[bnizzy]

Hi,

I am in the process of trying to purchase a GSXR, but I keep coming across something that I needed to ask you guys about.

Why are there so many people selling bikes that they say are in the US but they people selling it are from europe? All over craigs list and now even on ebay, the selllers are saying that the bikes are in the US but they are in europe for whatever reason, and they sell bikes for really cheap. Has anyone encountered this? Is this a scam or for real?

There are several 2003/2004 GSXR and Hayabushas all in "perfect condition- less than 200 miles" for $3800... i mean... that seems unreasonabally cheap....

What do you guys think?

 

[Madura]

Rip off. When they ask you to put the money in an escrow account, that's when you know you're getting the bent sandy.

 

[Clint]

No question about it. These scams are big right now.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Big time scam stay away !

 

[honhatchisbak]

be really really careful for anything like that right now, its a big ass scam goin on, i was goin to buy a 2003 r1 for 4000, which to me seems way to cheap but i talked to the guy a few times, and he said the bike was in new york but he was in the uk, so i told him since its in new york ill fly there check it out and just pay the person that is holdin the bike for him, cause im not gonna send 4000 and not have a bike in hand, then he went to bullshit sayin oh his brother wasnt there either anymore and now the bike is in storage and all this bullshit, well i was right about to fly to new york to check out the bike, but right then a guy emails me and says watch for this guy he has scammed alot of people already, thank god someone emailed me and let me know, so just be careful bout all this **** goin on right now

 

[inspiron]

It's pretty well known over here ... but people keep falling for it anyway. "Wire the money with Western Union" - this is a clear sign that you will never see the money or the goods ever again.

Never buy a bike that you can't test drive first - and where you don't have a verified name and address of the dealer. It's way too much money to gamble with!

 

[bnizzy]

thanx for all your input guys... i really appreciate it. i'll just goto dealership i guess... haha...

 

[red7eb]

thanx for all your input guys... i really appreciate it. i'll just goto dealership i guess... haha...

Or by checking out your local news papers, consignment shops, etc. You don't necessarily have to go through the dealership just to avoid scams, if you're not trying to buy brand new.

Just make sure you can see the bike and inspect it before you purchase it. Also make sure the title is clean, etc. If you're willing to drive an hour or 2 in your search, that increases your options as well.

 

[TL chris]

Sound familiar? http://www.suzuki-bikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4025

 

[axel_2078]

I tried selling my GSX-R on ebay recently and today I checked the account on Ebay and it said the item was sold and I'm awaiting payment. Then I checked my email account and the individual sent me an email saying "I've paid for the bike!!! When will it be shipped to me?" I think the guy just tried to screw me over by not allowing the auction to end. He clicked the "buy it now" option. First of all, Paypal shows the payment has NOT been made and secondly....I don't even know which state the guy lives in much less where he lives.....how would I even know where to ship it? And get this....when I replied to his email, it was returned to me as "undeliverable." He spoofed the email address. AOL reported "no such mailbox." The weird thing is, the guy has tons of excellent feedback, but I'm wondering if he also made up the accounts and left the feedback for himself? Either way, I'm kind of upset by this. It looks like scams are rampant on Ebay. :evil:

 

[honhatchisbak]

i know its hard as hell to trust someone now adays, but i read this thing and i think its a really good idea, if u see pics of the bike tell that person to like retake pics again and send them to you but this time to put like a banana or anything on like the tank, so you know that the bike might actually be theirs, but thats only one way of tryin to deal with this ****, hope all goes well for you buying a bike, if you cant find anything i have a few people i know selling bikes

 

[Uncle Bob]

Now all the scam artists are running out to put bananas on their gas tanks LOL

 

[axel_2078]

HAHAHAHAHA.

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

Yeah, I just got screwed over on a deal that I'm trying to fight right now. I ordered frame sliders off of ebay and I paid for them in full at the time that I bought them. The site said that the sliders would fit all SV and SV650S.

Well, two weeks passed and I hadn't heard anything or received anything. I contacted the seller and they stated that because I wanted sliders for an '04, I still owed them another $80 (on top of the money I had already paid). They said that the site said that the sliders I was bidding on were for an '01 (which it didn't, I went back and checked).

Anyway, I was mad but I really wanted the sliders so I e-mailed them and asked them how I'm supposed to get the $80 to them...they never responded. So, now I've filed a buyer complaint w/ Paypal to hopefully get reimbursed for the whole deal.

I'll happily go to my local dealership and order it through them now...I don't want to have to deal w/ worrying about not getting the right parts...and being out money! :evil:

 

[red7eb]

Axel: I buy on eBay a LOT. As a result, I only use PayPal. Depending on how the seller has their payment collection set up, sometimes I will make the payment, and it will show that the payment was indeed processed, but if I look at my actual PayPal account history, it doesn't necessarily show the payment as collected by the seller. This may be what has occured in your case. A couple of times, it's been over 48 hours before the payment updates to "received" or "collected" status, even though MY end (as the buyer) had already completed the transaction.

