Am I Getting Cheated?

[Kuruzovich]

I plan to purchase a second-hand Honda Air Blade (a 2008 I believe) from a nearby shop. Although I couldn't entirely avoid the falang surcharge, we were able to bargain them down to 27,000 baht, which included them replacing all scratched/worn parts - which were minor to begin with - and cleaning it up before I pick it up on Friday. They also agreed to give free oil changes whenever necessary (a small amount, but something nonetheless). The bike's condition is excellent, and it has approximately 4,500 km on it at this point.

The problem is that my girlfriend's coworkers (who, even if they're right, are driving me <deleted>' crazy) keep telling her that everything we do is stupid. They claim that a much lower price for a second-hand, 2009 Air Blade can be had at a large Honda dealership. Again, I have no problem if they're correct in this regard, but I would just like to know if this is an outrageous price that I plan to pay, or if it's reasonable for a falang.

Thank you in advance for any help or advice you can offer.

[neverdie]

I plan to purchase a second-hand Honda Air Blade (a 2008 I believe) from a nearby shop. Although I couldn't entirely avoid the falang surcharge, we were able to bargain them down to 27,000 baht, which included them replacing all scratched/worn parts - which were minor to begin with - and cleaning it up before I pick it up on Friday. They also agreed to give free oil changes whenever necessary (a small amount, but something nonetheless). The bike's condition is excellent, and it has approximately 4,500 km on it at this point.

The problem is that my girlfriend's coworkers (who, even if they're right, are driving me <deleted>' crazy) keep telling her that everything we do is stupid. They claim that a much lower price for a second-hand, 2009 Air Blade can be had at a large Honda dealership. Again, I have no problem if they're correct in this regard, but I would just like to know if this is an outrageous price that I plan to pay, or if it's reasonable for a falang.

Thank you in advance for any help or advice you can offer.

Doesnt sound right, that theres a cheaper 2009 model at another dealer. They are high 40ies new arnt they? Why would one only 2 or 3 months old be cheaper than 27?

Typical workplace banter, I think.

Are you sure the one you are looking at is 2008?

[jtp]

I plan to purchase a second-hand Honda Air Blade (a 2008 I believe) from a nearby shop. Although I couldn't entirely avoid the falang surcharge, we were able to bargain them down to 27,000 baht, which included them replacing all scratched/worn parts - which were minor to begin with - and cleaning it up before I pick it up on Friday. They also agreed to give free oil changes whenever necessary (a small amount, but something nonetheless). The bike's condition is excellent, and it has approximately 4,500 km on it at this point.

The problem is that my girlfriend's coworkers (who, even if they're right, are driving me <deleted>' crazy) keep telling her that everything we do is stupid. They claim that a much lower price for a second-hand, 2009 Air Blade can be had at a large Honda dealership. Again, I have no problem if they're correct in this regard, but I would just like to know if this is an outrageous price that I plan to pay, or if it's reasonable for a falang.

Thank you in advance for any help or advice you can offer.

It's too cheap,somethings wrong!Airblades are pulling 50,000 new,and the cheapest secondhand 2008 i have seen was 35,000 and it wasn't so good.

[Kuruzovich]

I'm thought that this model is 2008, though I forgot to ask to be sure when I was there. (It's unfortunately closed for the night right now, so I can't call to check.) A person that I trust referred me to the shop, and they were willing to drop the price lower partially because of him, which may be why - along with my girlfriend's bargaining - that they were willing to go down so low. Again, I checked the bike myself, and though I'm no expert, it appeared to be in excellent working order. If it is an older model, perhaps that might explain the price, but I don't see why it would only have 4500 km if it were that much older. Any other ideas/recommendations?

[neverdie]

I beleive the market is fairly saturated with them, it will only get worse when a few more places start laying off staff and the bike shops take the bikes back and then theres more on the market and the price goes down blah blah blah!

Had the bike been crashed?

What were the tyres like?

Do you know what you are looking for?

Don't be pushed around by sales people nor ur wifes friends at work, they all probably have a friend with a shop, blah blah blah.

If I ever go to look at something, I go take a look, tell em to rack off if they come to bother me.

