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Motorcycle Forum / General / Motorcycles / August 2007How to sell a bike securely?
I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding teenage boys who seem only interested in where the bikes are kept (presumably so they can come by at 2 AM and steal them). When I get calls like that I usually say the bike is in storage and I can meet them somewhere, at which they lose interest fast. However I may have lost some sales by being too cautious. What's the best way to handle this? I had a few people over to see my bikes, but they all sounded on the phone like responsible adults. Guess I was lucky because they all were; even when they didn't buy the bikes at least they didn't steal them. Also what about test rides; I've heard of unscrupulous "buyers" taking a test ride and not returning. Any ideas appreciated. Sean_Q_ > I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise > on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Also what about test rides; I've heard of unscrupulous "buyers" > taking a test ride and not returning. Asking for a test ride is IMO quite reasonable before buying a used bike. However it's also reasonable for you to make sure that they have a motorcycle endorsement on their license--while you're looking at their license to confirm that, make sure the picture matches the face and write the number down, or even better, hold onto the license until they get back. If you want to be really cautious then don't let anybody ride it unless he arrives on a motorcycle (also a reasonable precaution--it means that he can ride well enough to get to wherever you are as opposed to just passing the MSF course or wobbling around the figure 8 at the DMV) and you have his bike as security.  Signature-- --John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net) > I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise > on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Sean_Q_ First off, if they drive up in a car/truck and elave it there while taking a test drive, they'll likely return. secondly, if you have more than one bike, ride behind them, As for stealing, just sell them fast; that'll prevent them from being stolen :)- I've sold vehicles on craigslist, eBAY and have never had a problem. Most of the time, though, folks who say they are coming over never do. Doesn't mean that they want to know where you live as much as they have 100 other leads and your bike is just one. I wou;dn't sweat it. Greg ...giving strangers my address over the phone = "there are stealable goodies at this location". Some years ago my XL250 was stolen right out of the back yard. Turned out there was a nest of teenage thieves living in a big warren of a house several blocks away, and they would rip off whatever they could from all the neighbors (I heard lots of stories later on). Eventually they moved away and the thievery stopped. Well I suppose I could chain and padlock the bikes at night. However, while I'm advertising them I don't even park my Harley here (it's stashed at the blueberry farm). The S40 is here, but stashed around the other side of the house from the driveway, hidden behind some junky-looking plywood. Bummer eh? Beautiful weather, maybe the last of the season and I can't even ride my Glide. Sean_Q_ >Well I suppose I could chain and padlock the bikes at night. >However, while I'm advertising them I don't even park my Harley >here (it's stashed at the blueberry farm). The S40 is here, but >stashed around the other side of the house from the driveway, >hidden behind some junky-looking plywood. Just insure the damn things. -- Remember It is the VETERAN , not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN , not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN , Not the Campus Organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN , not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. >>Well I suppose I could chain and padlock the bikes at night. >>However, while I'm advertising them I don't even park my Harley [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Just insure the damn things. Incidentally, Progressive told me while I was putting the Electra Glide on the policy that the definition of an occasional rider is one that rides it less than 12 times a year, so whatever coverages a person has will be in effect when a properly licensed rider test rides the bike. Robert >>>Well I suppose I could chain and padlock the bikes at night. >>>However, while I'm advertising them I don't even park my Harley [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Robert I have not checked to see if my policy has that. My guess is it doesn't. Now my auto insurance covers me for driving other peoples cars, such as rentals, and I wonder if that would cover me riding someone elses bike. I wonder if my bike insurance does. I will have to ask. -- Remember It is the VETERAN , not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN , not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN , Not the Campus Organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN , not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. >>>>Well I suppose I could chain and padlock the bikes at night. >>>>However, while I'm advertising them I don't even park my Harley [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > One of the side benefits of our government insurance is that everybody with the appropriate license is insured for any insured vehicle. Frankly, getting an insured vehicle stolen is just as good as selling it in my book. Just costs me a $200 deductible which is the rough cost of advertizing and safety. SignatureBob Mann Sex is like air; it's not important unless you aren't getting any >One of the side benefits of our government insurance is that everybody >with the appropriate license is insured for any insured vehicle. Well seeing as you pay twice the cost of private insurance it's only fair you are covered for more than one vehicle. <g> -- Remember It is the VETERAN , not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN , not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN , Not the Campus Organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN , not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. >>One of the side benefits of our government insurance is that everybody >>with the appropriate license is insured for any insured vehicle. