Legal Question in Civil Litigation in South Carolina

Purchasing a used boat.

I found a boat in a boat trader magazine and went to the owners house to look at it. Gave him the money for the boat and he said if it didn't work he would give the money back. Put it in water the same day and the pump was bad on the motor so I took it back the next day. His wife came out and gave the money back. He called that evening and said I had messed his boat up. Stating I had broken something and tried to screw it back on. Which isn't the case. He then had someone call stating they were the police dept and he was going to issue a warrent for my arrest if we didn't give him the money back or fix the boat (it wasn't the police on the caller ID). I spoke with him on the phone and said I had done nothing to the boat except put it in the water and pulled it out. He stated he would see me in court. When I left the boat it was in the same shape as when I recieved the boat, could I be held liable for anything? I asked the guy to go with me to the lake to put it to see if it would work and he gave a lot of reasons why he couldn't. When I returned it I asked his wife if he was going to come out she said he was sick.


Asked on 9/11/05, 8:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Johnston Law Offices of Robert J. Johnston

Re: Purchasing a used boat.

Your question is "Could I be held liable for anything?" Based upon the facts that you have related, I would say no. Certainly, nothing criminal. I suppose he could always sue you. But that is highly unlikely. You'd be better off forgeting about it and looking for another boat.

Read more
Answered on 9/11/05, 8:48 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More General Civil Litigation questions and answers in South Carolina