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WARNING!
For those of you looking for housing to rent, steer CLEAR of Pho Van Cao, at the end of Lieu Giai! On Alley 33, house number 3, there is an operation going. I went with a trusted real estate agent to check out a house from a prospective landlord he had never met or worked with before, and I wasn't allowed to park my motorbike in the courtyard, since there wasn't a lot of room, and we were only going to be in the house for a few minutes to look at it. I LOCKED my motorbike, and we went inside to look at the house, which supposedly had the 3 bedrooms that we were looking for. The house wasn't prepared to be rented, and there was furniture and belongings everywhere (they seemed very settled in the place). Additionally, I wasn't allowed to look out the balcony as we were touring through the home (in heinsight, probably because I would have seen the person taking my motorbike)...anyway, I don't know whether the woman was involved or NOT, but after less than 2 minutes of being inside, I discovered that my motorbike had been taken, the entire neighborhood was laughing about it as we walked down the alley, and when the police returned to the house to question her, she had left and locked up her house. SO BEWARE of these things, even when you lock your bike or feel that it's safe where you leave it, it ISN'T fully safe unless someone is WATCHING IT! I know this seems silly, but it's an important reminder for everyone in our online community! Be careful!
houserental motorbike theft (add tags) Why? Details of tags
answered about 5 months ago by Khumbu
That really sucks. Thanks for letting us know.
answered about 5 months ago by Atomic
What she said. Khumbu-oi! Where's the cat?
Khumbu (the cat) has been at 'home' in Melbourne for 4 months now - figured it was time to start moving on...
Enough hijinx. Cat back, pls. Best cat pic EVER.
Or else I'll cap the monkey.
answered about 5 months ago by natinnam
That's a new one !! Been here a while, but never heard of that scam before. Don't know how much your bike was worth to you, but with that many witnesses, a flash of a $100 to the first person to bring it back can sometimes work.
Atomic, you're right: she probably does just beat me in the cuteness stakes. So she's back. (sorry for the sidenote bethanybauman...)
**VICTORY!**
answered about 5 months ago by bobthebob01
Sorry to hear that. that really sucks for sure. But it's very nice from you to share that. I've also been here for a while and never heard that one before. I guess they are innovating as the old tricks must not work anymore. Was your bike locked just with the ignition key or with also the lock on the front wheel?
answered about 5 months ago by chlee
Any idea what can be done to minimize the incident? So trying to rent a place is quite tricky too.
answered about 5 months ago by Stosskraft
Sorry to hear what happened. What did the police do or say? I think you should post the agent's name on here also.
answered about 5 months ago by PokerMo
Wow, that is really tough luck. Props to everyone laughing at your misfortune? That's even worse.
answered about 5 months ago by hippo
Why do I think Atomic is clicking "utter rubbish" for everyone.......he seems like a complete knob who thinks too much of himself
Nice accusation, Jimbo, but no. Just curious if you have anything positive to say here. Every one of your posts and reviews are negative. Considered meds?
answered about 5 months ago by Jemima
I'm really sorry this happened to you, Bethany.
answered about 5 months ago by bethanybauman
The police took my, Vinh (the real estate guy's) and my friend's 'statments.' They drew a map, visited the house and alley numerous times in the course of 4 hours, and took all of our contact numbers. The police in charge of all crime against foreigners showed up halfway through, and asked me to give my written statement again, so they have it in both Vietnamese & English. Interestingly enough, when the police when back to the house, the landlady had left and her house was all locked up. Hm... Additionally, I'd like to add that since the incedent, Vinh has called me and personally offered use of one of his family's motorbikes free of charge for as long as I need it, and 3 of his previous foreign clients rang me to vouch for his character. Bobthebob, it was only the steering carriage that was locked. Keep in mind this bike was taken in less than 2 minutes. They're getting good!
Yes the steering carriage lock is not very safe, you can actually brake it easily with a good snap to it. On the next bike i suggest to install the lock on the front wheel. This one requires more time to break. Or the ultimate option. Get a really cheap, dirty, old Minsk. Vietnamese usually don't touch them (knock on wood!) as it's the farmer's bike and are not interested. also they can't get much money from it. ------- on another note, some one is really having a blast clicking "Utter Rubbish", "Accurate".... Who ever that is, some good medication such a prozac can be found in pharmacy here in Hanoi. Search TNH to locate the closest medical facility and/or pharmacy to you immediately. Or else just say NO to drugs completely ! Dude! you're hurting yourself. cheers
answered about 3 months ago by Atomic
Bethany, is this the same house and the same agent? http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/propertylisting/show/514
answered about 3 months ago by bethanybauman
no. I would highly recommend working with Mr. Vinh, who ironically enough found our AMAZING house for us, and got us a great deal. In the end, he offered to let me use his motorbike for free because he felt so terrible about the incident. this is a different house, and as far as I know, Vinh won't go near that house again. :)
