This is an area dedicated to scooters that are not legal or are bad asian restorations. Many folks are getting screwed, either from buying an illegal product, or by importing them in an attempt to cash in on the scooter craze. The EPA will be monitoring this list to find bad dealers and bikes. They have assured me that they will act on what they find here. It is the only way to get illegal junk off ebay as well. I am working directly with the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Regulations Board to uncover scooter scams.
There are two types of problems basically.
Scooters from asia that are poorly restored or that are patently NOT what they are represented to be. This can be fake VIN numbers or any number of bogus claims. Ebay has made this problem worse by not stopping scammers.
Problem 2 is far more complicated. Many of the chinese scooters that are in the USA are not legal. In fact, few bikes over 50cc's are actually legal. Only a handful have complied with US statutory regulations.
YOU THE CONSUMER must know what you are buying!!! I would have thought the "if its too good to be true is isnt" rule would have been obvious, but stupid people, looking to buy the absolute lowest prices regardless, are getting stuck with bad, shoddy, or out right illegal products. The sad thing is, the legal and illegal models frequently are almost identical to legal ones. These scammers almost always post CARB, DOT and EPA approved when they are none of the above. Ebay has also made this scenario far worse by allowing the sale of illegal bikes, since they are greedy and clueless. They get the fees, even if you get hosed, and they have no knowledge or motivation to remove illegal auctions.
To complicate matters even further, people who are importing them are frequently just as stupid, and spend their lifes savings to import items that will be seized at customs, and often destroyed. The chinese manufacturers have made their sale, so they could care less if you can really bring them in country or not. HOWEVER, according to US law, the importers are responsible, and there are many hefty fees you can be stuck with, in addition to losing all your investment money.
Scooterbbs.com was founded to provide info on scooters and scooter repair. I started it when a bad ducati dealer in atlanta ripped me off for lambretta repairs. I vowed to uncover these dirtbags via the bbs forums. Now, with the huge surge in scooter interest, the problems have gotten more complex and more wide spread.
As of January 1, 2006, strict enforcement of new EPA rules will mean many bikes on the road today will be risking impound or revocation of title since they are illegal. This is a big problem for the consumer.
This is something I think about a LOT. Most of those getting screwed bought a scooter because they didnt have the cash for something bigger, so they also dont have cash for any legal recourse. I am a veteran of the US Cavalry, and I like to take the fights for the little guy.
After months of ruminating on this subject. I came up with a plan. I have contacted the EPA in Washington. they are very aware of the problem. BUT since there are only 25 EPA agents in the USA, they cannot possibly find all the scammers.
This is where you, the scooterbbs user, come in. The EPA has agreed to monitor this new forum, and they will act on information leading to thesuppliers of these problem bikes. PLEASE DO NOT POST INDIVIDUALS, but try to look upstream for the source of these bikes. Many idiots selling them think they are selling legal products because the source told them they were. We want to bust the big fish.
The EPA has told me that they will also pursue EBAY when they are helping sell illegal bikes. EBAY will remove companies that scam, when the EPA tells them too. Not when we do, but when the government does.
Also, this gives us fuel for congressional action once we actually have a gigantic list of scams if the government doesn't act on the tips. They can't pretend to not know how to find them if we, the 250,000 monthly individuals that parse this forum, show them where the bad guys are.
I WILL NOT TOLERATE libelous claims.
Dont say, "Brand X is scum or stupid stuff like that. " Anonymous postings are fine.
Limit postings to suspect scams. I openly invite legal brands that get unwanted attention to contact me about proof of legitimacy.
Our goal is to compile a list of bad guys, and to help good guys get attention for respecting the regulations.
WE should support those going thru the pain of becoming compliant and legal.
So... lets kick some ass, take some names, and talk about some scams.
This has been a huge effort on the part of Bigassmotors, so please buy a tshirt to show your support of our efforts.
Luv ya, Mean it.
SE
