02-21-2023, 03:19 AM
Stuff like this always comes down to the seller, and I've been on all sides of it. But your situation started to sound sketchy, and maybe you did dodge a bullet.
Last year, the conversation going back and forth between me and the seller of a potential project bike started to sound weird, lost the title, oh wait, we found it, oh wait, we lost it again, and between the bank and the sellers house, I pulled over and stopped, and thought a minute. I get excited about buying something like a motorcycle, and had to weigh the increasing sketchiness against my excitement. I changed my mind, turned around, and put the money back in the bank.
There is some honor among sellers. Last month, when my Enfield came up, the deal was very, very attractive. So much so that I replied within 20 minutes of his listing, figuring it wouldn't last. I was coming from about 80 miles away to look at it, and the seller appreciated that. He said "In consideration of your distance, you sound serious about the bike, but I have to tell you, I've got other people interested. If you are on your way, I'll hold it for you." I gave him the arrival time my navigation was showing. That was good enough for him, and he gave me the first shot to buy, telling me he had people waiting for my decision.
I think my weirdest one was showing up to buy a riding mower. I had a truck, but no ramps. Five minutes later, another guy showed up with a truck, and he had ramps.
I was technically first, but I would need help getting the mower into my truck. The other guy didn't need help, and the seller said "The guy who can load it himself gets the sale!"
Last year, the conversation going back and forth between me and the seller of a potential project bike started to sound weird, lost the title, oh wait, we found it, oh wait, we lost it again, and between the bank and the sellers house, I pulled over and stopped, and thought a minute. I get excited about buying something like a motorcycle, and had to weigh the increasing sketchiness against my excitement. I changed my mind, turned around, and put the money back in the bank.
There is some honor among sellers. Last month, when my Enfield came up, the deal was very, very attractive. So much so that I replied within 20 minutes of his listing, figuring it wouldn't last. I was coming from about 80 miles away to look at it, and the seller appreciated that. He said "In consideration of your distance, you sound serious about the bike, but I have to tell you, I've got other people interested. If you are on your way, I'll hold it for you." I gave him the arrival time my navigation was showing. That was good enough for him, and he gave me the first shot to buy, telling me he had people waiting for my decision.
I think my weirdest one was showing up to buy a riding mower. I had a truck, but no ramps. Five minutes later, another guy showed up with a truck, and he had ramps.
I was technically first, but I would need help getting the mower into my truck. The other guy didn't need help, and the seller said "The guy who can load it himself gets the sale!"