How does one go about buying a bike from an individule in another state? Do you send $$ then they send title (if in hand) and help the shipper crate it up?

I'm trying to overcome my fear of this and pick my wife up a bike that's in another state. How do you trust someone you've never met?

 

You don't trust someone you've never met. You drive there with cash or whatever you two decide on as a form of payment. Once you look over the bike and decide you want it, you give them that form of payment, and they give you a signed over title (or at least a bill of sale if that state holds the titles). Then you take the bike home.

 

You can also do a bank to bank transfer...take your bank book with you and go to his bank ...they'll take it from there. If ya need to borrow the money, go to your bank and get approved for the loan. Sign all the paperwork and explain to the loan officer what your planning to do. If ya like the bike, give him a call and he'll wire the funds. If he has the title, that's all thats needed..if the State has the title, your bank will want a bill of sale signed by the prior owner and the Vin#. That's how rich people do it. They never carry cash. Now, if you decide not to buy the bike for whatever reason, you had a nice vacation.

I'm ready in case I become rich....

 

I've never bought something w/out testing it out first. I know people who have bought jeeps off of e-bay and the first time they touched it was when the shipper dropped it off. Man, that would make me nervous.

I know I could sell something and it would be EXACTLY as I described or I'd give the seller their money back (I could never be in car sales). I've got enough to answer to when I meet my maker, I don't need to add to it.

 

+1. Take the time, spend the $$$ and go have a look. Make it a little Vacation and if all goes well you bring home a nice souvenir from the trip for your wife.

 

I always wonder what makes people travel across the country to buy a bike or car (unless it is a very rare model).
Whenever I find a "great deal" that's far away from me I start looking closer.
Somehow I always manage to find a comparable deal within a couple hours drive.

 

If the deal sounds tooo good... beware... Not sure about you but I cant afford to throw away $.. Take the time and go see the bike , and make sure its in the condition you were told its in. Remember IF you have the title and the bike is in his garage, before shipping... You own the bike..and if something happens to it.. your out.

 

There's a bike for sale from a member here that the wife likes. Been looking around the South and am finding bikes but, not any that seem to be in the shape/milage that this one seems to be in w/ all the upgrades it has.

Still looking around here though. I just thought I'd get some input on how some folks are buying from out of town sellers.