Author Topic: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?  (Read 1519 times)

Offline MotoGuzzi750

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Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« on: July 31, 2022, 07:50:23 PM »
Experts,

Has anyone tried long distance purchase without actually/having to fly there?
I am curious to explore this option, as it will open up so many possibilities for me.

Could Ebay be one way to do this?

Any tips/ideas/experiences ? Please feel free to share.

Thanks.
My Bikes:

2004 Breva 750 IE
2006 Kawasaki ZX12R
2012(?) Grisso 1200 SE <- (thinking of selling)

Offline guzzisteve

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2022, 08:11:21 PM »
That depends on if you trust them. I trust no salesman or whatever. I have to see & hear it run in person. Even ride.
That's just me, how I buy vehicles.
"Pray through Carlo & your bike shall be healed"
Location: Planet Earth

Offline willowstreetguzziguy

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2022, 08:25:36 PM »
Can’t figure out how you determine how it fits and feels without riding it.
2008 Guzzi 1200 Sport 
1993 BMW K75S Pearl White (sold)
"Going somewhere isn't why you ride, riding is why you go!"    Moto Guzzi... because the only person I have to impress is me.

Offline Beowulf

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2022, 08:39:03 PM »
For me it’s all about numbers. Risk to reward kind of thing. If it doesn’t put me out and the numbers make sense with the worst of repairs I go for it generally unless it seems really shady. I’ve bought a car off eBay unseen except for the auction worked out fine.

I think if you go into expecting the worst your seldom disappointed.

I bought a van off Craigslist sight unseen. Put down a deposit.

Several things I do. First if it’s eBay I consider the feedback. If the pictures are good I consider that a good sign. If there’s no sign it’s recently washed even better. A lot sellers think that wet look is great. If it has a title with their name I consider that a must. Mileage in a reasonable range for year. No sob stories. Willing to let me test drive and no pressure on payment before arrival.

Wildguzzi.com

Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2022, 08:39:03 PM »

Offline jackthebiker

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2022, 08:46:47 PM »
In April of 2017 I bought a new 2016 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT with 0 miles on it on ebay. The dealer was a authorized Kawasaki dealer, and he had it on there with no reserve. The list on the bike was $12,999. I started bidding and ended up the high bidder at $8100. The dealership was just outside Salt Lake City Utah and I was in Wisconsin 1500 miles away. I drove out and picked it up with my Ram truck. It was a great experiance that I will remember the rest of my life. I drove it one year and put 17000+ miles on it and got more than I paid for it on a new 2018 Gold Wing Tour. God hates a coward.
Currently riding a 2022 Moto Guzzi V85TT Adventure  and a 2022 Kawasaki W800.

Offline et18

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2022, 09:13:37 PM »
Three years ago I bought a bike on eBay, had it shipped to my house and I’m still happy with it. I was the high bidder but less than the reserve price. After the auction I contacted the seller, we haggled a little and made a deal. I bought through eBay using the 2nd chance option so I had some buyer protection.

Expect the seller to tell the truth but maybe not the whole truth so ask questions, and you might want to get a shipping quote before bidding so you understand the total cost.

Also did a fly and ride once and it was a very positive experience.
2014 California Touring
1994 BMW R1100RS
2001 BMW R1200C

Offline krglorioso

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2022, 11:02:03 PM »
I have bought three Guzzis from members of this forum or MGNOC;  George Rice, Denny Lee Lacey and John Hemenway.  All three Guzzis were absolutely as advertised, even better, actually.  Nicely kept and upgraded.  I had two shipped to me (from Wisconsin and Kentucky) and picked up the third 400 miles away. 

My experience buying from WGC or MGNOC members likely is very representative of most or all such purchases.  I would be much more careful buying on BAT or E-bay. 
Ralph
"You don't stop riding because you got old; you got old because you stopped riding".

2004 Moto Guzzi Breva 750
2017 Honda CB-500F
2021 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Offline Zenermaniac

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2022, 07:06:51 AM »
I had never ridden a Guzzi and the only one I’d ever seen was an old Convert a former co-worker had. I took a chance on reputation and bought my Roamer used and sight unseen except for pictures on their webpage from Cadre Cycle in Cincinnati over the phone. They delivered it to my door about 90 miles away.
That’s the only long distance transaction I’ve ever done and it was great.  :thumb:

Offline DougG

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2022, 07:10:37 AM »
Hi MG,                                                                               8-1-22

I've purchased a car and a motorcycle without seeing either one and am very happy with both.  However, my personal guidelines are:
     1.  I have to be familiar with the vehicle...have ridden one before and I know what questions to ask...each vehicle has its own foibles, weak spots, etc.
     2.  There must be a return policy...I can return the vehicle (free of charge), if not as advertised.
     3.  Like others said...it's always best if I know from whom I'm buying the vehicle.
     4.  If there is a Car Fax or Vin Search (etc.) report I need to see it up front.
     5.  I don't get 'emotionally attached' to any vehicle and I take my time.