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Damn right. It (m/c insurance) is one giant failing of this government insurance and one neither of the two main parties has ever done a damn thing about. Car insurance is reasonable (by comparison) at about half the price. There is one stipulation; my insurance doesn't cover riding/driving to work since I have "pleasure" insurance rather than "all purpose" on all my vehicles. SignatureBob Mann Sex is like air; it's not important unless you aren't getting any >>>One of the side benefits of our government insurance is that everybody >>>with the appropriate license is insured for any insured vehicle. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >work since I have "pleasure" insurance rather than "all purpose" on >all my vehicles. Retirement must be fun! What was going to be a four day weekend, today got reduced to a one day weekend, Saturday, and I am pissed about it. Maybe I should check out my pension and see if I have hit the magic number yet. -- Remember It is the VETERAN , not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN , not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN , Not the Campus Organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN , not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. >>>>One of the side benefits of our government insurance is that everybody >>>>with the appropriate license is insured for any insured vehicle. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] >number yet. > Well, so far this year I have taken the m/c to Tennessee, Sioux City and Calgary, flown to LA to drive a Miata back to Winnipeg and just completed a driving vacation with my wife to Niagara Falls, Montreal, Quebec City and Minneapolis. Couldn't have done much of that if I was working for a living although I did get 6 weeks a year. (and had more than that saved as well) All that just since June 1. Now it's time to either get back to finishing my home projects or go to work to pay someone else to do them. SignatureBob Mann Sex is like air; it's not important unless you aren't getting any >Well, so far this year I have taken the m/c to Tennessee, Sioux City >and Calgary, flown to LA to drive a Miata back to Winnipeg and just >completed a driving vacation with my wife to Niagara Falls, Montreal, >Quebec City and Minneapolis. Yeah but what did you do with your spare time? >Couldn't have done much of that if I was working for a living although >I did get 6 weeks a year. (and had more than that saved as well) >All that just since June 1. Work has been keeping me busier than usual this year and my riding time has been reduced. Even this weekend I have to work Sunday and Monday. With that I have been able to do the Moab ride last June, Osoyoos in May and Kamloops a couple of weeks back. I had to cancel my Vancouver Island ride. Four or five of us are going for a four day casual cruise through the Rockies Sept. 14, 15, 16, 17. Not a lot of miles but good company and great scenery. Room for one more if you have the time. >Now it's time to either get back to finishing my home projects or go >to work to pay someone else to do them. Yeah go back to work. Misery loves company and it will make me feel better. ;-) -- Remember It is the VETERAN , not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN , not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN , Not the Campus Organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN , not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. >>Well, so far this year I have taken the m/c to Tennessee, Sioux City >>and Calgary, flown to LA to drive a Miata back to Winnipeg and just [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >May and Kamloops a couple of weeks back. I had to cancel my Vancouver >Island ride. That sucks. >Four or five of us are going for a four day casual cruise through the >Rockies Sept. 14, 15, 16, 17. Not a lot of miles but good company and >great scenery. Room for one more if you have the time. I'd like to get one more in but I think I have pushed the patience of my wife far enough. :-) I doubt I will have the time anyway. That should coincide with some electrical work we're getting done and I have taken off twice now during things like that. >>Now it's time to either get back to finishing my home projects or go >>to work to pay someone else to do them. > >Yeah go back to work. Misery loves company and it will make me feel >better. ;-) > Relieving boredom can get quite expensive. :-) SignatureBob Mann Sex is like air; it's not important unless you aren't getting any > ...giving strangers my address over the phone = "there are > stealable goodies at this location". [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Bummer eh? Beautiful weather, maybe the last of the season and > I can't