Transport company fucked bike in transit, now seller wants money from me

[breakaway]

Because it might help someone else avoid the same situation?

Perhaps it could be worthwhile photographing a bike at the transport company when it's dropped off, as proof of condition and also if the company knows it's condition is recorded they might be extra careful.

Yes. This exactly.

If you're EVER going to have a bike shipped, make the person doing this shipping take a lot of photos of every corner of the bike - especially more so for bikes that haven't been damaged.

Like someone said, hindsight 20/20.

I've been corresponding with the guy to help him get this sorted out and he's calmed down now and decided to go after the carrier. I could have just told him to get fucked and left it at that, but I have no problems putting it right. And his initial reaction is understandable.

Edit: Thanks to those of you that have PMed me with advice.

[lankyman]

Presume you mean that the buyer organised the transport

If so, they were HIS agents, and as such it is on him to sort it with them.

Second that

[Swoop]

If you have taken digital photos of the bike, they should have a date/time on their file somewhere, so he can clearly see the condition at that exact time.

We look forward to finding out the carrier's details...

[bogan]

If you have taken digital photos of the bike, they should have a date/time on their file somewhere, so he can clearly see the condition at that exact time.

We look forward to finding out the carrier's details...

as someone said earlier though, it could be that the buyer dropped it and is now trying to scam the seller... so be carefully with naming the company.

[breakaway]

as someone said earlier though, it could be that the buyer dropped it and is now trying to scam the seller... so be carefully with naming the company.

While unlikely, it is a possibility. This is why I haven't named the company yet. But I'll say this much - its definitely not one of the more popular ones.

[dingonz]

Ive been in the transport game for years and as i see it the company has left themselves wide open for an arguement as if they where a presentable company they should have given you a copy of the cartage docket and in vehicle transport they have a picture of a car/bike on all angles so they can curcle on the diagram any damage. if and i say if this bike was delivered to them damaged they would have noted that on the docket so I would be saying to your buyer Im very sorry but this bike left as the photos and add stated, you organised the shipping so good luck. I have just bought a trike down south and getting it transported up here by general carrier, now i presume it has left as per photos but if it dosnt arrive in the same condition the 1st people i will be speaking to is the carrier. good luck m8

[prncsjd]

Good to see it has been sorted. At the end of the day this is all the buyers fault because I bet he went for the cheapest company out there. Legally NO motorcycle transport companies can insure bikes whilst in transit. They have a carriers Liability of up to $1500 but thats if something stupid happens like the truck rolling down a cliff. Upon dropping the bike off the company should have gone over the bike and noted the condition and got you to sign a waiver. Not only that but your buyer should have known that 99% of companys say all bikes are transported at the owners risk.

[Mikkel]

Good to see it has been sorted. At the end of the day this is all the buyers fault because I bet he went for the cheapest company out there. Legally NO motorcycle transport companies can insure bikes whilst in transit. They have a carriers Liability of up to $1500 but thats if something stupid happens like the truck rolling down a cliff. Upon dropping the bike off the company should have gone over the bike and noted the condition and got you to sign a waiver. Not only that but your buyer should have known that 99% of companys say all bikes are transported at the owners risk.

Interesting. So would your own insurance cover the bike while in transit or what can you do to insure your vehicle during transport?

[p.dath]

Interesting. So would your own insurance cover the bike while in transit or what can you do to insure your vehicle during transport?

You can get something called something like "marine cargo cover" for "local transit", which covers goods in transit. We use it at work for stuff we send on couriers. We got it after a courier company wrote off something llike $24k of goods in a single shipment (the goods were inside of a steel box made out of something like 4mm thick steel - and the box was almost squashed!).

However I disagree with prncsjd. I beliebe the $1500 limited liability cover DOES include damage and loss of goods. It's just limited to $1500. Basically it covers all liability, but limits that liability to $1500.

An a cartage company certainly can offer insurance, but it would have to be underwritten by an bonded insurer. Typically they would just outsource the insurance part to the insurance company directly. But I suggest its better to get the insurance directly because if an issue occurrs, its better to be dealing with your insurance company, rather than their insurance company.

[breakaway]

Just to clarify, nothing has been "sorted out" just yet. The buyer has simply stopped contacting me. This could mean the transport company has settled him (unlikely). More likely that he just can't be arsed chasing this up.

[CookMySock]

Just to clarify, nothing has been "sorted out" just yet. The buyer has simply stopped contacting me.

Sounds pretty "sorted" to me.

Steve

[kwaka_crasher]

Carriage of Goods Act covers damage from negligence too not just accident.

This reminds me of a funny story I heard once - probably an urban myth. An expensive car being greighted by ship. In the process of being lifted onto the ship by crane it was accidently dropped into the drink between the ship and the wharf (which makes me immediately suspicious as to the authenticity of the story given the small gap that it would have to fall through). It was insured for transit and insured on the wharf but not for the lift. Result: no insurance payout.

Sounds pretty "sorted" to me.

Me too...

[Cary]

Put yourself in his shoes. Then do what you would like done if you were him.

This is a good point. Try and negotiate.

You could walk away as you did take it to the dealer for check. It's the arshole shipping company that needs to front up which will have to come from him as he organised and paid for it.

[CookMySock]

Try and negotiate.

nooooo, its paid.... think about it.



Steve

[offrd]

Was the transport company JEFFS?

Shame on you jeffs like on target! Drop the motorbike and not want to pay the $1500.00

Poor Kenny that dropped it was not really a transport driver and had no idea on bikes..

Yeah not the same story or bike but it happens.

Dont even get a wheelbarrow transported by JEFFS.....

Just my .02c