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The following information was posted on a FB group page in Texas 24 March 2021. This is not my FB post:
"Buyer Beware:
I went today with cash in hand to test ride a bike.
After getting back, noticing it was missing in the top end, I needed someone with more knowledgeable than me to take a look at the performance issues.
I asked the seller if it would be fine to bring a buddy by to look it over to reassure me it was nothing major.
He said "you already bought it," as he tried to hand me the title.
(I had given him $8500 to hold while I test drive the bike).
I said I’m no way comfortable buying it for $8.5K today, that he would have to make me a hell of a deal.
He said “you bought the bike already.“
No I didn’t.
I called 911 before it escalated.
Not much the police could do at this point; it’s all his word vs. bullshit.
They finally got him to give money back, but he tells them this:
“He offered me 7k for the bike and took the title, he came back and said he didn’t want it.”
I showed the cops my bank withdrawal showing the $8.5k.
He handed them $7k.
At this point the police kept saying either:
Take the 7k and go to civil court.
Take the bike and be done.
Or leave with nothing and go to civil court."
The buyer posted photos, name, address of the seller.
End of FB post.
My take: I can see how sellers are reluctant to let someone depart on a test ride with no protection. The buyer could steal the bike, could damage it, crash it, etc. Sellers should have insurance on the bike, even though they are looking to sell.
I can see how buyers are reluctant to hand serious cash over to a stranger. They could keep the cash, keep the title, report the bike stolen, etc. I think a buyers insurance would cover him on a test bike?
I have bought and sold several used bikes over the years to individuals. I try to size them up before taking serious steps. I looked at a sport bike one time with the intent of making a track bike out of it, but backed off because the sellers were too eager to "hold the cash" before a test ride.
Be careful out there when buying and selling bikes.
"Buyer Beware:
I went today with cash in hand to test ride a bike.
After getting back, noticing it was missing in the top end, I needed someone with more knowledgeable than me to take a look at the performance issues.
I asked the seller if it would be fine to bring a buddy by to look it over to reassure me it was nothing major.
He said "you already bought it," as he tried to hand me the title.
(I had given him $8500 to hold while I test drive the bike).
I said I’m no way comfortable buying it for $8.5K today, that he would have to make me a hell of a deal.
He said “you bought the bike already.“
No I didn’t.
I called 911 before it escalated.
Not much the police could do at this point; it’s all his word vs. bullshit.
They finally got him to give money back, but he tells them this:
“He offered me 7k for the bike and took the title, he came back and said he didn’t want it.”
I showed the cops my bank withdrawal showing the $8.5k.
He handed them $7k.
At this point the police kept saying either:
Take the 7k and go to civil court.
Take the bike and be done.
Or leave with nothing and go to civil court."
The buyer posted photos, name, address of the seller.
End of FB post.
My take: I can see how sellers are reluctant to let someone depart on a test ride with no protection. The buyer could steal the bike, could damage it, crash it, etc. Sellers should have insurance on the bike, even though they are looking to sell.
I can see how buyers are reluctant to hand serious cash over to a stranger. They could keep the cash, keep the title, report the bike stolen, etc. I think a buyers insurance would cover him on a test bike?
I have bought and sold several used bikes over the years to individuals. I try to size them up before taking serious steps. I looked at a sport bike one time with the intent of making a track bike out of it, but backed off because the sellers were too eager to "hold the cash" before a test ride.
Be careful out there when buying and selling bikes.
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