Any One Ever Buy A Bike Off Ebay ? Beware of scam.

[MXFun86]

I buy EVERYTHING on Ebay.  Never had a problem.  But then I check feedback scores and such before I bid.  As for a bike, I've bought a 2007 GS500F for $250, yes two hundred and fifty dollars and gawd she is shweet  , and a 441 Victor for $455.  Never a problem.  Only met one person who actually had a problem, and that turned out to be just slow shipping.  So he basically got the $100 part for the $20 paypal claim price.

[Madbones]

Im in the proccess of selling my bike here in Australia......For me ebay either buying or selling is great , just use your common sense....We have a similar site here called the Trading Post...............man the amount of spam i get sent to my email and mobile is ridiculous form people who are saying they are off shore on fishing trawlers or navy ships who just want to buy it for a present for the wife ect........and want my account details.....yeah right.....http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130378147789&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
Im getting a new bike 

[Ton]

I bought the only bike I've ever owned off ebay, great transaction, very happy.  But in my search I came across plenty of situations I didn't trust,  and some garunteed to be scams.  I had a gut feeling the kid was for real and the bike as stated, that feeling made the diference for me.

Tony

[shchuka]

In my experience, the ones where "bike is in superb condition, like new, not a dinch on it" coupled with a low feedback score of the seller are usually to avoid.  If on the other hand the seller has a high feedback score and the description honestly lists the negatives (i.e. where the dents/scratches are, etc.), then those are more than likely to be ok.  If the seller is local, you can always request to see the bike before bidding.  Honest sellers will certainly be ok with that.

[Shaddow]

I've bought both my bikes off E-bay. If you can, it doesn't hurt to ask to see it before hand. I've bought and sol numerous cars through e-bay. I will only pay for a car/bike once I've seen it. If I bid and win and turn up and its not what they said, I will not hand over my cash because it isn't as advertised. Anyone selling a bike/car that wants a deposit straightaway probably knows they have a dodgy product, plus if they tell you there are no problems usually there is something major wrong they hope you don't notice till you've taken it away. Common sense is the ruling.

[whttnbrg]

I bought my 95 off of Ebay. I bid and got it for 800 dollars

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

It's not 100% ethical according to ebay, but I spotted my bike on there at $2900 or best offer, and just called the "any questions" number.  I made an offer and told him I wanted it that day as long as it checked out ok.  I went to see him, checked out the bike, ran a check on the Vin and engine numbers, gave him $2500 and rode it home, all within 12 hours of spotting the ad.

Ebay were cut out of the loop completely.  I didn't want to make an offer through ebay then be held to it when I went to inspect the bike.  Since Ebay no longer offers any decent buyer protection, there was no reason to deal through them.

It was a good deal for both of us, the bike probably was worth nearer the $2000 mark, but it was registered and perfectly roadworthy and I was able to grab it straight away by just putting the cash on the table.  A cleaner, slightly newer example would be in the $4-6K range, so I was always going to be starting with something a little rough in my price bracket.

I'd do the same with any large purchases off ebay, unless from ordering from an established retailer with an actual store.   Make sure you can meet the seller and inspect the product before you're committed to buying anything.  This may mean contacting sellers "off list" which is against ebay protocol, but you'd be amazed how receptive people are if you ring them up and offer to come around with a wad of cash. 

[Shaddow]

Ebay say its unethical because they get a percentage of the final sale if the sale goes through. They don't like missing out on their money. None of the vehicles I have put on ebay for sale actually were finalised on ebay. People would ring and ask to look and make an offer in person. I'd either say nay or yay and off they would or wouldn't go with the vehicle. I would cancel the add and continue on my merrier way paying the $18 dollars for right to place the add on ebay and then cancel it.

[mike__R]

I've bought a truck and at least 3 bikes off eBay, nothing ever over $1000, and all have been as advertised.  Nothing spetacular, but no outright lies either.  Although the truck looked better in the pictures than it did in real life, but it was a 16 year old chevy truck with 200+K miles and from MN (salt everywhere in the winter).  The additional rust didn't surprise me.

[darcy77]

I bought my FJR off eBay. Got a great deal, the bike was exactly as described, and the seller was great. Picked me up the airport, let me crash at his house over night, took my on a riding tour of Minneapolis, really great. Plus I got to spend 4 days on my bike riding it back to BC. Like everyone else has said, check the feedback, ask your questions before hand, and know what you're looking for. My last purchase was a $1800 mountain bike, and again, no problems at all.

[missk8t]

I just bought my GS off Ebay here in Aus. The bloke I bought it from was fantastic, told me all the mods he did and why also was very blunt about how the front fairing had a crack (which was plastically welded). Couldn't have asked for a better deal really 09 12500kms with factory warranty left for $4800.