Things have changed dramatically since the days of window shopping at dealerships and surfing newspaper adverts.  For better or worse, the system is leaning toward long distance purchases so accommodations are made (see #2 & #4 above).

Good luck and keep us posted.

Be well, stay well,
DougG
 
A possum playing possum is no big deal.  Find one that can play giraffe, now you got yourself something!

Offline Stretch

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2022, 08:14:29 AM »
"My experience buying from WGC or MGNOC members likely is very representative of most or all such purchases.  I would be much more careful buying on BAT or E-bay. "

Yep. I think in general that people on this forum are not willing to sacrifice their reputations over a few bucks.
I think that's true of most specialist forums.

I'd buy a bike long distance from most of the long-term members of this forum.

                                                                   -Stretch
1967? Change Jiang M1M
1978 Yamaha SR500
1987 BMW K75S
2011 Kawasaki KLR650
2011 Triumph Rocket III Touring
2015 Triumph Trophy
2017 Moto Guzzi 1400 California Touring

Offline cloudbase

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2022, 09:03:41 AM »
I bought my Quota sight unseen.  The owner had a sterling reputation in the Guzzi community, so I wasn't worried about buying a pig in a poke.

Offline LongRanger

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2022, 10:26:20 AM »
I’ve bought and sold several motorbikes long distance on eBay and have never had any issues. I also purchased a $60,000 Porsche sight unseen on eBay (from a dealership over 2000 miles away) and it was a great experience. Like most decisions in life, just trust your gut, but if you’re timid to the whole idea, don’t do it.

People fall in love and choose their mate based on emotion, without knowing all the facts or knowing what the future will hold. Buying a motorbike is a much less stressful (and more easily unwound) transaction. If you like the bike and can get it at a price that works for you, just do it.

« Last Edit: August 01, 2022, 10:32:07 AM by LongRanger »
2012 BMW R1200R Classic

Offline marcmorrison

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2022, 10:29:34 AM »
Do ya feel lucky, punk??
1999 MG Bassa (pearl white)

Offline usedtobefast

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2022, 10:44:34 AM »
I have done a few fly, buy, ride home situations.  But many more drive there in my SUV with a trailer deals.  And a few eBay purchases and shipped to my house deals.

Most people think their motorcycles are better than they are.  :laugh:  They have fond memories ... they remember how it was 4 or 6 years ago ... they don't notice the slight issues.  So they think they are telling you the truth when they say it is in excellent condition and needs nothing.  Others really want to sell their moto and make it sound better than it is ... they kind of stretch the truth.  Others are mechanically ignorant and really didn't know the brakes were shot or the clutch was acting funny (they got used to it). 

I would say ~90% of the bikes I have purchased were in worse shape than their proud overly optimistic owners thought they were.  I have only had 1 case where I would say the seller was a bit of a fraud (pictures on ebay showed a perfect gas tank (both sides), when I won the auction and went to pick it up, one side of the tank was severely messed up, he owned some warehouse business and he had a worker meeting me to pick up the bike so he wasn't even around, and I had driven 3 hrs to get it ... so I just took it as-is (oh, and this was a rare ish bike, a great price) ... but you could say that was ~$800 hit to the value of the bike)

If it is a rare model, or just the exact bike you are looking for ... and you are willing to deal with some issues ... then no worries. 

And you have to ask yourself, what really matters in the deal.  For example, lets say the seller says the tires are in excellent condition, ready to go! ... you get there, tires look shot to you ... is that a deal breaker?  Do you turn around and drive 8 hours back home with the empty u-haul trailer clanking around behind your car?   :laugh:  Do you point out it needs $500 worth of tires and negotiate a new price? 

For a remote deal:
- pictures pictures pictures.  up close pictures of tires shows tread (on both tires), pictures of sidewall showing date codes.  Clear pictures of any damage. 
- paperwork.  Picture of clear title in their name.  For maintenance, if it is significant I want to see pictures of that.  Example: a bike that has a major service (like a $1500 one), seller says it was recently done, ok, send me a picture of that paperwork.  But I don't worry about oil & filter changes, or a valve clearance check on a Moto Guzzi since it is very easy to check that yourself.

