Sold my bike. However, only partial down payment.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Face facts - you just lost 40%. Live and learn. Don't repeat your mistake. Move on.

Never EVER take partial payments. There's a saying that goes " money talks, BS walks". If the guy didn't have the money you should have sent him walking and said come back when he's got it. If you happen to get another buyer in the meantime who shows up with full price, tough toogies for him.

Expensive lesson. Learn from it. People suck. Protect yourself next time.

[gshase]

Can't report it stolen. He made a partial payment and it will be a civil issue. You could tell him you will report it stolen and it may scare him in to paying you. Repo is your option but laws require time limits and proper notice.

[Eric 951]

So, did he return with the balance?

[Jeff Jagusch]

About 20 years ago, my brother sold his Ninja to a guy that showed up with a check,
my brother (finance major in college) figured as long as he kept the title until the check cleared.

do I need to go any further?

He called to tell me how happy he was that the bike sold, and the deal, If I could have smacked him upside the head through the phone I would have! so he gets scared and calls the phone number on the check only to find out the checkbook was stolen by the daughters boyfriend!

The story continues! at 2am, I get a phone call (because my brother decides to go out to the bars) from a young woman that goes to our church, she is working as a dispatcher for the police one city over from us. The tail light on the Ninja was burnt out, and they pull the guy over, she knew your family and felt something wasn't right. The police tell me to meet them where they have the guy pulled over, and I can take the bike back home! SO, my wife has to drive me over there to pick it up, about a 20 minute drive, She HATES motorcycles! all is well until I run out of gas driving home!

thanks for bringing up those memories! sorry to ramble!!

[berettafan]

I'm not going to call OP an idiot...but everyone is thinking it.

[Arizona_928]

No updates yet. We both agreed yesterday that I'll stop by once he gets out of class. I like the idea of the rental fee if he backs out. I also haven't put in the sold notice yet. I do have a copy of the contract. And the reason why he only had partial payment was because he maxed his atm limit.
I'm really not concerned either if it gets damaged, it is cosmetically challenged and has bunch of stunt parts on it to protect if from being dropped hard.
I dunno maybe I'm too trusting. I looked at the situation as he's not he from here, doesn't know any of the bad connections one would need to do anything too illegal with it.

Originally Posted by berettafan

I'm not going to call OP an idiot...but everyone is thinking it.

Nice guy finishes last?

Originally Posted by GWN7

A couple years ago a buddy sold a vehicle. He sold it to a guy he sort of knew and the buyer asked to use his licence plates to drive the vehicle home (about 10 minutes away). He said ok. The plates expired at midnight that day so he wasn't too worried about them. A month later the guy he sold the vehicle to was pulled over by the police driving around with the expired plates on the vehicle. The new owner was charged with no insurance, no registration, un licenced vehicle and illegal use of plates. The police go to my buddy and ask if he sold the vehicle to the guy they caught. He tells them yes he sold it and the guy was suppose to return the plates and hasn't. A month later he is served with a subpoena to appear in court to answer a charge of allowing illegal use of plates. He goes to court and the judge asks him what happened and he tells the story. When he finishes the judge finds him guilty and fines him $250. The judge says as soon as you handed over the bill of sale the vehicle became the new owners property and the plates should have been removed.

I don't know what the laws are where you live but I'd find out before calling the police.

Kinda sounds like he admitted to it. The one thing I learned from riding all these years, I know better not to talk to cops lol

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

....derrrrr squids

And he's on your insurance.

What happens if there is an accident?

Is his Mom going to accept that he bought it knowing the risks or is she going to come after you for selling him the bike? Possibly an unsafe stunt bike that had mechanical issues?

Don't know how it is where you live but back in NY you could not cancel insurance without turning in the plates.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by GWN7

A couple years ago a buddy sold a vehicle. He sold it to a guy he sort of knew and the buyer asked to use his licence plates to drive the vehicle home (about 10 minutes away). He said ok. The plates expired at midnight that day so he wasn't too worried about them. A month later the guy he sold the vehicle to was pulled over by the police driving around with the expired plates on the vehicle. The new owner was charged with no insurance, no registration, un licenced vehicle and illegal use of plates. The police go to my buddy and ask if he sold the vehicle to the guy they caught. He tells them yes he sold it and the guy was suppose to return the plates and hasn't. A month later he is served with a subpoena to appear in court to answer a charge of allowing illegal use of plates. He goes to court and the judge asks him what happened and he tells the story. When he finishes the judge finds him guilty and fines him $250. The judge says as soon as you handed over the bill of sale the vehicle became the new owners property and the plates should have been removed.

Yeah, sold a car to a guy, forgot to scrape the regi sticker. Remembered when $1,500 in parking tickets showed up because he left it on the street with no tags. Got it sorted but it was a pain in the ass and lost 2 days of work doing the runaround.

Sold a different car to a co-workers nephew who needed cheap transportation for school.

Dumb ass me left the tags on the car as a favor, his aunt worked for me so what did I have to worry about? The cops showing up at the office looking for me for unpaid red light camera tickets is all.

Never again, don't care who you are.

[berettafan]

nice guys do fine.

people (nice or otherwise) who do stupid things tend to have some bad experiences though.

I say this as a nice guy who has done stupid things.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

And he's on your insurance.

What happens if there is an accident?

Is his Mom going to accept that he bought it knowing the risks or is she going to come after you for selling him the bike? Possibly an unsafe stunt bike that had mechanical issues?

Don't know how it is where you live but back in NY you could not cancel insurance without turning in the plates.

I would assume he would be responsible for any accidents that would occur. We are all adults, the decision to buy a bike is solely on him. Haha oh my. Shooting low under the belt! The bike passed safety inspection, it doesn't overheat in 110 summer heat and cruises at 120 for as long as your back can handle the riding position.

[Gogar]

I don't think you're going to see him again at all, but I do wish you the best of luck.

[craigster59]

Just in case things go south, it's always good to have a "plan B". This should work well......

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/gumtree-user-conned-out-of-Ł80-gets-revenge-on-seller---by-sending-him-the-complete-works-of-shakespeare-by-text-141913559.html#SU1kNlD

[1990C4S]

First off: Is this a motorcycle or a bicycle?

I don't think you really want to know that worst that can happen. And I don't think the exclusion of a refund clause is the main issue.

I'm not sure you are completely out of luck, but I do think you were far too lenient. The buyers need to get to school is the buyers problem, not yours. Presumably he has been getting to school without your bike and could find alternate transportation, or walk.

The absence of a refund clause could work in your favor, but at this point you will likely either get the other 40%, or you will never see him again. If it's the latter then you need to move on, or investigate your legal options.

Since you still hold the title then presumably your position is the guy went for a test drive and the title will not be transferred until you are paid in full. The exact wording of your hastily drafted receipt will likely determine the outcome.

Did you both sign the receipt?

[vash]

man..what happened to us? we are so cynical!!

AZ kid.. i hope 40% of whatever wasnt so much cash. i hope we are wrong, and he gives you the rest..

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by vash

man..what happened to us? we are so cynical!!

more wtf is wrong with people?

What is wrong with people part II

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

I received a phone call about selling my bike. The buyer said he had cash in hand, but no mode of transportation.

Cash in hand and cash in the bank are two different things. Sounds like your relationship began with a bit of deception.

I sell a lot of Craigslist. Personally, would never have done this. Sadly, Craigslist is somewhat of a "wretched hive of scum and villainy." That being said, those waters can be safely navigated with an abundance of caution plus a healthy dose of suspicion thrown in.

I assume you have the guy's phone number? Did you run it through Google? Craigslist? Did you run his name?

Recently saw a "want to buy" Craigslist ad where someone claimed to desperately need a car so they could get a job. Oh. By the way... it would be preferable if the car was Japanese and <100K miles. Must be cheap or almost free. I Googled the phone number and saw that the same number was being used to sell various used cars on Craigslist sites outside of metro Phoenix as well as other web sites.

Nice guys do well, but can do better with a reasonable amount of skepticism.

It would make my day to find out that he comes through for you. ***Breath not being held.***

[Head416]

I'm really pulling for a happy end to this story that restores our faith in humanity!

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

I would assume he would be responsible for any accidents that would occur. We are all adults, the decision to buy a bike is solely on him. Haha oh my. Shooting low under the belt! The bike passed safety inspection, it doesn't overheat in 110 summer heat and cruises at 120 for as long as your back can handle the riding position.

He is effectively riding your bike.

He does not own it.

He does not have insurance in his name.

You are the responsible party.

Not trying to be a downer or rag on you but that is the reality.

This will most likely turn out just fine for you but there are significant potential liabilities that you took on when you let him leave with it.

[Rot 911]

Levi, I hope this turns out well for you. I'm sure after reading all of the posts you have learned your lesson!

[wdfifteen]

Here's hoping for a happy ending. I've done similar things. Most of the time they worked out. Good luck!