Shipping bikes and safetrader both suck

**Coyote** · 24th May 2007, 19:36

As some of you may know I'm in the middle of trying to get a VFR400. The seller and I agreed on a price and I thought 'yuss, I got a new bike!'. Well, not yet.

First of all there was finalising the bank loan, getting the money. That was a pain in the arse but that was sorted.

Then I had to use safetrader (because my parents are the most paranoid beings on this planet, except for letting me ride bikes for some bizaare reason, think it's to keep me off drugs). Safetrader is an enormous pain in the arse. They give you 7 days to complete a certain task. They gave me 7 days to sort out sending the money over via the bank, that wasn't too hard. Now we're up to shipping the bike over which the seller has 7 days to complete.

I've been in contact with biketranz for the last 2 weeks, first to get a quote then to confirm getting the bike shipped over (it's been the last few days that I was sure that the bike was going to be picked up). They were meant to pick it up today, but my mum got a call (whilst I was at school) saying that biketranz truck was full up and they couldn't take my bike, I'd have to wait till next thursday. But safetrader won't allow that, they'll return my money except for the non-refundable safetrader fee next Monday if the seller doesn't give them the track and trace number from a company they recognise.

Fortunatly from what I can tell by the emails and phone calls the seller has been understanding and joked about it being a drama, but I can relate if he's getting pretty pissed off by now.

I've tried convincing my parents to let me fly to Christchurch, crash at a mates for the night, and ride the bike home. But my parents said they're sure the bike will break down along the way and they can't rescue me from the south island.

Also the old bike broke down so I've had to rely on public transport/my crappy bmx all week and all next week.

I don't know what to do.... this is more of a rant than a plee for help but if you have any suggestions on what I should do (other than 'don't buy a honda yuo fagg0t') would be good.

**nudemetalz** · 24th May 2007, 19:41

Wow, you poor bugger !!

The easiest way, the way I've done it, is to deposit the money into his bank account, fly down there, and ride back. I know you said you're not able to, but maybe you could get someone in ChCh to go for a ride to Picton with you, just on the off chance it does break down (not that it would, those VFR's are great bikes).

**JayRacer37** · 24th May 2007, 19:49

Dooooode.
tell the 'rents your off to a mates for the night. pre-book flights and ferrys. fly down mid-morning, pick the bike up, crash at the mates (who is in chch...)

Ride north and catch a midday ferry..you'll be home for dinner!!
Just hide the bike at a mates for a week and tell your olds that it arrived by biketranz during the week.

Simple, like!!!

Its a Honda..it's not going to break down.....

**Coyote** · 24th May 2007, 19:52

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Wow, you poor bugger !!

The easiest way, the way I've done it, is to deposit the money into his bank account, fly down there, and ride back. I know you said you're not able to, but maybe you could get someone in ChCh to go for a ride to Picton with you, just on the off chance it does break down (not that it would, those VFR's are great bikes).

Good idea. First guy that comes to mind is Zorst. Might have to ask him if he wants to go for a ride. If he can't manage it I'll have to ask on here

Might have to give up on safetrader, another $25 lost like on the VIR reports for the last few bikes I was interested in

**Delphinus** · 24th May 2007, 20:05

Did you find the VIR stuff useful? Worth doing?

**Mr. Peanut** · 24th May 2007, 20:14

Always always always do a VIR.

You do not want a repo man knocking on your door because of some other scumbags debt.

**limbimtimwim** · 24th May 2007, 21:03

Join the Honda Riders Club. Then you can get rescued if it breaks down. They'll get you and bike to the nearest Honda dealer. Doesn't cost much either, only $45.

http://www.hondaridersclub.co.nz/

Then you can ride from ChCh to Picton.

Even on a bike under warranty, I feel much better riding around with some sort of breakdown service. And the AA are a bunch of dicks these days.

**Coyote** · 24th May 2007, 21:04

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Did you find the VIR stuff useful? Worth doing?

Originally Posted by Fumeux

Always always always do a VIR.

You do not want a repo man knocking on your door because of some other scumbags debt.

Agreed, always go for it. I'm a bit miffed that it costs $25 when it seems like a bank can check your vehicles details at the drop of a hat for free (like when I secured the loan on my Dad's car) but it did show that the odometer went around on the first bike I was interested in and it saved me $3000 when you think about it

**Coyote** · 24th May 2007, 21:07

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Join the Honda Riders Club. Then you can get rescued if it breaks down. They'll get you and bike to the nearest Honda dealer. Doesn't cost much either, only $45.

http://www.hondaridersclub.co.nz/

Then you can ride from ChCh to Picton.

Even on a bike under warranty, I feel much better riding around with some sort of breakdown service. And the AA are a bunch of dicks these days.

I forgot about them. Used to be in the club when I had my old CRF150. I'll probably join up again but it'd still be good to have someone tag along because mobile reception is pretty poor apparently

**Coyote** · 24th May 2007, 21:10

Originally Posted by JayRacer37

Dooooode.
tell the 'rents your off to a mates for the night. pre-book flights and ferrys. fly down mid-morning, pick the bike up, crash at the mates (who is in chch...)

Ride north and catch a midday ferry..you'll be home for dinner!!
Just hide the bike at a mates for a week and tell your olds that it arrived by biketranz during the week.

Simple, like!!!

Its a Honda..it's not going to break down.....

I'll look into how much it all costs. $320 is a lot to ship a bike, it's all dead money. I'd rather take a trip if it'll cost the same or only a bit more

My parents have had it pretty damn lucky that I'm so obediant. Yet they still expect more...

**Nutter34** · 25th May 2007, 15:27

Well, what I did last week, I flew to Hamilton from Nelson, cost $209, rode the bike to Welly, caught a ferry sunday, ferry was $100, fuel etc all up, about $90. It should be less for you since the distances are less. Well worth it and you get to know the bike at the same time. If the bike's got a recent WOF, it SHOULD be an indication the bike is in reasonably good nick.

So, I vote for fly down and ride back...

**breakaway** · 25th May 2007, 15:53

Originally Posted by Coyote

I'll look into how much it all costs. $320 is a lot to ship a bike, it's all dead money. I'd rather take a trip if it'll cost the same or only a bit more

My parents have had it pretty damn lucky that I'm so obediant. Yet they still expect more...

I just got quoted $430 by biketranz to move my bike from Auckland to Christchurch.

**ynot slow** · 25th May 2007, 18:19

phone pacifica shipping in wellington,they go to christchurch to wellington every couple of days,phone no is 04-4728381,i was after a car in chch and to ship from littleton wharf to wgtn was $300,bike should be cheaper than that,if they do take bikes,not sure if they do,but then jump on plane or train to wellywood,drive back,may save some $$,may not. if you can get bike to wharf that may help cost.

**bbbimportsparts** · 25th May 2007, 21:44

have you tried cycle move 07 8821285 or email mtsmts@xtra.co.nz, have used them and they do a good job cost is around $325 from ch/ch to welly they x over on the monday, hope this helps