Buying Bikes on eBay

Use your common sense and and you will be OK. Just like regular adverts you need to check the seller out, phone up and have a talk. I have bought 3 bikes on ebay with no problems. I have always spoken to the seller first, I have never gone to see any of the bikes first, I would do this if was near. HPI check on ebay is OK but is a kind of stripped down version. It will say if the bike has been a write-off in the past but will not say if its Cat C Cat D or whatever.

Adam.

Originally Posted by mastiffmat

Anyone bought a bike unseen from eBay? Scary I know but living in the wilds of Scotland, there just aren't enough around to meet my requirements!

Good experience? Bad??

yes!
i bought my tl on ebay!

money well spent.

could have easily not been though.

guess i been lucky but i only handed over the money on collection after a deposit of 250 unseen.
was a risk...but worth taking.

Yeah, again, I bought mine through ahem ebay. Waited till something came up in the general area, and then dropped out to have a look.

The guy was actually talking the bike down on the auction almost. Very matter of fact, and honest.

Again, if just depends on the lad selling it. You are going to get some gougers, on eBay like anywhere. Just keep your eyes open.

I have bought 3 cars and a bike on Ebay of which I had only seen one of the cars it was actully owned by a lad I sort of knew from a car club I used to be a member of so I knew the car was mint ans he let it go on ebay for peanuts. The other 2 cars and bike I had not seen before all turned out as they were described. I always used the EBay £6.99 HPI check before buying any. One tip I will give you though that might not come in to your mind. Ask the seller how many many keys there are with the car/bike. As two of the cars I bought only had one key. Getting a VW remote/immobaliser and seat immobalizer keys made is not a cheep thing. It can make a bargain in to a expencive buy!

I bought my SV on eBay last year and am thrilled to bits with it having wanted one since they first came out. I spent about 3 months researching and watching auctions of SVs and Hornets etc, and you soon learn to spot a dodgy one!
But keep at it and you can find some real bargins.
Good luck and Happy Bidding!

Bought my SV on ebay, very happy, and at £1000 for a 2001 bike was cheaper than I would have found anywhere else, did the ebay hpi check as one I was going to bid on still had finance. looked at a lot of bikes, first. got lucky by bidding on a bike that ended half way through the england/portugal match. no final flurry of bids. The opinions I formed were that if someone was selling a good bike and wanted to get a good price he would give a good description, lots of photos and answer all questions quickly, those who didnt seem to care, I thought werent trying to get a good price, so the bike obviously wasnt worth it. check feedback also

[timwilky]

I bought a Blandit on Ebay about 3 years ago. great price, bike exactly as described. Having seen how well the transaction etc. went my brother bought his Blade and Gixxer from eBay as well.

Get the vendor to supply you with the details, like v5 no, engine no, frame etc and get a HPI done before you set off with the readies. If it ain't as described walk away.

I always check my sellers feedback, if I have any doubts as to the honesty of the vendor, I don't bid.

Try PM'ing Instigator (wemyss bay) he buys loads of bikes from Ebay - i've got one of his cast off's. He seems full of advice when asked.

Northy is a great one to ask what to look for - he gave me a great list including to check to make sure the recall work was done on the curvey!!!