When it comes to selling or buying your motorcycle, you need to be careful to avoid scams. Although the internet is a great place to find a buyer for your used motorcycle, there are plenty of people who are willing to take advantage of you. Sell Us Your Bike focuses on making the selling process simple and easy for our clients, especially for the sake of transparency. However, thousands of people fall victim to online scams every year. That is why people should always protect themselves and be cautious when interacting with a seller or buyer online. If you are looking to sell or purchase a motorcycle this year, here are a few warning signs that you are being scammed.
Signs of a Motorcycle Scam
So, how do you identify a scam? There are a few things that can help you identify a motorcycle scam from the start. First, if the motorcycle is priced way below book value, then it might be a scam. If they a promoting a brand new Harley Davidson or KTM for half the price, then it should be a clear sign that something is not right. For most, seeing such a disparity in price should be a red flag to avoid. Another way to indicate a scam is the way they interact with you.
Many scammers will avoid using phones and use emails instead. If you try calling the phone number listed and it doesn’t go through, it’s best to cross them off the list. Scammers will also demand instant electronic payments for most of the motorcycle’s value. Most buyers and sellers will wait and use protective forms of electronic payment to keep things above board.
There are plenty of other indicators that could show that you are interacting with a scammer. However, the best way to avoid a scam is to protect yourself!
Protecting Yourself from Scams
The best offense is a good defense, especially when it involves motorcycle scams. Many scammers take advantage of people’s ignorance about motorcycles or trusting nature to achieve their goals. So, don’t let them. A few ways you can protect yourself from scammers are:
- Research The Motorcycle (Kelly Blue Book, etc)
- Check VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Be Cautious of Holding Payments
- Do Face-to-Face Sales
- Avoid Deals that Involve a Third Party
There are plenty of other things you should consider as well when dealing with a buyer. You should be sure to keep a copy of the title after the sale. Take your license plate and registration information off of the motorcycle. DO NOT give the new buyer access to your insurance information. All of this is the buyer’s responsibility. Make sure to provide your buyer with the owner’s manual and any extra keys you have.
If you would like to easily sell your motorcycle, contact Sell Us Your Bike today, and receive a free quote. 1-800-963-9216