It's probably a scam.

I've had my '74 Suzuki GT550 on Craigslist for a while now. No serious bites until last Friday.

Feller claims to be from Japan, wants to buy my bike and import it. (Sniff...snifffffff...what's that smell?)

Told him fine, but he's responsible for having somebody show up in East Overshoe with the cash to pick it up, I ain't having anything to do with the shipping or dealing with financial instruments other than portraits of Dead Presidents.

He asked about a title, I told him Maine doesn't require titles on vehicles before 1995, Bill of Sale only. He says he's okay with that, but needs pictures of the VIN and engine number for customs. (Whew, who threw that dead skunk in my garage???)

So, I sent him pictures of the registration slip, VIN sticker on the bike and engine number. All with the last two digits blacked out. Physically blacked out, not edited out.

We'll see if he's still interested.

I'd love to see his reply.

If you expand the header on the email from him you'll be able to see the IP address where the email originated. Is it coming from Japan?

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
If you expand the header on the email from him you'll be able to see the IP address where the email originated. Is it coming from Japan?

Don't know how to do that. Pointers?

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
If you expand the header on the email from him you'll be able to see the IP address where the email originated. Is it coming from Japan?

Don't know how to do that. Pointers?

Nemmind, figured it out. Replied via Craigslist so the only IP showing is Craigslist.

Tell him you'll send the complete information via mail. As in an envelope with a stamp. You'll need his mailing address.

I'm beginning to suspect this may be the real deal.

I got a reply about the pictures of the VIN with the numbers partially blocked. As expected, they stated that they needed the whole number, which is actually reasonable if they need it for customs.

What makes me a bit more confident is that they sent me links to their resale site and a sort of "linked in" page for their translator. Both of which could be faked easily enough I guess, but I don't get that feeling from it.

I sent back a request for references and their specific shipping plan. Having lived in Japan for a couple of years, I also asked a couple of questions. Correct answers would require local knowledge.

Tell him he gets the complete VIN when you get the cash.

quote:

'74 Suzuki GT550

Is this the beast!

Nice looking bike, I had a 78 GS400 fun bike.

https://maine.craigslist.org/m...t550/6235045198.html

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

'74 Suzuki GT550

Is this the beast!

Nice looking bike, I had a 78 GS400 fun bike.

https://maine.craigslist.org/m...t550/6235045198.html

Ayuh, that's the critter.

About seven years ago I had a 72 Triumph TR6 that I had to sell due to illness in the family and subsequent bills. So I placed a few ads and signs around. It was a pretty sweet car in original condition, no rust with less than 40k on the odometer.

One evening I got a call from a guy who said he was from Denmark and was interested in the Triumph. His plan was to ship it overseas.
He asked a lot of questions and I was wondering if it was a scam.

I told him up front that I wasn't responsible for the car meeting Denmark's road requirements and once the bill of sale and title were signed, (and I was paid) it was his car. He must have called me a dozen times with different detailed questions.

But it turned out to be legit. He was able to ship it over there with no problems.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

'74 Suzuki GT550

Is this the beast!

Nice looking bike, I had a 78 GS400 fun bike.

https://maine.craigslist.org/m...t550/6235045198.html

Ayuh, that's the critter.

I had one of those, bone stock. Damn near killed me. last bike I ever rode.

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:
Tell him he gets the complete VIN when you get the cash.

Forgive my ignorance but how would giving him the complete VIN put you at risk of anything?

quote:

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck,

...it might be a dock...

quote:

Originally posted by Palm:

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:
Tell him he gets the complete VIN when you get the cash.

Forgive my ignorance but how would giving him the complete VIN put you at risk of anything?

My understanding is they can cause a lot of trouble by reporting the VIN as stolen.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by Palm:
Forgive my ignorance but how would giving him the complete VIN put you at risk of anything?

My understanding is they can cause a lot of trouble by reporting the VIN as stolen.

Got it, thanks. I hope it works out for you and it is the real deal.

quote:

Originally posted by Palm:

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:
Tell him he gets the complete VIN when you get the cash.

Forgive my ignorance but how would giving him the complete VIN put you at risk of anything?

My question, too.

They might be able to create a question or two by reporting it as stolen, but not much. You'll have documentation of having it for the last 20 years. But no biggie, withhold it if it makes you feel better.

If he shows up with cash (or a wire transfer into your bank is just as good), sell him the bike. Not before.