Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Sometimes, you just gotta shake your head,

and wonder about the sanity of people.
Some folks here know that I have been trying to sell my 2009 Speedmaster for a while. Well, in the last few days I have been approached by a guy over in St Louis who expressed some interest in the bike. I'm going to post the e-mail trail unedited so you all can provide a completely informed and honest critique of the exchange -

Mon, August 9, 2010 8:14:42 PMRe: Triumph
From: Michael Seay <shidapi@att.net>Add to Contacts
To: Gene Speed <chrlkres@yahoo.com>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gene,

WOW - That's some tirade. LOL. I haven't read anything like that for quite some time. Relax, or you're gonna pop vein.

Have a great evening.

Mike






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Gene Speed <chrlkres@yahoo.com>
To: Michael Seay <shidapi@att.net>
Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 2:13:05 PM
Subject: Re: Triumph


You got that right you smart ****** panty wipe. I said was just my advice and it's correct because you are a stupid ****** worried about fake 20's and going to get burned over thinking you have a better idea...

You top that off by thinking you have some special treat to offer for sale as if buyers should bow down to your dumb ******. The truth is you just blew a sale and that makes you? A moron! Who would knowing buy a bike from a moron?

That's right so don't pride your stupid self...... what a freakin jerk AND A TOTAL ******!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Michael Seay <shidapi@att.net>
To: Gene Speed <chrlkres@yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 1:59:03 PM
Subject: Re: Triumph


Gene,

I merely repeated what was in the original ad. I did NOT ask for a lecture. I'm sure there is a bike out there with your name on it, but it isn't in my garage.

Have a Nice Day.

Mike




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Gene Speed <chrlkres@yahoo.com>
To: Michael Seay <shidapi@att.net>
Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 11:54:52 AM
Subject: Re: Triumph


I'm interested and I read your ad, I have $5000 cash and a marker pen if you'd like or get one? - I wouldn't bring twenties and I'd bring 100's. That's my offer plus it's based on not being able to get there until midweek. If you want to lose $5000 over a $200 difference then?

BTW,

You better re-think Postal Money Orders - they are more easily counterfeit then anything, in fact eBay eliminated them as being consideration for payments. Even clerks at the Post Office can't spot them.

Cashier Checks? You do realize that most banks that issue these allow the purchaser to "stop payment" don't you? That's a whole other matter. Taking a "Cashier Check" from a known and established business is one thing but from an individual and across state lines possibly? Stop payment then becomes a civil matter, the buyer can say you ripped them off and then it's a "he said they said" civil disagreement.

Taking a pen and swiping bills is far easier then waiting for a check or money order to pass through your bank with flying colors or having someone stop payment and watching your balance blink to -$5000.

Bills might be circulating but I guarantee you what is always present is "paper hangers" . Call your local police and just ask them, I'll lay odds they would tell you take a pen to the bills over your preference and possibly suggest you take the BUYERS info directly from their matched ID.

Cash and passing fake bills involves the Secret Service so if there is a circulation going around? I'll bet you the Secret Service is highly active on the case and ready to spring. That's who chases counterfeiters down. Otherwise you would be limited to local Law Enforcement and the fact they are over-loaded and over-whelmed with cases.

So someone would have to get 6 postal money orders 5 x $1000 and 1x $200
or

Cashier's Check that could be fake or worse have a "stop payment" placed on it

If someone wants to rip you off? They will try it and sadly get away with it for at least a while

You aren't selling a Garage Sale item you are selling a vehicle - be smart is all I'm saying


Just my word of advice

And just for your info? You have my name - my address and phone is in the White Pages for St. Louis and has been for 19 years at this location. No phony anything here and it would make me pretty stupid to contact you, offer you an amount, and then pass you fake bills wouldn't you think? A 1st grader could track me down. So figure we all know crooks are out there but you don't have to insult everyone because of them do you?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Michael Seay <shidapi@att.net>
To: Gene Speed <chrlkres@yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 10:39:58 AM
Subject: Re: Triumph


Gene, the price on the Speedmaster is $5200 FIRM, and will need a Cashier's Check or Money Order. As I mentioned in the ad, there's too much Counterfeit bills circulating right now (I got a few 'bad' 20s in a recent Garage Sale....).

If you are still interested, please let me know.

Mike






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Gene Speed <chrlkres@yahoo.com>
To: sale-mqjcr-1888207685@craigslist.org
Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 10:29:21 AM
Subject: Triumph

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

I have 5000 cash but can't get over your way until Wednesday or Thursday, I'm in
St. Louis county near the airport area 314-423-7533 Gene


If you can wait a few days I'll take it, contingent of course on "as advertised"
.


Yes very serious - my ad is the one looking for a Triumph Bonneville,
Speedmaster even better! Check out my last name?





------------------------------------------------------------------
this message was remailed to you via: sale-mqjcr-1888207685@craigslist.org
------------------------------------------------------------------




SO - please provide your thoughts on this exchange. Was I out of line? Am I being a Panty-waist for not discounting more on a bike that is Already discounted by over $1500?

Was I too harsh?

Seriously, If I was in error, I'd like to know. I've always valued the opinions of the members here.

Reminds me of and old episode of the Twilight Zone. Sounds like "Gene" is someone to stay away from. And if your price is firm, your price is firm. Nothing wrong with that.

Besides, if you really like your bike you will want it to go to someone that will appreciate it.