even ride my Glide. I keep both of my bikes in the garage and let my truck sit outside. Last month the guy next door had his very nice chrome grill stolen off of his Chevy P/U but mine's a Dakota so no worry there. Get a shed put up in your yard and keep the bikes in there. I used to keep my Nighthawk in one but I prefer to keep a bike warm though the winter now. Robert > ...giving strangers my address over the phone = "there are > stealable goodies at this location". [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > stories later on). Eventually they moved away and the thievery > stopped. To me this falls in the same category as parents who are paranoid about pictures of their kids online because some pervert might hunt them down. Kids and motorcycles are rather plentiful and not hard to find. I'm not an experienced thief, but it seems easy enough to find one you have no connection with and steal it, rather than choosing one simply because it's in the paper, on the Internet, etc. Especially since calling leaves evidence. Granted, I might feel different if I had a valuable and rare bike. There's nothing wrong with meeting at a neutral location, though if the person is a theif and has half a brain, they would simply have a friend follow you home to get your address. >I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise > on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding > teenage boys who seem only interested in where the bikes are > kept (presumably so they can come by at 2 AM and steal them). You could put them on consignment at a local bike shop? > >I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise > > on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding > > teenage boys who seem only interested in where the bikes are > > kept (presumably so they can come by at 2 AM and steal them). > > You could put them on consignment at a local bike shop? Best idea. Greg > > >I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise > > > on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Best idea. Hmmm. What's the consignment rate? SignatureTimberwoof <me at timberwoof dot com> faq: http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq.shtml It's easy to say a war is so important your neighbor should go fight it for you. >> > You could put them on consignment at a local bike shop? >> >> Best idea. > > Hmmm. What's the consignment rate? I seem to recall a local shop that advertised a flat $50 fee. But then again I am getting old and senile... I guess he'd need to ask? >>> > You could put them on consignment at a local bike shop? >>> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >I guess he'd need to ask? Last I checked around here it was 10-15% I listed my pickup and someone called to say they would sell it for $300......up front. SignatureBob Mann Sex is like air; it's not important unless you aren't getting any > Hmmm. What's the consignment rate? Most often 20%, but I've seen it as low as 10% and as high as 50%. >> >I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise >> > on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Greg Depends how much they will charge you. SignatureBob Mann Sex is like air; it's not important unless you aren't getting any > I have a few bikes for sale, mostly dirt bikes so I advertise > on Craig's... and I get a few calls from suspicious sounding [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Any ideas appreciated. Write the sales contract so that the buyer has the chance to return the bike in its original condition within one hour for a full refund. If he's not back within an hour, you assume he wants to keep it, so you send the paperwork off to the DMV. Of course, you also write sales contract so that if he breaks the bike, you keep the money. Any honest seller or buyer should have no problem with such a contract. As others have written, verify that the buyer has a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license. Write the number, name, and address down! Don't accept some other vehicle as collateral. Unless you get all kinds of paperwork to cover that transaction, you won't be able to sell it, and even then, not without a lot of hassle. Don't hand the bike over until the contract is signed and you've been paid. (And then, follow one of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition: Once you have their money, never give it back.) SignatureTimberwoof <me at timberwoof dot com> faq: http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq.shtml It's easy to say a war is so important your neighbor should go fight it for you. > And then, follow one of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition: Once > you have their money, never give it back. <Nods in agreement> SignatureBMW K1100LT 750SS CB400F CD250 CB125 SL125 GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3 BOF#30 WUSS#5 The bells, the bells..... >Also what about test rides; I've heard of unscrupulous "buyers" >taking a test ride and not returning. Have them leave you the selling price of the bike, in cash, for you to hold until their return. If they bust up the bike or don't return, they bought it. If they're just another test pilot with no intention of buying the bike, they will not have the cash and nothing is lost. -- Remember It is the VETERAN , not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN , not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN , Not the Campus Organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN , not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. |
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