And I think of "Can I resell it for this if I don't like it?".  Fortunate for me, I also live in the very expensive SF Bay Area ... many of the remote motorcycles I buy are in the middle of no where ... so the seller has a hard time getting rid of it ... maybe has a price of $4500 on it whereas Bay Area prices are more like $5500-$6000 for the same bike ... so what the heck ... I go buy it for $4500 ... if I don't like/love it, turn around and sell it for $5500. 

On one bike, it was like 15 years old, guy had bought it from a dealership about 2 months earlier, but felt the bike was just to big/heavy for him ... he had a copy of the dealership's inspection/checklist (where the dealer looked at brakes, and tires, etc) ... this was a somewhat rare bike with only 5,000 miles on it, all body work looked excellent ... I was really tempted to fly in, buy it, ride it back ... but I ended up driving my SUV/Trailer 10 hours one way ... bike looked great, bought it, trailered it home.  Took it for a ~70 miles ride once back home ... and the tires started chunking off tread!!  The tires were the original 15 year old tires!!  They did look ok, so I see how a quick inspection from the dealer said "looks good, tread depth ok, good to go" ... but wow, that could have ended badly if I had tried to ride that bike 10 hours home!!  Would probably have had a blowout on interstate.

Also, buying from a dealer is usually an "easier" transaction ... but prices are almost always higher than buying from a person.  But with a dealer you can put a deposit down, go there, see bike, get deposit back if you aren't happy with it.  They can usually work out a 30 day license plate for the ride home.  But often they don't know much about the bike.  Vs. talking to the guy that owned it for the last x number of years.

Just thinking ... currently in my garage:
2 bikes purchased locally
1 bike from Montana (did fly, buy, ride home)
1 bike from West Virginia (yes, rode it across the country) (Have friends in VA, bought bike and prepped it for cross country trip back to CA)
1 bike from Seattle (did fly, buy, ride home)
2 bikes were 7 hr round trip to get (1 from Chico, other just past Paso Robles) (brought both home on trailer)
2017 V7 iii Racer
2017 Griso
2016 Stornello
2000 Red Quota
Want a black/green 1000S big valve :)

Offline Markcarovilli

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2022, 12:19:08 PM »
I don't know - but you need to know what you are looking at and have a conversation with the owner (seller).  I've bought all my bikes except for one sight unseen...

and been happy

Mark

Offline blackcat

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #15 on: August 01, 2022, 02:09:41 PM »
My 1000S was purchased based on a couple of grainy photo's from a guy in Wisconsin from an ad in the MGNOC in 1996. I did talk to the guy to get a sense of what he was like and why he was selling but it was a little distressing sending him the full amount and waiting for the bike to be shipped. Federal picked up the bike and I may have used their service of giving the seller a certified check but that is from memory and it might have been another purchase.  I don't believe I would do that nowadays. But I did buy three more Guzzi's site unseen but two were from noted dealers and my CX was as advertised, quite a mess but not too expensive.
1968 Norton Fastback
1976 Lemans
1981 CX-100
1993 1000S
1997 Daytona RS
2007 Red Norge

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2022, 02:12:13 PM »
Never bought one sight unseen, but I've sold 3. All three thanked me for my honesty. Do unto others, yadda yadda yadda.  :thumb:  :laugh:
ебать Россию!   Not anti social-pro solitude

Offline Bisbonian

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #17 on: August 02, 2022, 06:38:30 AM »
I bought my first Guzzi from MotoInternational via email with Dave Richardson. I'd seen one in person but that was about it. We never spoke on the phone, I paid with a check sent by registered mail and he shipped the bike to my house. It was easy.

I did a fly-n-ride to Tacoma for a KTM a few years later; I'd only seen pictures of a 640 Adventure before that and was shocked when I arrived at how tall it was. It broke down on the way home, this helped me expect it when it also broke down every time I tried to leave the city limits.

Offline Huzo

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #18 on: August 02, 2022, 07:27:29 AM »
I bought my Norge and had never sat on one, new over the ‘phone.
Paid major deposit on my V85 before it was built. It’s part of the adventure.

Offline xackley

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #19 on: August 02, 2022, 11:33:10 AM »
I once was the high bidder on a yamaha xs650. Pictures were beautiful, description was perfect runner. Drove 4 hours to find both "rebuilt" carbs dripping, frayed cables, etc. Photos were beauty shots, ignoring little problems like someone had taken a grinder (or course sander) to the some of the engine.
If I had had it shipped I would have been screwed. As it was, Ebay/Paypal refunded my deposit. Seller was pissed, with nasty words and insults and accusations  galore all the way down to questioning my sexual orientation.

