Modern Vespa

I was so excited to win a new 2009 S150 on Ebay. $2900 delivered, I thought I was the shizzle to get such a good price. I just got the tracking info and I find it is being shipped from Jakarta.

Any thoughts out there...would this be a knockoff? I don't know where these scooters are manufactured but I did not think it was Indonesia!

Good luck, sounds like a scam to me

What payment method did you use? Anything but Paypal and you probably have lost your money and wont see a scoot.

Dude, what were you thinking?

Wow, I wonder if you will get anything at all. Do you know where exactly it is being shipped from?

Here is a list of dealers/distributors in Indonesia-

http://www.asia.piaggio.com/vespa/en/distributor.php

I see that there are many in Jakarta, so maybe you will actually get a scooter. At least you got some tracking info.

I was looking at that one....a white S?
It seemed legit to me, good buyer reviews.
But who knows....

Let us know how it goes!

Well the outcome could be one of two things.

1) You could have been scammed.

2) It may, depending on what shape the scooter is in, have been a good deal since you do have tracking information.

My question is did you look at dealers in your area to see what they may have had on consignment before you went to Ebay?

You would have seen first hand and maybe even been able to ride before you shell out your hard earned money.

The dealer here in Baton Rouge has both Vespa and Piaggio scooters on consignment as well as at least one MotoGuzzi, though I don't much pay attention to the motorcycles.

If it's legitimate, you may have trouble getting it registered in the USA since it probably won't have the USA emissions equipment that comes standard on the models that are sold here.

He has some protection from ebay and paypal, as long as he followed the rules for payment.

Is there any likelihood you will be charged import duty by US Customs before it clears for entry into the USA and do you have any idea what the cost (if any) would be?

The bike will not be US EPA and CARB certified and not even have a USA vin number. This will not go well even if it shows up.

Yikes !!!

SDG

That's what I thought. The OP should cancel this transaction immediately (if they can).

I was thinking the same thing. There is no way you'll be able to license it.

http://www.epa.gov/OMS/imports/quiktext.htm

Extracts:

A. What is a U.S. Version Vehicle?

A U.S. version vehicle is manufactured in conformity with Federal emission requirements. The manufacturer attaches a label in the engine compartment that states, in the English language, that the vehicle conforms to all U.S. EPA regulations.

A vehicle lacking the U.S. EPA emission compliance label is considered non-complying. Alternative proof is a written statement from the manufacturer's U.S. representative stating the vehicle is a U.S. version.

EPA does not accept passing a state inspection test as proof. State inspection tests do not determine conformity with Federal emission standards.

EPA also does not accept having a catalytic converter as proof. The presence of a catalytic converter does not mean the vehicle is a U.S. version, or that it meets Federal emission standards.
-----------------------------------------

C. EPA Requirements for Importing a U.S. Version Vehicle

The importer must be able to demonstrate the vehicle is a U.S. version. A U.S. version vehicle is manufactured with a label in the engine compartment that states, in the English language, the vehicle conforms to all U.S. EPA regulations. Note that Customs may seize a non-U.S. version vehicle falsely declared as a U.S. version.

Military members should import their U.S. version vehicle through the military P.O.V. program, if possible.

I also don't get that you can buy a brand new 09 for like $1000 more without drama from any dealer USA, what were you thinking?

SDG

Doesn't that guys listing say Item in Memphis Tennessee ?

Start looking for a title and frame from a wrecked one if you can find one.

Not that i endorse this sort of thing but couldn't he just put a s50 badge on it?

Then he better never take it over 40 mph and get caught.

fo sho!

Also depends on the local laws. For example, in California and Texas, anything street-legal with a motor has to have a license plate and registration. Even 50cc'ers. Not sure how it is in PA.

Best of luck.

Really? Could you provide a link to the auction? I've just scoured the "Completed" auctions twice now without being able to locate the item to which you refer...

jrsjr - get a better hobby.
(then tell me what it is - cause I did the same thing )

Yes, yes - this is starting to smell strongly of troll.

I'm guessing one of these in his letterbox next week.

I'm guessing but i think its this listing

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-2009-VESPA-S-150CC_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a13Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem1c0afc48d2QQitemZ120443390162QQptZScootersQ5fMopedsQQsalenotsupported#ht_500wt_1148

If it IS that listing they might have a shot to back out now. They list it as within the U.S. but it is being shipped from... not the US. That alone is a gross misrepresentation of the item.

