Beware purchasing second hand kites

Hi everyone

I have just had a very disappointing experience purchasing a second hand kite from a person on seabreeze. I purchased an 08 model 12m liquid force havoc for $400 dollars. Now for that price and that year model i was not expecting the best kite in the world HOWEVER i was expecting a kite that i could actually fly when i got it. Now this is what was posted on the advert

"kite\ bar\bag couple small pro repairs......... offers........"

i contacted the seller and he sent me some pictures, the usual top back and sides deal. The kite looked in decent condition from the pics (no pictures of the repairs however). Now i should have been more cautious and asked for more pictures and pictures of the repairs, that was a misjudgment on my part.

I bought the kite and a few days later got it in the mail. To cut a long story short, there was more than a few repairs, most were small but a number were over 20cm in length. There was a number of tears that were not repaired, and i would not say they were repaired some repair tape had been put over the tears, most of which had sand under it and was falling off. The bar was not the original bar and both the bar and kite were covered in sand and salt so were in my opinion terrible condition. Then to top it all off i didn't even get to fly it for more than 2 minutes before the kite had deflated due to a bladder puncture in one of the struts.

I contacted the seller to tell him my frustrations and disappointment, and his reply was " that's kiting mate you need to fix your gear some times, you will need to learn how to repair bladders. you can repair the bladder quite easily" (he told me how to do this) Then he said, "Repair the bladder, go kite surfing and get over it, im not going to loose sleep over it"

Top bloke

So to sum up i payed $400 for a kite that does not fly, was in horrible condition and the seller was blatantly dishonest about the kite.

I hope this can be a warning to anyone purchasing second hand gear. Have your whits about you, Most people are honest good people, but not everyone, and like me you can get stung

Regards

I had a similar experience, bought a Waroo for the Mrs from a WA instructor, he said no repairs, 1 year old kite, but the whole kite was full of small holes from, I am guessing oyster shells, had to put at least 20 pieces of repair tape on it and he didn't send the pump hose. Asked him about the situation and he basically said, you got it cheap so tough sh1t and I will and you the hose, which never turned up, the Mrs was pretty disappointed with her birthday present.....don't like to name and shame, but maybe it's time.....

i have a 08 north evo with all new valves, 0 repairs, impeccable condition bar/lines and kite for $50 less than what you paid..
not pimping my own shiznit but you got ripped off dude. Need to shop better.

if you have 2007 kites that look brand new, it's cause you've never used them

^^^^^^^Maybe he was the seller

yeah you got ripped off... I paid 1100 for a kite once in similar condition although a newer model, advertised in good condition...thing was a peice of shiz....In my case the dude saw reason after some threats of a non-violent nature and returned my cash... There is ways mate...
Its hard to say never buy unseen, online buying is fast becoming the premier way to shop(not saying its the best)
If your buying online and within aus, there are laws that protect you just like normal shopping(2nd hand as well)
I think the best way is to pay half then half again on delivery and inspection...

2 sides to every story, and i bet the seller gives a different version.
yeah it's crap if you get sold a poor condition kite, but it doesn't sound that bad for $400 and the bladder issue sounds easily fixed.

best advice ever given to me was,

'buy nice or buy twice'

In my early days I was always buying second hand kites to save some cash.

It actually works out cheaper to buy a new or near new kite and it will last for a few season if you look after it. As opposed to getting one repaired all the time and missing out on windy days while your kite is down for repairs.

Cant put a price on missing out on windy days.

My recommendation for other people who are buying used kites, is to go with with a kite dealer. Prices might be inflated a little but you atleast have the reputation of a company behind it which hopefully will offer some kind of warranty.
Im currently looking for a secondhand kite to add to my quiver and i have spent plenty of time researching the kite to know that i will get what im looking for.
Ensure you ask if the bar and lines are original with the kite, for instance i was looking at a secondhand slingshot that the add said comes complete with bar and lines etc. Apon asking the seller if it comes with the original slingshot bar and lines (2010 bar set up) he replyed with no it comes with an old North bar set up.
Now all my other kites are slingshot and the main reason im wanting another slingy is because the bar and lines are unbreakable.
Im also sure there are plenty of honest guys out there who are selling quality gear privately, but like everything TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!
just my 2cents worth

Yeh been there mate. Thats why even second hand I will always go through a retailer I trust. They have a vested interest in looking after you as in time you will buy new new or new off them. That doesn't help your situation. Repair the bladders and move on.

You would think you could trust a fellow Seabreezer though mate...... Buying used kit off the net by other means is a big no no, but seabreeze should make you feel more comfortable.....