Since the wife’s 600RR has been up for sale I’ve had 3 different calls from chaps with very thick Northern Irish accents enquiring about the bike and my gut feeling each time has been that this is some type of scam or con. They’ve asked for too much detail on where I live without committing to a viewing due to having to look at the cost of flights.
Does anyone know if there is some sort of NI scam/con or am I just being too cautious?
OR is there some sort of bike shortage in Northern Ireland as they’ve all claimed they can’t get the choice of bikes at home?
I think you are right to be weary… I’d just tell them that you live near heathrow, or near stanstead and that if they’re flying you will meet them at the airport or something like that…it does sound funny that you’ve had multiple calls for a bike based in london from people with northern irish accents!
I have heard of people coming over from the republic of ireland as the euro makes it cheaper for them, but not from northern ireland…
admitedly it is a coincidence if they were actually from northern ireland,but allot of peo do come to the mainland as theres mre choice at better prices.askin if theres a ni scam going on is crossing the line,its like me saying is there any english scams going at the moment?
would u be more suspicious if the people were from another country,or different ethnic background?
as with anything,you should always air caution when selling.obviously they need to know your address in detail to know which airport to fly to
Thanks for replies. I promise I’m not being prejudice but 3 calls all purporting to be from Northern Ireland does seem more than just a coincidence! And each asking for the house number and street without making a commitment to view . . ?
Perhaps I’m just overly suspicious but it does still smell a bit!
You say they have “thick nothern irish accents” but could they be from southern ireland? If so it could be the strength of the euro against the pound meaning they would get alot more for their money buying in england then they would from Ireland using Euro’s?
Zuess, try doing 1471 after the call to check the number as if they are in actual fact calling from Ireland it will show and could be gen, but if it is a local number or a england mobile number I would defo be a little caustious
Thanks again for the replies. Definitely Northern Irish accents and they state they are from Northern Ireland. The last one had a blocked mobile but left me a message and his mobile number which started 0751 . . . is that NI?
Just take the usual precautions - meet away from where bike kept, no test rides without paying in full beforehand, prove address when see cash in their hand, no take until cash paid/cheque paid (not just cleared!) etc;. Tell them that beforehand and it’ll weed out ne’er-do-wells.
It is possible they will say that will buy, send cheque/make transfer for more than require, ask you to forward excess paid (less bit for your trouble!) to their collecting agent by Western Union. Cheque clears, you send money then bank tells you cheque bounced…
I recently sold a car to a bloke from the Isle of Man. He flew over and I met him at Gatwick. Cash paid, all OK. So they can be genuine.
now now , play nicely , its not fair to say that all pikies are thieves or you should be suspicious of them…steves’ ok afterall…thats like saying all you half breed yanks are all gung ho nutters that play the banjo and eat all their food in the standard american portion…a bucket !!!:P:D:)
your a wrongun you are…i said nuffin of the sort sir…honest…!!!..and im no longer going to play my banjo for you and you can p1ss off if you think your getting your grubby mite on my bucket of chilli chips and cheese…
oh yeah well ive seen your face when you hear a piggy squeal …a mix of fear and excitement … oh the memories of those warm nights out in the swamps hunting gators bet you cant wait to get back there to bubba and the boys !!:w00t: