Here are some useful tips below regarding how to make a long distance bike sale transaction more secure for both the buyer and seller.
- Consider using a title transfer service to make your transaction more secure.
- Be sure to arrange your shipment with a USDOT licensed and bonded shipper.
- Ask for detailed pictures of the bike from the seller prior to purchasing the bike.
- Make a list of detailed questions to ask the seller relative to the bikes condition and maintenance history and document the seller's responses.
- Ask the seller to bring the bike to their local motorcycle shop. Call the service manager and ask him/her to provide an independent assessment of the bikes condition. If there are surprises, you can attempt to re-negotiate the deal.
- Only buy a bike that has a title.
- Ask the seller to take pictures of the bike just prior to shipping the bike in order to have a record of the bikes condition prior to shipping.
- Ask the seller to provide a notarized bill of sale.
- Don't buy a bike if you cannot contact the seller by telephone. Scams have been reported recently on bike purchases. Scammers say they do not have a working phone number, or claimed their hearing was impaired and couldn't use a phone.
- If the seller arranges your shipment make sure you contact the shipper to ensure the shipment has been booked before sending money to the seller. Scam artists have told buyers that shipments have been set up with the shipper and wired money to scam sellers thinking the shipment has been set up only to find out later the shipment had not been booked.
- If possible do not wire money to a seller. It's usually a better option to send a form of payment that can have a stop placed on it if necessary.
- Be careful when considering an international purchase or sale. Many scams have been reported recently involving international transactions. For more information visit:www.shippingmasters.com
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