Shipping a bike to New Zealand to Ebay buyer?

[OneWheelDrive]

I have an interested party in NZ interested in my bike.  He has 100% ebay feedback, but mostly smaller ticket purchases.  Anybody sold a bike to the southern hemisphere?  Anything I should watch out for?  What is the best way to go about accepting payment, arranging shipping, etc.?  Thanks!

[jerryz]

shipping costs and bureaucracy and hassle involved is not worth it for both parties ........sell in USA .

[thought]

there is def going to be hassle, but if you're selling through ebay, paypal would be the easiest and safest since ebay offers seller/buyer protection.

i'd just leave the shipping up the buyer... if he wants your bike bad enough, he'll figure it out.

[ungeheuer]

I'm not in NZ, I'm in Oz.  But I'm pretty sure my mates on the other side of the ditch live in similar circumstances.

It may seem odd that somebody from half a world away would want to buy your bike until you consider this:  What we pay for any Ducati is approximately double what you'd expect in the US.  Yup.  Consequently your bike may be a bargain to somebody in NZ or Oz.  Even if it costs $1500 to ship it.  I've considered shipping bikes from the US a number of times (but never actually gone ahead).

That said, there's no guarantee this isnt a scam either.  I would absolutely NOT accept paypal.  Only way I'd allow my bike out of my possession (especially when its gonna disappear overseas) is if the buyer deposits the full sale amount directly into your bank account.  And when the funds are cleared only then do you release the goods.  If the buyer isnt happy with that proposal, walk away.  

i'd just leave the shipping up the buyer... if he wants your bike bad enough, he'll figure it out.

+1.

[Curmudgeon]

there is def going to be hassle, but if you're selling through ebay, paypal would be the easiest and safest since ebay offers seller/buyer protection.

i'd just leave the shipping up the buyer... if he wants your bike bad enough, he'll figure it out.

My son sells vehicles on eBay frequently. Wire transfer only and the buyer arranges the broker and shipping arrangement. My son will drop the vehicle with buyer's agent or broker at ports within a 250 mile radius. Works fine and he gets an inspection and receipt.

Considering what vehicles cost in NZ, might well be worth the buyer's effort, but not worth yours. Make sure you have good funds in your account before you lift a finger.

[OneWheelDrive]

Thanks for the advice.  We'll see how serious he is as the auction comes to a close. 

Not only are you paying double for bikes, but now, as our riding season is coming to an end, your's is just beginning!

[04monsterduc]

I do not recommend selling out of the country.  Paypal has strict policy on this, and wont cover you if they retract/screw you over. I sold some items out of country and got stuck with 1600 owed to paypal.   

[lemond]

i personally do not like sell stuff outside of US, paypal DOES NOT and WILL NOT help you if things go wrong.

[bigiain]

I'm not in NZ, I'm in Oz.  But I'm pretty sure my mates on the other side of the ditch live in similar circumstances.

It may seem odd that somebody from half a world away would want to buy your bike until you consider this:  What we pay for any Ducati is approximately double what you'd expect in the US.  Yup.  Consequently your bike may be a bargain to somebody in NZ or Oz.  Even if it costs $1500 to ship it.  I've considered shipping bikes from the US a number of times (but never actually gone ahead).

This is all true - and NZ is (from what I hear) way easier to get imported vehicles registered than Australia, so it's quite likely to be legitimate.

_BUT_

Like others are suggesting - don't let the bike out of your possesion unless you're 100% sure you've got (and will be able to keep) the money. If _anything_ even vaguely smells like a scam, bail immediately. I'd perfectly understand a lot of people not even entertaining the idea of accepting the risk involved in selling something expensive like this to another country. Your avenues to pursue legal redress in the case of problems become outrageously more complicated and expensive.

big

[OneWheelDrive]

Obviously I would prefer to sell it here, but this is the third ebay auction, and if I'm honest, it needs to be sold.  We are getting to the end of the riding season here and I can't sit on it until spring.

The guy's purchase history definitely looks like he's into bikes, purchases from Ducati_depot, desmopowersports, time machine bikes, etc.  44 positive feedback ratings.

The guy asked a few legitimate questions regarding stock parts being included.  I responded that although I didn't have the stock parts, I could easily find them.  He asked that I write an ebay message stating that the stock parts would be included if he paid the buy-it-now price.  He said the deposit would be made immediately by paypal, then he would need routing number, swift number, and account number to wire the remainder of the funds.  Shipping of course at his expense to be arranged after funds clear. 

I'm definitely a bit wary, been burned before, but not for anything close to what is at stake here.  If I can't afford to hang on to the bike right now, I certainly can't afford to get the business end of a $10k scam.

Once I have a wire transfer, is there any way it could be taken away?  I'm going to have to transfer the funds to my lender to pay off the loan before I get the title anyway. 

[stopintime]

Usual scam is to transfer too much money, ask you to return the extra amount and then their bank gets the full amount back because the buyers check bounced. In these cases your bike will be intact, but the 'extra money' is gone.

It doesn't sound like this is the case here though.

[ungeheuer]

Not only are you paying double for bikes, but now, as our riding season is coming to an end, your's is just beginning!

Riding season?  Just beginning?  Riding season all year round down here  .  Gotta get our money's worth 

Good luck with the sale.  I'd say that as long as you are certain 100% of the money is in your bank account and is going to remain there - then you'll be fine.  You just need to put safeguards in place so that all of the risk is with the buyer.

[OneWheelDrive]

Yeah, I'm aware of the "too much money sent, please western union the extra" scam.  We'll see how it goes, not necessarily holding my breath.

[WayneR]

I'd be setting up a new bank account for the sale and accepting direct deposit as the only payment method. Then you can withdraw the cash and physically deposit it into your existing account. Removes any electronic link between the account he pays into and your existing account, with links to your credit card etc...

[OneWheelDrive]

Well, he paid the buy it now price, and immediately forwarded the deposit via paypal.  I have a separate checking account that I sent wiring instructions for.  Not until I have hundred dollar bills in my hand will I even give him my address to give to his shipper.  Wish me luck!