Buying a bike on Ebay

[ThEGr33k]

Has anyone done this. Im wondering about payment. If they are wanting a cheque then Id guess its going to be a little complicated with it having to clear etc.

I will be going to look at the bike before I bid on it.
I know this isnt a very informative question but any info would be appreciated. :D

I suppose any info on what I should do when buying private will also be applicable.

[dizzyblonde]

I have bought two off ebay, although technically one of them was in here too. Norfolk was along way to go to get that, but i wasn't disappointed. Can't say I've found a problem if you know what your looking at and for. I paid a deposit on the SV and went with the cash, when I picked her up. Always felt paypal was dodgy for a huge lump like that. Saying that, the second one I paid half paypal for deposit and the guy trusted me to put the rest through paypal after yorkiechris had picked her up. cause i were on nights


I sold my 125 on ebay too, and got back what I paid for it, bargain.

[dirtydog]

I've bought off ebay before, i paid a deposit via paypal and then took the balance in cash when i went to pick it up

[ASM-Forever]

I've bought and sold on ebay. Therefore.....

Normally you are expected to make a deposit within 24 hours(paypal?) and then the rest on collection(cash?). You could also arrange to collect straight after you win it and pay it all there and then. If you pay by cheque then the seller would be mad to let you take it, until it clears. For a few quid you could get a bankers draft.

If its a private sale then satisfy yourself that there really is nothing wrong with the bike, as i expect it will be sold as seen. If you have the slightest doubt then IMO walk away. It might also be a good idea to budget a little extra in case something goes wrong.

Apart from looking the bike over, try and get a test ride. Remember you will need to show license/insurance and probably have something to hand over as a deposit.

Do make sure to check the consumables. Tyres, chain/sprockets can soon add up and if they're old, factor that it when you decide what to bid.

[Paws]

I've bought off ebay before, i paid a deposit via paypal and then took the balance in cash when i went to pick it up


same here, had no probs :)

[dirtydog]

same here, had no probs :)


I had no probs either it all went very smoothly

[ThEGr33k]

I dont think a test ride will be possible, Its SORN and so not taxt or insured + I dont have 3rd party insurance on other people's bikes.

Im willing to risk it I think. Ill check all the major things when I go, so the battery (which can suffer on this bike) by checking it starts. Check the engine sound and the oil level/colour. I think it should be fine as it is a low milage bike. Ill check the bike history using the ebay status report thingy. ?7 but if it saves me from losing more its worth it.

What do you recon from the link?

Oh and please dont out bid me! :rolleyes:

[ASM-Forever]

Booooo you removed the link.

[ThEGr33k]

Booooo you removed the link.


:p

What I dont quite understand is that no one is bidding on it. Wierd. maybe its because of the high start price, but then others start lower with a high reserve (whats the point!?!?!?).

Ill be able to discuss everything I guess when I go and have a look. Then if im happy bid away.



http://i16.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/d0/6e/96bc_12.JPG
http://i7.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/d0/6e/ac3e_12.JPG
http://i16.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/d0/6e/d88b_12.JPG
http://i23.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/d0/6e/f033_12.JPG
http://i2.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/d0/6f/0406_12.JPG
http://i11.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/d0/6f/1c16_12.JPG
http://i2.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/d0/6f/5c7b_12.JPG
http://i20.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/d0/6f/71dd_12.JPG

[Lozzo]

I never bid on anything until about 30 seconds at most before the auction ends. To me it's not a race to see who can push the selling price as high as possible. If everyone did the same then ebay prices wouldn't go skyhigh silly.

[ThEGr33k]

I never bid on anything until about 30 seconds at most before the auction ends. To me it's not a race to see who can push the selling price as high as possible. If everyone did the same then ebay prices wouldn't go skyhigh silly.

TBH these bikes dont seem to reach their reserve ive noticed. So there shouldnt be too much of an issue there... Unless there is a **** about who wants to pump up the price to be a :toss:.

