09-17-2019, 02:00 PM
(09-17-2019, 01:06 PM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: I’ve always required my asking price in cash and check for a motorcycle license before allowing a test ride on any bike I’m selling. When I’m buying, I’ve encountered all types of sellers. A few have just handed me their bikes with no money or collateral. Hadn’t even brought someone else with me. I must look trustworthy.
I’ve been lucky not to have any unpleasant or unscrupulous situations as a buyer or seller of vehicles in private party transactions.
I saw the ad for my current CB on a Saturday night, and looked at it on Sunday before leaving on a business trip. Since I didn’t have access to cash for a purchase, the seller politely declined to let me ride the bike and I completely understood. We made a gentleman’s agreement that I’d come back with cash after my trip intending to purchase the bike.
When my wife and I came back a week later with the money, he had been having second thoughts about selling. He sent me off on a test ride, and when I came back just a few minutes later, he had his hopes up that the short ride meant I didn’t like the bike. When I said I did like it, he insisted that I take a longer ride. “These bikes get really uncomfortable after a while. Take it for a long ride, and take it out on the freeway, and you’ll see that you probably won’t want it.”
His wife and mine were having a pleasant conversation so I went for a longer ride, which of course didn’t make me like it any less. We sealed the deal once his wife overrode the owner’s hesitation to sell it. “If you like it so much how come you’ve hardly ridden it since you just had to have it six years ago?”
So in this case, the female spouse, albeit not mine, was on my side. Mine was supportive as well of course.
Haha...that's a great story.
(09-16-2019, 12:57 PM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: As a seller, you are in an awkward position in allowing test rides. A few years ago, a 30-something potential buyer parked his late model Saab across the street to see my Triumph Bonneville. Everything seemed okay, he left me his cluster of keys, and proceeded to take a ripping test ride through the neighborhood, back and forth, through the gears, having a blast.
I felt pretty stupid, as I walked across the street and could see that the guy was clearly living in his car. He finally came back after about 20 minutes, said thanks, but no, gave me the keys, and took his, and left. Absolutely nothing I could do or say, all legal on his part.
Now I am much more careful, and will give a test ride only with cash in hand, with the clear understanding that the bike is his if the bike functioned as it should, not how he expected or hoped. The test ride is the last step if everything is working properly.
I understand the need to protect yourself as an owner, but I would never agree to the test ride if only granted "with the clear understanding" that the bike is mine if it functioned as it should.
Of course you as seller have the right to sell under the conditions you want, and if the bike is an easy one to sell, offered at a good price, you'd probably find a taker soon enough...it just wouldn't be me. There have been a few bikes that I was positive that I would like, and then once I test rode thought..."ugh, no way does this work for me".