Bike Classifieds - Should VIN be posted?

[skooter65]

Hey all, just wanted to plant a seed for conversation on a suggested change in the "Sell you Bike / Car / Truck Section".

Should we require the VIN number to be posted with the sale of a vehicle? Furthermore, should the VIN be verified with a photograph of the physical VIN number stamped on the bike and/or car?

I think this would add a certain level of security to potential buyers and validate the seller.

Thoughts? Pros? Cons?

Thanks!

Scott

EDIT: How about a partial VIN number to add a bit of security to the seller? Black out the non-critical portions and show the physical matching portion on the vehicle...dare I say best of both worlds?

 

[Erci]

I can't think of any negatives to posting VIN, but I'd feel much better about seeing an ad with snapshot of VIN in the title and a shot of matching VIN on the bike. :thumbup:

 

[Andz]

No VIN, that's like posting your passport number on Fakebook.

If you're interested in the sale, come see the VIN on the bike for yourself.

 

[FinalImpact]

I regard that as TMI and everyone on the net doesn't need to know the details of owners / previous owners. IMO - if asked by perspective buyer (hopefully a serious buyer), the two parties can agree on what information be shared and the VIN can be part of that interaction. But making it a rule to post the VIN for sake of having it, I don't see this as a value add.

It is up to the buyer to ask responsible questions. Now if this were an "Internet site unseen" transaction, perhaps this this is not unreasonable.

JM2C

 

[Erci]

No VIN, that's like posting your passport number on Fakebook.

If you're interested in the sale, come see the VIN on the bike for yourself.

I don't know, man.. all vehicles on eBay list VIN numbers. :don'tknow:

 

[dschult2]

I don't like that idea at all. That's just giving out personal info that everybody and their brother doesn't need to see, like your social security, driver's license, and license plate #. Like stated earlier, if a buyer wants to know the VIN, that can be handled between the buyer and seller. I feel it's the buyer's responsibility to do his/her homework to find out if the ad is on the up and up or not.

 

[iviyth0s]

I definitely agree that seeing a VIN would be a plus when looking for a new bike (or car)

 

[Andz]

I don't know, man.. all vehicles on eBay list VIN numbers. :don'tknow:

Maybe I am over cautious/paranoid (take your pick) but I don't believe in giving out more info than I have to in the public domain.

 

[dschult2]

I don't know, man.. all vehicles on eBay list VIN numbers. :don'tknow:

Yeah but eBay has vehicle purchase protection.

 

[dschult2]

Maybe I am over cautious/paranoid (take your pick) but I don't believe in giving out more info than I have to in the public domain.

I'm with you. I even hate selling stuff on Craigslist because I don't want them coming to my house to pick it up.

 

[skooter65]

...If you're interested in the sale, come see the VIN on the bike for yourself.

I'm with you. I even hate selling stuff on Craigslist because I don't want them coming to my house to pick it up.

These are great, somewhat contrary to one another, points! My take on "Come see for yourself" is that often that vehicle is a great distance away. and I would like to have all of my ducks in a row before I even consider purchasing a high price item. And as Shultz mentioned, some people don't like others at their house to "see for themselves"

I don't know, man.. all vehicles on eBay list VIN numbers. :don'tknow:

Yeah but eBay has vehicle purchase protection.

eBay does have vehicle protection for the person selling and buying the vehicle... but that does not stop someone else from seeing the VIN number and does not buy the bike.



What would someone glean from a VIN number that they couldn't get from a license plate?

 

[Motogiro]

What would someone glean from a VIN number that they couldn't get from a license plate?

Well first the person could create a new VIN number from the one you publicly displayed and then put it on a stolen vehicle. Then the law could catch them and they could make new license plates for many years to come

VIN #'s are easily viewed just as license plates are but I would still like to keep as much of my data personal as possible.

 

[skooter65]

VIN #'s are easily viewed just as license plates are but I would still like to keep as much of my data personal as possible.

How about having them in a "Members View Only" format?

Some of the forums I am on have sections only viewable by members, perhaps that could be a safety device for the seller? Sharing the VIN definitely lends more to the security of the buyer.

Just spitballin'

 

[mnuttall87]

Skooter65 - what about a partial VIN? Have someone show the first XX numbers or something and black out the rest and do the same on the registration? That would just verify proof of ownership and at least show that pieces of it are matching.

 

[Motogiro]

How about having them in a "Members View Only" format?

Some of the forums I am on have sections only viewable by members, perhaps that could be a safety device for the seller? Sharing the VIN definitely lends more to the security of the buyer.

Just spitballin'

Signing up would easily solve the viewing issue.

 

[skooter65]

..what about a partial VIN? Have someone show the first XX numbers or something and black out the rest and do the same on the registration? That would just verify proof of ownership and at least show that pieces of it are matching.

Great suggestion!

Give just enough information to validate, not enough to make use of in a malicious manner.

Find out what are the critical numbers to have and black out the rest...sounds like a winning combination!

Thoughts on that???

 

[Erci]

VIN #'s are easily viewed just as license plates are but I would still like to keep as much of my data personal as possible.

Yeah.. that's the part I don't understand. What is the issue with displaying a plate number in a picture? At some point, your car / bike will be outside and unless you cover up the plate, it's out there for all to see. Same goes for VIN.. can easily read it on any parked car / bike.
I wouldn't necessarily want to display the combination of VIN and my SS# or my driver's license #, but VIN on its own? Not exactly private info.

Also not sure how eBay's protection helps anything when it comes to displaying VIN. We're talking about someone stealing info, no?

 

[Motogiro]

Yeah.. that's the part I don't understand. What is the issue with displaying a plate number in a picture? At some point, your car / bike will be outside and unless you cover up the plate, it's out there for all to see. Same goes for VIN.. can easily read it on any parked car / bike.
I wouldn't necessarily want to display the combination of VIN and my SS# or my driver's license #, but VIN on its own? Not exactly private info.

Also not sure how eBay's protection helps anything when it comes to displaying VIN. We're talking about someone stealing info, no?

I guess the big difference can be in exposure. The Internet is pretty vast and the amount of time data can be accessed can be far reaching. Your car parked somewhere doesn't get the same exposure and there maybe law enforcement or other eyes a criminal has to deal with.
I think we've yet to see the impact of social media. We're the new pioneers crossing the vast plains of cyber space.

I'm keeping an eye out!

 

[Erci]

I guess the big difference can be in exposure.

OK, that's a fair point

 

[Hellgate]

Why not? It's stamped on the head tube and on the frame sticker. Any one can walk up an see it. Kinda like your plate number.

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