Getting title from seller of my r1200r

[ContraMoto]

Just adding some experience...

I bought a GS from a guy with a BMW loan on the bike. The price was $8500. I gave him $5k cash and took the bike. I sent him the other $3500 after he mailed me the title (which only took a week to arrive at his house). Naturally, he asked why he should send me the title before I gave him the final cash. I pointed out that I was taking the registration risk, so the burden was on him to act first.

BTW -- to avoid the California late-registration penalty, post-date your sale date to when you get the title.

[sunny72]

The resolution:

Well, I have the title in hand. Fedex'd as promised.
In the end, once I spoke to him, the seller was profoundly apologetic and had some pretty reasonable excuses for how this slipped through the cracks.
He has post-dated the sale date himself on the title but since the registration has now expired there is a hefty fee $350+ to re-register the bike.
The seller volunteered to cover that fee before I asked and he's done so.

So, I was lucky not to get pulled over or screwed over. I don't recommend taking that risk. Hopefully someone can learn something from my mistake. It is fairly common to buy a bike over Ebay or Craigslist to be delivered from a distance nowadays. Follow the smart advice of the previous comments and avoid my hassle.

[BigEasy]

Good for you, great stroke of luck. I personally thought you were up the creek. I'm sure you got a good take away from this one

[ErikM]

Lucky you!!! glad the seller wasn't a douche and didn't spend, gamble, or snort away the money..

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Well Sunny, I'm glad it all worked out. The seller may be new to the northeast, but most of us up here are pretty good people. Looks like this guy will fit in fine. If you talk to him again, please have him check out the Yankee Beemers. We're always looking for more members

Glad we didn't need to go into enforcement mode here. Bruce and I are both too old to be doing that kind of thing.

[ka5ysy]

I love happy endings; they are so rare these days ...

[fastdogs2]

Your patience was rewarded. Glad it turned out OK for you.

[angellr]

I love happy endings; they are so rare these days ...

Doug,

So right you are ... but basically most people want to do the right thing ... its just the small percentage of douchebags that give everyone a bad name.

Glad it worked out for you Sunny.