Don
1958 R69 BMW, 1972 R75/5, 1980 yamaha XS650, 1982 GL1100, 2003 EV, 2007 Triumph America and 2017 V7!!!
All on the road, going nowhere in particular.

Offline ToddK

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #20 on: August 02, 2022, 01:16:15 PM »
I bought my V7III having never sat on one, let alone ridden one. I bought it one state over and had it delivered, for $50. This was a new, fully warrantied bike, however.

Offline Gusable

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #21 on: August 02, 2022, 08:57:48 PM »
I would have someone close to there look at it.  Pay a Forum member or such.
1994 California 1100

Offline ridingron

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #22 on: August 02, 2022, 09:57:39 PM »
I have bought 7 bikes sight unseen on Ebay. 2 Honda ST1100 from dealers and 2 from individuals. An ST1100 is an ST1100 is an ST1100. All 4 were shipped to me. All 4 were acceptable. 2 came with known issues of parts needing changed. I'm familiar with just about any issue the ST1100 could have. I've been riding them since 1999. The other 3 were semi-local with 1 being about 600 miles away. I paid the required down payment and drove there to pick them up. My ideal was to inspect the bike and pay or not pay the balance depending on the condition of the bike. All 3 looked as good as advertised and the test ride was fine. They came home with me!

As I've aged I've lost that blind trust. Now-a-days I would need an inspection by myself or someone I trusted.

Offline Scout63

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #23 on: August 02, 2022, 11:07:13 PM »
Bikes I’ve bought on eBay or otherwise unseen but for photos (that I can remember):

82 CBX
71 R75/5 - New Mexico
61 Matchless - New York
72 V7 Sport - Toronto
79 CX 100 - Toronto
78 900SS Bevel - New York
78 LM1 - New York
79 SP1000 - North Carolina
78 R100S - Belgium

Not a bad experience yet.  I think the motorcycle community is pretty amazing and the vintage community pretty small and easy to suss out. If I get burned I hope it’s a cheap one.

Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline ToddK

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #24 on: August 03, 2022, 07:56:40 AM »
It looks like someone will be buying my V7, finally, sight-unseen. Trying to stay "local" in the MG world, at least in my area, is not feasible. That said; as a first time eBay seller of a motorcycle, I'm a bit apprehensive coming from the other side of the equation.

Offline Motormike

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #25 on: August 03, 2022, 12:01:54 PM »
Fortunate for me, I also live in the very expensive SF Bay Area ... many of the remote motorcycles I buy are in the middle of no where ... so the seller has a hard time getting rid of it ...
Tell me about it!  :sad:

Offline LongRanger

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #26 on: August 03, 2022, 02:46:02 PM »
It looks like someone will be buying my V7, finally, sight-unseen. Trying to stay "local" in the MG world, at least in my area, is not feasible. That said; as a first time eBay seller of a motorcycle, I'm a bit apprehensive coming from the other side of the equation.
You’ll do fine, but remember, if your bike is listed on eBay Motors, the winning bidder is not legally obligated to complete the purchase. Winning bids are non-binding.
2012 BMW R1200R Classic

Offline ToddK

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #27 on: August 03, 2022, 03:17:33 PM »
Thanks, and yes, no guarantee. This is second try, first winner bailed, thankfully.

Offline Dave Swanson

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #28 on: August 03, 2022, 03:46:56 PM »
I've bought a few sight unseen and not a bad experience in the bunch.  The most recent being this 1935 GTS.   It exceeded my expectations.


Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

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Offline yackee

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Re: Long distance purchase without actually flying there?
« Reply #29 on: August 04, 2022, 05:51:00 PM »
Does flying solve the problem? I bought my T3 18 years ago, but via Internet/email, while I was in LA and the seller was in Texas, and I was moving to Wisconsin. After agreeing to buy the bike, I flew down to Texas from Madison on a one-way ticket to hand over the check and take the bike. At that point I was kind of stuck. What was I going to do? Say "no way" and, what, Uber back to Wisconsin? I guess if the bike had been bad enough, and the price agreed to high enough, sure, I would say "forget it" and go back to the airport and take the next plane home. But who does that? It would have to be really, really  bad. It's like taking your kid on a long drive to see a puppy to potentially buy. You aren't leaving without the puppy.

I think the solution is to buy from people who seem, best you can tell, to be real Guzzi afficiandos. Those guys aren't looking to rip anyone off, they want the bike to go to someone who appreciates it. In my case, I had lots of hints that seller was the real deal, not a flipper or scammer That's why I appreciate MGNOC classifieds over CL, fleabay, etc.

 

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