[Dave73]

We all know the red flags, and the PM I got in reference to my bike for sale had them all waiving.

New member, joined within past 2 days. No posts. Sends me PM wanting me to ship my bike from Texas to CA. Sounds fishy, I didnt respond.

User name : dmi

 

[Zaph]

Get the money in your hands first. No Paypal and no escrow. Let a check clear if that is the payment method. Cash in hand first no matter what. Then Bam, no scam.

 

[e rock]

What Zaph says. I've shipped a few w/no issues. The real flag is the ''check worth more than the asking price" Nigerian scheme. Maybe one of the Cali boys here knows of the gent.

 

[shouldnthave]

It might not be a scam. I know lots of people that ship bikes all over the world sight unseen. Where in CA is he? There has to be a member that can check him out.

Talk to him about the terms of the sale, and see what he is willing to do to get the bike. Once you have cash in hand, it isn't a scam.

 

[thejuiceman]

Like the others said, it may be totally legit. If he was in the market for the same make and model bike as yours and googled it would likely bring him to the site. A lot of sites make you register before you can pm anyone so hence the no posts and recent member.
If he sends a check and it cashes fine then you'll have your answer. If he insists on PayPal or Western Union then something is wrong.
Recently I saw a Honda Hawk for sale in craigs list through a google shirt. The guy was out of state and when I told him I could pay him and have it shipped he thought I was a scammer and insulted me. I told him I could have provided him numerous references but since he insulted me rather than asking for references I wouldn't give him a $100 for it if he rode it out to me himself.
It's a shame that there are so many scammers out there now that people are too paranoid to sell something unless they're related to the person. lol
I was about to put some stuff on Craig's List until I read an article about the myriad of ways people can scam you. Now I feel like I have to do more research and become more street wise before I start selling there. It seems like it would be easy for law enforcement to catch these dirt bags in a sting the same way the do the child predators. I would pay money to watch that show.

 

[taddraughn]

We all know the red flags, and the PM I got in reference to my bike for sale had them all waiving.

New member, joined within past 2 days. No posts. Sends me PM wanting me to ship my bike from Texas to CA. Sounds fishy, I didnt respond.

User name : dmi

My .02 is at least talk to him. Get his cell and call him up. He may have made the account just to PM you. I've done the same thing on a Ducati forum, and have bought bikes without seeing them. Chances are it could be legit as long as he doesn't start talking paypal or western union or something.

I usually wire money (trusted people/companies like riders discount where I got my 675) or when I bought my duc I sent a check.

Hope this helps you out

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[taddraughn]

Like the others said, it may be totally legit. If he was in the market for the same make and model bike as yours and googled it would likely bring him to the site. A lot of sites make you register before you can pm anyone so hence the no posts and recent member.
If he sends a check and it cashes fine then you'll have your answer. If he insists on PayPal or Western Union then something is wrong.
Recently I saw a Honda Hawk for sale in craigs list through a google shirt. The guy was out of state and when I told him I could pay him and have it shipped he thought I was a scammer and insulted me. I told him I could have provided him numerous references but since he insulted me rather than asking for references I wouldn't give him a $100 for it if he rode it out to me himself.
It's a shame that there are so many scammers out there now that people are too paranoid to sell something unless they're related to the person. lol
I was about to put some stuff on Craig's List until I read an article about the myriad of ways people can scam you. Now I feel like I have to do more research and become more street wise before I start selling there. It seems like it would be easy for law enforcement to catch these dirt bags in a sting the same way the do the child predators. I would pay money to watch that show.

Scammers are getting better and better all the time. I remember when CL posts and messages from scammers stuck out like a sore thumb, but it seems like some of the stuff is getting harder to recognize.

Also you can't blame that guy too much for insulting you. If you look at the CL page when you click by owner or dealer, it tells you that attempts to ship things are scams. As if everyone who wants to ship something is a scammer.

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[TwoWheeledWonder]

It might not be a scam. I know lots of people that ship bikes all over the world sight unseen. Where in CA is he? There has to be a member that can check him out.

Talk to him about the terms of the sale, and see what he is willing to do to get the bike. Once you have cash in hand, it isn't a scam.

You are obviously the one trying to scam him.

 

[carnage.inc]

Lol @ tww

oh squiggly line how I doth love how you make my tripple howl

 

[shouldnthave]

You are obviously the one trying to scam him.

Yup, it was just last week I was thinking, "You know, I could really use a fourth Daytona."

 

[Decipher]

I've dealt with the same thing with no issues. May be totally legit. My one question is what is the PayPal issue? Funds are verified and you have certain PayPal protections in place.

Sent from my HTC One

 

[TwoWheeledWonder]

Yup, it was just last week I was thinking, "You know, I could really use a fourth Daytona."

I have these thoughts a lot to kind sir

 

[taddraughn]

I've dealt with the same thing with no issues. May be totally legit. My one question is what is the PayPal issue? Funds are verified and you have certain PayPal protections in place.

Sent from my HTC One

People buying things can file a claim to say that they paid for the item, yet did not receive it. Paypal tends to believe buyers more often (in my experiences i have been able to easily get money back from fraudulent sellers without necessarily proving anything. It was just my word vs his). IF the seller didnt have proof that what he sold had been delivered, it could be conceivable that someone could scam someone by buying something and get their money back while still getting the item.

For big purchases, I would rather deal with banks and people that i KNOW i can trust. Anytime I've bought a motorcycle from an individual at a distance, I've talked to the people at his bank and sent them a check. When i bought my 675 i just wired the money to RD, but i still communicated with people at the banks. I didnt have a problem wiring it since i feel like i can trust such a big company with a good rep. For individuals, I have less trust.

 

[Aeolus]

Another idea would be to use a broker. That way both parties are protected. I think a dealer would do this given that you are willing to make it worthwhile for them.

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[Decipher]

People buying things can file a claim to say that they paid for the item, yet did not receive it. Paypal tends to believe buyers more often (in my experiences i have been able to easily get money back from fraudulent sellers without necessarily proving anything. It was just my word vs his). IF the seller didnt have proof that what he sold had been delivered, it could be conceivable that someone could scam someone by buying something and get their money back while still getting the item.

For big purchases, I would rather deal with banks and people that i KNOW i can trust. Anytime I've bought a motorcycle from an individual at a distance, I've talked to the people at his bank and sent them a check. When i bought my 675 i just wired the money to RD, but i still communicated with people at the banks. I didnt have a problem wiring it since i feel like i can trust such a big company with a good rep. For individuals, I have less trust.

As I thought about it more, this crossed my mind, but I would think things like a title that needs to be filed and tracked with the state would prevent such an erroneous claim. Maybe I'm wrong. Either way, it seems like the best way to work is with the banks.

Sent from my HTC One

 

[starpower]

Another idea would be to use a broker. That way both parties are protected. I think a dealer would do this given that you are willing to make it worthwhile for them.

Sent from Motorcycle.com App

I believe this is the best bet a brokered escrow service, it fully protects both parties for about .9% of selling price. I recently tried to purchase an out of state Super Duke 1290R via escrow the seller said it sounded like a hassle and he is honest, blah, blah....possible scammer, I walked.