Hola,

After 25,000kms on the road in South America, the time has come for me to sell my beloved green KLR650. I have a buyer lined up, about 1000kms away from where I am now. I am not prpared to ride the bike to him without a deposit as a sign of commitment, however he doesn´t feel comfortable paying a deposit to somebody he has never met.

Any brilliant ideas? If I ride up there and the sale falls through, I may have to ditch the bike to fly home empty handed, as my flight is booked and paid.

The troubles we have.

Nick

A friend of a friend in Poland was recently in a similar situation when he was selling his bike...

A Buyer wanted to buy a bike and lived approx 200 miles away. The Buyer advised that he was unable to travel to the bike, but definitely wanted it.

So, the seller borrows a trailer, attaches the bike, and makes the 200 mile drive only to find the buyer is a 13 year old boy without a penny to his name!

I think that the boys mother ended up making a small contribution towards petrol costs, but didnt have much money herself so there wasnt a lot that the seller could do except head back home with the bike in tow.

If the buyer is really interested, he will ask for photos and ultimately make the journey. I would let the buyer choose if they want to travel the 1000K's for the bike... they'll make the journey if they really want it.

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Rich & Zowi
http://www.zo2oz.com

I am pasting my post on your identical duplicate thread here (and hopefully deleting it there).

Seems to me the answer depends in large measure on whether you've got anyone else ready to buy. Without an alternate buyer you've got little to lose. However, I'd think that anyone who's really interested would at least meet you halfway....cash in hand. Of course, you need to arrange this without letting on that you're on the verge of desperation, or they'll know that all the leverage is theirs ("Oh, I had no idea singles made so much noise; I'll have to take a thousand off the price. Take it or leave it!").

But you must have an alternate plan, right? What were you planning to do if this person didn't come along? Or did you buy your ticket only after coming to an agreement with them? And did they only then refuse to come to where the bike is at (a bad sign for sure)?

I keep getting into similar situations, and I've stopped going to great lengths for people because normally it's the ones who are the biggest pains in the butt who end up making excuses and backing out of deals that the last moment. Not always, but usually. This applies to vehicles, houses, tools: whatever I've ever put up for sale.

Hope that helps, somehow.

Mark

As has been said, a serious buyer would definietely ask for photos, service records, and probably make the journey to the bike. If you undertake the whole trip, you'll probably be under a lot of pressure to sell, so factor that in.

Having said that, without very detailed photos etc I would never make a deposit for a bike I havent seen, let alone to someone I dont know. They might run off with the cash, and even if they show up, who knows what state the bike is really in. I think meeting half way would be a good option for both. And I'd say try finding another buyer as a backup.

Maybe he can send you a deposit by paypal using his credit card.
If you don't show up, he can have his credit card company cancel payment.
At least, I think that's how it works. Can anyone confirm this?

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Japan touring information

I've never actually used it but doesn't Escrow solve this little conundrum?

Steve
xXx

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

Meet him half way, if he doesn't show then you rode 1000 kms and not the 2000 if you go to him, no big deal as you can get there and back in one day. Nothing to lose but a day and maybe $50. To me that is worth a sell. If he refuses to meet half way and offer no deposit. Store it and come back later to ride.

I think you guys are expecting too much from a potential buyer, especially if they are in Latin America. That would be great if you could get them to send a deposit but in 99.9% of cases I bet they would not agree. I think it is best to give yourself extra time at the last destination on your trip so you can make arrangements to store your bike. ship it back, or possibly sell it to someone else if your original buyer falls through.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)