What do you do when?

[BMWBubblehead]

you have an "agreement" to sell a motorcycle (listed on the flea market!) and the "buyer" doesn't sent the money as he said he would. This goes on over a couple of weeks? Promises, then a few days go by and he "asks for more photos", then asks for the VIN number/registration copy... They ask me to "alter" a receipt to limit the tax they have to pay in another state! It is starting to smell "fishy" and I'm pulling out. Is that the right thing to do?

signed,
"starting to get ANGRY in Indiana...." :lurk :deal

[BMWBubblehead]

Is the buyer from Africa or Europe ? Does he speak and understand English ?

Nope, he is from California, or so he says. He is a DR no less.( or is alleged to be)... Maybe it is a scam all the way. :doh

Or maybe he is legit, way too busy, sucks at communication, has trouble making decisions, thinks people are out to get him, can't committ, or whatever. :lurk

[k100lt]

Pulling out is the RIGHT thing to do

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi John, I also would be pulling out of the deal. Why would you want to deal with someone who is willing to risk a felony like tax evasion for the measly amount of money involved in sales tax?

Regards, Rod.

[snoone]

Either pull out or make him put certified funds in your hands that clear before you send him the bike/title

[Motorman]

It used to be common to have a bill of sale for an item listing the sales price as " a dollar in hand and other good considerations". His tax burden is not sales tax alone it's the license fee he will have to pay on the bike once he brings it to California. IIRC that is only if the bike (or other vehicle) is less than a year old for the sales tax and there was no sales tax collected on the vehicle in the first state. The license fee will be based upon valuation and if it's like AZ., if he gives them a low ball sale reciept they will just use their own valuation any how.

If the guy is a DR. and can't afford the fee's I'd be real worried.

If he can't come up with the cash in a week tell him thanks but bye.

[Montana]

You aren't "pulling out;" they're a "no show" on the deal. Be sure to understand the perspective.

For future reference, another tactic is to get an earnest money deposit. This needs to be an amount that makes it worth you telling others, "Sorry, it's in the process of a sale." Don't tell us you essentially agreed to remove it from the market but they didn't send you any money? See what's wrong with that picture? You get the earnest money and set a timeframe for the balance. If they don't follow up as scheduled you retain the deposit and put it on the market again. Also, if they back out for any other reason other than a mutual "let's cancel this deal," they forfeit the earnest money.

I thought I sold a bike to a guy who then decided to go get his rider endorsement; which he failed to do, literally failing. I explained I wasn't warehousing the bike until he could legally ride it, he was either buying it or it was back on the market. I kept his deposit. I had missed two weeks of potential sales calls and had to return a call to an earlier shopper. The deposit offsets the loss to you.

[BMWBubblehead]

Thanks! Great info/advice. I've sold many things in the ON, a few on-line in the flea market already, and other on-line pages. This is really the first hiccup.

I'll re-post it in a bit. Paypal deposit is a great idea, I do that on flea bay, don't know why I didn't think of it here...

Again, Thanks everyone! :wave

[BMWBubblehead]

Don't think in any way that I'm dissing the flea market. I think it is great! As I said, I've sold a bunch of things through the ON flea market, a few already in the on-line flea market and haven't had any problems. Lucky so far I guess... I have no intention of not supporting both the on-line and ON flea markets!!!

Thanks MOA!! :wave

[nhlkats]

http://66.255.156.8/media/10-235-05.jpg
wouldnt touch that "deal" with a 10 foot pole if i were you

[Belquar]

Having recently sold a motorcycle...

Bike ain't sold till money changes hands. Unless you are comfortable taking a check cashiers or otherwise I would require a wire transfer or cash in hand. I actually met the guy at the bank, he withdrew 10k in cash and handed it to me.

When I purchased the replacement I wired money in two separate transfers for the amount. Wire transfers are quick and usually only cost 12 or 15 dollars. All you need is account numbers. You don't even have to share the account number with the other party you can give it to a representative of the bank.

Keep the bike up for sale with a qualifier. Money talks. First one with money in hand gets it. I always told folks who expressed an interest to be very up front with their interest that I would sell it to a taker. Most asked....if you get a better offer give me a call. I gave them that courtesy. If I could not get in touch with them oh well. Their loss. Answer your phone.

The tax thing....tell them no. If they still want to quibble about that....well they didn't really want your bike. Good luck with your sale.

It can be real frustrating.

:banghead

[Mika]

Send a registered letter to him with return receit required.

Find out how long it will take for the receit to clear or if you may track it on the USPS web site. I am not certain but I believe you will be able to.

Give him X days to perform on the deal as made.

Do not participate in a fraud by screwing with taxes unless you are a crook yourself. It is a simple rule of thumb I was taught as a youth, no offense intended to you.

On X+1 put the bike back up for sale. When the next buyer contacts you make clear the terms of sale in writing.

Send the first, now non-buyer, a registered letter stating that he failed to perform in the time required you are no longer doing business with him.

Save copies. He will not come after you but they will remind you each time you run across them that the net is a great place to sell things if you are careful.

My Latin is non existant so the translation in english - On the Net - Sell be Ware.

[BMWBubblehead]

I have re-listed the bike for sale, with many of the stipulations you've described. $500.00 up front deposit money by paypal or cash. Balance certified or cash at pick up, and pick up with-in a week.

I appreciate all the help!

[Emoto]

Money talks, BS walks. I have also been jerked around on a sale (not here) and learned not to accept deposits, either. My deal is always "paid in full, in cash" or no deal.

I always leave amounts blank on any paperwork, so they can fill it in later. I assume they will be honest, but if they are not, it isn't my problem.