buying used off eBay out of state

[DarkDucati]

Seeing lots of used Ducati models I'm interested in lately on eBay, but mostly out of state. 

I've never done an online vehicle purchase via eBay, let alone an out of state, haven't seen it up close purchase.

Anyone here have any success or advice for used Ducs via eBay?  Anyone use their vehicle inspection report service prior to purchase?

[Punx Clever]

try to get a look at it.  if you can't go out and see it... maybee some relatives?

[He Man]

i wouldnt buy from a seller who isnt willing to take a shitload of pics and post them up.

[No_Normale]

We found my 2004 S4R on eBay- The person had taken lots of pics and it was (luckily) only 4 hours drive away. We did not make final payment until looking it over in person. Got an awesome deal on it... only had 300 miles to boot!

Some great deals can be found on eBay but I would recommend getting at least a look and also touching base with the seller. You can tell a lot by the way a seller responds or ignores your questions. Above all else- do your research- if you know what you are looking for and ask intelligent questions about the product you are much more likely to get exactly what you are paying for.

Just my two cents...

[Speedbag]

Years back I bought my '94 M900 off eBay sight unseen.

The seller took the time to write a volume of an e-mail regarding my questions (and obviously was quite literate, I might add), complete with tons of pics of everything I asked for. He said if it wasn't everything he said it was I didn't have to take it when I got there. I had total confidence in bidding.

It turned out great. Any serious seller should accommodate.

[DarkDucati]

Years back I bought my '94 M900 off eBay sight unseen...
It turned out great. Any serious seller should accommodate.

Thanks for the comments. Good points.

I looked at one just today that was posted by an auto dealership in Texas.  Same bike could be found by looking at their dealership website, tons of pictures, seems legit.

The thing that worries me is buying something I can't walk out the door with in person.  If for some reason things are not exactly as pictured when I get it, and I've already paid to have it shipped here etc., it would be a hassle to deal with that after everything is already paid and the dealer is out of state.

I'm sure it's done every day, but I've only bought motorcycles from local dealers. This time though, I'm looking to buy used, low miles, and am only seeing what I want out of state so far, so I'm trying to gauge the risk in doing the eBay route.

I wouldn't be able to go there in person first, and from eBay site it appears the recommendation is to do the payment via eBay site, rather than "outside", to avoid scammers, but I'm unclear what that means or what kind of protection that offers if the bike gets shipped here and for some reason it doesn't run well or doesn't look like the pictures etc.

I plan to call the seller as they are a listed dealer, but still wondering how risky it is being that I can't be there in person, and whether or not it's worth the $100 for the eBay recommended vehicle inspection service offered to check it out for me.

[Duck-Stew]

Bought a slightly binned '98 M900 off Ebay out of Tennessee (I'm in California).  Seller wrote back quickly, had good pics, price was right, bike had nice aftermarket equipment, yadda-yadda-yadda...  Fast-forward 2 weeks and the bike arrives.  Both motor mount bolts were banana-shaped, the cases were cracked to hell-and-back and the frame was tweaked HARD.

None of that was in the description.  Emailed back angrily several times.  Never got anything out of it.  WON'T do it again on a whole bike w/o someone I trust putting eyes on it.




but that's just me and my $.02.

[Popeye the Sailor]

+1 on having someone you know check it out. Past that, no issues.

[1KDS]

Is it this one? 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pocket-bike_W0QQitemZ320488832645QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item4a9e9f7e85#v4-25

[rgramjet]

1999 M900 cromo
2001 M900 cromo
2004 Escalade ESV
Klein Mantra Pro mt bike.

all purchased through ebay.  only one I had a problem with was the mt bike....didnt come with pedals or a chain.

[justinrhenry]

i've bought 3 cars and 4 motorcycles on ebay without seeing any of them in person.  i've shipped most of them from other states.  i've never been disappointed.  just make sure there are LOTS of pictures and lots of information.  videos are cool too.  Then make sure to expect to find things they didn't mention (just like you will with any used vehicle).

also, try www.uship.com for shipping.  people bid on your shipment, so you're guaranteed to get a killer price.  just remember you get what you pay for.

2 out of the 4 bikes i bought had turn signals super glued back onto the bike, including my monster.  play the odds and ask if they've done that.  then tell them to stop being cheap bastards and just buy a new turn signal. 

[Punx Clever]

above all else, ask if you can do a third party cash-hold situation.  Back when I played paintball regularly (2000+ rds a weekend) I would only do a no-sight sale if a third party shop took my money, their gun, check everything out, then sent the money/gun their respective ways.

I would get a contract (faxed, signed, faxed, other party signed, faxed) agreeing to a reputable motorcycle shop to check the bike beforehand.

In the end, there is a reason why the person is selling their used bike.  Maybe because they need money (best case), maybe because something is fishy (bad), or the whole thing is ready to blow (worst).  It's your money, you can decide if the risk is worth the saving.

[kopfjäger]

I bought my 800 from eBay, 600 miles for $4500

[Monsterlover]

Years ago I bought my M900 off ebay sight unseen.

Worked out great.

My advice is get on the phone with the seller.  You'll be able to tell if they're a turd when you talk to them.

[Cloner]

Good scheisters are good because they can make you believe them when they're full of shite.  I've bought off ebay before, but always with a trusted local person putting eyes on the offered prize.

I also correspond with the Ducati "Big List", where I've made lots of friends all across the country who are willing to go out and look these kinds of things over.  The "Big List" is an old fashioned email list rather than a proper forum, but it has lots of traffic and lots of folks who know their Ducatis.  You can register at www.ducati.net.  There are also lists for bevel driven Ducatis (if you like antique hardware), and Pantahs (which covers belt drive two-valvers) that I know of.  I use a dedicated gmail account to receive these so I can read them at my leisure, as they usually generate dozens of emails each day.

If you find a bike in the Albuquerque or Santa Fe areas I'd be happy to take a look at 'em for ya and send an accurate appraisal with pics.

Reckon we should ask the admins to start a board for folks needing help with long distance inspections?  I guess one could always post up a "Need a Bike Inspected in Timbuktu" thread on the general, huh?  You might also jump on the local club boards and ask for help if there's an active club in the area where you need an inspection made.

My 2 cents,

Cloner
ABQ, NM