Motorbike Scam? Leh

ryler78 · Sep 3rd, 2009, 14:41

Today I woke up to a clear sky and went downstairs to ride my bike to breakfast then some monasteries.

Key in hand, I looked to the spot where I parked it. No problem, the hotel owners have probably moved it like they usually do. I didn't worry.

When they started running around every other hotel I started to worry.

For the morning the guy who rented me the bike and I rode around Leh and the army bases looking for the bike. Seems it has been stolen and is nowhere to be found as I write.

As we rode around the guy kept telling me that he will not ask for money and he will find it eventually as nobody leaves Leh with a bike.

My passport is luckily with me, but my licence is still with the renter. Where do I stand with the stolen motorcycle even though he says that I am not responsible, my licence is still with him. He has to keep it "to show to my boss who rented it".

Police have not become involved but the hotel where I am staying has made me fill out a C form even though I have been here a week, dating it yesterday which makes me worried.

I am going back to see him tonight to check the progress on the bike, but I am a little worried. Any suggestions?

ryler78 · Sep 3rd, 2009, 14:43

I should also add that the guy I rented the bike from knew where I was staying and the bike was locked securely. A neighbor saw the bike at midnight last night so it was taken in the early hours of the morning.

ryler78 · Sep 3rd, 2009, 17:08

***Update

So I went back to the hire place and it has gone from, "Don't worry we will get it back and you will have to pay no money. I will send the young guy out to look for it" to "I have nobody to look for it today and you will need to pay any damages. I will keep you licence till then."

I am leaving Leh on Sat so police will be involved tomorrow if the licence is not given back.

Brisso · Sep 4th, 2009, 05:25

you could always walk away - does it really matter if they keep the licence?

machadinha · Sep 4th, 2009, 05:30

And, I don't know about India (nor about doing it anywhere else -- I don't drive), but, if you rent a vehicle and it gets stolen, shouldn't this normally fall under some sort of insurance on behalf of the rental company?

srikanth131 · Sep 4th, 2009, 13:37

Fell Sorry for you, Incidents like these spoils the whole trip.

The Rental agency is supposed to have Insurance.

If nothing works out, File a lot DL complaint in the Police Station and Leave (You could always apply for a Duplicate DL later)

Nick-H · Sep 4th, 2009, 15:37

I don't understand why any renter would keep the licence.

Well, I do understand, of course; it is a valuable document, so acts as some sort of deposit, but...

If you are stopped by police for some reason, which is quite possible, you had better be able to show your licence there and then. Your licence should be in your pocket, not in some other guy's desk.

ryler78 · Sep 5th, 2009, 12:27

That makes sense Nick, but they require some form of documentation and I am definitely not leaving my passport as per the reason above.

Anyway, so it all turned out ok. I was ready to just forget the licence but I went back last night and they gave it back to me. Still no sign of the bike though.

Sep 3rd, 2009, 14:41	#1
ryler78 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 56	Motorbike Scam? Leh Today I woke up to a clear sky and went downstairs to ride my bike to breakfast then some monasteries. Key in hand, I looked to the spot where I parked it. No problem, the hotel owners have probably moved it like they usually do. I didn't worry. When they started running around every other hotel I started to worry. For the morning the guy who rented me the bike and I rode around Leh and the army bases looking for the bike. Seems it has been stolen and is nowhere to be found as I write. As we rode around the guy kept telling me that he will not ask for money and he will find it eventually as nobody leaves Leh with a bike. My passport is luckily with me, but my licence is still with the renter. Where do I stand with the stolen motorcycle even though he says that I am not responsible, my licence is still with him. He has to keep it "to show to my boss who rented it". Police have not become involved but the hotel where I am staying has made me fill out a C form even though I have been here a week, dating it yesterday which makes me worried. I am going back to see him tonight to check the progress on the bike, but I am a little worried. Any suggestions?

Sep 4th, 2009, 05:30	#5
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,396	And, I don't know about India (nor about doing it anywhere else -- I don't drive), but, if you rent a vehicle and it gets stolen, shouldn't this normally fall under some sort of insurance on behalf of the rental company? __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Sep 3rd, 2009, 14:43	#2
ryler78 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 56	I should also add that the guy I rented the bike from knew where I was staying and the bike was locked securely. A neighbor saw the bike at midnight last night so it was taken in the early hours of the morning.

Sep 3rd, 2009, 17:08	#3
ryler78 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 56	***Update So I went back to the hire place and it has gone from, "Don't worry we will get it back and you will have to pay no money. I will send the young guy out to look for it" to "I have nobody to look for it today and you will need to pay any damages. I will keep you licence till then." I am leaving Leh on Sat so police will be involved tomorrow if the licence is not given back.

Sep 4th, 2009, 05:25	#4
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,084	you could always walk away - does it really matter if they keep the licence?

Sep 4th, 2009, 13:37	#6
srikanth131 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: bangalore Posts: 73	Fell Sorry for you, Incidents like these spoils the whole trip. The Rental agency is supposed to have Insurance. If nothing works out, File a lot DL complaint in the Police Station and Leave (You could always apply for a Duplicate DL later)

Sep 4th, 2009, 15:37	#7
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	I don't understand why any renter would keep the licence. Well, I do understand, of course; it is a valuable document, so acts as some sort of deposit, but... If you are stopped by police for some reason, which is quite possible, you had better be able to show your licence there and then. Your licence should be in your pocket, not in some other guy's desk.

Sep 5th, 2009, 12:27	#8
ryler78 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 56	That makes sense Nick, but they require some form of documentation and I am definitely not leaving my passport as per the reason above. Anyway, so it all turned out ok. I was ready to just forget the licence but I went back last night and they gave it back to me. Still no sign of the bike though.