Topic: Buying a bike online

[longshanks]

I recently sold my 750 and I'm already on the hunt for a new bike. I found myself one through craigslist out of state and I've spoken with the seller and he seems honest and he's sent me video of the bike as well as pictures of the title and his name verifying he is who he says he is. So I wanted to get some advice from the forum here as to what to watch out for if I'm buying out of state. I have a brother-in-law who might be able to check the bike out for me. Also, if the sale does go down, how would I organize the transfer of sale? Have him fill out the pink releasing ownership, take a picture of it, and then send him the PayPal funds? Anyways, I'd love to hear from some of you who have had experience buying remotely or online.
Thanks!

[70CB750]

I bought titled K3 roller on ebay, paid in cash on pickup and got a signed title from the seller.  I will register it to my name when I get to it.

[longshanks]

What about doing a remote sale? Is there anything I can facilitate to make the transaction safe and protect my interests? In other words...I don't want to get boned! 

[bjbuchanan]

For starters make something like paypal a sticking point so you have something concrete to work with. Don't leave the email portion with just that you got money crap. Say payment in full for titled, running blah blah blah. By accepting the money he then acknowledges the terms and any deviation after that can be considered fraud/intent to deceive and you can go after him thru paypal and other venues

You have yourself a paper trail now which is much better than trusting a stranger. Keep your emails just in case too. The titling issue depends on state to state stuff so I'm not gonnna be much help. I know a NJ bike can more easily be title in my NY but you have to research specifics. If it has a title tho you will come out on top.

The only way you are gonna get that title signed and in your hands is if you pay first, unless the soon to be PO is literally retarded. It is just like buying any other good. Shipping is on your or him? He could always be an honest person too so it may go smoothly, no boning required

[goldarrow]

you mentioned that you have brother-in-law to check out the bike for you, why not have your in-law make the purchase in person? cash and carry.  then you can have your in-law ship the bike to you. 

[oldbob]

I bought a 400 off of C/L in Saint Louis. The seller seemed honest. However, the bike that arrived at my house was not what I thought I was buying. It had been grossly misrepresented.

I contacted the seller to voice my concerns. (I neither threatened nor swore.) Because he was not responsive, I contacted PayPal. As soon as they opened a case, the seller told them and me that he would refund my money. That's all PayPal needed to then close the case. The seller then more or less told me to pound salt. Lesson: PayPal will not help.

The truly stupid part is that I have friends in Saint Louis who would have checked the bike for me.

Bob

[Retro Rocket]

I bought a 400 off of C/L in Saint Louis. The seller seemed honest. However, the bike that arrived at my house was not what I thought I was buying. It had been grossly misrepresented.

I contacted the seller to voice my concerns. (I neither threatened nor swore.) Because he was not responsive, I contacted PayPal. As soon as they opened a case, the seller told them and me that he would refund my money. That's all PayPal needed to then close the case. The seller then more or less told me to pound salt. Lesson: PayPal will not help.

The truly stupid part is that I have friends in Saint Louis who would have checked the bike for me.

Bob

Bob, NEVER close the case until you have a refund mate, i just went through this with a head i bought, poorly packed and misrepresented, the seller told paypal exactly the same thing so i rang paypal and the said "DON'T CLOSE THE CASE TILL YOU RECEIVE A REFUND"  thats what i did and it all worked out great. Once you close the case its all over, so refund first....always...

[Stev-o]

I have bought bikes through eBay and CL.  There has to be a certain amount of trust with both parties. 
If at all possible, get someone there to check the bike out in person, I've done this a couple times with guys on this forum. Where's the bike, one of us will go check it out, we lovecto shop for bikes. 
Let's see some pics!

[cougar]

longshanks ; I don't see your location listed in your profile. Someone on the site might live near where the bike is located and would be willing to help out. I don't know what your situation is with your brother in law is but I know sometimes I'ld rather deal with someone other than family,LOL ! If nothing else someone with knowledge about our Hondas could at least go and check the bike over and relay back to you what they found out.  Just a thought.   ...cougar...

[longshanks]

My bro-in-law can't go out to see it because he's working and my sister is sick so there's really no one who can. I've already agreed on a price with the seller but I'm cautious to release info about the bike since one of you suckers might beat me to it! 
I will say that the bike is in Oregon and I live in Los Angeles. Right now, the plan of payment is for me to write him a check, take a picture of it with my name and email next to it and email that to him and send the physical check in the mail. He's going to do the same with the title filled out and mail it to me. There's got to be a better way right?

[Stev-o]

How much money are we talking? Surprised he'll take a check. I normally send cashiers check so they can be cashed immediately with no wait time.

[longshanks]

How much money are we talking? Surprised he'll take a check. I normally send cashiers check so they can be cashed immediately with no wait time.

We talked PayPal but that means he instantly gets the money and I have to wait for a title. I assume a photocopy of the title emailed to me wouldn't do much good?

[Stev-o]

I would feel pretty comfortable if my name is on the title in ink.

[goldarrow]

Use PayPal, have him send you PayPal invoice.  You can use credit card as funding source


I could let my one of my project bike go if you are interested

[goldarrow]

Here this one looks decent but no title though.  http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mcy/3661510839.html

The guy owns a shop called Justin's cycle

[longshanks]

Use PayPal, have him send you PayPal invoice.  You can use credit card as funding source


I could let my one of my project bike go if you are interested

You're selling one of your project bikes?

[goldarrow]

I have an easy project I could let go.  The tedious part is getting down to AAA to get inspection for new title.  That I don't have time for

I went through the engine and carbs maintenance already and is up and running.  Just need front fork seals replaced and oil put in and should be back on the road.   

Cosmetically typical look of project bike.  Just need clean up.

[Bankerdanny]

Are you going to drive up an get it or have it shipped to you?

If you are going to go and get the bike in person then just send him a meaningful deposit and pay the rest when you get the bike and the properly executed title (and after you have confirmed the VIN on the bike is the same as the title).

If not then I agree with the others that PayPal is the way to go so that you get some protection.