We purchase our 1967 Aermacchi Harley Davidson Sprint H on EBay. We negotiated a Buy It Now price of $2600 with the seller. The bike was in northern Georgia and we needed to budget for shipping. The EBay listing includes a shipping tab that allows potential purchasers the opportunity to get a shipping quote from multiple shippers by simply entering the destination. We received via email several quotes ranging from $310 to $700. We assumed the quote was backed by the shippers reputations and backed by EBay. We couldn't be more wrong. We assumed the $310 was what we would be charged and we went forward with the transaction. You know what happens when you ASS U ME. After the purchase we called the shipper that offered the $310 fee and were told they would not honor it. They said "we've been having a lot of low quotes on EBay and we can't figure it out...". Classic bait and switch. They stated the actual charge would be $675 - more than double the original figure. We moved forward with the contract and they took a deposit from me and told me they would call back with date for pickup at the sellers location. After several days I had not heard back so I called the shipper. I was transferred around, put on hold, and disconnected. Classic. After three attempts I was finally connected to a nice gal who assured me she would see me thru the process. I got her name and direct phone number and was not letting her go until I got a date (to pick up). The pick up was a range within three days. No exact date could be determine as they needed to negotiate with other shippers. Apparently these companies just broker the work to freight carriers. I was told my bike would be crated at time of pickup. Well a crate is really just a wood pallet with a ramp notched into it and four eye hooks screwed in. I have heard horror stories of shippers taking bikes off the trucks and out for joy rides. To prevent this I instructed the seller to send me the keys and title separately via priority mail. When dealing with vintage motorcycles, keys can be a challenge. The bike had one ignition key and if it was lost it would mean delays in our project. So keep those keys well guarded. The shipping company was provided the sellers contact info and they called him with a final pick up date. I asked the seller to bubble wrap the ends of the handle bars to prevent anything from getting snagged on the levers and as a precaution in case the bike fell or the bars came in contact with the fuel tank. Once the bike was in transit it would take two weeks to travel the 700 miles to New England. Why so long? Well it is not a direct trip. The carriers make several other stops picking up other items before departing and while traveling. When the bike finally arrived it was delivered by a local freight company who was the third carrier to handle the bike. They told me the bike had been take off its pallet and moved around at their facility days before it was reloaded for final delivery. Sure glad I had those keys sent separately.
Before signing for the Motorcycle I had to examine it for damage much like a rental car agreement. I noticed the leading edge of the from fender had some damage that I did not see in the photos on EBay and was not described in the listing. The invoice had a sketch of the bike with various notations and initials of the seller noting the damage was present before pickup. I rechecked the EBay listing and upon close examination could be seen the damage but it could have been pointed out in the listing. So lesson learned. Be sure to communicate with the seller and ask ask ask about everything in advance.
After I had possession of the motorcycle I called EBay customer service to discuss the misleading shipping quotes. EBay offered no buyer protection for shipping. They said they simply offered it in the listing as a service but did not get involved in disputes between buyers and shippers.
Our Project Bike Arrives
Damage not clearly shown in EBay listing but documented on shipping invoice
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