Interesting inquiry on my auction .... input please - HELP

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:30 pm

Had an interesting exchange between an eBayer and myself. This is the third time I have exchanged some info with this user, the first time they wanted a photo of the title and also the VIN tag on the bike to make sure it matches. It appears they have a buyer in Japan interested in my bike. This is the last exchange >>>

I'm looking to purchase this bike for a customer in Japan, and was wondering if we could arrange for shipment of the bike directly from Canada to Japan, if we end up a winner.
I'm with a logistics company in Los Angeles, and normally we would purchase bikes in the US to be shipped to our warehouse for consolidated freight to Japan.
It looks like it'll take a little more time and money to have the bike sent from your place to us, and then get it over to the customer in Japan.
If you know of a good company in Canada that does shipping to Japan, please let me know.

Any questions please feel free to call 323-266-3333.

Thanks for your time,
Sera

The number comes up as the following >>> http://www.lecsusa.com/cgi-bin/lecs/siteup.cgi?category=1&page=4

This is the interested bidder, who claims to be from the Logistics company >>> http://www.ebay.com/usr/californiariver

All the pieces appear to look good. Since this is my first time selling anything on eBay, I'm looking for seasoned eBayers input. What do you peeps think about this?

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:37 pm

Legitimate building .... kinda sketchy ...

https://www.google.ca/maps/@34.044145,-118.225318,3a,75y,199.84h,70.21t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWhmFrSz8mO9Q5cFvCHzLQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:54 pm

Bikes are re-imported to Japan all the time and this looks legit to me. What is the risk to you if they win and pay?

They should know how to arrange shipping if they are a logistics company. You make it clear that it is their responsibility to arrange shipping and if there wasn't a border in the way they would use a bike hauler to get it to LA. I'll bet they can still use a bike hauler since just a few pieces of paper are needed to get it into the US (and maybe none since a US title is not needed).

The only risk I see with eBay auctions is with a non-paying winning bid.

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:59 pm

I have had long convoluted stories from potential purchasers, cash in hand usually shortens the story.

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:05 pm

It seems to my they should know of a CA shipper if like they say, it is what they do!
Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to do business with them as long as you get $$$cash in
your hand for your time/trouble, and full payment for the bike. No checks, PERIOD.. I sold one of my bikes to
an ebay bidder in California. He said that it was going to Japan also. He arranged the shipping
via Forward Air. Paid me to take it about 90 mile to Orlando's Airport, contact FA and load it
into their container using his straps. FA picked it up with fork lift, and away it went. End of story...

GLWS...

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:06 pm

Looks legit to me. All you have to do is provide the pictures and paperwork. They should take care of the rest, including contacting and contracting a shipper, payint them, etc. You'll just have to roll the bike over to the truck and they will load it.

Money talks, bullshit walks. Collect up front, wait for everything to clear, and then you're home free.

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:15 pm

Ya, nothing gets loaded until the funds are safely and secured in my bank account ... I'm just f'n paranoid.

Auction clearly states winning bidder is entirely responsible for shipping. I do not mind helping out a bit, but this requirement limits my liability because if something happens during shipping, I don't want the finger being pointed at me that it was crated and loaded incorrectly.

Twinstar Joined: Apr 26, 2015 Posts: 49 Location: SWFL

I sold a very expensive, one of a kind bike to a buyer in Australia. I suggested Federal as an option for the domestic leg, and he agreed. All I did was drain the fuel and disconnect the battery, The bike went with full sumps and brake fluid. The shipper called enroute to the commercial location (using a straight truck) and I rolled the bike onto the lift gate. I then took a couple of dozen pictures, signed the documents and away it went. It's my understanding that the buyer had made arangements to have the bike delivered to a warehouse near the port in LA. It stayed there briefly and was then cross-docked and loaded in to a container for surface shipment to OZ.

It arrived in fine shape to a happy buyer.

Prior to shipping all funds had been transferred to me, and buyer was in receipt of the title and bill of sale. The bike was insured under an umbrella policy while in "storage " prior to pick-up.

