GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: raindrift on March 25, 2005, 12:37:01 AM

Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: raindrift on March 25, 2005, 12:37:01 AM
I'm in the process of purchasing an engine from a guy in Texas (I live in California).  He asked me to send him money via Western Union, and to specify that  they weren't to deliver the payment til they'd received a tracking number.

Well, I talked to Western Union and they don't do that sort of thing.  Once I send the money, it's available to him and there's no way for me to get it back, period.  They don't hold payments for any reason...  so, that's out.

I've spoken with him on the phone, and he seems nice enough, but it's also a lot of money and I can't really risk it on a hunch.  I'm sure he feels the same way.

I suggested sending it COD, but he doesn't want to have to wait til Fedex gets around to sending him a check.  I can understand that.  There's also an escrow service like escrow.com, but that's a little expensive, and neither of us has any experience with using them.

I know some of you have bought large items from private sellers over the net before.  How have you done it so nobody's at risk of being scammed?
Title: Scammo
Post by: The Buddha on March 25, 2005, 12:55:18 AM
Yup ... scammo ... use escrow.com ... not some dumbass one he suggests ... reputed escrow service ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: starwalt on March 25, 2005, 06:45:59 AM
The anguish you would feel over losing all your money will be far less than the anguish you would feel over losing a good deal because of not working out the payment details.

If in doubt, don't. It is simple. If this guy is legit, he will make himself known here or on a big venue like ebay. Villages, raising children and all that rot.

Some people have moved away from PayPal due to charges. I still use them because I usually have very little or nothing in the things I sell on ebay. There has got to be an engine somewhere in CA you can touch and feel. Some of the "shops" around here in SC are little more than IRS or ATF raids waiting to happen. Try Cycle Trader or something similar for CA  and see if a damaged bike is on the block.
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: scratch on March 25, 2005, 08:39:49 AM
I would suggest Fremont Cycle Salvage. And, maybe BayAreaRidersForum.com

And, Craigslist.org
Title: Cyl head ...
Post by: The Buddha on March 25, 2005, 09:41:42 AM
Shops ... Ha ...
I wanted a cylinder head for a savage ... a used one, not rebuilt or even worked on ... stock pulled off a bike that was supposedly running ... guess how much ... someone ... anyone ... OK ...
$550 ... I laughed and hung up ... Rebuilding mine is ~ $200 ... but its rebuilt ... with new valves and seals and seats machined and extra preloaded springs possibly ... There is one on ebay for $15 ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: Jake D on March 25, 2005, 09:49:20 AM
What about sending a partial payment and when you get the engine, if it is as warranted, send him the rest?  That way, if you get screwed, it'll be a quickie.
Title: Re: Cyl head ...
Post by: Dom on March 25, 2005, 09:54:22 AM
Quote from: seshadri_srinathShops ... Ha ...
I wanted a cylinder head for a savage ... a used one, not rebuilt or even worked on ... stock pulled off a bike that was supposedly running ... guess how much ... someone ... anyone ... OK ...
$550 ... I laughed and hung up ... Rebuilding mine is ~ $200 ... but its rebuilt ... with new valves and seals and seats machined and extra preloaded springs possibly ... There is one on ebay for $15 ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Aurora Suzuki here in Seattle wanted $250 to rejet my carbs.   :roll:

Anyone here want your carbs jetted?  I'll do it for 200 that will include shipping both ways.   :lol:
Title: Me too ...
Post by: The Buddha on March 25, 2005, 10:44:02 AM
Yea me too ... rejet and shipping $200 ... OK I'll also replace bolts in the carbs ... and synch etc ... yup ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: callmelenny on March 25, 2005, 11:12:31 AM
where in Texas? maybe another GStwin person could help you out...
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: raindrift on March 25, 2005, 11:26:06 AM
Thanks for all the info!  I'm not sure how we're going to do it yet, but I'll report back when I know.

callmelenny: it's in New Caney, TX, which is apparently a little town somewhere near Houston.
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: callmelenny on March 25, 2005, 11:43:16 AM
Quote from: raindriftThanks for all the info!  I'm not sure how we're going to do it yet, but I'll report back when I know.

callmelenny: it's in New Caney, TX, which is apparently a little town somewhere near Houston.

That is good ways from me, otherwise I would offer to go see the guy. Sorry
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: raindrift on March 25, 2005, 01:21:49 PM
Oh well.  Thanks for the offer, though!  :)
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: davipu on March 25, 2005, 07:58:35 PM
speaking of lond distance sellers,  I heard some stuff about that Srinath guy....... :mrgreen:
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: werase643 on March 25, 2005, 08:55:35 PM
yeah.....me tooo  :o  :o  :o
Title: Oh yea ...
Post by: The Buddha on March 25, 2005, 09:08:54 PM
Oh yea ... I got your long distance right here ...  :x  :x  ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: Blueknyt on March 25, 2005, 11:23:20 PM
:o  You Do? Where?  :dunno:



Oh, there it is :thumb:  nope lost it  :x

i dont know, think your  :bs: 'n
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: davipu on March 25, 2005, 11:27:10 PM
the Srinath special;  a twin jet carb kit for 01+ only 59.95  +shipping  no returns and no local sales. instalation extra. +tax, tags and title. :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:
Title: its me who the seller!
Post by: josh28 on March 28, 2005, 06:33:40 AM
Hello guys,
as a registered member of the GSTWIN PAGE I have sent numbers of postings to several people to help me get my pics up to sell these parts to all who would need them!!!

So far no answers!

I did send a item payment by western union last year and they aquired the tracking # before i got paid, but found out they no longer support that.

I offered to just send the motor to Raindrift, and then he send me the money to me, but he did not want me to feel like I was geeting a shaft! I thank him for that.

Still trying to get it to him by airfreight this week.

Hey Larry where do you live in Texas?
Title: Re: its me who the seller!
Post by: callmelenny on March 28, 2005, 08:09:19 AM
Quote from: josh28

Hey Larry where do you live in Texas?

I'm in Georgetown, North of Austin.

PM me if you want to discuss further
Title: Buying stuff from distant sellers...
Post by: john on March 28, 2005, 08:16:10 AM
Why not just ship it by UPS COD.  You can request bank check/certified funds AND it costs only $5 more to send a package COD.  That way both people are safe and covered.  It takes the sender an extra week or so before he gets the money, but I think it's worth the wait.

You can write on the top of the box in marker that it is OK for the recipient to inspect the contents of the package -usually the driver will allow the person to open it up and give it a quick looky if he's a good guy.