Safety precautions when buying or selling

Fact of life: There are all sorts of scams and dishonest people in the world. Here are some ways to minimize the impact they may have on your life. Some of this advice is geared to sellers, and some to buyers; mix & match.

You may not want to bring people you don't know into your home. If they end up buying the bike, they'll know your address anyway, as it's on the title. But people who come to look may not necessarily be there to look at your bike. They could be looking at what you have to steal, what kinds of security/locks/precautions have been made, etc.... It has happened that people were burglarized after showing things they had for sale. There have also been instances where people will offer an item they don't even possess, ask you to bring cash to the meet, and then mug you.

You might want to consider some of these options:

• Pick a place to meet that affords you some measure of comfort. The parking lot of the local police station, for instance, should have cameras and people going in and out frequently, not to mention the officers. Anyone up to no good will think twice about your meeting point.

• If you're not comfortable with carrying cash, tell them to meet at your bank's parking lot. Again, lots of cameras, very public, and you can walk in and obtain the cash and do the title transfer on-site. The money can even be sent electronically to their bank account, so they don't have to carry it with them. As a bonus, the bank staff can help you with a witness or notary if one's needed, and we suggest having a witness for a bill of sale.

• Buying and selling often involves being able to judge a person. If you're not comfortable for any reason, trust your instincts. That doesn't mean you have to abandon the sale - it just means you need to enlist help from someone to assist with the part where you have no confidence. This might involve finding a mechanic to inspect the bike so you know what it is you're getting. Sometimes it might be bringing along someone who's had more dealings with private party sales. And if you're selling, don't be insulted if a prospective buyer shows up with h/her dad or friend who asks questions and tries to make sure you're legit.

• If you can't get someone to agree to meet at a bank or the police department, but they still seem legitimate, tell them that you will not be able to bring cash to the first meeting. Tell them you want to check the title, check the VIN, and see the bike first. At least you'll know that the bike exists before risking your money or your life.