Dealing with idiots trying to sell a bike:

[Basement rat]

The other thing that shits me is when people email or ring up and the first thing they ask is "Will you take X amount off the asking price" when they haven't even seen the bike.

I tell them they can ask me that question face to face if they're serious

I just invite them over to see it before haggling at all.

 

[MN_Rudy]

The last 2 bikes that I bought 71 CB350 and 74 CL450, the craigslist experience that I can pass along as a buyer, is to show up ready to move the bike (pickup truck). And also show up with the money, or in the words of Randy Moss "Straight Cash Homie." With both bikes I was able to get the seller to knock off 20-25% of the asking price just because I had cash and was ready to take the bikes with me.

 

[frogman]

+1 Last guy I bought bikes from was surprised I didn't haggle over the 400 bucks for 2 bikes. I showed up with trailer and 400 bucks handed it to him and loaded things up and left.

He was a Harley guy that liked to buy and sell projects on the side. He had a 750 triple sitting there in fair shape that he sold for 350!! If would have know that I would have brought a grand with me. :

 

[kowalski]

The other thing that shits me is when people email or ring up and the first thing they ask is "Will you take X amount off the asking price" when they haven't even seen the bike.

I tell them they can ask me that question face to face if they're serious

I've asked what someone's "bottom dollar" is over the phone with looking, but that's just to make sure they're rock solid set on what ever price they posted.

 

[Big R]

I've heard that before too. "What's the absolute lowest amount of cash you'll take for it?"

My reply: "What's the absolute most you're willing to pay for it?"

 

[Drewski]

I've heard that before too. "What's the absolute lowest amount of cash you'll take for it?"

My reply: "What's the absolute most you're willing to pay for it?"

 

[surffly]

I've heard that before too. "What's the absolute lowest amount of cash you'll take for it?"

My reply: "What's the absolute most you're willing to pay for it?"

Thats funny, kinda like my response to "it ran when parked" I ask " was it shiny when it was new?"

guys through out offers with out looking because the internet lets them check out a million bikes at the same time. So they pick out a few that they like and toss out offers.

 

[surffly]

As a seller I try not to go out of my way to far, what I mean is im not waiting for hours on end for people, or holding things for weeks so they can check them out. Also I will not do the leg work for shipping bikes.

Guys will ask "are you willing to ship?" I always say that as long as im paid i dont care who picks the bike up. Ill give my zip code and wait. what it does it puts the ball back in their court. they will either not want to do the work and fade away, or put in the work and you know they are more serious about buying the bike.
ive met shippers to go cross country with bikes and sent a CB750 frame to germany

 

[manualofman]

I've heard that before too. "What's the absolute lowest amount of cash you'll take for it?"

My reply: "What's the absolute most you're willing to pay for it?"

I use that line reversed when buying a car at a dealership. When the time comes around to negotiate price, and they ask me to make an offer, i tell them "whats the lowest you'll let it go for?" and then I work down from there. ;D

 

[redwillissuperman]

I guess it all depends if you are trying to get maximum dollars or trying to pass on a piece of history so others can play as well. I would like others to join the hobby and have a chance to build something for themselves.

On the TV show "American Pickers" the hosts, Mike and Frank are really honest when things are too expensive or too cheap.

I like to buy $5000 bikes for $5000, and sell $500 bikes for $500. If both buyer and seller are honest (to themselves and each other ) then sales go smoothly.

Soon we will be at a point where the bikes will be 99% aftermarket like choppers. No need to buya rusted beater or tear into a survivor bike. Assholes like Brian Fuller that cut up original bikes (especially when they have the skills, equipment and money to build from scratch) won't exist.

 

[Basement rat]

On the TV show "American Pickers" the hosts, Mike and Frank are really honest when things are too expensive or too cheap.

And they love to pay someone half or less than whatever the item is worth.

 

[Basement rat]

Wow, they didn't even haggle! 2K for the bike and I threw in the 1L of gear oil, maintenance book and spare bits that came with it.


Its nice dealing with reasonable people!

 

[axeugene27]

I have had to travel pretty far to get bikes before I usually tell the seller that if item is as described i would give x amt for it if not i won't waste my time and gas driving to check it out. I always show up with truck and cash and knowledge of local notary. I have driven 2 hrs and left a bike though due to condition. that sucked.

 

[620dark]

Wow, they didn't even haggle! 2K for the bike and I threw in the 1L of gear oil, maintenance book and spare bits that came with it.

Nice! Congratulations!

 

[hillsy]

Wow, they didn't even haggle! 2K for the bike and I threw in the 1L of gear oil, maintenance book and spare bits that came with it.


Its nice dealing with reasonable people!

Yeah - congrats.

Some people just want to buy something and don't need all the BS around haggling that other people "need" to make them feel like they've got a bargain.

 

[redwillissuperman]

Wow, they didn't even haggle! 2K for the bike and I threw in the 1L of gear oil, maintenance book and spare bits that came with it.


Its nice dealing with reasonable people!

Awesome. Glad you could find a good buyer to go along with being a good seller. I'll see how things work out for me next month when I sell a husqvarna supermoto.