The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
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Topic starter
12/10/2026 12:24 pm
This past weekend I bid on a 1/18 scale chopper, by Orange County Choppers, the Dixie Chopper. It was an incredible tv show that we actually had over here, via satellite (UK). The detail is incredible, and it arrived very well-packed, but I got a bit of a shock: it was not 1/18, but 1/10 (my estimate). I immediately wrote to the seller and sent a photo of the bike with one of my 1/18 Harley Davidson motorcycles and one of the girls, to show him a comparison. I offered to return the bike to him so he could sell it for what it is truly worth, as I paid a pittance for it. His response was to thank me for my honesty and to share that I was the only customer who had shared this information with him, after he had sold 12 others as large or larger than the one I bought.
I'm not sharing this with y'all for any reason other than to give you a clear picture of the moral compass on eBay.de, and this is not the first time I have offered to return something because the seller didn't know enough about what he/she had sold. Twelve other buyers could have stepped up and told him about his mistake, but none of them did so. I sense he was selling items left to him by a relative, as he didn't seem to know their true scale.
The sales photos of the motorcycle:
This topic was modified 4 days ago by GDH
12/10/2026 12:31 pm
Woah, she's a big one, good on you for doing the right thing.
Topic starter
12/10/2026 12:51 pm
@modeldadeeee Yeah, and I just did a search on eBay.com and found prices that may be high, but they reflect the value of the bike. He said I could keep it, but I am repacking it and I will send it back at my expense, so he can get a much better price. I don't want to be number 13, and benefit from his mistake.
12/10/2026 1:13 pm
Funny but true story. In the late 1960s, as a high school student I was frail and bullied. My female cousin had connections with a local Hells Angle gang. One day a large group of the Hells Angeles pulled up in front on my high school, in front of the school busses, to give me a ride home on a chopper. On display for all to see I got on the back of a chopper, I was never bullied again. To this day I will always remember my cousin doing that for me and for all the bikers that showed up protect one bullied high school teen. I had never been of the back of a chopper, scared the heck of of me. But it scared more those who thought they could bully me.
12/10/2026 1:15 pm
You are an honorable man. It is a beauty though. Wow!!!
12/10/2026 1:27 pm
You're a man after my own heart. It makes me feel good to do something like this. But, to be honest, in this case I would have sent him some more money and kept the model - it's that nice. Not sure if you know and I had to check again to be sure since its been so long, but Franklin Mint motorcycles are 1:10th scale and super detailed. Back in the day, they sent me a myriad of them for review and they are fabulous. I don't think I'd put them in the same category as your model however. Looking at some on eBay, a lot of them fail to match original selling price.
12/10/2026 3:22 pm
That looks similar to a Danbury Mint custom bike I have, in 1:10 scale. I attached a pdf photo of it here, but I am not sure I did it correctly. Regarding the Franklin bikes in 1:10 scale that Tony mentioned, I agree, they are very nicely detailed. I have 40 of them in my fleet of cars, trucks, planes, bikes.
Topic starter
12/10/2026 4:05 pm
@perrone1 Well, it is much too large for my collection and shelf space is precious. I read the label on the box and it turns out it is a she, not a he. Either way, I feel better sending it back so she can get a better price for the bike. It is a beauty, but much too big for my group.
Topic starter
13/10/2026 3:34 am
Well, this morning I received a note from Bianka telling me she would prefer I keep the bike and enjoy it. I sent a note off asking if she had a paypal account so I could send more money for the bike and I am waiting for her reply.
UPDATE: She turned down my offer for more money.
I just noticed the bike had functioning belts, clutch, and brake action. Crimmey! This is a helluva model!
This post was modified 4 days ago by GDH
Topic starter
13/10/2026 3:36 am
@perrone1 @chevelle1967 I will check on the DM and FM bikes, to see what they look like. For now, I am doing some research on OCC bikes to send to the seller, so she has more accurate information.
This post was modified 4 days ago by GDH
Tony Perrone reacted
13/10/2026 5:48 am
@perrone1 @chevelle1967 I will check on the DM and FM bikes, to see what they look like. For now, I am doing some research on OCC bikes to send to the seller, so she has more accurate information.
Excellent outcome. Grand lady and I'm super proud of you!
I get this one is out of scale for your collection. It may be a nice display somewhere by itself and will make a wonderful, heartfelt story whenever you show it to someone.
GDH reacted
Topic starter
13/10/2026 9:11 am
@perrone1 It now resides in an enclosed bookcase, with assorted orientalia and books. It'll be safer in there.
I was able to find the information she needed for the scale and price ranges for the bikes she still has and that should help her when she relists them. Mine turned out to be a 1/10 scale. I guess I better find a 1/10 posable lass to ride the bloody thing. They are about the same price as some of my 1/16 figures, anyway.
Tony Perrone and Benjamin S reacted
13/10/2026 3:30 pm
@perrone1 It now resides in an enclosed bookcase, with assorted orientalia and books. It'll be safer in there.
I was able to find the information she needed for the scale and price ranges for the bikes she still has and that should help her when she relists them. Mine turned out to be a 1/10 scale. I guess I better find a 1/10 posable lass to ride the bloody thing. They are about the same price as some of my 1/16 figures, anyway.
I just LOVE happy endings. You handled this with aplomb, grace and kindness.
GDH reacted
Topic starter
14/10/2026 8:17 am
@perrone1 Those other 12 ^$%#(&^&$^$&s should have stepped up, but, unfortunately this is how it is over here. A good deal is when one walks away with everything. The term win/win is inconceivable to many. Now, I just have to hope eBay doesn't take the smile off my face with the Rolls Royce issue.
David Green and Tony Perrone reacted
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