Todays update. He asked if could come today and have a look and pay. Arranged for between 11-12. He arrived just before 12, and this is where it all took a turn, he got out, he was probably 65+, went round to the passenger door to get his friend out (who has the collection), and put him into his wheel. He has had throat cancer so feeds through a tube and can't speak, has to use a voice box thing. FFS, how bad do I now feel. Anyway, the story of his friend is all true, the collection is bigger than 2 bikes, has 5-6, and wants to get more, trying to find bikes he had over the years. Clearly won't ride again, pretty frail, I guess wanting to do it before his time is up. Really sad, but really pleased my bike will make him happy while he can look at it, he seemed really happy with it. They gave me the cash, I counted it, checked a random amount for fakes, all seemed fine. Have arranged to deliver it on Thursday. So they left me with the cash, the bike, and the V5, again making me feel awful, as they have complete faith in me. I've taken the cash to the bank, all paid in, no issues. There are still good, genuine people out there. It's a real shame that I/we have to think the worst of people just because of the small minority of complete w@nkers out there. Many thanks for all the advice and thoughts. I wasn't killed by the way!
Glad it all worked out but would probably all have been sorted quickly and easily if they had explained all the circumstances right from the start, not sure why they were so coy about it all.
Don't feel bad about what happened, I'd have done the same, plenty of scammers out there. I'm sure you treated the guy with respect and your bike will have given him great satisfaction and brought back the memories from a time that we all try to replicate every time we ride.
Well done. You got your bike sold, when otherwise you might have had it for sale for the next 6 months, like a great many other unfortunates... You held your nerve when (almost) everyone said the sky was falling or worse. I imagine you will have made a few people think twice before they prophesise doom (but maybe not!). You've also made a guy very happy in his twilight years. WINNER!
I feel like the most cynical bastard on the planet, but I think my caution was justified - just shows that until you klnow the full story, it’s hard to make a decision. Glad it all went well and pleased that the poor chap gets to look at and enjoy the bikes while he can - shame he can’t ride them.
Have we got @Andrew46 details? He's clearly being held hostage and being forced to type this out so we think all is well. Then they will kill him & make off with his bike... As one who thought walk away, I'm glad to be wrong on this. Well done for sorting despite our understandable cynicism.
What a relief. A great outcome and a benchmark thread that needs to serve as a reminder to a lot of us who feared the worst. As you say, there are still good and genuine people out there, and it's great when you come across one.
So, shall we all just get together somewhere and get pissed anyway. We can celebrate humanity and even buy our own drinks?
