Buying privately long distance
Discussion
I haven’t done this in a long time and obviously it worth it for me as I am getting the bike I want. However I am lost at what to do.
Other than asking for a copy of the v5, doing a finance/ writeoff check and perhaps a copy of his liecence, what else could should I do.
Seller is in Scotland and I am in London.
Also do I pay when the courier gets there or before.
Cheers
Sam
Other than asking for a copy of the v5, doing a finance/ writeoff check and perhaps a copy of his liecence, what else could should I do.
Seller is in Scotland and I am in London.
Also do I pay when the courier gets there or before.
Cheers
Sam
Make a weekend of it, hire a van / trailer is the safest way to do it. Otherwise you're relying on the honesty of the seller that the bike does indeed match the description. You're also in a bit of a pickle if the bike turns up with damage that wasn't in a photo beforehand ie damage that occured in transit.
There are some good couriers that specialise in this though. You'd pay a deposit or whatever to the buyer and pay the courier. The courier turns up, does a brief visual inspection of the bike noting any obvious damage and ensures the docs are in order, once all is good they phone you and then you do a bank transfer for the remainder of the money. V5 etc gets signed and the courier loads the bike into their van.
I have heard stories where the courier turns up and the seller has blatantly misrepresented the bike or can't find the V5 and the courier refuses the collect the bike but you're still on the hook for the delivery fee or at least a decent chunk of it.
There are some good couriers that specialise in this though. You'd pay a deposit or whatever to the buyer and pay the courier. The courier turns up, does a brief visual inspection of the bike noting any obvious damage and ensures the docs are in order, once all is good they phone you and then you do a bank transfer for the remainder of the money. V5 etc gets signed and the courier loads the bike into their van.
I have heard stories where the courier turns up and the seller has blatantly misrepresented the bike or can't find the V5 and the courier refuses the collect the bike but you're still on the hook for the delivery fee or at least a decent chunk of it.
Buying a bike blind, and getting a courier to collect it, is purley about trust.
Have a long chat on the phone, and decide whether or not you're trusting this seller.
Some bike couriers will do an inspection for an extra fee.
Things like V5, and driving licence, the seller will only probably show these once someone's there with them. A reg number is probably all they'll give until they've met someone.
Done it both ways plenty of times, met some great people, and if both parties are honest people, it's easy.
Some of the horror stories you hear nowadays though, buyers demanding money back, threats of court etc, I'd be much more wary now.
Have a long chat on the phone, and decide whether or not you're trusting this seller.
Some bike couriers will do an inspection for an extra fee.
Things like V5, and driving licence, the seller will only probably show these once someone's there with them. A reg number is probably all they'll give until they've met someone.
Done it both ways plenty of times, met some great people, and if both parties are honest people, it's easy.
Some of the horror stories you hear nowadays though, buyers demanding money back, threats of court etc, I'd be much more wary now.
Crudeoink said:
Make a weekend of it, hire a van / trailer is the safest way to do it. Otherwise you're relying on the honesty of the seller that the bike does indeed match the description. You're also in a bit of a pickle if the bike turns up with damage that wasn't in a photo beforehand ie damage that occured in transit.
There are some good couriers that specialise in this though. You'd pay a deposit or whatever to the buyer and pay the courier. The courier turns up, does a brief visual inspection of the bike noting any obvious damage and ensures the docs are in order, once all is good they phone you and then you do a bank transfer for the remainder of the money. V5 etc gets signed and the courier loads the bike into their van.
I have heard stories where the courier turns up and the seller has blatantly misrepresented the bike or can't find the V5 and the courier refuses the collect the bike but you're still on the hook for the delivery fee or at least a decent chunk of it.
My issue is that last time I bought a bike privately the bank held up the payment for fraud checks, which took them 4 hours! I will ask the couriers who give me quotes to work something out. There are some good couriers that specialise in this though. You'd pay a deposit or whatever to the buyer and pay the courier. The courier turns up, does a brief visual inspection of the bike noting any obvious damage and ensures the docs are in order, once all is good they phone you and then you do a bank transfer for the remainder of the money. V5 etc gets signed and the courier loads the bike into their van.
I have heard stories where the courier turns up and the seller has blatantly misrepresented the bike or can't find the V5 and the courier refuses the collect the bike but you're still on the hook for the delivery fee or at least a decent chunk of it.
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