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March 4, 2011 10:24 p.m. Rusnak_322 HalfDork

Buying out of town and having it shipped

How can someone protect themselves from deals going bad when buying a vehicle long distance?

I found one (a motorcycle). Spoke with the owner on the phone and in 10 emails and had a good feeling. I sent a PayPal deposit of $100 per his request. I then had him take it to a dealership for a PPI that I paid for.

Turns out that the rear wheel was loose, causing weird handling (the reason he was selling it). Now he likes the way it rides and wants to keep it. He said he is going to refund my deposit.

What could I have done to protect myself? The bike I am looking for (in my preferred color) was not very popular and I have not seen too many within easy driving distance.

I don’t think that I have any retribution at this point with this deal.

Thanks, Ed
March 5, 2011 1:53 a.m. jhaas Reader

was it on ebay? then its a contract.

i just had to do this buying a truck.

he set no reserve, didn't meet what he paid for it...he tried to cancell the auction.

i didn't let him, i now own the truck.
March 5, 2011 1:52 p.m. Rusnak_322 HalfDork

No, off of craigslist.
March 6, 2011 4:44 p.m. gjz30075 Reader

Offer him a bit more money.
March 6, 2011 5:12 p.m. triumph5 Dork

By accepting the money a contract if it is not in effect is strongly implied. Very strongly implied. Now, if he said send me the money or the bike goes back up for sale, it's a contract. But he's got to have said that.

If you really want it, gjz3075 is right--to a point. Then it'll be your call with lawyers and such. Just realize HE has the bike, and if things get nasty, a little sand dribbled in the right places can cost you ooodddles of $$$$$.

In the future, fax contracts.
March 6, 2011 5:17 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

I'd insist on a refund of the PPI as well, not just the deposit. I'd guess the PPI cost more than a benjamin and he's effectively got his bike fixed for free, hasn't he?
March 6, 2011 5:28 p.m. Datsun1500 Dork

The problem is he has the bike, not much you can do this time. I would make sure he refunds all of my money and be sure to let him know when he decides to put it back up for sale in 2 weeks that your offer will NOT stand. I would bet he thinks if he gets tired of it again, he has a willing buyer.

As far as next time make sure the shop doing the inspection knows you are the one paying the bill and they are to let you know what the issues are, not the seller. I would be more pissed at the shop at this point.
March 9, 2011 11:58 a.m. Rusnak_322 HalfDork

I got all my money back. Sucks, it was awesome deal. The guy has lots of money and 5 or 6 other expensive bikes. Offering him a few hundred more wouldn't do anything.

He loves BMW's, this was his first Ducati. he bought it with 2000 miles in it and put 2000 more. He hated the way it rode.

I had a PPI done and they found that the single sided swingarm rear wheel was not on right - there are 4 pins and they were not in the holes in the wheel but in the slots between the holes in the hub. It was also slightly loose.

The dealer that did the PPI gave the wheel a clean bill, but even if I had to replace it, the bike would have still been a deal.

well on the ride home the guy fell in love with the way the bike rode, sent me a short email and turned off his cell phone. He also has not responded to any emails.

I will leave this guys fait to Karma and not peruse any legal action. I just made an offer on another bike (not as nice or cheap) but it is still 8+ hours away.