(Should have) picked up my Falco today...

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#1 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:20 pm

Today was the day when I should have picked up 'my' 2005 Red/Black Falco from Dunfermline. Me and missus had travelled up on Friday night from Sheffield to Dunbar, stayed overnight there, then headed to Edinburgh to do the tourist thang. (This was my way of defusing any complaints from SWMBO, and it worked a treat).

This morning we left Edinburgh and made the short journey across the Forth to Dunfermline to the address I'd been given. Things started looking a bit 'off' when I got there and found no-one at home. It got worse when I rang the guy's mobile and it went straight to answerphone.

To say I was in a bad mood by that stage would be like saying the Pope is a practicing Catholic - factually correct, but not telling the whole story. When I calmed down I decided to head to the Town centre to see if I could find an Internet cafe to check my emails. I'd sent the guy an email on Friday before I left confirming the time and date I'd already specified for collection, but hadn't waited for a reply.

These are what I found in my inbox:

Message dated Friday, 25 July, 2008 7:56 PM:

Hi Graham,

Sunday is fine.

Thanks
Rab

Second message dated Saturday, 26 July, 2008 3:48 PM

Graham,

I cant seem to find your phone number any where so emailing you some bad news.

Apologies but i need to cancel the sale of the bike. I took it for a run yesterday and its having some engine problems. I've booked it into the garage for next thursday so obviously i can sell it until i have resolved the problems.

I shall return your deposit this evening, sorry again.

Rab

That was when I lost the plot and started swearing uncontrollably...

So, what do you guys think? Honest excuse (yeah, right...) or have I been stiffed?

#2 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:29 pm

I'd sent the guy an email on Friday before I left confirming the time and date I'd already specified for collection, but hadn't waited for a reply.

At that stage I always leave a contact number, or reitterate it, in case of problems

At least he did have the decency to contact you. I dont think youve been stiffed as such, just probably feel that way as you were the victim of unfortunate circumstances.

If he has returned the deposit, chalk it up to experience I guess.. if he hasnt, start swearing again at the fact you couldve battered it out of him but are now home...

Nooj · #3 Post by **Nooj** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:46 pm

Talk about a feckin' let down! Maybe ask him to get it delivered to you FOC once the engine 'problem' is fixed? Call me Mr. cynical, but I'd guess he's had a better offer for it, or has decidede to keep it for whatever reason.
If you want to be difficult, IIRC from my days working in sales, once you hand over a deposit, the vendor is legally obliged to complete the sale. In reality you'd be better off looking for another bike as long as you've got your deposit back. Falcos come up fairly regularly on the various forums so you shouldn't have a long wait.

Alkydale · #4 Post by **Alkydale** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:18 pm

What a bummer, but as Nooj says there's always another one coming along.

Here's a link to one I nearly bought from one of the guys either on here or the other site. It's an '04 with 6000 miles and looked and sounded tidy. It's at MCO near Wigan, the dealer paid 3,200 and I was offered it for 3,500. It's up at 3,999 but it's been there for 3 months now (still online so presume they still have it) so they are probably open to bids. Hope this helps.

http://www.motorcyclecentreorrell.co.uk ... vertID=562

Samray · #5 Post by **Samray** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:26 pm

I suppose it's just possible the thing is fekked and you had a lucky escape, but how fekking annoying.

EdinburghFalco · #6 Post by **EdinburghFalco** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:54 am

At least you got to visit a great city

Viffer · #7 Post by **Viffer** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:10 pm

Bad news mate, you may never know if it was a lucky escape or he had a better deal.

#8 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:08 pm

Thanks for all the support - it's much appreciated. I tried phoning him at work today, but he wasn't in and his mobile rings out and then goes to voicemail. The smell of rodent is becoming overpowering...

I reckon he got a better offer, but I do intend to try and find out. As well as reporting him to eBay and PayPal. Vindictive, moi?

But EdinburghFalco is spot on. Edinburgh is a top city and we had a brilliant time. It was just a shame that after such an excellent weekend, the 'missing Falco' incident spoiled it. But we did have a splendid time and will definitely be going back.

So if anyone sees DunfermlineFalco pop up on the board, just ask him a few leading questions for me. Red/black '05 Falco, 8000 miles & standard apart from some G-Force cans...

Thanks for the guys who gave me links to other Falcos, I'm checking them out and planning to have a look. Cheers, guys.

D-Rider · #9 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:22 pm

Well if he was a "shifty seller" maybe it's better you didn't get it - you never know what else he may have been hiding.
If it is genuine then you'd not have wanted to take it with some engine trouble.
Very annoying I realise but maybe for the best.

HisNibbs · #10 Post by **HisNibbs** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:46 pm

I feel for you....

All thatb anticipation etc. Sorry to remind you but that was pretty tough.

As for what next, time will tell if he is genuine. So maybe you were lucky and didn't get to blow it up on the way home.

HowardQ · #11 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:53 am

Sorry you've had all the hassle, you'll never really know if it was genuine or not. We all know it's normally safer through a dealer but the lower prices of any type of private sale means you cannot ignore them.
I've had good and bad.
Bought my Falco which was in excellent condition for a silly low price 4 years ago, best bike bargain I've had, (private sale negotiated after it failed to reach its reserve price on eBay and I was the highest bidder).
However I "bought" a Faser Thou a few weeks before and things went pair shaped. Exactly same issue, I was highest eBay bidder, didn't get to his reserve price so we agreed a deal outside ebay, agreed to pick it up the following Sunday, paid out £278 for insurance, got an email on the Thursday saying somebody had been to his door and waved a (bigger) wad of notes in front of his nose, and he didn't want to involve me in an auction so he sold it!
Only got around £200 of the insurance back, so was well pissed off for a while, then bought the falco two weeks later, so all turned out brilliant!
Hope you find another one you like, there are still a few nice ones around, so good luck.

#12 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:47 pm

I'm starting to calm down a bit now, but just wish the guy had the guts to speak to me and admit that he'd had a better offer/didn't want to sell the bike. I still haven't been able to speak to him on either his work or mobile phone.

As it stands now I'm going to start checking all the big dealerships in the region and see what's about. I'm sure something will come up, and I might even broaden my scope to include the bronze/black ones (but it must have the black frame, I'm afraid...)

Nooj · #13 Post by **Nooj** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:05 pm

if you want a black frame, chances are it'll be a bronze/black Falco you end up with. You may find a red/black one, but I don't think they were imported in the same numbers. If you're exceptionally lucky, you'll find a green/black one, but they really are as rare as rocking horse shit.

#14 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:44 pm

Nooj wrote:If you're exceptionally lucky, you'll find a green/black one, but they really are as rare as rocking horse shit.

Blimey - never heard of them. Are there any pictures of them anywhere?

D-Rider · #15 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:26 pm

Yeah - Hornetrider has one - search the pics on the forum

There were literally 3 or 4 made - it was an official colour (oasis green) and the story goes that Aprila brought them to the show in the UK and they stayed here. Aprilia then decided not to produce that colour.

I saw one at Mallory once - it was before Hornetrider got his. I don't think it was the same one as it didn't have the fighter cans .... although they could have been added after I saw it.

Here's a link to the various colour schemes FALCO COLOURS

The ones shown as 2002 colours were not imported here - they were USA and I think Australia too .... however a few arrived - I think it's Fastasfcuk that has a Hot Red / Diablo Black one