How to buy a bike from the other side of the country?

[dwu819]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking to buy a bike from a guy from this site in Florida. I live in NY.

What will be a secure way of payment?

What are the things I should be awared of?

[Cloner]

Last time I did this I flew from Albuquerque to Atlanta with a check, looked the bike over, paid for it, and rode it home.

That'd be my advice.

Cloner
ABQ, NM

[CETME]

Well, if you need step by step instructions, please check out this link:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237171

[dwu819]

Um...I'm not planning to go there and ride it home.

I'm thinking to pay through paypal and have the bike shipped.

any ideas?

[mraff]

Find a dealer to inspect it on the West Coast then ship using m/c shipper; if not, wait until similar bike is available for sale on East Coast.

[dwu819]

Do you think it's safe if I send the payment through paypal?

Is there any chance the seller will just take the money and dissappear?

[WetDuc]

yes

[dwu819]

Yes to which questions?

[R0CKETMAN]

I'd arrange to have it inspected and shipped by a local duc dealer. Paying them a fee of course.
I'd fly out to take a look. Why not? it's cali
Pay the guy in person then have the dealer take possession.

[Triple J]

I've sold 2 bikes long distance. Both went well.

1. I email a ton of pics to the buyer to make sure they want it.
2. I email them a PDF copy of the title so they know it's real and I have it.
3. They send me a bank check or wire transfer the money into my account. I won't take Paypal as the fees suck.
4. Upon receipt of the money I overnight them a bill of sale, a key, and the title.
5. Buyer arranges all shipping, that way if they choose some shady company it's on them. The only money I see is the purchase price of the bike.
6. I work with buyer/shipper to get them the bike...both times it has been picked up at my house, so I just had to arrange a good time and be available.

Seems to me there has to be some trust in a transaction like this. If anything seems shady, then just walk away and find a different bike.

[Spidey]

I'm thinking to buy a bike from a guy from this site in CA. I live in NY.

Where in CA?

[dwu819]

That's detailed instructions. So I will ask for bill of sale, title, and one key mail right after I done the payment. But why only ask for one key at that time? The shipper will need the other keys?

the bike is in Jacksonville, Florida. I wish I were living in the west coast..

[Triple J]

That's detailed instructions. So I will ask for bill of sale, title, and one key mail right after I done the payment. But why only ask for one key at that time? The shipper will need the other keys?

the bike is in Jacksonville, Florida. I wish I were living in the west coast..

I send them one (or more if more than 2) key, and zip tie the other in a hidden location on the bike. That way if something gets lost in the mail the buyer still has a key. Probably overkill, and I wouldn't do it that way if the buyer requested I mail all the keys. The last bike I sold only had one key, so it was ziptied to the bike.

Shipper doesn't need a key...just make sure the handlebars aren't locked when they pick it up.

Forgot to mention, I also send a few pictures of the bike being loaded up by the shipper (as well as one showing the key location). That way you both have documentation of the bike's condition at the time of shipping.

Someone here who's in Cali may be willing to have a look at th bike for you as well.   

[Spidey]

I'm thinking to buy a bike from a guy from this site in CA. I live in NY.

the bike is in Jacksonville, Florida. I wish I were living in the west coast..

Ok, you're gonna have to explain this to me like I'm a two-year old.  Is the bike in CA or FL?  If it is in CA, where in CA is it located?

[He Man]

the bike is in Jacksonville, Florida. I wish I were living in the west coast..

Apparently The San Andreas Fault has gotten the best of us.