I had posted the bike on eBay and the auction ended just short of my reserve. I was then contacted by the buyer and provided more detailed information on the bike. It then sold for MORE than my reserve price!

Eric

Hawk Joined: Jan 10, 2012 Posts: 439 Location: Chicago

I've sold several bikes and cars on eBay...

One of my 900F builds was bought by a company in LA who then flips the bikes to UK buyers...

My other recent experience is I sold a 52' MG to a buyer in the UK....I created a special account at my bank for them to deposit funds into...waited the 5 to 7 days when my bank said the funds cleared then allowed the buyers shipping company to pick up the car...

Bottom line...Wait till the funds are solid...

By the way...I want the bike too...

E

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 4:57 pm

Erock wrote:

By the way...I want the bike too...

E

Get in line Smile

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:50 am

You're likely already aware, but a cashier's check or money order are not always good either. "Cleared" and money in your account doesn't mean anything for up to full month. It can take that long to make it's rounds and come back nsf/forged/etc.
CASH only.

I'd also cover any address and personal info on the title for the pics.

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 1:34 am

MatBirch wrote:

You're likely already aware, but a cashier's check or money order are not always good either. "Cleared" and money in your account doesn't mean anything for up to full month. It can take that long to make it's rounds and come back nsf/forged/etc.
CASH only.

I'd also cover any address and personal info on the title for the pics.

Ya, for any pics it's just the VIN, no name, no address ..... and it will be cash in the account. Will verify this with the bank before anything leaves my premises.

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 3:24 am

Dang it Darren, I'll give you $4.00 and you don't have to worry about Japan! Smile

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 3:51 am

70rsss wrote:

Dang it Darren, I'll give you $4.00 and you don't have to worry about Japan! Smile

You'll come out ahead Scott cuz I'll give you $8.00 for yours!!!!

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:06 pm

Wayne750F wrote:

70rsss wrote:

Dang it Darren, I'll give you $4.00 and you don't have to worry about Japan! Smile

You'll come out ahead Scott cuz I'll give you $8.00 for yours!!!!

Now now, no need to start a bidding war Laughing

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:08 pm

I think you're right to be a bit paranoid. Of course you want the money in hand, but, as you note, the buyer won't go away until the goods arrive safely. I think you want to steer way clear of helping them find a shipper. Play completely dumb about that, don't look up phone numbers, don't research the issue. In case of a problem your legal position is far stronger if you can show that the choice of shipper was entirely theirs and that you had nothing to do with it. Be as cooperative as you like once the shipper has been selected and they have given you instructions for how you can be helpful.

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:46 pm

It's going to Japan I think? Darren how could you pass on my offer?? Congrats....good but fair$$.

Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:21 pm

I'd set up an account at your bank, and have the funds wired. Take take them out, put in normal account. Takes all the BS out of potentially fake checks/money orders/paypal dispute.

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 12:20 am

I would be more interested in dealing with the customer in Japan directly, always starts ringing alarm bells when you are dealing with a third party. Far too many smart scammers out there, folding stuff in you hand first and make this mob well aware of this beforehand.

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 2:04 am

70rsss wrote:

It's going to Japan I think? Darren how could you pass on my offer?? Congrats....good but fair$$.

It's going to Washington DC

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 8:18 pm

Cool Darren, is he a member?

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 1:33 am

I don't think so ....

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 3:04 am

If he's not a member maybe he will be shortly and we can still see her around these parts.....

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:04 pm

petrat wrote:

70rsss wrote:

It's going to Japan I think? Darren how could you pass on my offer?? Congrats....good but fair$$.

It's going to Washington DC

Well done Darren, well deserved.

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:26 pm

1981CB wrote:

petrat wrote:

70rsss wrote:

It's going to Japan I think? Darren how could you pass on my offer?? Congrats....good but fair$$.

It's going to Washington DC

Well done Darren, well deserved.

Thanks Mark, appreciate it!

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 1:29 pm

You did good and it's nice that it stayed in N. America.

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 2:26 pm

cbxsix wrote:

You did good and it's nice that it stayed in N. America.

Thanks. It also tells me there is a market for bikes like these in N America at that price point. The wheels are turnin ....