[timwilky]

Buying a bike off ebay is no different to buying privately. OK, you win the bid. Then go see, if not as described walk away or renegotiate. What is the worse they can do, leave negative feedback, to which you simply say, not as described, lying ******* etc. never ever leave a deposit

As for paying. I always pay with readies. When negotiating privately it is always a useful bargaining tool to let them know you have the readies with you and be prepared to walk away. It is always interesting to see how quickly the loss of an immanent sale can re-educate a vendor to the proper value of a bike.

Now for the iffy bit. I always take a second rider with me. That way as I now own the bike my third party cover for riding others bikes would not be valid. well the second riders would. Also for some reason it tends to **** it down whenever I buy a bike, so carrying a change of boots/gloves/waterproofs etc in the car can make life easier for whoever is riding it back.

[ASM-Forever]

Buying a bike off ebay is no different to buying privately. OK, you win the bid. Then go see, if not as described walk away or renegotiate. What is the worse they can do, leave negative feedback, to which you simply say, not as described, lying ******* etc. never ever leave a deposit

I disagree!

I guess it depends how the listing is worded, but i always put you 'bid to buy'. I also strongly recommend that bidders come and see the bike whilst the listing is running and then they can decide if they want to bid/how much.

I take lots of photos and answer any questions that i can.

The 'not as described' argument is a bit rubbish as one mans good is another mans average.

The only way that you will ever know the condition of a bike, in your own mind, is to physically see it.

If you cannot be bothered to look at something before bidding, then either accept the sellers word/photos, or do not bid!

Now i realise i sound very bitter, however all my sales on ebay have gone through without a hitch, so i do not have an axe to grind. It just annoys me that people seem to think they are bidding for the chance to look at a bike, as opposed to buying one. Its this sort of attitude that makes ebay a nightmare.

[StreetHawk]

I never bid on anything until about 30 seconds at most before the auction ends. To me it's not a race to see who can push the selling price as high as possible. If everyone did the same then ebay prices wouldn't go skyhigh silly.

My thoughts excactly, I decide my maximum bid and put it in with about 5 secs left to go so nobody has time to come back with more. If your bid isnt enough then you don't get it simple as that.

[timwilky]

I disagree!

I guess it depends how the listing is worded, but i always put you 'bid to buy'. I also strongly recommend that bidders come and see the bike whilst the listing is running and then they can decide if they want to bid/how much.

I take lots of photos and answer any questions that i can.

The 'not as described' argument is a bit rubbish as one mans good is another mans average.

The only way that you will ever know the condition of a bike, in your own mind, is to physically see it.

If you cannot be bothered to look at something before bidding, then either accept the sellers word/photos, or do not bid!

Now i realise i sound very bitter, however all my sales on ebay have gone through without a hitch, so i do not have an axe to grind. It just annoys me that people seem to think they are bidding for the chance to look at a bike, as opposed to buying one. Its this sort of attitude that makes ebay a nightmare.

Whilst I agree with what you are saying. and I have indeed bought excellent bikes on ebay. There is always the nagging doubt that ones good is another's pig in a poke. Should the latter be true. I still say you have the right to walk away citing the reason should there be any comeback. I have bought from several hundred miles away where a preview is not practical etc. I would not advocate submitting a winning bid and then using it as a view/buy. You have made a bid to buy. But if it is not as described. It is the vendors problem not the buyers.

[ninja bobw]

Whilst I agree entirely with the 'you bid you buy' statement would you honestly buy a bike or other equally expensive motor vehicle without looking at it first.I may be wrong but I was under the impression that on all ebay auctions you are entering into a legally binding contract.Whether the bike is described properly or not.

[Lozzo]

Whilst I agree entirely with the 'you bid you buy' statement would you honestly buy a bike or other equally expensive motor vehicle without looking at it first.I may be wrong but I was under the impression that on all ebay auctions you are entering into a legally binding contract.Whether the bike is described properly or not.

I've bought 6 out of my last 8 bikes blind, been dead chuffed with every one of them - one was in Belfast and another was in Newcastle, requiring plane flights up and riding them home. I trust the sellers to be honest with me if it's a long way to go to view it first. But then again, I always do a healthy bit of negotiating on the phone prior to viewing just in case something needs attention when I get there.

