sagot
Zone Head
Posts: 779
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posted September 20, 2005 01:48 PM
ebay?
Has any one here ever bought a bike from ebay???
If so how did it go?
I just had my eye on a Ducati 888 and was tempted but all you get are photos.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
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posted September 20, 2005 02:59 PM
just say no!
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sagot
Zone Head
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posted September 20, 2005 03:29 PM
Any reason or just gut in stinked.
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trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
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posted September 20, 2005 06:46 PM
I bought a KTM 525 SMR off of eBay.
Overall I still think I got a good deal... I do think the bike, while still no doubt pretty new, has more hours on it than claimed (only 5 rides claimed.) Judging only from small things, namely the right handgrip was super-worn looking (on the other hand, maybe he tore up the original and replaced it with an old one, and there's no way the rest of the bike is as old as that grip, and the left grip was fairly new-seeming) and the air filter seemed considerably grimier than I would expect for 5 rides.
Unfortunately with that model (and some similar ones) of KTM that is a real issue, as there is a very early valve adjustment called for, as well as quite frequent engine teardowns to replace bearings and check various things. So 10 extra hours of use does make the difference whether I can just go ride it (though I also have to make it street-legal first and that got held up for a different reason totally unrelated to the seller) or do engine maintenance first.
The seller was a super helpful guy though and threw in extras, so call it even all around.
On non-bike things, I used to use eBay a great deal in buying and selling pro audio gear, and probably over time had about $15K of transactions with a lot of people... never a problem.
That is not to say anyone else is guaranteed no problem, there are scam artists out there, but I personally have done perfectly OK there and saved a lot of money (compared to buying the same elsewhere) as well as had easier times selling things.
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squidlydiddly
Expert Class
Posts: 247
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posted September 20, 2005 10:39 PM
 Edited By: squidlydiddly on 20 Sep 2005 23:44
I've been an active eBayer since early 2001. I probably exceed 60 purchases / $4,000US each year, not including bikes that I've purchased.
I've had maybe 3 problem transactions, none of which were costly or too much grief... (i.e. it's hard to get bent over a t-shirt that apparently went missing in the mail...)
I've sold relatively few items through eBay, but some have been high value, and proceeded without incident.
As in most areas of life, you have to do your research to determine the nature of the vendor and products, and be well versed in the retail value / what you're willing to pay. Pay attention to shipping charges and use a drop-service on the other side of the border. But remember that you are on your own: the eBay / PayPal dispute resolution mechanisms are a joke.
If you do proceed to bid on a bike, I suggest being prepared to fly to the pickup location upon winning the auction, and only then parting with your cash. Ride / truck it home or put it in a crate yourself.
FWIW Scott, the (very appealling) 888 and 851 are the two Ducs that I could not afford to buy without knowing the service history / condition. Hopefully you're also aware of the very soft resale market in the lower mainland for these models.
For something less 'global', the Seattle based craigslist is an excellent 'bulletin board' for bikes etc.
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squidlydiddly
Expert Class
Posts: 247
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posted September 20, 2005 10:53 PM
Edited By: squidlydiddly on 20 Sep 2005 23:53
My response failed to answer your simple question...
I won the bidding on three bikes between 2003 and 2004. I successfully took possession of two of the bikes, including Canadian importation.
The 900 had undisclosed maintenance requirements, but I feel that the vendor didn't scam me and was just an unsophisticated owner. Ultimately satisfactory experiences.
I reneged on one auction because the vendor started waffling as to the physical location and national title of the bike (Malaysia vs Australia). Contradicting the terms of the auction, he refused to cooperate with an escrow. Neither of us complained to eBay and the deal just went away.
I know of at least another 4 bikes that friends have purchased through eBay satisfactorily.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21896
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posted September 21, 2005 08:08 AM
wow,,, squid... cool.. you';re honestly the first Canadian I've heard here purchase bikes online through ebay... I always figured that it would be too much hassle and you'd get screwed by customs and ccra somehow...
i've seen posts on bscb, but of course it's hard to consider that place to be a "reliable source".
Were there any compliance issues, or did you simply need letters of conformity?
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squidlydiddly
Expert Class
Posts: 247
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posted September 21, 2005 08:56 AM
Fish, the bikes have to be on the Transport Canada list, otherwise there may certainly be 'compliance issues'.
Then all you need is the recall / conforming letter from the mfg., proof of legal US export, and after parting with C$160, you're home free. GST is collected at the border and PST by ICBC upon registration. Three forms to be completed / mailed back & forth, but the only inspection is the farce that Cambodian Tire carries out; looking for the tire inflation decals and providing a km/h sticker for the gauges...
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squidlydiddly
Expert Class
Posts: 247
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posted September 21, 2005 08:57 AM
Why is Sagot using YoungLion's avatar? It's freakin me out!
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted September 21, 2005 12:00 PM
I am a Power Seller on ebay.
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sagot
Zone Head
Posts: 779
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posted September 21, 2005 03:44 PM
That better?
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21896
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posted September 22, 2005 07:20 AM
quote:
inspection is the farce that Cambodian Tire carries out;
yer kidding me...
well... I guess that's gots ta be better than when I remember Honest Al and Good 'ol Fenton @ Daytona "certifying motorcycles".... ah... this crop of "new" riders we have are gonna be in fer a few big shocks when they get to see what some of these local stores are really about...
should make for some great entertainment!
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