buying a nearly new bike, without seeing it...

bazaarboy

bazaarboy

bazaarboy

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Joined
22 Jun 2009
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813
Location
Norwich
i like the sound of a bike for sale, but simply don't have the time to travel, view then ride back

the bike is almost new, owned privately and has 3 years manufacturer's warranty

have you ever bought without viewing?

any ideas how to go about safeguarding an upfront payment?

in terms of shipping, lots of companies specialise in this sort of transport - for around 100-150 so that would be ideal for me
 
I bought without viewing (im near bradford) from Birmingham I ended up paying by card over the phone at to which I semi regretted after though it was a shop id done research on and had been around for a bit I decided it was fine.

I paid just over £200 to get to it me I was actually quite impressed with the van that turned up the floor basically came down and the bike was rolled out apart from the twit that strapped it up everything was fine on that part, my seat is slightly messy due to the strap and before he got it out the bike was on a slant but tried to move it before I got chance to see but too late...

All in all not a bad experience though I wouldn't want to do it any time soon again I did ask the shop to check over and top up and to which he said he had....2 days after owning I drained almost 2 pints of oil out of it before the level was just at the "full" mark and with other bits here and there (Marks I wasnt told about) it was a bit anoying but other than that not a bad experience like I said.
 
bazaarboy said:
have you ever bought without viewing?
Click to expand...

Yep, bought my ZX6R without seeing it beforehand. It only had 150 miles on the clock so I was pretty sure that it wasn't going to be a shed. As it turned out it was pristine as you'd expect.

I just hired a van and picked it up myself but in the past I've used couriers through shipley which were fine but I wanted to pick this one up myself seeing as it was basically brand new - didn't want to take the risk that the courier might scratch it.
 
cheers for the opinions :)
If I could spare the time I'd rent a van and pick up myself, but the trip would take all day
I've seen this company: click they appear professional, but as mentioned, because its a brand-new bike I'd be mad with even a scatch
 
Where is the bike located ? Maybe someone on here is local & could give it the once over.
 
Warwickshire is a big place mate but if it's Nuneaton way then I could pop over there tomorrow or over the weekend. :)

Get his postcode.
 
No way would I part with 8 grand with out viewing or riding I would even want sex with it before I bought for that money.
 
I've looked at the advert mate & 356 miles :p I wouldn't be to worried about the bike but I would like the address & bike together checked out if you get me.
I'd want the HPi report in his addy & then me to go visit him at that addy & see the bike where it lives if you know what I mean.
Am happy to do this for you if it's reasonably local. :)
 
4T5 said:
I've looked at the advert mate & 356 miles :p I wouldn't be to worried about the bike but I would like the address & bike together checked out if you get me.
I'd want the HPi report in his addy & then me to go visit him at that addy & see the bike where it lives if you know what I mean.
Am happy to do this for you if it's reasonably local. :)
Click to expand...

much obliged! :p

I'm not worried about the mechanical condition of the bike, the main issue is how to safeguard an upfront payment
even if I get a good samaritan to inspect / ship the bike, because of the high value there's always the risk the seller might refuse to release the bike after payment

a shop taking a credit card is a different story of course...
 
You got me there though mate I don't know how to safegaurd the payment release etc :confused:

If I can help in any way though Shout. :)
 
well, most people are decent - and it's not different from viewing a bike or car then paying for it

two years ago I bought my car from a private seller. I traveled about 120 miles to Leicester, spent about an hour checking, driving and chatting. I left a small deposit and because it was a sunday I could't pay for it

on the Monday I transferred a large sum of money to the chap's account - and two days later I went to collect the car. I was nervous but everything was ok
-- I worried I might get there and get told "Mr So-and-So doesnt live here any more!"

coming back to the bike, one option is an escrow service, but they all seem a bit dingy...
any one used an escrow service before?
 
4T5 said:
You got me there though mate I don't know how to safegaurd the payment release etc :confused:

If I can help in any way though Shout. :)
Click to expand...

i've arranged a telephone chat with the seller tomorrow to ask a few questions, I will definitely update the thread later in the week

oh, and thanks once again for your offer ;)
 
He's got 777 feedback ratings with 100% positive feedback, has been a member for 9 years and the bike is pretty much brand new with a warranty.

Signs are good.
 
I bought mine without seeing it and it was my first ever big bike, took a chance and got it shipped over... never looked back. However with the money you're spending, no chance, I'd be there checking it out bigtime for even the slightest mark, whether it's low mileage or not.
 
Hi chaps,
Just to update you, not really sure what the seller is thinking -
We agreed to have a telephone chat at a set time, I called twice and not picking up.
Also sent a text and no reply.
So, not sure really. Perhaps he was busy etc, or decided he wasn't selling any more? Who knows, he did list a new bike for 5k under the list price, anyway will update you again if there is any further developments...
Thanks for your input once again
 
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