Paw

thanks for posting his phone number, I might just call him and let him know he's a total douchebag

You did right, just walk away from that one.
I've been trying to sell our '96 Impala SS via Craigslist. It's been a pretty patience trying event, with no buyer for my efforts.

Gene there certainly has a problem. I think just being patient is the best way to go. Let it go to the right home. I think you handled it brilliantly.

~Brent

Oh yeah, "what they said." Run away, far away, from this guy.

Tirade reminds me of a certain parts vendor about 8 years ago, but this "Mr. Speed" was pretty nice comparatively...

His response was pretty funny, and yeah, he's a dick.
But, a little friendly advice about private sales on anything: Never ask a "firm" price. People want to bargain and it will usually work to your favor if you keep your "firm" price to yourself.
Example: Just yesterday I sold a washer and dryer for $250. I would have taken $200, but I asked $300. See how that works.
I once sold a rusted Ford Maverick for $500 when I wanted $250. I asked $500 and the guy showed up with $500.

In your case, for a $5200 bottom, I would ask $5700, and work it from there.

Never had any queer cash that I knew about, his points about money orders and cashier's checks are worth considering.

The exception (for me) is dealing with friends, I just give them the lowball price from the git. Of course I tell them what I'll be asking if I advertise it.

I agree. You need some wiggle room, even if just a wee bit. But that guy suffered from gluteal haberdashery.

Ya done good Michael! The guys acting like an idiot so letting him go is all you can do. Yep... time to move on. Otherwise I really like what Bill had to say (I liked what you had to say Bill) about asking more and keeping your bottom line a secret. I was never good at selling stuff and this does seem like good advice. Best of luck finding a buyer!!

Got another 'message' from Gene. Seems this walking-advertisement-for-birth-control just doesn't know when to shut the heck up.

"From: Gene Speed <chrlkres@yahoo.com>
To: Michael Seay <shidapi@att.net>
Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 11:40:48 PM
Subject: Re: Triumph

Being called an ****** has obviously excited you, sorry fag I don't do that. What's hilarious is a sissy too afraid to ride a bike and selling it at a loss no wonder someone stiffed you with fake twenties, loser.

What a complete dumb ******"

This is coming VERY close to harassment. I wonder if he'd like a visit from my lawyer......

Or Uncle Nunzio.

Good advice from the others here. I think the best response to this guy now is no response at all. He's looking for something to feed off - to escalate his anger - if he gets nothing more from you he'll move on to some other unlucky target. Don't let him suck you into his mental torment - I mean don't lie awake at night thinking about this psycho - don't let him cost you any more energy.

Not only angry, bitter, narrow-minded and homophobic, but delusional as well. What a peach.

He'd fit in well here. Maybe you should sell to him after all.

<running and ducking>

Wow, Mike. I think our sale went down 100% smoother when I bought your last bike .

This guy is truely NUTZ. Walk away, block his email, and don't look back.

Mike, first of all cash is the real deal. ALWAYS take cash! your concern over counterfeit bills is noted, so simple go to the bank have the buyer tender the currency to the teller and have them verify its authenticity. Done.

Second, Gene's expose (his first reply) was done in kindness. Redundancy is good.

Third, you were not too harsh just terse.

You were not out of line. Gene was not out of line until his second reply.

You are not a pantie-waist, but what do I know?

In summary Gene blew a fuse. Apparently he was trying to negotiate a cash price.

Gene committed a fallacy of illegitimate presumption.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

His messages are now being Auto-Trashed. Seems he sees my telling him to stop e-mailing me as some weird way of saying I want him to keep it up. This guy is a tad Psycho, to be sure.

Anyhoo - I hope everyone has a great week and an even better weekend. I'm gone into the mist..........

Sounds like you need to add his email address to your blocked senders list.

This was the first time Ive ever heard of the seller wanting check/money order and not the buyer. I actually thought I read it backwards for a second. Those craigslist scam artists are always asking for anything other than cash.

I agree with Moe....you sure dont wanna sell that thing...haha

I would send him one more message: "NOTICE: All further replies are being automatically sent to the trash. And seek therapy."

The guy definitely has some anger management issues. But if it was me, if I would take $5200, I would probably take $5,000. I don't think there is a big deal with wanting a cashiers check, most banks actually try to talk you out of withdrawing that much cash. But then again, cash is good too. If you have his address and phone number, the feds could track him down if it was funny money. I think he is seriously p*ss#d because he is loosing such a good deal. It makes me suspicious why he wouldn't just take the cash to the bank and get a check for $5200. I agree with bigbill that you need a little wiggle room for people so they can negotiate, but $5200 for a virtually brand new '09 with accessories is already bargain basement pricing.

He is also not 100% correct about bills and the pen to validate. Those pens just confirm the paper and crooks have been bleaching out $1 bills and printing larger amounts on the bleached paper.

What a douche. I'll bet he really wants your bike now that he cant have it.

Now I might call him from work tomorrow just to really ****** him off. I'm a dick like that.

Get his IP address from the headers in the email and we'll do a DDOS attack on his ISP. MUWAHAHAHAHA!

(yeah, like I know how to do that...)

Methinks he would be better suited to a Harley anyways.

Send him an email telling him you are raising the price to $5,500.

A mind is a terrible thing not to F$^@ with.

Heh, heh ... or send him an email saying you got sick of the whole busienss and sold it for $4000. That would whistle his foo-foo valve.

Yeah you're right - leave him be- I was just having a bit of fun and should have made that clearer.

I agree, leave him alone but it's fun to ponder the possible way to mess with him.