Need quick advice one selling a bike. Shady buyer.

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Persian-Rice

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Basically, I showed a bike to a guy yesterday, he seemed a little off, never discussed price, didn't do much of an inspection, just kind off a shady vibe. He told me he's going to get the money lined up with some financing guy he'll call me, really felt like a tire kicker. We talked a little more, some stuff he was saying wasn't making sense etc etc. So he texts me and says the money is good to go, wants vin and all the bikes info etc etc.

I did a little research on the guy and on his facebook page he's sitting on a bike exactly like mine in a garage. My only concern is, can he use my vin for anything? what information is considered relatively safe to give a potential buyer I just met on Kijiji/Craigslist? I need to text him back.
 
Giving your VIN is completely safe. You can walk up to any car and see the VIN through the front windshield.

He may need the VIN to get insurance and all that good stuff.
 
Thanks buddy, apparently he's having a Chevy dealer buy the bike from me and finance it back to him.....we'll see how it goes.
 
This just screams bad idea. But I want to see what happens. It'll be like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
 
Suggestion - regardless of who buys the bike from you. Make sure you go with them to the bank in order to get the bank draft. There is too much fraud with fake drafts and crap like that these days. Even a GOOD check can get "stopped" up to 30 days later..... so BE CAREFUL!!!!!! So get a draft at the bank.... then you can sleep easy. Also, I hope you didn't show the bike at your house.
 
That's sound advice, thanks. I work for the bank, the bike doesn't leave my possession until I have real cash or the money clears. That end of it I'm well versed in. We are doing the transaction inside the Chevrolet dealership and I'm taking a friend who will be keeping an eye on the bike outside...... Also, no I never show at my home. I've sold a few bikes now, this guy's a little bit of an odd cat, which has me on alert, but I'm not one to judge a book only by it's cover.
 
Persian-Rice said:
Thanks buddy, apparently he's having a Chevy dealer buy the bike from me and finance it back to him.....we'll see how it goes.
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A car dealership buys a motorcycle from an unrelated third party located by their customer so they can sell it back to him?

Take several people with you. It sounds like something the Russian Mob would dream up.
 
Flywheel said:
A car dealership buys a motorcycle from an unrelated third party located by their customer so they can sell it back to him?

Take several people with you. It sounds like something the Russian Mob would dream up.
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It's possible if he is friends with the general manager at the dealership.
Although it does sound a little fishy, if you're well prepared I can't see anything going seriously wrong.
 
I would only deal with one person, cash deal / draf only if im there while they print it at the bank, and never show the bike at my house. If I ever get a bad fealing about the deal I would just go to the next potential buyer. Good luck.
 
Scams usually include a shady character and a story that does not sound right. If you don't want to risk anything just tell him you sold the bike and look for someone else.
 
As long as you're the true owner of the bike, you're not legally obligated to sell to anyone.
If I really wanted to, I could refuse selling you my bike if you showed up with a red jacket. :p
 
Cha0s00100 said:
I would only deal with one person, cash deal / draft only if im there while they print it at the bank, and never show the bike at my house. If I ever get a bad fealing about the deal I would just go to the next potential buyer. Good luck.
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Thats also the ONLY way I would accept a draft. I worked at a bank back when I was in Uni, and I saw many fake drafts (from scammers) come back before the 30days (some after).. people would get sooo ******..
 
Sometimes the risk ain't worth it, I wouldn't deal with these crazy loopholes...it's easier for money to get lost in the cracks ya know?

Like chaos said, just move on if you have a bad feeling.
 
If you are going to a Chevrolet franchise dealer I wouldn't worry to much. Most banks (if any?) won't finance motorcycles so it is very possible the dealer is going to run it through their finance department to help out a customer/friend and make a little money. I am not saying go in blind but I would sooner take payment from a Chevy dealer then some random guy.
 
Flywheel said:
A car dealership buys a motorcycle from an unrelated third party located by their customer so they can sell it back to him?

Take several people with you. It sounds like something the Russian Mob would dream up.
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Yes this is certainly possible, my co-worker made his mortgage owner buy him a brand new 2010 Ford Ranger and throw it in with his home's mortgage payment, his mortgage increaded only by $27/month, so for a mere $27 a month he drives a spanking new pick-up truck.
 
Pegassus said:
Yes this is certainly possible, my co-worker made his mortgage owner buy him a brand new 2010 Ford Ranger and throw it in with his home's mortgage payment, his mortgage increaded only by $27/month, so for a mere $27 a month he drives a spanking new pick-up truck.
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Whoa, the cost of a brand new truck paid out amortized over 25-30 years... The interest alone can buy him a couple more trucks!
 
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