SuzukiGirl: I'm sorry about your situation - that really bites! If the seller didn't disclose that information in the auction add, then you can definitely fight it. For that very risk, I only usually buy from power sellers, ebay store owners, or those with a really high number of positive ONLY feedback. :?

 

[Uncle Bob]

To go slightly off topic here, there's something I'd like to share.

This is based on experience ( along with over twenty years of retail ). It seems most members of bike sites make it a hobby to bash dealers and to generalize and call them all stealers!

Sure there are some bad ones out there and if you live in a remote area then you are stuck with the nearest one but if you have a choice then take the time to find out who is good and who isn't in your area.

Building a relationship with a dealer. Invest a little time and money in your local dealership have them do your service even something as simple as an oil change. Most will be able to get just about anything you see on the web at a comparable price, advantages are you only deal with one outfit, they have the know how and contacts to make sure what you're ordering will fit your bike.

Oh some will ask for a deposit before ordering less requested items but this is much better than paying someone you don't know site unseen then hoping the product will show up at your door.

I've found that the savings are rarely what I originaly thought when buying on the web what with assorted costs and shipping added to the bill. And if something isn't right well you're stuck with paying to return it and again hoping a credit will show up somewhere!

Not saying there aren't reputable web outfits out there just that the relationship I've built with the people at my dealership doesn't make it worthwhile to shop elsewhere. Hey for one, what internet bike store will lend you a Hayabusa and a FJR1300 for a couple of hours ?


Just my 2 cents.

 

[red7eb]

For me.. it's not that I think dealerships are always trying to rip you off, I just think brand new motorcycles are a rip off by cost, period. Sport bikes nowadays are the price of CARS - that's outrageous! :shock:

 

[DaMaNP750]

For me.. it's not that I think dealerships are always trying to rip you off, I just think brand new motorcycles are a rip off by cost, period. Sport bikes nowadays are the price of CARS - that's outrageous! :shock:

If you sit down and analyze how much you really pay for your speed and quickness, it is one of the most cost effective hobbies to have. The price of cars, huh? Somewhere on here it was posted that these bikes have brakes equivalent to an indy car. For under 10K show me a car that can brake like an indy car?

Also I am on a highly tuned racing bike and it cost me under 10 grand. That car for ten grand is a stripped out cavalier and it doesn't have the sunroof that I enjoy on my bike.

 

[Uncle Bob]

For me.. it's not that I think dealerships are always trying to rip you off, I just think brand new motorcycles are a rip off by cost, period. Sport bikes nowadays are the price of CARS - that's outrageous! :shock:

Only if your comparing oranges and apples.

Fastest production wheeled vehicle in the world is a Suzuki Hayabusa MSRP under $11,000us, what new car can you get for that price ?.

 

[red7eb]

If you sit down and analyze how much you really pay for your speed and quickness, it is one of the most cost effective hobbies to have.

I completely disagree. A "cost effective hobby" is not one that runs you a car note, PLUS insurance every month. A hobby -yes. Cost effective - NO (unless bikes are your chosen career, then yes they are cost effective).

The price of cars, huh? Somewhere on here it was posted that these bikes have brakes equivalent to an indy car. For under 10K show me a car that can brake like an indy car?

Show me an indy car that's "cost-effective" They were talking about the braking performance factor (I believe). It's STILL not a CAR. Why am I going to pay car prices (which includes a 4 tires, a lower risk factor, A/C, heat, am/fm stereo, etc.) for a bike? I can't ride it comfortably in the rain, snow, or ice. I don't have 4 walls protecting me from the elements. I don't have airbags cushioning me if I hit something. I don't care how you turn it, IMO unless you are ON THE TRACK, your bike shouldn't cost the same as cars. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE bikes and am willing to sacrafice to have one (which I did), but a rip off is a rip off, when it comes to cost. Now as I say that, believe me, I think car prices are rip offs as well. But when you factor in manufacturer costs compared to retail costs, bikes are tipping the scales, and quickly catching up to cars. It's all about supply and demand. People are willing to pay the higher prices so manufacturers are raising them.

Also I am on a highly tuned racing bike and it cost me under 10 grand. That car for ten grand is a stripped out cavalier and it doesn't have the sunroof that I enjoy on my bike.

And so am I... I ride a 2001 GSX-R750. Guess what the MSRP on an '04 is? $9599.. add taxes and you get a whopping $10k+. I think buying mine a couple years old with 5k miles on it was a GREAT deal at literally half the cost, and in perfect condition.

As for the car issue.. there are plenty you can get for $10k that are damned near fully loaded. You just won't get that Indy racer...