Craigslist postings(are they lying?)

[Omega Man]

I like some of you love to look at Wings for sale on CL. There is one thing that always catches my attention in the descriptions,"timing belt changed." Now I find this in otherwise perfectly worded, spelled and grammatical descriptions over and over. This is always a huge red flag except when the seller mentions "have receipts for all parts."

Now I believe that most Wing owners are just like us, we know our bikes inside and out and we know all Wings have timing belts plural. I'm sure some of the above described descriptions are in error but I always wonder, always. Is someone that knows just enough that there is some kind of belt in there and that they have to be replaced lying. I mean typos aside if you've done the belts you know there are two.

To a lesser degree "new battery" is a huge red flag too. Once in a while there is a line like "slight" electrical or charging problem but bike runs fine and "it's an easy fix," that just makes me chuckle.

I take this seriously because I'm convinced the guy that sold me my 75 knew it had a bad stator. I'll never forget how he didn't want to meet at his place to do the deal. This was all before the real internet we have today was up and running so there were no places/resources like CGW for me to turn to and I ended up seller her cheap and at a significant loss.

~O~

 

[zman]

well I suppose some people have it done at a shop and just equate it to their single timing belt in their car..least I give them the benefit but it doesn't matter what they say unless I have solid proof I expect it will need some things and if it doesn't I am lucky.
I think the passing of bad vehicles has become contagious, I have heard others say way too many times "let the next guy worry about it"..Believe me I have bought many vehicles that I had to dump money into right away because of someone passing along their troubles, I couldn't do it but many can, learned allot about cars and people.
I firmly believe it is attributed to a loss of religion which is the foundation of our morality. I am not a bible thumper and haven't been to church in a long time but we all pay for our sins, in this life and maybe even the next so I make sure I can sleep well and am ready to answer St Peter should I need to.
But that's just my 2 cents.

 

[slabghost]

Well said and I agree!

 

[Terry]

You are smart to be leery of CL ad's. I have bought and sold a lot on CL as it is the most popular site for this. After a while you get wise to the sneaky catch phases and methods of scammers, personal info seekers, and the dishonest. My advice is to follow your gut feeling and read between the lines. Don't do things like meeting at some obscure place. Don't make it clear you will bringing cash. DO NOT buy vehicles without a clean title or with title issues regardless of how easy they insist it is to obtain one. Be knowlegeable about whatever you are considering or take someone who is, research it's market value, and lastly don't forget: If it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

 

[mcgovern61]

It is not only CL. The PO of my bike was a bit shy on good information. I cannot complain, he gave me the bike for free and did state it "needs some work".

He even told me it was "running when I parked her"! :yes:

I think he forgot to mention a few things like, "it was running OUT OF OIL when I parked her"! :smilie_happy:

Looked this this when I opened her up:

 

[slabghost]

Which is why I'm leary of sellers and why i don't sell. I really don't want visitors. I'd rather deliver but that makes me suspect. i'm honest about what i sell but don't want people here seeing what's here to take when I'm not here.

 

[julimike54]

Too many scams on CL, just avoid myself

 

[zman]

Funny to think but I remember when all my cars and bike were purchased within my neighborhood, seeing a car down the street with a for sale sign or the pennysaver ad, a friend or a friend of a friend..Then the recycler magazine came out and buying a car became a multi city journey, now with ebay you can go out of state.
I`ll tell ya though, there wasn't anything or any part that couldn't be found within a 20 mile radius. I think it added to peoples honesty because you were selling it to a neighbor.

 

[Denver]

All true, & even worse!!! :read: On the other hand, found my last wing on internet, knew I needed to trailer or truck it home, as was not really safe, dealer said I suppose you could ride it home, it runs. Nuff said!!! Asking 999, took 900 :rocks: Turned out great, couldn't be happier with the deal. arty: