAYPAL is accepted as payment method for the required $500 down payment and is due within 48 HOURS of auction ending. Buyer will have to pick up boat within a week of completion of sale.

the auction was over on dec 24@10:00 pm my time. i was at the yard on dec30@4:30pm 1890 miles from my home on new years eve. i did as stated in your auction to the T. i have 100% feed back on ebay. the only other boat i have ever bid on using ebay was a wicknes flattie and the deal went down with out a hitch.

Steve is a real nice guy, as you (Larz) seemed to be as well.

but had i let this go, i have no doubt i would have handed you (Lars) $500 for my troubles. i am no high roller as you made clear in your post, just a young man trying to get it to power boating on a budget.

i was in Reno by the time i got steve on the phone. (on my way to the kaama scarab i did buy in Illinois that was as described) this after i waited for 5hours as the yard was CLOSED on new years and this clown was at the bar getting trashed. poor steve had to go to a cardioligist after his near stroke from all this and was on hold to come down after his appt. if the clown showed up.

i see you have a few more boats listed in your sig. WHERE ARE THEY STORED?

for a final note i watched the thread on donzi.net during the auction just to see your bud bill shill the bid a bit and call it a Xmass present to you!!!!!!! who later thanked you in the same thread for withholding his info from me as i might pester him during the build... NICE...

explain ..Ldd,,,????

not sure but must be Learning Difficulties and Disabilities, you would think i would learn.