OP ~ the price is nice, but you're probably hosed even if the scoot does reach these shores with registration and so on. Let's say you knew this information, you could take that to PayPal and Ebay, and probably make a good case to have the exchange of money closed down. The fact is, even if they are sending a scoot you may never get to touch it or ride it. That was NOT made clear in the ebay listing, which blatantly lied stating the item was within the U.S. There's your case, now go go go!

A child!! they do that??? now thats just wrong

Poor lad just let him get his scoot before filling him with horror stories . Bet hes sat at home shitting himself now

Wouldn't it be funny if there was a Jakarta, TN?

Hmm, I have been requested by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company to contact you for assistance in resolving a matter. You assistance is requested as a non-Nigerian citizen etc etc

I wonder why the original poster has not responded to this forum.
Im sure this is a total scam. Nobody ships a VESPA for free on a NO RESERVE auction. I have reported the 2 current auctions to ebays FRAUD department. Hopefully they will check em out before they end today. If you look at the sellers 100% feedback, he has had 8 total transactions going back 5 years the only transaction in 2009 was where he sold a $7000 4 wheeler to a guy with a feedback rating of 1. The buyer was probably his brother and was a fake transaction to give the illusion of selling high ticket items. The ad uses poor english lists a non US vehicle and non US shipping companies.

Vehicle Description

NEW 500CC UTV 4X4 WITH LOKING DIFFERENTAILS ,CFMOTO ENGINE,FULLY AUTO WITH 3000IBS WINCH ,RADIO AND MP3 PLAYER....BRAKES...4-WHEEL DISC;STOPPING ON ANY SPEED WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM...BATTERY...12 -VOLT...STEERING..RACK AND PINION ..STARTER..ELECTRICT..MAX SPEED...43 MPH..FREE SHIPPING...DHL,SAIA,ROADRUNNER

I also see where payment is money order or cashiers check so there goes the paypal"insurance" Way to cheap to be the real thing. If it seems to good to be true........... That saying is usually right. I can't see how the guy would make any money with free shipping even if it was legit. Which i'm 100% sure he isn't. A big buyer beware on this one. If the OP is real i wouldn't pay for it and consider the 200 dollar fee a lesson learned. Everything about this smells funny even down to the misspelled shipp

I think the OP is a pandy fackler for not commenting any further.

Pandy Fackler...Not sure what that means. I was on vacation, sorry to delay my posting.

If it is something I can't ride, I am hopeful that the buyer protection on Ebay Motors will cover me. I really appreciate all the advice from everyone. I will update once something happens - the bike is supposed to arrive on 7/24. In the meantime I think I'll take up the tagging issue with Ebay Motors.

Also...yes, that is the correct Ebay listing. I paid it all thru paypal. Did not like the idea of sending a cashiers check...whatever...I guess it's clearly established that I've likely made a mistake.

I really hope im wrong and this turns out OK for you. He has 2 more auctions ending tonight an lx150 and lxv150, looks like shill bidders in both auctions. Two different bidders have only placed bids with this seller. Both auctions had retracted bids. It looks bad to me.

What delivery company is supposed to be delivering this? Do they exist? It should be pretty easy to check them out and see if you really have a scooter coming.

Indojavacargo.com, per the online tracking number he gave me, it went thru Hong Kong today.

Also, the seller did give me a VIN -but I suppose that could be a fake or a non-US number.

I don't get how the seller could say it was located in Memphis when it is actually being shipped from Indonesia. That must be against EBay's terms on its own and be a good cause for them to void the sale.

Also aren't payments for vehicle sales usually put into an escrow account and not released to the seller until the buyer has taken delivery and confirmed it is as advertised?

Also, per paypal's policy that person can't do anything with your money for a short period... the idea is to make sure you get the item. It's not a long time though, I would not wait. I think you should pursue this now. Even if they ARE sending you a scooter, it looks very unlikely you will be riding it any time soon due to import/registration difficulties. They lied about where the item was located, which is almost surely against ebay policy, PLUS that lie means you might not be able to use the scoot. If they said memphis, but it came from Austin, you'd still be able to use your purchase. But their lie is far worse... where it is coming from means you might never get the scooter past customs and legal to ride in the U.S. Therefore, in a way, their lie is not just about the location, but the condition of the item. I say act now, don't wait till the 24th... that might be after Paypal releases the lock on the money you sent them and they can then take it and run

Sounds like good advice. I will contact them as you suggest.

I hope you don't get a cardboard cut-out of an S150!

It's really worth looking into! I hope we are wrong, but good ebay feedback, competing bids, all that can be faked. I really wish you good luck!

I cannot believe that someone would send $2,900.00 to a complete stranger, especially without knowing the details of the transaction ahead of time. And paypal "protection" doesn't apply to motor vehicles, does it?