[jtp]

I'm thought that this model is 2008, though I forgot to ask to be sure when I was there. (It's unfortunately closed for the night right now, so I can't call to check.) A person that I trust referred me to the shop, and they were willing to drop the price lower partially because of him, which may be why - along with my girlfriend's bargaining - that they were willing to go down so low. Again, I checked the bike myself, and though I'm no expert, it appeared to be in excellent working order. If it is an older model, perhaps that might explain the price, but I don't see why it would only have 4500 km if it were that much older. Any other ideas/recommendations?

Km's mean nothing in Thailand,as it is the number one practise of nearly every car/bike yard to uh,"modify" the speedo reading... But you may well be getting a bargain,but beware.

[Soutpeel]

Although I couldn't entirely avoid the falang surcharge,

What farang surcharge ???.....Thai/Farang conpiracy theories again, I suspect..

[Soutpeel]

Km's mean nothing in Thailand,as it is the number one practise of nearly every car/bike yard to uh,"modify" the speedo reading... But you may well be getting a bargain,but beware.

So you are saying Thailand is the only country in the world where speedo's get fiddled ???, got to be kidding, know of guys in the UK and US who make the Thai speedo fiddlers look like amateurs'

[junkofdavid2]

The problem is that my girlfriend's coworkers (who, even if they're right, are driving me <deleted>' crazy) keep telling her that everything we do is stupid. They claim that a much lower price for a second-hand, 2009 Air Blade can be had at a large Honda dealership.

It's common for Thais who are "in the know" to always tell a farang that he's getting a farang price and paying too much, even when the Thais themselves don't actually "know" in a particular situation.

Happened to me when I bought my Toyota Camry 2nd hand...

They kept telling me that the price for a 1995 Camry is really around 150,000 (and not 210,000 as I paid ) and that I was getting a Farang price.

I said how and where can I get that 150K price, and they said that they knew from a friend of a friend of a friend... that they Thais get a better deal looking and checking a "Thai" car website like One2Car.

What they didn't know was that I had already checked One2Car at that time and visited the cars and that the going price was from 200,000 to 290,000, and most of the lower priced ones were CRAP. (Missing parts, rusty engine, etc.)

Mine wasn't cheap at 210,000, but I had it checked by independent mechanics contracted by me elsewhere and checked in front of me (I understand enough Thai to know if they're "conniving" with the old car owner), and I was lucky to find this car which was in very good condition and very well cared for by the former owner.

Of course, it is a 14 year old car now, and it's beginning to show some wear; like a mild sounding whine when it's cold... but I think it's just a belt.

[neverdie]

Yes, its true speedos get fiddled everwhere, sometimes they are just disconnected for a little while. I never see the point really, normally you can tell if a bike thats only suppose to have travelled 4000km on the speedo has travelled more by the condition of things.

I hate buying second hand stuff, but admit it can be a good way to save a few baht. If I was only buying for a short time, I would consider buying second hand.

Its a fairly big drop from approx 50k t0 27k in just a few months.

[neverdie]

Although I couldn't entirely avoid the falang surcharge,

What farang surcharge ???.....Thai/Farang conpiracy theories again, I suspect..

Naturally soutpeel, all those farangs that are being charged slightly higher fees for things in LOS are just imagining it.

[Soutpeel]

Although I couldn't entirely avoid the falang surcharge,

What farang surcharge ???.....Thai/Farang conpiracy theories again, I suspect..

Naturally soutpeel, all those farangs that are being charged slightly higher fees for things in LOS are just imagining it.

Well hate to say it, but in 8 years dont think I have been caught out on a "farang surcharge" when buying a car or vehicle, its a case of if you dont like the price than walk away, its called negotiating a price and do your research before you walk in the door, there are second hand car/vehicle magazines in Thailand, doesnt matter if you cant read Thai, you can see the model, year and price and its a good base to work from.

Any one who is in business anywhere in the world is trying to get the best (highest) price for their goods or services...its called Capitialism, a Farang in Thailand is seen as a soft mark in almost all cases, and if you let someone take advantage of you...its on your head nobody elses...so I wouldnt define this as a "Farang surcharge"...

[mijan24]

Whoever said the market is saturated with 2nd hand bikes is on the money add to that the fact that Yamaha and Honda have introduced updated/new engines just recently making the older models less desirable to the Thais as a lot like to keep up with the Somchais next door, so 27 could be a good price have someone independent check it out. Buy with your wallet not your heart.