Dodgy ad for ex-factory test bike?

Well looks to have gone already, when I find something like this I copy the description text and put that into google, the original sellers ad with their pics will normally pop up if its dodgy, they trawl the internet for desirable cars etc and pull the description and pics for reuse. One I found was of an engine pictured in a rural setting but the post code was a city centre shopping arcade.

You need to have your wits about you but if the price is too low to make sense, then walk away.

Previously mark_lepkowski wrote:

I've been looking for a rotary for ages and was just about to put a wanted ad in the club's classifieds pages, when this ebay ad popped up claiming to have an ex-factory test bike for sale, at what looks like a very reasonable price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NORTON-COMMANDER-1989-588cc-GREY-/112185456963?hash=item1a1ec63943:g:UcQAAOSwA3dYE57a

My first concerns were over the 'selling on behalf of a family member', the seller's zero feedback and not supplying any location other than UK.

However, clicking onto the seller's other items reveals a raft of other vehicles for sale, again on behalf of family members and also at (some ridiculously) low prices.

I think I've already answered my own question, as this looks like a suspiciously dodgy ad. Any views on this, if only to alert any other NOC members looking for rotaries that might be tempted by this ad?

I also seem to remember this bike was up for sale some months ago but can't remember if it sold then as there are some other question marks over keys and its provenance.

Cheer, Mark

Hi Mark, I would think the police would be interested.

Roger

Mark

If you want to start collecting bits for the Commander I have two instrument consoles to sell, both with tachos and temperature gauges.

Regards

Phil 07768 105456

Roger. The police will not be interested. These scammers are invariably not in this country, any money they are sent disappears off-shore, and there is nothing the police can then do. I have been down that route, reporting one of these scams after leading the seller on as far as I could, in order to gain as much evidence as possible before dobbing him in. The police did nothing, and neither did e-bay, leaving the listing on for well over a week before it finally disappeared.

We all just have to be aware of these scams, and, as Mark has done, alert us to any we see.