Selling, avoiding the scam. Help please

[Disco Dan]

Been contacted by a buyer regarding bike - agreed on price but kept emailing me asking me to ride it down to Wellington, he would pay for gas and my flight back etc etc. I declined and the guy is now saying he is paying for a transport company to ship it down.

I have said to him I will not be letting the bike out of my sight and onto the truck unless $$ in my account. Guy wants to give me deposit and asked me to take ad down, but has not said he as agreed/disagreed with money in account condition prior to shipping. I have not taken ad down, nor received any money.

How can I make sure change of ownership happens on his end?
Is it okay to say I wont give up bike onto truck until money clears?

The big thing for me is if this guy is really a biker why not fly up and ride it down himself? He's prepared to pay me to flipping do it and prepared to pay more for a transport company to do it? Sounds like a cowboy trying to scam me just because of that...

[nerrrd]

Is it okay to say I wont give up bike onto truck until money clears?

No expert, but I would say hell yeah! I've never sent off anything I've sold on Trademe until I've been given the money for it, and that's been chump change compared to the cost of a bike.

[John_H]

I can't think of any situation that someone would part with their item prior to receiving payment.

[Bender]

He pay, you send.

What part of that does he not understand?

[The Baron]

It's a scam.

No deposit - you are not his bank.

Payment in full up front.

If he is not paying you up front, you are giving the bike away, and is that what you want to do?

[Katman]

Sounds like a cowboy trying to scam me just because of that...

Did you disclose the correct mileage this time?

[kiwi cowboy]

Been contacted by a buyer regarding bike - agreed on price but kept emailing me asking me to ride it down to Wellington, he would pay for gas and my flight back etc etc. I declined and the guy is now saying he is paying for a transport company to ship it down.

I have said to him I will not be letting the bike out of my sight and onto the truck unless $$ in my account. Guy wants to give me deposit and asked me to take ad down, but has not said he as agreed/disagreed with money in account condition prior to shipping. I have not taken ad down, nor received any money.

How can I make sure change of ownership happens on his end?
Is it okay to say I wont give up bike onto truck until money clears?

The big thing for me is if this guy is really a biker why not fly up and ride it down himself? He's prepared to pay me to flipping do it and prepared to pay more for a transport company to do it? Sounds like a cowboy trying to scam me just because of that...


I cry scam too and one more thing.
Tell him you want payment in full in your account for 24 full hours before the bike leaves you and you want a photocopy of his licence as proof of his identity.

People don't realise that you can cancel a transaction within 24 hours and be reversed so if the money shows in your acc the morning of pickup he may have still reversed it.

[Dougnelson]

Either he pays in full or if he wants to be certain the bike is as described he should fly up and see the bike or have the bike inspected. I sold my bike off Trademe to a guy who didn't have the time to inspect it. He paid in full and he arranged delivery. If he wants you to ride down then he should pay a deposit that covers your petrol and return journey in case he backs out of the deal once you get there. And maybe some extra for your time too.

[Oakie]

If the guy has a short history on TM then you are correct to be wary. If he's been there for years though with many many trades then much less likely to be a scam. Just saying. You know he could have the same fears ... parting with his money and then not getting the goods.

When I bought the Bandit I paid half up front and then the other half when it was confirmed the bike had been picked up by the transporter. More than one way to skin a cat. Again though ... just saying. I'm fairly trusting but then again, I've never been burned. Do what gives you comfort dude.

[Wingnut]

Have a mate who utilized a local bike shop as a third party for the transaction.Bike was delivered there prior to transfer of funds and remained there till funds transaction cleared. Was all at the request of the purchaser. Was a bit odd but seemed to work fine for all concerned.

[Jjgres]

Sounds hokey. Get cash before the bike leaves. Leave the sale ad up. Any real buyer will understand how it works.

[Laava]

Have a mate who utilized a local bike shop as a third party for the transaction.Bike was delivered there prior to transfer of funds and remained there till funds transaction cleared. Was all at the request of the purchaser. Was a bit odd but seemed to work fine for all concerned.

Yes! I did this when i bought my Buell. I paid for an inspection and when they gave it the thumbs up I paid the guy and went to the bike shop to collect.
Thanks again Crasher!
But yes, you want all the money before handing over. No exception.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-595917557.htm
He has 100% feedback tho?

[Mom]

$$$ in account, in full and cleared funds. That would be the only way I would be continuing dialogue with this buyer.

You needed to ask that question?

[iYRe]

100% paid and proof change of ownership has been done online.. easy.

[YellowDog]

He's Trademe profile says he wont be scamming you.

Unless of course he's stolen a legit profile.

I'd meet the guy and do the deal :yes:

[BMWST?]

100% paid and proof change of ownership has been done online.. easy.

the seller has the responsibility to change the ownership which you commence by sending of a form,its completed when he does his bit

[iYRe]

the seller has the responsibility to change the ownership which you commence by sending of a form,its completed when he does his bit

Yes, but that's also the "old" way. If someone buys a vehicle from me, i get my laptop, take it with me, and use my phone as a hotspot, and make sure its all done on the spot, and I'll pay. I've had too many of these come back and bite me. You do you end as seller, and then they can do theirs. If they dont, you can cancel your end and retain ownership.

So, they send the money, you initiate ownership change, they do theirs, then you release the vehicle. Simple.

[Maha]

My latest dealing with a tm buyer was...interesting to say the least.
He accepted the fixed price offer, I sent him an email about it (payment details etc) and it took another two days to hear from him. Then I said I wanted the money in my account by Wednesday (of last week) Heard nothing, so I emailed him again on the Tuesday and told him that there were two other buyers wanting the bike, and that I would offer it up to them if I didn't see the money. That's when he replied saying the money would be in my account on Wednesday as stated. And it was, then he wanted to come and pick it up on Friday around 6pm...yip no problem, come 10 pm he still was not here. Communication with this buyer was terrible. He text me yesterday to see if it was ok to come and get the bike at 5pm...and he did. In the end, he got the bike and I got paid but fuck, what a headache.

When the time comes to buy again, I will be trading in.

[imdying]

Don't worry about change of ownership, you just fill in the disposed of motor vehicle form on the net and then it's his problem.

[Disco Dan]

Thanks all, I rang the bank as money went through late last night - double checked with them and they said it cannot be reversed.

BikeTranz just arrived and took the bike - $280 Auckland to Welly, door to door - seems pretty dam good to me. Stuff flying down and riding up next time I buy a vehicle out of town!

[Balding Eagle]

I have had a similar experience with a car I was selling through TradeMe. I won't bore you with all the details but it is a scam. Do NOT give up your property until you have the money in your bank account.

[caspernz]

My latest dealing with a tm buyer was...interesting to say the least.

When the time comes to buy again, I will be trading in.

Haha, that's been my experience with cars and bikes as well. Some good, but mostly time consuming and annoying. Conclusion is that trading in and letting the dealer have a bit of margin in exchange for the convenience....works for me :2thumbsup