Haggling with a dealer rather than an individual

[Gazdaman]

Right, today I'll be making an offer on a KLR 250.

It's up for £800, but I've never bought a bike from a dealer, so I'm not sure which buttons to push or how far I can push it.

The guy isn't necessarily a dealer, he's a breaker, but does have around 25 bikes for sale.

The KLR will have a fresh MOT, which is his major haggling point, it's got 14k miles on it, and the engine sounds good. Starts fine from cold.

Bad points, it's generally tatty, he had to weld up a hole in the (fairly rusty) exhaust to pass the MOT. Chain and sprockets are knackered, left fork seal's gone, gaitors could do with replacing. and it needs a general paint.

If I can get it for £650 I'll be happy. I'd say he'll easily accept £700, because I can throw in that C&S is £80, and it needs a clutch lever etc.

Bare in mind I also need the guy to deliver it, so I don't wanna take the piss tooo badly.

Which points should I be picking apart in order for him to drop the price enough? If I list the things wrong with it, and try and subtract that from the asking, it'll only put the price at about £675.

But obviously I don't want to start with that offer. If I offer £500, there's no grounds for me offering that low, considering the bike is as good mechanically as it is.

Gaz

[Polo]

Sounds like you have it all thought out to be honest.
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[UnknownStuntm...]

I'd have thought the best way to approach this is to price everything. Delivery, C&S, new exhaust, price of an MOT and so on. You've already gone most of the way to that already.

If you can both settle on a price for all the 'extras' first, that gives you, as the buyer, control on how much the actual bike is worth. Try to separate the bike from the extras, both mentally and in the haggle.

Remember, an item's worth is only proved by someone actually paying that for it.

[Finglonga]

The thing that is holding you back is wanting him to deliver it. If you can arrange something else you may be able to get more off.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Gazdaman]

I agree with pricing everything, but he's got a good way of shooting those down. The things I want to replace, is mainly somethings I /want/ to do.

For instance, I want to give it a new exhaust, but it doesn't need one. Proved by it's brand new MOT.

It needs chain and sprockets, fine. That's £80. And a clutch lever, tenner, fine.

The choke lever's knackered but works, so again, can't really use that.

I think I can easily get £100 off. But I want £150 off.

Gaz

[Finglonga]

[Gazdaman]

I agree with that. I reckon he might be more willing to knock off that last £50 if I ride it away.

and good shout on the exhaust.

I think with those two things, it might just be what I need to get it for the right price.

Gaz

[sickpup]

[Eddie Hitler]

Ouch..

[Shaane]

Ask yourself if its worth it mate, If it is.. Then fair enough
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EMRA Roadstock #92 - Paperwork Permitted.
Previous: 1992 DT125R
Current: ~ 2005 ZX6R C1H

[Gazdaman]

Hah, yeah the MOT will definitely be suspect. The left fork seal isn't gone badly, and it's got gaiters on, so it'll pass on that front.

The chain will probably adjust so it only gets a minor. But for real life it needs replacing really.

I know what it's worth, the tough bit it getting the guy to agree that it's worth the same amount.

Gaz

[UnknownStuntm...]

[Gazdaman]

Well, I went there, did my best. Opened with £500, he told me to piss off. Told him to play the game, and he said he'd take £700. I said £650, and he said ok, but he wouldn't put an MOT on.

That's where we disagreed.

No sale today.

Gaz

[Gazdaman]

Think the most important lesson to learn here is set yourself a limit and don't be afraid to walk away.

Gaz

[Harold_Shand]

They have to make a few quid. And for the sake of £50 sounds like you lost a suitable bike.
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[fredsredhat]

did you leave your number with him? give him a few days to stew and he'll ring you.

[Gazdaman]

It wasn't the money that was the issue, I was banking on having the MOT. If I put it through an MOT and it failed needing work, it would cost me extra, on a bike that needs money spending already.

He wanted £800 to give it an MOT, and it just wasn't worth that. If you saw the bike you'd understand, just generally knackered.

But eBay came to the rescue.

1994 KLR 250 full MOT and tax, brand new exhaust, good tyres and C&S. £875. Much much better condition overall too. And comes with mirrors and indicators.

https://i23.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/e0/8c/099e_12.JPG

Chuffed.

Gaz

[Gazdaman]

Oh, and this was the first one.

https://www.bikehutbristol.co.uk/vehpics/BIG_930-12048274571.jpg

Gaz

[Finglonga]

The one you have is much better condition by the looks of it.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Pete.]

You did well to walk away from the first one. What a dog.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Gazdaman]

I think it would have been ok for the right money.

I think for £650, with full MOT it would have been alright but the one I've bought is better.

Gaz

[Pete.]

I was looking at all the paint worn off the engine in front of the kickstart. Seems to me like someone's had a lot of trouble starting it.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Billd]

Good deal Gaz. The eBay one likes a good buy
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Remember. wherever you go, there you are!!
FVMCC

[Finglonga]

[Gazdaman]

The good point of the first KLR is that it started fine from cold, and ran well. Only 14k miles aswell.

Picking up the bike in a couple of hours. Just got insurance, £320 for the year. Not bad for a 21 year old in Bristol, with an off-road style bike, kept outside, with 1 fault claim and 3 points.

Gaz