Advice on haggling please

[jonboy22]

About to buy a K4 GSX-R600. Its a private sale advertised at £3995. 4000 odd miles, black, blue flame tri oval exhaust, pretty dishy basically.

Technically speaking I'd be more than happy to cough up that much for such a beautiful machine but the scrooge in me says, "no way Jose", haggle haggle and then haggle a little more.

So anyone know a good starting point? I was thinking of being a cheeky git and going in at 3250 and working up to 3600. 3600 would be ideal as thats about 10% which is what I think most peeps aim for. Will do my best to look for things that might lower the price (it has orange powder coated wheels, could knock some off for that, then again it might look trick), any advice?

Regardless I'll be riding away on it but was just hoping to pinch a little on the price to spend on a new pair of boots and maybe Pedrosa's lid......

Cheers all

[jok]

Have a look at the bike and find any and all faults you can (including things not quite as advertised). Ask about consumables (oil, tyres, chain/sprockets, etc), look for scratches/paint damage that wasn't mentioned (and couldn't have been reasonably expected), and go from there. Basically, any minor niggle can help. Ask if a wadge of cash (as opposed to a cheque or similar) would knock some off as well. Short of money off, you might also be able to scrounge some other extras if you ask for them (Haynes', spares, etc.).

Do check whether the add said "ono" or similar, though. Trying to haggle when it says "no offers" will not earn you any good will .
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CG125 (stolen->recovered!) || Wars do not decide who's right, only who's left.

[suzi_bandit]

When I bought my bike I went running up to the seller waving a wad of cash in the air.

He took one look at me, let out a couple of tut tuts and said "You're going about it all wrong luv, that ain't the way to buy a bike. You have to haggle with me and knock the price down!"

Maybe you want to give it a go too?
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I want a big boys bike, preferably a Speed Triple. To date I have ?7:42p stashed away to put towards one. Need to get it in the bank & earning interest asap.

[0ddball]

If you'd be happy with £3600 just tell him you don't want to haggle, you just want to make a straight take it or leave it offer and tell him £3400. He won't accept it but if he genuinely thinks you won't pay any more his counter offer won't be much more than the £3400, most likely £3500-£3600. He'll just want to get a bit extra without scaring you off.

Do a bit of uhming and arghing, even start to walk away to see how desperate he is. Only when you are sure he won't bite at £3400 take his slightly higher offer.

You're happy because you paid what you wanted to. He's happy because he think's he's worked that little bit extra out of you after you said you wouldn't go any higher.