Guy had his ZX-6R stolen --craigslist "test" drive

[wildchild]

first: no test drives without cash in my hand.
second: doesn't the guy show up in a car or something? You have to have something there with you while he drives it.
third: no way I would have someone come to my house to look at something. I meet them down the road.

sucks that it happened but seems it could have been avoided.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Evadd

i remember a story where a guy said the test rider walked back and said it ran out of gas a couple blocks away. when the owner got there, it had been dropped, and of course the prospective buyer was nowhere to be found...

That's actually kind of funny

[wildchild]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

That's actually kind of funny

might just be me but I don't see the humor in that. It's funny a guy gets screwed by a POS who couldn't man up to what he had done?

[dubbs]

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by dubbs

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

plusone

If someone told me I had to fork over cash before test riding it, I'd tell them to fuck off. Yeah, like I'm really gonna carry that much cash with me, and then give it to a stranger without any contract signed. Right.

The way to do it is meet at a bank's parking lot. He'll get his cash, but only after I agree to buy it.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by dubbs

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

Yes or at the very minimum a cashiers check or money order. Or if you'd rather wire the money to my account I'd accept that too.

[wildchild]

Originally Posted by dubbs

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

no, but they better have something of value I can hold(like the car they drove up in)I don't need the keys but the car is staying here. Otherwise a drivers license. Basically I don't let people test drive bikes when I sell them. I never ask to test drive them when I buy one used. If it's a car I'm riding with you while you test it.
If you don't like the rules for sale, walk away. I haven't missed a meal yet due to not selling an item.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by Rider

Yeah, no test rides unless you have CASH in hand and I get to hold the cash while you ride. People suck, I act accordingly and prepare myself for the worst.

Originally Posted by Leon

I've sold quite a few bikes and cars over the years mostly through craigslist.

I never let anyone come to my home. I'll meet you at a gas station or parking lot. No test drives unless I have all the cash. I always have someone with me and my trusty 9mm just in case. I never take anything except cash.

Never had any problems following those rules.

These are two dudes who have their shit together.

[LeeNetworX]

Originally Posted by Leon

I've sold quite a few bikes and cars over the years mostly through craigslist.

I never let anyone come to my home. I'll meet you at a gas station or parking lot. No test drives unless I have all the cash. I always have someone with me and my trusty 9mm just in case. I never take anything except cash.

Never had any problems following those rules.

Good practice to follow. I also like the idea above about having the prospective buyer sign an agreement to not sue for injury/death.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by wildchild

Basically I don't let people test drive bikes when I sell them. I never ask to test drive them when I buy one used. If it's a car I'm riding with you while you test it.

If you don't like the rules for sale, walk away. I haven't missed a meal yet due to not selling an item.

That's what I do. I don't understand what the need is for a test ride on a motorcycle. It runs or it doesn't. It's pretty obvious if something is wrong with it.

The arrangements shouldn't ever be a surprise. I'll let someone know they don't get to ride it - at that point they can choose to show up or not. It's not that difficult. I don't understand why people get so pussy hurt over some common sense being applied. Don't take it personally, it's business...