Used Motorcycles

It’s a sad fact of life but it’s one that we’ve all got to deal with when we do our business in cyberspace. There are many people who will rip you off when they can hide behind a monitor and never have to look you in the face. These flocks of Internet buzzards circle the world of used motorcycles. They wait for you to stop by and be taken by that unbelievable deal on a Honda RC174 that you thought would only ever race again on the concrete of your memories.

Firewall Wolves

Still, there’s no need to panic and shut your monitor off in favor of the local phone book’s Yellow Pages. You just need to know what you’re looking at online. Remember that places like www.usedmotorcycleforsale.ca are reputable and work hard to keep these firewall wolves from their door. However, some of the scammers out there have developed ways to separate you from your money without offering a good deal in return. There are things that you can learn to watch for, and while these thieves are numerous, they aren’t all that hard to spot.

A Scammer’s Stripes

Of course some of the biggest bunko artists deal in used motorcycles. Just because you can’t see the scammer’s stripes through the computer, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways of identifying them. Remember that motorcycles are expensive in other countries. While some legitimate buyers will send you more money than the bike is worth to seal the deal, it’s generally a red flag when you get more cash than you asked for.

Counterfeit Cheques

You’ll know for sure when they ask for a refund. Usually then you’ll find they’ve sent you a counterfeit cheque and you’ll be out for at least the price of the refund if you send the money.

The Nigerian 419 Scam

Many of these used motorcycles scams come from the same part of the world. Some experts like the professionals at www.usedmotorcycleforsale.ca have come to identify the Nigerian 419 scam by name. Once again this scam involves a fake cashier’s cheque and an overpayment that the would-be thief would like to have returned. This one is just like the other, but it’s got a particular geographic flavor.

The Five Day Trial

Last but not least are those bums who get a deposit from you with the promise that you can try the bike for up to five days and then pass along the rest of the balance. As you might have already imagined, there’s no bike and your deposit and the ’seller’ are gone.

Prevention

Take heart though. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and there are things that the aficionado of used motorcycles can do to prevent themselves from getting ripped off.

All the experts suggest that you be very careful of escrow companies. Make sure to research the one that’s suggested thoroughly on Google

If it sounds too good to be true. It is. Period. Bikes that are priced well below the book value are generally scams.

Watch Cashier’s Cheques. One good way to check one out is to email a scanned copy to the bank where it’s drafted from for verification.

Don’t listen to the people who want instant payment through electronic means. Again, they’re more than likely up to no good.

When dealing online remember that unless a close relative is selling you the bike, an offer to buy it out from under auction is usually also a scam.