Some people, instead of hiring a bike or car, if there's no convenient pickup and drop off point, will buy a car or motorbike or pedal bike and sell it before they leave. You might do this on an Indonesian island where there is not opportunity to take your bike or car on a ferry, or if the cost is too high, or you only have time to fly in and out.
You might also consider buying if you are a long-term expat. We bought and sold a car in the USA. You just stick a sign in the car saying how much you want for it. It was much cheaper to find a car with a number plate with your name on it in the USA than in the UK.
Buying and Selling in Singapore
We also bought and sold motorbikes in Singapore. In Singapore the buyers were interested in the number plate. Was it a lucky number? Eight is lucky. Four which sounds like death is unlucky.
What are the differences about buying and selling overseas?
Safety
For safety always meet buyers and sellers in public places under security cameras.
You want to be sure you are not being sold a stolen bike.
When buying we asked for a history of the services, oil changes.
Helmets Tell Tales
You can tell a lot from looking at the bike and helmets. A man with two helmets might be riding around with his partner or wife. A basic helmet indicates slow speed in the city. A reinforced big helmet with a vison and he is out on the open road and speed, wearing out the vehicle, possibly crashing.
How are the tires worn? Worn down on one side suggests speeding around corners.
Bike Shops
Chat up the local shop and bikers.
Who is selling the bike? Do they have a business card? Can you find them online or check their business or employer? Can you find their home address? Their LinkedIn or Facebook page?
Do they belong to any bike or car owners' club?
Scam Checks
While you are about it, check scams for everything you can think of, the vehicle, city, name of seller, type of transaction, credit card, condition of vehicle. Is the vehicle still being produced? Can you find the garage where it was serviced and ask them the cost of giving it an overhaul after buying it? You might find out the availability of spares, cost of repairs, even whether they know the vehicle or the owner.
Useful Websites
https://www.decathlon.sg/12187-discover-cycling
Angela Lansbury teacher of English (advanced and English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language, French and other languages, aspiring polyglot.
3
No comments:
Post a Comment