| It's Scooter Moped Time! For most of the country, the | | | | scooter. |
| weather is beginning to get mild, gas prices are going | | | | Check the site for information that you will need. How |
| up again, you are trying to do your part to clean up the | | | | will your scooter will be delivered? Will you have to |
| environment. So, What do you do? Why, you buy a | | | | pick it up at a central delivery area? Will the driver help |
| scooter or moped of course. Buying a moped scooter | | | | you get it off the truck? (Some delivery services are |
| online can be scary, but it doesn't have to be. | | | | not responsible for getting it OFF the truck, only to get |
| Let's clear up a few terms first. Most people | | | | it to the end of the gate of the truck.) A Moped |
| interchange the terms scooter and moped. Actually, a | | | | Scooter weighs between 200 and 300 lbs. Most come |
| moped is a pedal and gas powered bike that is under | | | | packed in a large box. A little unwieldily for one person. |
| 50 cc's. What makes it a moped is the pedals. You | | | | Some sites offer home delivery for about $50 more |
| can pedal start a moped or some of the newer | | | | than the regular delivery price. Might be worth it. This is |
| mopeds also have electric starts. Mopeds use 2 | | | | really important! No matter where your motor scooter |
| stroke engines which means you mix the oil right in | | | | is delivered-open it. Check every inch of it for damage. |
| with the gas. Some states have a problem (California) | | | | Your delivery service may not appreciate it but they |
| with the 2 stroke engine. Some moped companies | | | | do have to wait. Even if they scream at you, do not |
| have started installing a "clean carb" that can pass | | | | sign off on your scooter until you have checked it. If |
| California's stringent clean air laws. | | | | there is damage, you need to note that on the delivery |
| Most Scooter's on the other hand, have a 4 stroke | | | | paperwork. Get a copy. If you do not check for |
| engine. They are either kick start, or electric start. A | | | | damage before the delivery guy leaves, you are out |
| scooter is a bit larger than a moped and you will need | | | | of luck. Seriously, Do Not Sign Off On The Delivery |
| a drivers license to drive it. Both scooters and mopeds | | | | Until You Check For Damage!! If there is damage, you |
| have to be registered in the state that you are going | | | | will file claim with the delivery company. This is why it is |
| to drive it. | | | | so important. |
| That said, So, You want a scooter and you want it | | | | Missing pieces, tech issues, should be referred to the |
| now! It is very difficult to find scooter dealers in most | | | | company that you bought it from. Shipping damage, to |
| parts of the country. That really leaves you to | | | | the shipping company. |
| purchasing your scooter or moped online. I know. That | | | | Check that the company that you are ordering your |
| can be really scary. It is a lot of money and you don't | | | | scooter from gives you clear directions on how to |
| want to get screwed. It seems everybody and his | | | | uncrate your moped or scooter, and how to put it |
| brother is selling scooters online. Throw in a Google | | | | together. Most mopeds and scooters require some |
| search for motor scooters, gas scooters, moped | | | | assembly. Not much, and you should be able to handle |
| scooters, etc... and you will come up with more sites | | | | it, but you will need clear instructions. Some sites even |
| than you can look at. Some of these sites are selling | | | | have videos right on the site that help you with |
| everything from moped/scooters to nail polish | | | | assembly. |
| remover. Not what you want. | | | | If you are new to mopeds and scooters, it would be a |
| Here are a few tips on buying a moped/scooter online. | | | | good idea to take a motorcycle safety class. After all, |
| First, check out a few sites. Dig through them | | | | you would not turn over your car keys to someone |
| thoroughly. Check to see if there is a contact page. No | | | | who had never learned to drive. Above all, wear a |
| contact page, time to move on. Next, check out the | | | | helmet!! A full face helmet is the best, but if you don't |
| scooters on the site. If you see something you like | | | | want to do that, at least wear a smaller DOT |
| check to see if it is available. If it is, YEAH!! Don't get | | | | approved (Department of Transportation) helmet. |
| too excited yet. You have a lot more work to do. | | | | Remember, most accidents happen within the first few |
| Check out the warranties offered on the scooters. | | | | months of ownership. |
| Read all the information. Remember, most of these | | | | One last bit of advice: Check out the company you |
| scooters are coming from China. If you need warranty | | | | are thinking of buying from at the Better Business |
| work, well you want your company to honor that. I | | | | Bureau online. You can learn a lot. There is one online |
| don't think you want to pack up your scooter and send | | | | scooter company out there that has an F rating. I don't |
| it back to China! If the warranty policy of the site is | | | | think you want to deal with them. It is always good to |
| buried and difficult to find, read it very, very carefully. | | | | know what other people think of the company before |
| Some sites do not honor the warranty themselves. | | | | you buy. I never buy from an online company until I |
| They refer you to the manufacturer. This can be a | | | | have looked up their Better Business Rating. |
| nightmare!! Check to see if the company carries parts | | | | Remember though, just because a company doesn't |
| for your scooter. Things do break and you will need to | | | | have a rating, doesn't mean it's bad. It just means no |
| have replacement parts available. It is surprising how | | | | complaints registered. |
| many scooter sites do not sell parts. Trouble, Trouble! | | | | If you don't find any information at the BBB, check out |
| Don't Order. Even if you think you have found the | | | | the blogs and forums. If people are unhappy about a |
| cheapest price on a moped/scooter. If you can't get | | | | company, they will let you know. |
| parts, no price is worth it. Everyone loves to find a | | | | Peace always. Be Safe. Never Drive When Drinking. |
| bargain, but a bargain sitting in the garage broken is not | | | | Lock Your Scooter. Have Fun! |
| worth it. Save a few more bucks and buy a better | | | | |