RichardPitman replied on 16/04/2015 17:23
Posted on 16/04/2015 17:23
I recently advertised my Lifan monkey bike on Ebay, for a 'Buy it now' price of £550. 45 minutes later it sold, and a few days later the buyer drove up from Southampton to collect it. Pleasant retired chap, bit deaf, which is relevant,
I showed him how to start it, rode it around a bit to show that it all worked, then let him have a quick go. I did notice then that he didn't seem too accomplished, had problems finding neutral, problem using clutch, wasn't able to restart (kick start) the bike after he stalled it. It restarted fine when I retried it. He paid cash, and went off happily enough.
Now, this bike was modified, with a lightly tuned 125 engine, improved brakes and suspensiom etc, probably £800 or more of extra bits on it. The advert made this very clear.
A few days later the phone calls started. First off, his insurer wouldn't insure it because of the modifications. I pointed him in the direction of an insurer who would, some difficulty making him hear or understand me, so I resorted to email via Ebay.
Another phone call. Insured OK, but engine won't start. Wasn't sure how the fuel tap worked, if you can believe that.
He called out a mobile mechanic, at £50 per hour, who also couldn't start the bike, and advised him that it needs to be 'stripped down' in his workshop. Buyer wants me to pay the mechanics fee, and is going to appeal to Ebay if I don't comply.
My position is that I sold the machine in good faith, it was working fine when I sold it, and that it is user error on his part that he is unable to start the bike.
If he lived locally, I'd be inclined to either go round and help him, or take the bike back and refund him, assuming he hasn't damaged it the mean time. As it is, he has already placed on Ebay the spare engine which I included in the deal.
What should I do ? I'd hate anyone to think I'd 'ripped them off', but on the other hand I feel that my integrity is being challenged.
The ebay listing
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201321063957?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649
RichardPitman
Caravanner