Is this a scam? (Ebay Auction)

[ChangLi]

Too good to be true?

I've emailed this guy several times with specific questions and keep getting general answers. He says this bike and those in his other auctions are in a container ready to be shipped to the states. I checked his feedback and all six are positive. The funny thing is that if you check the feedback of those who left feedback for him you see several of the same names that also left feedback for him.

I would like very much for this to be true as the "delivered to my door" price he has quoted is about half of the book value for this bike. Any ideas on how to confirm the validy of this auction. In his latest response, he offers the following, "
Hi,
This CBR never been dropped or crashed.
Body with no scratches or cracks, engine runs perfect.
No machanical wrong. All stock.
Chain and tires are still in very good shape.
Oil changed regularly, all parts are function well.
Bike already has a clear US street title.
I can throw you a new battery for free.
I can have this CBR shipped to your door for $XXXX.XX USD
That's included all costs paper works, registrations, door to door fees, tax
....etc.
Let me know your best offer.
Thanks!"

I know that on the surface it screams S C A M!, but....what if?

Thanks for your input.

Jon

My current CBR (caution tripod website)

 

[Pepsi90919]

No machanical wrong.

jeez, how can you refuse.

 

[VBboy]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

No machanical wrong.

jeez, how can you refuse.

LOL

I would never order anything worth more than $30 at an auction, let alone ANY electronic or computer part

 

[Thegonagle]

It could be OK, but I just wouldn't do it. As a rule, you don't buy any used vehicle of significant value sight-unseen.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

He sounds like a reseller - he or a company he works for owns the bike located in Japan, he just doesn't know anything specific about it. I'd look elsewhere for a bike

 

[Looney]

I've done ebay purchases of more than $2000 just fine... but they certainly had more feedback than he does. I don't know, up to you... personally if i was to buy a bike, i would want to see it first.

 

[The Stigenator]

if its too good to be true, its probabbly is..

plus i thought you can get that bike in the US already.

 

[amdskip]

I would not but it personally because of the low amount of feedback. I'd want a phone number that you could personally talk to him, etc. What about like half down, or escrow or something?

 

[ChangLi]

Already asked...no escrow only wire transfer or paypal(add 4.5%)

This model is avail in US, always has been, but if this is for real, low miles and almost half book.

I'm pretty convinced that I won't buy unless someone can offer up a way to verify.

I asked for phone #,last night and havn't rec'd response yet.

 

[Sluggo]

So last night you were sure you didnt want to buy it, today, you post another thread thinking you want to buy it again.

Last nights thread

 

[ChangLi]

Sluggo,

Never stopped wanting this bike at all. I just don't wanna get screwed or if any chance this is for real, let a deal like this slip by.

I ask my questions in ATOT because I know there's tons of experience, opinions, and brain cells at play here.

 

[styrafoam]

Another funny thing about the seller: unless all of the buyers were roommates next door to where the bike was stored I see no explaination for the fact that they all left positive feedback within 3 days of auction end. I guess they could be local to the seller, the whole thing seems odd none the less.

 

[Vette73]

Just make sure you can title it in America and find out what needs to be done to do that (like emissions) and how much it cost.

Also why not e-mail the other winners and ask them how it worked out and how much shipping was etc.....

 

[ChangLi]

Emailed the other buyers this morning and thus far one has responded.

"Hello, deal turns out good for me.
I recieved the bike in excellent condition.
thanks him for the free new battery.
what you buying from windwheels?"

When pressed for more info, next email,
"no problem, yup all registration works is done when i got the bike.
It was a smooth transaction for me. I got the R1 after 4 days once i sent
the money.
My buddy ordered some bikes through him from Japan, they said
it tooks around 3 weeks to recieve the bike. hope it helps."

 

[Thump553]

This thing screams scam to me, big time. Why only sales in US? Why no escrow? That turns on my scam alarm bigtime, even if there wasn't all the other indications you already raised. If he's worried about escrow fees offer to pay them all-its cheap insurance.

Who handles all the import duties ($$), paperwork, etc, including insurance while shipped? That is not simple. This is a motor vehicle-make SURE it meets US standards and can be registered here. Have him email you a copy of the "US Street title", whatever that is.

You realize that if this is stolen goods (possible explanation why he can't/won't sell it in Japan) and it is found out, you will be out the bike, your payment (unless you can collect it out of his hide-good luck) and be facing criminal charges yourself-receipt of stolen property at a minimum.

I'd stay away.

 

[C'DaleRider]

If he won't escrow something that expensive, forget it. The seller should have no problem with escrow unless there's something else going on.

 

[ChangLi]

bump for the late night folks.

 

It's a scam.

ChangLi you in on it?

 

[yodayoda]

ok, this could be a scam, but i'm not sure. try emailing him from a hotmail account saying you are from the UK and you want to import it there. ask him why it is US only and why he can't just as easily (or difficult) ship to UK. second, REQUIRE fund through escrow--it doesn't cost that much and if you offer to pay, he can have no objection other than this is a scam. if he refuses you paying escrow, report him to ebay and this delisted.

also, contact the people that have posted positive feedback to this guy and see if they are legit. also, ask him for the VIN (or jap equivalent) to run title.

 

[Bulldozer]

I haven't seen any direct evidence to suggest that it is a scam. He may just get a good deal on having them shipped to/within the US, which would explain why he wouldn't ship elsewhere.

 

[ChangLi]

I made him an even lower offer and he accepted...until I made the stipulation that it go throught escrow...his response was," I have done escrow before, I don't have the time for all the hassles."

I guess the deals off and this really is a scam.....oh well, life goes on. Guess I'll just keep riding the antique.

Thank you all for your ideas and input.

 

[ChangLi]

Yodayoda,
Any idea how you would report this to ebay? I can find all sorts of help topics, and even a snail mail addy, but nothing else....

Thankx all for saving me bucks.

 

[Vette73]

So does this guy have any more auctions?? Like has his feedback all gone Neg. or still positive.

Someone hit me on my bike and trying to find a cheap one. Still drugged up and in pain, but thinking about my next ride

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
So does this guy have any more auctions?? Like has his feedback all gone Neg. or still positive.

Someone hit me on my bike and trying to find a cheap one. Still drugged up and in pain, but thinking about my next ride

anybody know?

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: Thump553
This thing screams scam to me, big time. Why only sales in US? Why no escrow? That turns on my scam alarm bigtime, even if there wasn't all the other indications you already raised. If he's worried about escrow fees offer to pay them all-its cheap insurance.

Who handles all the import duties ($$), paperwork, etc, including insurance while shipped? That is not simple. This is a motor vehicle-make SURE it meets US standards and can be registered here. Have him email you a copy of the "US Street title", whatever that is.

You realize that if this is stolen goods (possible explanation why he can't/won't sell it in Japan) and it is found out, you will be out the bike, your payment (unless you can collect it out of his hide-good luck) and be facing criminal charges yourself-receipt of stolen property at a minimum.

I'd stay away.

I'm glad someone else here seems to have a modicum of common sense!