View Full Version : Buying a "far away" bike...
gsnyder828
November 1st, 2011, 12:17 PM
So I'm shopping for new bikes - and there are a couple that interest me, but they're each sitting on a coast.
Anyone have experience buying bikes "sight unseen" from afar? These are late model, well built bikes by the descriptions and pics...
I guess I'm curious how you went about it? How did you determine if the seller was trustworthy? How did you pay (paypal, escrow), etc.? Did you make the long-a$$ drive with a suitcase full of cash or have a transport company deliever?
Educate me please.
T Baggins
November 1st, 2011, 12:40 PM
If it's in So Cal, I'll bring it back for ya!
gsnyder828
November 1st, 2011, 12:47 PM
If it's in So Cal, I'll bring it back for ya!
LOL! One of them is... and trust me, I thought about that possibility.
I may be in touch...
g
Blue Junk
November 1st, 2011, 01:18 PM
Send links of the bikes, or ask about the owners. Even though your in Colorado chances are someone will know them or know someone who does. I've purchased a couple this way and it always ended up well.
If you want it shipped, I can get it here really inexpensively. Around $450-500 east coast and probably $240-280 west.
Pm the owners if you prefer.
Good luck!
gsnyder828
November 1st, 2011, 02:24 PM
Kory - sent you a pm.
g
jplracing
November 1st, 2011, 07:25 PM
Geoff
Depending on where they are (yes I know one is in SoCal), I may be able to help.
I have friends (that are racers) in Northern California, New York, New Jersey and Minnesota.
If the bikes are in those areas I can put you in touch with them.
Joe
benfoxmra95
November 1st, 2011, 11:44 PM
find your own escrow company. don't use "their" suggested company. had a friend who was burned on a supra for $20k in that fashion. fake escrow company.
Jim 'smooth' Brewer
November 12th, 2011, 10:27 AM
I'm a little late with a reply, sorry.
For not much more than having it shipped, I flew to Austin, rented a 1-way box van and hauled my bike back. I was able to see the bike in person before buying it and do the deal face to face.
gsnyder828
February 8th, 2012, 06:42 PM
I'm a little late with a reply, sorry.
For not much more than having it shipped, I flew to Austin, rented a 1-way box van and hauled my bike back. I was able to see the bike in person before buying it and do the deal face to face.
Jim - who did you rent the box van through? My early searches are showing the van rental costing way more than shipping... and that's before gas.
g
rforsythe
February 8th, 2012, 07:32 PM
I'm a little late with a reply, sorry.
For not much more than having it shipped, I flew to Austin, rented a 1-way box van and hauled my bike back. I was able to see the bike in person before buying it and do the deal face to face.
Jim - who did you rent the box van through? My early searches are showing the van rental costing way more than shipping... and that's before gas.
g
That guy with the free candy van will rent it cheap...
T Baggins
February 9th, 2012, 08:41 AM
Back in 1988, I bought Ricky O's '87 GSXR750 AMA Supersport Bike.
I was living in San Fran at the time. Arranged the financing over the phone, flew in to Denver, took a shuttle to Cycles of Boulder, bought the bike and a tank-bag.
Took it to a friends house, stripped off the number plates, etc and put the turn signals and headlights back on. He shipped the parts to me in a box.
Rode it back to San Fran the next day.
Piece of cake.
gsnyder828
February 9th, 2012, 09:37 AM
I'm a little late with a reply, sorry.
For not much more than having it shipped, I flew to Austin, rented a 1-way box van and hauled my bike back. I was able to see the bike in person before buying it and do the deal face to face.
Jim - who did you rent the box van through? My early searches are showing the van rental costing way more than shipping... and that's before gas.
g
That guy with the free candy van will rent it cheap...
You mean Carl? :lol:
gsnyder828
February 9th, 2012, 09:38 AM
Back in 1988, I bought Ricky O's '87 GSXR750 AMA Supersport Bike.
I was living in San Fran at the time. Arranged the financing over the phone, flew in to Denver, took a shuttle to Cycles of Boulder, bought the bike and a tank-bag.
Took it to a friends house, stripped off the number plates, etc and put the turn signals and headlights back on. He shipped the parts to me in a box.
Rode it back to San Fran the next day.
Piece of cake.
I might try that - how bad could it be in Feb?
T Baggins
February 9th, 2012, 10:56 AM
I bought mine in February... it was sketchy going over I-70 passes but was just wet, not snowpacked.
Jim 'smooth' Brewer
February 10th, 2012, 07:08 AM
Jim - who did you rent the box van through? My early searches are showing the van rental costing way more than shipping... and that's before gas.
I rented a Penske box truck one-way for $481. You also have to add the cost of a 1-way plane ticket, I suppose.
My wife and I made a little vacation/road trip out of it so it was fun. It definitely was worth the extra money to see the thing in person and transporting it myself, although I would have felt very differently if it'd been a pile-o-junk.
gsnyder828
February 10th, 2012, 11:04 AM
Jim - who did you rent the box van through? My early searches are showing the van rental costing way more than shipping... and that's before gas.
I rented a Penske box truck one-way for $481. You also have to add the cost of a 1-way plane ticket, I suppose.
My wife and I made a little vacation/road trip out of it so it was fun. It definitely was worth the extra money to see the thing in person and transporting it myself, although I would have felt very differently if it'd been a pile-o-junk.
Thanks... was curious if I was missing something, Penske is running over double that now. Might be regional/demand affected.
KFinn
February 10th, 2012, 11:23 AM
What about renting an F150 or Cargo van e150 from enterprise or something? probably better on mileage, comfort, power, and aerodynamics?
gsnyder828
February 10th, 2012, 12:45 PM
What about renting an F150 or Cargo van e150 from enterprise or something? probably better on mileage, comfort, power, and aerodynamics?
Tried that too - can't find one that's one way.
Sol Performance
February 10th, 2012, 01:38 PM
Put me on your list of people who know people. I have friends coming from either coast all the time.
Sol Performance
February 10th, 2012, 01:39 PM
Put me on your list of people who know people. I have friends coming from either coast all the time.
(I guess my phone really wanted you to know I wrote. Sorry for the double post)
d_mob
February 10th, 2012, 03:04 PM
What about renting an F150 or Cargo van e150 from enterprise or something? probably better on mileage, comfort, power, and aerodynamics?
Tried that too - can't find one that's one way.
Huh? All major rental companies do one-way rentals. I use Avis for this frequently.
Just go on their site and ensure pick up and drop off locations are different and you should be good to go. I try not to talk with anyone in person as they are all effin morons (IMO).
Good luck!
PS... What bike you getting?
gsnyder828
February 10th, 2012, 04:00 PM
What about renting an F150 or Cargo van e150 from enterprise or something? probably better on mileage, comfort, power, and aerodynamics?
Tried that too - can't find one that's one way.
Huh? All major rental companies do one-way rentals. I use Avis for this frequently.
Just go on their site and ensure pick up and drop off locations are different and you should be good to go. I try not to talk with anyone in person as they are all effin morons (IMO).
Good luck!
PS... What bike you getting?
I tried the Hertz/Avis/Entreprise etc. 1 way thing too - and got "sold out" on all the vans/pickups, which I interpreted as "no way pal, we're not sending that truck to CO"
As for which bike - not sure yet, but whatever I get it'll be faster than Ray Ray's. I have a local lead I'm hoping to hear back on... otherwise there are a few good candidates on the left coast I'm considering.
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