my 21 yr old son is looking to buy a used motorcycle so i'm trying to help. i contacted this person who has an add running in our local area with a bike for sale. he said to make this deal 100% safe, the money goes to a third party, he'll ship the bike, have 2 days to test drive and decide if he wants to buy it. if so, the money goes from 3rd party to him, the bike stays with us. if we dont want it, he'll pay to have it shipped back.
the catch is it's a very nice street bike with very low mileage for only $2,700.00. can this be too good to be true? is it possible for him to get loads of $ from people and sell nothing? how would the 3rd party thing work?
2007-07-25 20:19:44 · 16 answers · asked by dacook 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
To be entirely honest I have never heard of any 3rd party system for buying something. If the person wishes to sell a product generally (the obvious) money goes directly to him.
Now, especially on a motorcycle, for you to give someone money and then ride the bike around for 2 days to see if you like it? I'm not sure about any other state but in MA it is like pulling teeth to let a dealer even let you take a bike out around the lot to see what it is like.
I've not known anyone to let a 'newbie' (which I am as well) rider just take the bike for a few days. With a car it is a little different -- bikes have a much higher tendancy to tip over (especially if your new). Quite often any slight tippage of the bike can cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage to the plastic fairings (or even scuffed engine parts on a cruiser bike).
I would be very leary of any offerings that sounded like that. He'll ship the bike and if you don't like it he'll ship it back? -- so for a $2,700 bike he's willing to possibly be out a few hundred bucks in shipping if you should not like it -- and presumably he'll do this for not just you but for anyone who wants to 'try it out'-- yeah, thats a red flag right there, sorry. Not to mention the legalities of registering a bike for the road etc.
My personal opinion -- avoid this offer.
2007-07-26 01:52:43 · answer #1 · answered by Peter S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't have all of the information in front of me but yes there is a shipping company that manages this. He gives them the bike you give them the money. When both parties are satisfied he gets his money and you get your title. I live in Ohio and a guy from California wanted my bike and we were going to do this. Here's the catch. The bike is costing you 2,700 but you will have to pay and additional 500 for the shipping and transaction bringing your total to at least 3,200.
If you are not satisfied with the bike he'll pay to get it shipped back to him but you are still out 500.
I don't know if there is a rating system like eBay or not but people being they way they are make sure you check everything out before you decide to make the transaction.
Me myself would keep looking for a bike that is closer to my area unless you have total confidence in this kind of transaction. Good Luck.
2007-07-26 06:38:12 · answer #2 · answered by blastabuelliac 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That definitely sounds shady. If it's too good to be true,it usually is. I think it's a scam. Don't give them any money! Go directly to a bike dealer/lot. There shouldn't be any third party involved. The process should be about the same as buying a car would. Anything else is a SCAM.
2007-07-26 03:24:11 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Kay 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You get the money in cash to him--then you even see the money given to a 3rd person--looks real honest. then the bike is given and the ride proves to be bad or it runs bad and when you want the money back, you all go to the 3rd party who hands you a big envelop and thendistracts you with apologies and looks at the bike until they can get you to leave...then when you look in the envelop--it is just a pile of white paper and they are GONE. Buy from a dealer--it is worth the extra bucks. let your son work a while for the extra money he will need--it won't kill him.
2007-07-26 06:15:38 · answer #4 · answered by fire_inur_eyes 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
YES !!! This has scam written all over it. I've come across these types of ads posted on Kijiji Classifieds for a Harley Davidson bike for $7000.00. The bike would sell for $20,000.00 anywhere else. The seller wanted to use e-bay as the 3rd party. I reported him to Kijiji and they deleted his ad. DON'T send any money or it will be the last you see of it.
2007-07-26 06:04:39 · answer #5 · answered by trannyman166 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
yes. it sounds too good to be true it usually is.
this 3rd party thing is the most common ways people are taking your money, cashing your western union or check, and can even steal your identity.
Allows follow your gut instints, that why we have them.
Okay mamma? you will find another bike, maybe at a shop that offers payment plan.
the good news, not to worry, it's not the only bike.
i wish u the best of luck, and invest in a good helmet!!
2007-07-26 03:25:52 · answer #6 · answered by Lilly 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The bike will be sold to as many people as they can, they will disappear with the money, and they likely don't even own the bike in the first place.
2007-07-26 05:43:05 · answer #7 · answered by Fred C 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
test drive the bike, transfer title to you and the seller gets the money. There is no reason for third party. I wouldn't trust seller.
2007-07-26 03:26:59 · answer #8 · answered by Maximus 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Companies like escrow.com provide the 3rd party service you may be refering to.
This type of escrow service protects both buyer and seller in an online vehicle transaction.
2007-07-26 11:18:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its called a "Pigeon Drop". The third party has no connection to the motorcycle . Your money will disappear and the actual owner (if there is one) will disavow knowledge of the agreement.
Report them to the Bunko or Fraud Squad.
2007-07-26 04:06:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