There is little point trying to derail the discussion with irrelevant stuff about registration forms and verification of the collector of the item.

This is not about proving who took the boat. That is OBVIOUS - because the seller is the one who gets the info about the new owner's name. They can sight a licence, or whatever.

This discussion is about CREDIT CARD FRAUD. The processing of a chargeback at some time in the future for "unauthorised use of a credit card". And the massive hassle that then happens to try and get the money back (if at all).

Remember - if this scam occurs, you lose the item, you lose the money, and even if you file a Police Report you still don't get either item or $$ back. You'd have to persue the "buyer" in small claims court in an attempt to get the $$... and even so, what if they don't have the money to give you? Pay by installments?

There is no automatic refund for "victims of crimes". If a robber breaks into your house and steals $20,000 worth of stuff, it is totally irrelevant whether you can identify them or even the cops catch them or not, you still don't get the stuff back and the police certainly don't give you a cheque to the value of the loss..

What we are discussing here is "good practice", not absolutes. The chances of this scam occurring is small, but definitely not zero. Since there is absolutely ZERO mandatory reason to expose yourself to this risk, surely it's wise to recommend that people don't do so?