It's worked out well for me. I calculated that with the buying of bikes at the right price, doing basic maintenance, tidying up etc and then selling on at a profit after a year or so, motorcycling has cost me a total of minus £465 over the last 7 years. In other words, I'm in profit for 465 quid and have a garage full of bikes that have in effect cost me nothing.

Not one of my bikes has been bought on eBay, and I've only sold one on there so far - a non-running GPZ500 project that is now in New Zealand.

[ThEGr33k]

Well I think im quite lucky. The bike Im thinking of getting is only about 17miles away! So ive talked to the fella and im going to have a look tomorrow evening.

What the bike is worth. Well tbh If I can get this bike for under ?3K which I think I will then Im getting a steal, 2003 model 9000miles Apria Falco. :D

So the plan is:-

1) have a look
2) If I like it ill do a Vehicle status check (just incase...)
3) Bid
4) There is no chance of a test ride but I dont mind, id imagine ill like it as it has a similar riding position to the SV.
5) Arrange payment and pickup. Im working away for two days when the bidding ends... ill talk to the guy and let him know the craic if I win.
6) Pickup will have to be with Van/trailer as it is SORN atm.
7) Insure it. I might change the insurance over from the SV but im not sure there is much point as the insurance runs out on 11th of next month so I might wait.... Im not sure yet. Work makes it a little complicated unfortunatly :rolleyes:

Luckily ive found some cheaper insurance than I had been quoted. I used http://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/cheapest-motorbike-insurance/?refid=BT01 and got a quote of ?755 fully comp with ?200 excess for the bike (Aprilia Falco...) which considering the next cheapest quote is ?1300 is a bargain!!! Only catch I can find is there are no modifications allowed. Ill have to look into that though as they usually allow little things like exhaust and body work with no issues. If I have to do without loud exhaust im willing for that saving!


If you have any more advice on what I should do let me know!


P.S. Anyone who wants a cheap 1000 that should do them proud then keep an eye on Ebay for aprilia falco's. There is a 2001 model with under 6000 miles with a buy it now price of ?2300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMFG!

[ThEGr33k]

I ended up buying it... or at least I have put down a deposit. Im wondering if its a good idea to do some sort of background check? The guy seems legit the bike is in very good condition from what I could see....

Where can I do some background checks? Ive checked DVLA site and it confirms that its silver and SORN which I knew... :rolleyes:

[Tiger 55]

Where can I do some background checks?
Ebay!

In the item description click on Get the Vehicle Status Report (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewJumpPageForVehicleHistory&vrm=WU4wM05TRQ%3D%3D&vrm_d=**03 ***), bung them £6.99 and they'll tell you if it's stolen, written off, got outstanding finance or has mileage inconsistencies. An HPI check is more detailed and more expensive.

Congratulations by the way...

[ThEGr33k]

Ebay!

In the item description click on Get the Vehicle Status Report (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewJumpPageForVehicleHistory&vrm=WU4wM05TRQ%3D%3D&vrm_d=**03 ***), bung them ?6.99 and they'll tell you if it's stolen, written off, got outstanding finance or has mileage inconsistencies. An HPI check is more detailed and more expensive.

Congratulations by the way...


Thanks.

Well I cant do the EBay one now as its been removed. But when I was at his house looking at the bike he showed me the V5 the log book the service book and a lot of reciepts etc etc. I think its legit so I should be ok.

I did go to try and do a status check but you need lots of bits like numbers out of the V5 which I dont have yet. But when I put the reg in it came up as the right make & model, also when I looked on DVLA it showed it SORN which it is. Im fairly confident its good.

Ill tell you what though the Engine is a damn sight louder than the SV's, guess its with all the ballancing shafts also its difficult to make out any exhaust note as it has stock pipes. Which I will change if the insurance allows me.

Ill let you know how it is when I get on it. Let you know if its a good next bike after the SV. Shall bring it to AR08.... if im still allowed :p