Almost in the gang!

[Jose]

It's taken a couple of months, but I'm almost there. If everything goes to plan I will be picking up a black 04 Alp on Friday. The adventure begins!

[Tony Varadero]

Best of luck with the bike. Hope u enjoy it!
Oh also watch this space as someone will be along soon to say "...post some pictures when u get the bike..."

[Alba]

Oh also watch this space as someone will be along soon to say "...post some pictures when u get the bike..."

And the pictures always flood in

[StumpyFingers]

You should have taken the pictures when you viewed the bike so we do not have to wait until friday.

[Jose]

Erm. Didn't view it. Bought unseen.

[Tony Varadero]

not even a photo...?

[Jose]

Yeah saw a photo and spoke to the owner who told me that there was some discolouration on the forks which he had never successfully managed to polish out, and light corrosion on the wheels. However the panels of the bike were not showroom but close to showroom condition. Furthermore, the MOT tester had remarked (yesterday) that 'it was one of the best he had seen'. Based on this information I travelled to Southampton today to buy it. When I got there I found the lower forks were a mess, the engine was begining to corrode, there was a small hole in the seat covered with insulation tape and the bike had scratches and gouges down one side where it has obviously fallen to the ground. I told him I wasn't going to go through with the deal because I felt the condition was not as described and he suggesred I make a lower offer. I declined because I don't want a scabby one for less money, I want a good one for a fair price. Waste of a day, £60 worse off. Too trusting by nature-never learn. Will start looking again.

[Tony Varadero]

put it down to experience lesson learned....good luck for your next one, I am sure there is a great bike waiting for you out there just make sure u view it before u buy it...

[StumpyFingers]

Next time check the condition for yourself first.
there are a few around so you should not have long to wait.

[Jose]

When anything you want to buy (bike, car, speedboat) is a long way away from you, you rely on the advertiser giving a reasonably accurate description of the item's condition both in the advert and on the phone when questioned in order to avoid unnecessary journeys. The present owner didn't do this, in fact I would go as far as to say they misled me. I would have incurred the same costs if I had arranged a viewing of the bike so I was always on a loser with this one. Fortunately I did not pay a deposit via PayPal and therefore my only losses were time and travel costs. Perhaps I need to be looking closer to home.