Loathing California

[James.A]

I've done dozens or deals for parts. All parts of this great country of ours, and Canada. Why is it that every time I hook a deal with a person in California, it turns into a hair-pulling, screw you transaction?

[skiteach]

They're really evertwhere. I can think of an eBay seller in Fl and a Mower parts place in Ma. The first was purely fraudulent, the other loses orders.

[bobh41]

I wonder if it has something to do with "smoke" inhalation?

[nealart]

You'll probably have to do 100's of sales before the averages start to even out.

Or maybe it's you.:laugh

[OHScot]

In our business our best vendors are in the upper midwest. MN, WI, OH. Worst are east coast and west coast. It follows what you have indicated.

If the only constant is you....well you know.

[crazydrummerdude]

I've done dozens or deals for parts. All parts of this great country of ours, and Canada. Why is it that every time I hook a deal with a person in California, it turns into a hair-pulling, screw you transaction?

I'll bet we've dealt with the same guy.

[James.A]

It is wrong headed to make such a sweeping generalization, and for that I am sorry. And, In fairness, the only person who ever outright stole from me was in Geogia. But, The California folks are 2 for 2 in the "pulling teeth" catagory.

[skiteach]

The eBay seller I tried to deal with stole also- cops couldn't find him. I had people go to address that was listed, to no avail, at least eBay refunded some of the lost $

[72598]

FLAKES FLAKES California's got the most of them, It's true they got a host of them. FLAKES FLAKES At every business on the coast, swear to God they got the most. Frank Zappa

[88bmwJeff]

So far on motorcycle buying things, I only got screwed by a guy in Texas. It's important to note there's screw balls in all parts of the country. Given our population here in California, we're bound to have more of them. It's just the numbers. Not much you can do about it.

[DarrylRi]

FLAKES FLAKES California's got the most of them, It's true they got a host of them. FLAKES FLAKES At every business on the coast, swear to God they got the most. Frank Zappa
Yeah, Frank lived in LA, he was one of us. And Sheik Yerbooti, what a great album!

[James.A]

You'll probably have to do 100's of sales before the averages start to even out.

Or maybe it's you.:laugh

Y'know, maybe it is ME. When I started out riding BMW's, I could call Underwoods or C&D in Freeport IL., and those merchants would send me what ever I wanted. They would include an invoice and I would always send a check and everything was good. With this latest deal, I post to IBMWR wanting a specific part and a guy hits me up to say he has one. We agree on a price and I put a money order in the mail. I don't hear anything for 2 weeks so I shoot him an e-mail and he responds that "when the check didn't arrive, I figured you changed your mind". Apparently this happens ALL THE TIME in CA. In my world, your word is your stock in trade. No skin off his nose. BIG f#&%!ng deal to me. I needed that part 2 weeks ago. AAHHHRRRR!

When I sell a part to an individual, the part is set aside and if the payment doesn't show up in a few days, I do a follow-up. JEEZE, it's not that hard. When Crazydrummerdude needed help, I told him I would run down to St.Louis to help him and I did it. When BE in IN wanted to build a bike for the raffle, I told him I was in AND I DID IT. When a person makes a deal with me for a part, I figure that person needs that part, and I follow thru. What the hell is wrong with this picture?

[James.A]

Yeah, Frank lived in LA, he was one of us. And Sheik Yerbooti, what a great album!

Agreed! " I may be totally wrong but I'm a FOO...OOOL".

[R184]

Having lived in SoCal most of my life, I can say Frank Zappa & Woodnsteel are right. Even with our overly large population, we have too far too may "screws" here. Want to take some home with you?

But just because eBay says they're in SoCal, doesn't mean it's true. If they're screwing you, they're prob. not being truthful about where they are either.

[cjack]

Y'know, maybe it is ME. When I started out riding BMW's, I could call Underwoods or C&D in Freeport IL., and those merchants would send me what ever I wanted. They would include an invoice and I would always send a check and everything was good.....

That still happens in central Illinois. There are some guys with airheads who either don't have credit cards or don't care to use them and prefer to get an invoice and send a check.
BTW, Underwood got a bad check only once that I know of and his remark was "it's worth it never to see him again...". To get the full effect of his remark you have to picture him lookin over his glasses with his head tipped downward and a low growl in his voice.

[nealart]

"when the check didn't arrive, I figured you changed your mind"

Yeah, I would have figured that too.

That is because sellers have to deal with window shoppers all the time.

Sure, you were waiting for the part, but he thinks you're just another guy who found a better deal at a swap meet.