Buying a motorcycle, car, or any high dollar item online can be an exiting, scary, and rewarding proposition. Over the years I have purchased everything from golf balls to vacuum bags, cars and motorcycles, even a condominium on eBay. I have also sold a variety of items using eBay including motorcycles and cars, diamonds and Rolex watches, even an airplane! This guide shares my experience as a seller and buyer of high (and low) dollar items since 1998 on this great, worldwide marketplace. I'm writing this guide because I often hear common questions and concerns when I sell a vehicle on eBay.

The internet is a fascinating place to transact business. In my experience, a buyer's primary concerns include - Will I get my item? Will my purchase be as the ad described? Is the seller reputable? The best advice to address these concerns is to use common sense. As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. That being said, there are great deals on hard to find cars and motorcycles on eBay. If you look locally for a vintage or hard to find vehicle, you may wait months or years to find one through local resources. You have more options on eBay since you see vehicles from across the country and around the world. On eBay you may find what you are seeking in different colors, varying conditions, and with a variety of trim levels. So, now that you know the benefits of using ebay to find a vehicle, how do you decide which one to buy?

Again, it's time to use some common sense. The cheapest vehicle you find may not be the best purchase. It is of course critical to check the seller's feedback. Look at the items they have sold in the past and what their buyers say about them. Are they primarily a buyer or a seller or both? Do they oftern sell high dollar items? Do they have happy customers? This is REALLY important information that can't be overlooked. It's important enough to repeat, CHECK THE SELLER'S FEEDBACK! Next, if they frequently sell vehicles on ebay are they a licensed dealer in their state? If they are licensed, you may have some recourse through their state licensing agency if they do not fulfill promises. If they are not a licensed dealer and they frequently sell vehicles, there is a chance that they may be "curb stoning", a practice that is illegal in almost every state and leaves you with no idea who you are actually dealing with.

So the seller has great feedback and is either a private individual or an established licensed dealer, the next consideration is proximity of the vehicle. Is it close enough to see in person? If not, consider an inspection service if you have doubts about the seller. eBay Motors "Buyer Services & Protection" page includes a link to an eBay endorsed inspection service. Also, what will it cost to get your "new" vehicle home? Are you going to pick it up or does the seller ofer shipping or delivery options? Most eBay vehicle sellers are familiar with shipping options; don't hesitate to ask them what they recommend. They will try to help; a sale may depend on it! Another detail to consider - does the seller currently have the title in hand? If the seller is a licensed dealer, they may not have it for a variety of reasons but they may be able to issue a temporary tag and deliver the title in a reasonable period of time. If the seller is a private individual, determine if there is a loan payoff to be made. If so, I usually ask if I can make out one cashier's check to the lending institution to be sure that the vehicle is paid off, and a second to the seller for the balance.

Now, what about payment options? A seller typically expects a deposit, usually about $500. Then you can pay the balance upon pickup if you are traveling to get the item yourself, within a reasonable time frame. If the seller has to hold the vehicle for a period of time, it is common to ask for full payment within a week. If you are financing your vehicle, your lending institution may have special requirements for purchasing a vehicle from out of state. They may need to contact the seller directly, but I have never encountered a lender that would not fund an out of state deal simply because it is out of state. For finance options, consider eBay finance or check with your local bank or credit union. Most sellers refuse to use escrow services due to the delay in funding and numerous escrow scams. This should not be a concern if you have done your homework and feel confident in your seller. Once you have a total of what you owe from your seller, you usually have a few payment options. The most common payment method in my shop for eBay deals is a direct transfer from your bank to ours. This is NOT to be confused with Western Union or some other money transfer service. The ONLY way you can be sure that the money is going where it should is to do a direct bank to bank transfer. You know the item has been paid for and the seller does not have to wait for a check to clear. If you choose to pay by cashier's check, expect to wait a few days for title paperwork to ensure the dealer they are not dealing with a fraudulent check. These are general guides of what to expect, each seller will handle transactions a little differently, but the methods described above are pretty universal.

I hope this helps with your online buying decisions. If you try to put yourself in the seller's shoes while also using common sense, you should have a great purchasing experience! Happy bidding! Now go buy a new motorcycle or car!

Thanks,

Eric