Escrow

Stooby2

Hire a van for a weekend when he is eventually available, drive up one day, back the next with the bike in the back. Cost you about £100 +fuel. Take plenty of tie down straps.

Or if you've got a car and a towbar, hire a bike trailer for the weekend.

Kingsd316

This has to be a wind up, who in there right mind would pay £9,000 to someone they dont know using a method that is impossible to get the money back if it goes tits up.

System

Kingsd316 wrote: »

This has to be a wind up, who in there right mind would pay £9,000 to someone they dont know using a method that is impossible to get the money back if it goes tits up.

the op is asking for advice on how to do it to avoid that!

Kingsd316

the_r_sole wrote: »

the op is asking for advice on how to do it to avoid that!

He has had advise (all of which he is not taking) and it would appear from his comment that this is the only method he has now

arcon5

Kingsd316 wrote: »

This has to be a wind up, who in there right mind would pay £9,000 to someone they dont know using a method that is impossible to get the money back if it goes tits up.

That's not what ops doing - in fact ops here to ask for advice on how he could safely complete this transaction in face of logistical issues.

Re-read op

KTF

Is the courier local?

Maybe speak nicely to them if they can take someone else in their van for the day so you can go up with them and inspect it before handing over the money.

Worst case you say no and the courier still gets the money for playing 'taxi'.

accadacca

Kingsd316 wrote: »

He has had advise (all of which he is not taking) and it would appear from his comment that this is the only method he has now

Far from not taking advice, thats exactly why Ive posed the question. Im here seeking advice which surely is the point of forums like this...or am I missing summat?

Thanks to all who have given (useful) opinions and advice. I wont be using an escrow service as they seem to be too many dodgy sites out there, I'm gonna get a flight and ride the thing home. Thats if it exists!

GlynD

I've always used my solicitor when putting anything in escrow for a purchase. If you tell him that's how you want to do it all he has to do is contact his own solicitor to ensure the escrow is genuine. Of course your solicitor will charge you for the service but it doesn't cost that much and it's worth it.

Richard53

If it's the right bike, it's the right bike

I once borrowed a bike trailer and drove 7 hours there and 7 hours back to get a bike from East Anglia, and that was only for a sub-£1k ratty trail bike, never mind a £9k beaut. I wouldn't part with the cash without seeing the bike (it turned out to be fine and I still have it) but done that way the only risk to me was the loss of a day and about £70 in diesel.

I think you are doing the right thing by flying up and riding it home. The weather is improving - it might even be a fun ride.

Lum

accadacca wrote: »

Thanks to all who have given (useful) opinions and advice. I wont be using an escrow service as they seem to be too many dodgy sites out there, I'm gonna get a flight and ride the thing home. Thats if it exists!

Depending on where you are flying from, you may be flying up in a 6 seater crop duster

The sleeper train may be a better alternative, but it really does depend on specific details.