Read these lines before you consign!!!!
If you want to consign your motorcycle at On the Border Motorcycles in Pasadena, Texas, make sure you understand what you’re getting into. There are online reviews from many irate motorcyclists who have had really negative experiences with consigning their bike at On the Border, although they’re more hysterical than informative.
Hopefully the following will help you make up your mind – I wish someone had told me this before I got involved with them:
1. Read the consignment contract thoroughly! It will take AT LEAST 45 days to receive any payment for the sale of the bike.
Excuses for delays will be profuse – DO NOT BELIEVE THEM! There is absolutely no problem with the DMV processing titles, and OtB’s ‘lender’ probably doesn’t even exist – it’s just the invisible partner to the visible owner at the shop.
2. Bring a witness with you and even better record every conversation about the bike you might have with any employee.
3. Take lots of pictures of the bike when you drop it off.
4. Make sure that you understand and review every detail of the contract, and that every portion of it is filled out.
5. Make copies of EVERYTHING – both your contract and the OtB contract, any documentation that goes with the bike, title, repairs made – EVERYTHING!
6. Check with the DMV or police department monthly to see if the title has already been transferred and you were not notified by OtB.
7. Check OtB regularly to check the status of the sale. If the owner happens to be on the phone with a potential buyer while he’s talking to you on the other line, it’s a scam.
8. Understand that ‘We’ll call you back’ means absolutely nothing. They won’t call you back. If you really want to find out what’s going on after countless delays, show up unannounced at the shop.
9. If and when you do get paid, insist on a money order or cash. Do not accept a check or even a wire transfer – both can go sideways.
10. Get a detailed sales receipt – include this stipulation in the consignment contract.
11. Here are some organizations you can contact to find out about your legal rights as a bike owner consigning your bike – be prepared:
The Attorney General of Texas
DMV of Houston
DMV Dealership Licensing Division of Texas
The Better Business Bureau
You’ll likely get your money in the end, but not without a long dance amongst the smoke and mirrors of the other bikes on consignment at the shop. Man – do those owners know what they’ve gotten themselves into?
It’s probably best to just go elsewhere.