Doug posted this story the other day about a guy selling his bike, and the potential buyer was allowed to take it for a test ride, and he just rode off into the sunset with the guys bike and never returned.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/stolen.60013/
I’ve sold two bikes on Craigslist in the past and I wrestled with how to handle the test ride dilemma. For the first one, a guy came over with his young son and left the son behind, so I knew he wasn’t going anywhere, and he bought the bike after the test ride. (1977 BMW R100/7 ) .
Later I sold my 2011 Suzuki V-Strom, and I really wrestled with how to handle this. The guy came over, seemed like a nice guy, wanted to ride the bike. I asked him to leave his driver license and car keys on my workbench, I told him I wouldn’t touch them. He was hesitant, and can’t say I blame him, but he did it. He took the bike for a pretty long test ride, 15-20 minutes. I might’ve been concerned if I didn’t have my little insurance policy that I made him leave behind. He came back all grins and immediately bought the bike.
He surprised me by going to his car and retrieving all cash, paid me on the spot.
I know it’s a little insulting to ask someone what I did. But what are you supposed to do? It’s a very tricky point in the transaction. What would you do, or how have you handled it in the past? I’ve also worried about my potential liability if the guy crashed my bike and was injured.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/stolen.60013/
I’ve sold two bikes on Craigslist in the past and I wrestled with how to handle the test ride dilemma. For the first one, a guy came over with his young son and left the son behind, so I knew he wasn’t going anywhere, and he bought the bike after the test ride. (1977 BMW R100/7 ) .
Later I sold my 2011 Suzuki V-Strom, and I really wrestled with how to handle this. The guy came over, seemed like a nice guy, wanted to ride the bike. I asked him to leave his driver license and car keys on my workbench, I told him I wouldn’t touch them. He was hesitant, and can’t say I blame him, but he did it. He took the bike for a pretty long test ride, 15-20 minutes. I might’ve been concerned if I didn’t have my little insurance policy that I made him leave behind. He came back all grins and immediately bought the bike.
He surprised me by going to his car and retrieving all cash, paid me on the spot.
I know it’s a little insulting to ask someone what I did. But what are you supposed to do? It’s a very tricky point in the transaction. What would you do, or how have you handled it in the past? I’ve also worried about my potential liability if the guy crashed my bike and was injured.