I couldn't find anything near this price anywhere else. Bargain!

K8

[mab32]

I bought my last 81 GS1100 off ebay.
The guy was close enough so I could go look at it with cash in pocket, got a good deal.
Long distance stuff ......??
I'd try to get a fellow forum member from the area to check it out first.

[SgtBatten]

I buy and sell everything on ebay.

I sell playstation controllers mostly and some belt clips that are big in the costuming community that i found on the cheap and bought in bulk.

I buy on ebay as often as i sell.

Got a go pro hdhero2 for $300 express shipped from the US ($100 less than retail)
bought accessories for it like lcd bacpac. saved about 50%
bought rim stickers for my bike (cost next to nothing)

i buy watches, clothing, electronics and even toys all of ebay. i find it is the cheapest place to do so for MOST things and i do research all prices first.
I even buy from people with low/no feedback and ive never been burned once.

Just this week a guy was selling a gs500f front fairing with headlight etc. i didnt want that but i sent him a message about what else he had from that bike. ended up getting levers (mine are bent) bar ends and a new instrument cluster for $30. schweet.

EDIT:
of i forgot to mention. my mate got a ducati 998 with tons of performance mods and only 4500 kms on the clock for just over $10000 from ebay. The guy selling it was divorcing his wife and needed money fast for legal bills.

[yamahonkawazuki]

had a friend buy two vehicles on egay. a 2002 mercedes s500 and a 2006 maserati gransport. both of which had opt out clauses. a must i insist when dealing with motorvehicles. if you cant see them prepurchase. both of his vehicles turned out to be perfect. the mas. is stunning hte merc. was a gem as well. was sent with temp tags in window so he could evaluate them if all was good paperwork comes thru. if not he calls and they pick up.

[Higgins13]

I have boughten tons of things off eBay and never had any issues. The largest purchase was $500. Before I but I check the sellers reviews and ratings. I only buy from ebay "stores" under the buy it now function.

[codajastal]

I have bought and sold cars, boats and bikes on ebay without any issues Always read the feedback and dont buy from someone that wont give you an address to view the item.

[raypitter]

My Friend buy a bike from eBay last year and he has no problem with it and it is working properly .I think it is best to buy from eBay.

[OldTwinzNeverDie]

Not about buying....selling.
I believe most people are incredibly trustworthy but I also hold to the old "if it's too good to be true..."

I've  sold two motorcycles on Ebay. One I shipped from ATL to Miami, (Allied does an *excellent* job BTW!)  buyer asked very few questions, seemed almost *too* eager to buy. I looked at his feedback history he had purchased *many* motorcycles in the previous year on Ebay, all metric cruisers, and tons of other things. Apparently he was buying goods and shipping them to S. America, not a problem for me his Paypal went through like poop out of a goose!

Downside? None!

2nd bike, fellow from middle GA bought, arrived with a trailer, I let him test-ride it, answered every conceivable question (and then some) Paid cash. A year later he rode it to Alaska and had MANY problems with the bike...it happens! He still has it though, must be something he likes about it he got a heck of a deal!

Personally I would not buy a bike on Ebay unless I could look at it in person and take a test ride. Not a matter of trust, pictures can only tell so much.

As far as scams go, in general, Always, look for obvious stuff like NO activity on sellers account for a long period of time then all of a sudden there's one or more "big ticket" items at "too good to be true" prices. Account likely has been hacked! Hey, it DOES happen! Don't know if PayPal protects against that, it would be worth finding out.

Buyer feedback is indispensable in weeding out the bad guys.

As far as parts and accessories goes I have found some tremendous deals on Ebay Motors with a bit of determined shopping. I got a matching set of brand new Michelin "Pilot Activ" tires for the GS (from two different sellers) for under $100 delivered! Lovely tires, the 110/80-17 on the front does exactly what I wanted it to do, get rid of the "twitchiness"....much  more stable and planted now, yet still very responsive in curves, plus the PO had severely damaged the bead (and the inside rim) on the crappy Shinko tire he mounted. Had I known it was that bad I would have never ridden it. Ok, I know, tangents, sorry!

Also, it is amazing how often people will list their stuff in the wrong category...."think outside of the box" Ebay's search engine will not always drill down through enough layers and it will not produce hits on misspellings!
Not meaning to sound like a "know it all", I don't!

Good Luck!
-OT-

[Calpantera]

Figured I would give this old thread a bump..
I got my Camaro off of ebay for $9k with no issues, I had a buddy try to buy a bike off of ebay and he fell for the escrow scam and lost a ton of money. That when that scam just started like in 2007 or so..

[john]

Should I unsticky this thread?