Buying a bike from South Island

[Espresso]

I'm looking seriously at a bike currently in lower south island - if I purchase I would have it trucked up. This is a private sale and purchase, Trade Me listing.

I don't really want to fork over the entire purchase price before it gets here, but what about the seller, he probably won't want it gone without the cash...what's the standard practice for this type of transaction?

It'll cost about $500 to get it transported one way - I'm paying.

[ready4whatever]

you pay he drops it at the courier. dont know about the deposit? half now half after? not sure

[The Pastor]

A flight down to inspect it wont cost much

the ride home would be worth it alone

[Mystic13]

I've sold a few out of towners and someone in Christchurch bought a bike of me in Aucks. payment in full and biketranz. Check the persons feedback, ask heaps of questions and make sure there are a fair amount of good pics and descriptions.

I've been caught out twice. Once on a motorbike by a vehicle trader in Hamiltron. His argument was that if you don't look first then it's your own fault. He felt that he didn't have to be honest in the description or answering questions.

Once buying a BMX bike for my son. Bike was two years old and described as being in Fair Condition. What wasn't said was, it had a ripped seat, broken front brake cable, 8 dents in the rear rim. Rust to Christmas. The bike had been seriously abused and neglected. The bike was better described in poor to very poor condition.

It's always safer to wander down and check before handing over cash. That way you can check that the bike matches the description.

If it goes wrong you have a legal fight. Mostly disputes tribunal.

[Shaun S]

Get a southerner on this site to check it out first.

[GOONR]

Get a southerner on this site to check it out first.

+1, that is what I would do.

[kiwi123]

My workmate had a car sale fall through because the buyer had sold his car to a guy who only paid him a deposit and took the car (and actually convinced him to change the ownership over) before being paid the balance and then he never heard from him again. From memory it was a 24k car with a 3k deposit paid. I'm not sure how he got on, but with no written contract and his signature on the change of ownership papers it would have been a tough fight.

Do you know anyone down there who could look at the bike for you and verify the condition etc? Maybe a pre-purchase inspection at a local shop?

[duckonin]

You want the bike, so go on down South and only pay if you and only you are happy with your pruchase as it is your money after all..TRUST NO ONE....

As another has said the ride home would be worth the trip 100%

[Mully]

Get a southerner on this site to check it out first.

Hmm, see, I have issues with this. While I'm sure people on here would check it out in good faith, if something goes wrong shortly thereafter, it's a (usually public) shitfight on here.
"XYZ checked out a bike, said it was fine and it's stuffed. The gearbox fell out. They should pay for my new gearbox" and so on.

IMO, get the guy to take it to a bikeshop of your choice. Talk to the mechanic at the shop first and tell them you want a through pre-purchase check done. Pay on your credit card over the phone (If you pay for the check, you own the check) and get them to send the report to you only. You then also have comeback if there's a serious flaw that they don't see that they reasonably should have seen.

If it all checks out, get a one-way Jetstar flight and ride home.

[keithbuckby]

I would get it checked by a shop, the seller should be glad to do it if it meant a sale

[SVboy]

I have bought two [late model] bikes sight unseen. One off TM and one off here. In both cases I was thrilled with the condition. For the one off here, I got a mate to check it out, and his report backed up the sellers description. Conversely, I recently asked some Wellington KBers to check out an older bike up there, and chose not to proceed, based on their feedback. I have checked out a bike for a kber and felt I could provide accurate feedback. I am sure someone down here could help you....THEN come down and ride it back over fun roads!!

[James Deuce]

+1, that is what I would do.

I wouldn't. They're all shaved monkeys down there.

[Bend-it]

Hmm, see, I have issues with this. While I'm sure people on here would check it out in good faith, if something goes wrong shortly thereafter, it's a (usually public) shitfight on here.
"XYZ checked out a bike, said it was fine and it's stuffed. The gearbox fell out. They should pay for my new gearbox" and so on.

Yeah, IF you do get someone on here to check it out for you, then they are doing you a favour, so you'll be thanking them and buying them some beers for their time and there's NO COMEBACK...

If you're worried, get it checked out by a shop, like eee said... I once bought a bike from Dunedin, got it shecked out at the shop etc... and then found out that the guy worked there!! Haha! All good though... it was as described... The thing is, if you paid for the check, then you have a comeback if there was any dodgy business going on...

[CookMySock]

While I'm sure people on here would check it out in good faith, if something goes wrong shortly thereafter, it's a (usually public) shitfight on here.
"XYZ checked out a bike, said it was fine and it's stuffed. The gearbox fell out. They should pay for my new gearbox" and so on.

It's fair to feel irritated when something goes wrong, but to accuse those who were helping is really poor form. Poor form that is clear to everyone.

Basically, I won't buy a bike from too far away, as it's just too much hassle and it's no ones' problem except my own if it turns to crap.

Steve

[98tls]

I wouldn't. They're all shaved monkeys down there.

Oi fuck off,i havent shaved for months.