So here is the story. You have probably read my earlier offer of a P200? The owners of that scooter changed their minds. BUT now I was pumped to get back to a shifting scooter. So I've been looking for a P200, and trusting the vibe of the ad and timing of the universe to set things up. Which means I started checking a few places on a daily basis: scoot.net, craigslist in Seattle, Portland, SFbay, and the InlandEmpire. I've seen a bunch of nice scooters, but nothing that said "Call the seller!", until a red 79 P200 showed up in Seattle. I watched it for two weeks and almost called, then the ad timed out, and was reposted a couple of days later.
The issue with buying long distance is I cannot physically check it out and have to trust whoever is selling the bike. Now, I can read a person pretty good, but my wife does say I'm a sucker for a good salesman. And this scooter looks good (in the two pictures posted!). Uh-oh, gotta listen to the wife.
In comes the MV community - I'm sitting there thinking "who do I know in Seattle that can check this scooter out?" and ding, V oodoo pops into my head. Have I ever met Terry - no, but I feel like I know him through his posts. So I sent him a PM on the off-chance he'd be willing to check it out for me.
Now everything starts to click - I call the seller, the scooter sounds just what I'm looking for: Original paint, low miles, not too abused, something that can use some polish and love. Then Terry gets back with me and says "Sure, anything to help a fellow scooterist out, accruing good karma as a way of life.
So within a day, I called the seller, Terry checked it out (he tells me "Buy it!"), I transfer $$ via Paypal to Terry to be the broker, which he graciously agreed to do, and he's picking up the scooter tomorrow! Oh, and got my wife on board with me buying something instead of selling something!
Holp crap - pinch me - I'm getting a P200! Woooohoooo! Super smooth - when it's meant to be, it's meant to be.
Now, without the MV community, I wouldn't have felt comfortable enough to do this. I'm very thankful for this community, and huge cudos to Voodoo! Thanks again!
Pretty good story huh? OK, I don't have the scooter yet, but when I do, I'll post pictures, cause I can hear it now (I'm even saying it!) No Pictures, it didn't happen. Ha!
⚠️ Last edited by qascooter on UTC; edited 2 times