selling a bike

[damz]

at the moment im selling one of my bikes on ebay and gumtree and was wanting some info as i have never sold a bike before. first thing is payment, obviously dont use paypal as it would take a massive chunk out of funds but what about cheques? heard stories of the money being taken back out after its cleared.

another thing is price, obviously i want as much as possible for the bike but i might turn people off it if i state too high but if i say to low i might loose out on money.
____________________
Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

[Name_goes_here]

First thing about ebay is bike is worth what people want to pay for it, you may get no interest or you may get loads..
As for payment I find asking for cash on collection always best, cant trust cheques and Paypals a rip off and also complicated if you have any problems you need to sort out.
Are you doing an auction style listing? when ever i sell a bike on ebay i always put the reserve higher then what i know i'd get, this is because if your reserve is reached you have to sell the bike, you also get charged an additional fee if your bike hits its reserve, this is calculated on a percentage of what the reserve is (see ebay fees) or if you suddenly change your mind about selling your can simply cancel the sale. When the auction is coming to an end get in contact with highest bidders so once the listing is finished you can arrange the sale. Obviously ebay doesnt want people doing this as it means they dont make more money out of you and the downside is you wont get feedback for a sale (hence my feedback is low in ebay) however iv always found this to be the best method although im sure other people have different ideas?
Hope this helps
____________________
Current: ZZR600

Previous: TDM850, ZX7R, TRX850,TDM850 (seriously underated bike!),XJ600 (owned for 6 hours), BMW K100, XTZ750, TDM850,GSXR600, FZR400 Streetfighter, XJ600 Streetfighter, ZXR750, FZR600 (Killed in the side of a car) And some little crappy things ridden round fields

[Barry_M2]

Cash, always cash.

No matter how much it is, dont listen to the excuses that they cant get hold of it and it has to be a bankers draft or cheque. You can get as much cash out of the bank as you like.

I've recently brought and sold a few cars and bikes that all run into thousands. Never had a problem from buyers and always pay cash my self.


____________________
ZXR750R (M2) - For the road.
CBR1000 RR4 - For the track.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4332

[stinkwheel]

Cash on collection. Test ride available with a 100% cash deposit.

Sometimes worth arranging to meet them away from where you keep the bike normally. I've heard of people coming to see a bike, going away then it getting nicked that night.

Remember YOU fill in the V5 and send it away and are held responsable for any offences committed while you are the registered keeper. So I'd probably be asking them to take some proof of address with them so you don't land up being given a false one then being hit with a load of parking and speeding tickets a few months down the line.

Sales which have a very detailed description of every aspect of the bike (good and bad) with loads of photos tend to do better.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Devils Advocate]

If you do cash on collection always make sure you check every single note with one of those "fake money" pens before you part company with the bike or give a test ride.

Ebay`s full of dodgy scrotes and scams are very common.
A mate of mine sold an old R1 on ebay and most of the notes were all funny money when he tried to put it into his bank.
It eventually got sorted out with the rozzers involved and he got the bike back after a load of hassle....but you dont want to go through all that do you..

[Devils Advocate]

[damz]

set the reserve to quite high on the auction so doubt any1 will reach it. also im in no real rush to sell it so if it doesnt get much i'l just try again another time, only wanting to sell it to upgrade to a bigger bike so not fussed if i have to do it again in a few months.

had many stupid offers so far, swap it for an a chav'd out corsa or exceedingly low offers. for some reason it all seems to be neds so far....

security is pretty good here and got a car blocking the driveway so they'd need to shift it first.

how should i go about people with low or no feedback?
____________________
Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

[johnsmith222]

[iooi]

Only take a chq if the buy is repared to leave the bike with you for over 8 working days, so say its 2 weeks to clear. Same if they offer special presentation. After that you get to keep the money.

Personally cash, or get them to transfer the cash into your account via internet banking. Just watch them do it and ensure that the account name is the same as you are filling the V5 out as. Unless they can come up with a very good reason, such as daddy paying for the bike
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Ste]

No point accepting a cheque, if someone can write a cheque that isn't going to bounce then they could just withdraw that money in cash. Cheques are more hassle than they're worth, they're old and out dated, in some ways much like the people who still use cheques.

Start the auction with a low price (99p is good). High prices with no bids puts people off whereas the same price with 20 bids won't put people off. The price won't stay low, it'll get bid up, then you've got a number of people actively interested and bidding on your auction.

[instigator]

[damz]

got a response from an interested buyer and is a bit ummm weird

1st email
I m interested in buying your item on ebay......What is the
preesent condition and also the final asking price...Payment will be
made through certfied check.....Your urgent response is
needed....Thanks

gave him details

2nd email

Thanks for your prompt reponse...I m satisfied with the conditions as
stated...I m williing the pay the exact amount..My shipping agent will
go for the pickup immediately the funds is cleared in your
account....You are to send your :

1,Full name
2.Contact address
3,personal phone #...

I will effect the payment as soon as you provide the necessary
information.....Thanks for your co-operation in anticipation to your
swift mail..I await your timely response..

Regards..

Sam Clinton.

PAYMENT WILL BE EFFECTED VIA CERTIFIED BANK CHEQUE ONLY...

probs a scam....
____________________
Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

[Ste]

[Devils Advocate]

[stinkwheel]

It's a scam.

"I'm interested in buying your item on ebay" what the hell is that all about? Nobody would say that, they'd say "I'm interested in buying your bike" .

If you want to be sure, play along. I garauntee the next email will say they are sending a cheque for more than the asking price in order to save on bank charges and could you pay the difference to the shipping agent for their fees when they come to collect.

Do not give them your real address. I'd suggest using: N. S. Yard, Broadway, London. SW1H 0BG. Tel: 0300 123 1212
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[damz]

ok got another reply, seems odd but far less scammy as the other one as the guy is willing to withdraw the cash near my house.

anyway

"hi, they are David of Verona, before making an offer, I inform to you that I come from Italy, if I adjudicate myself l' auction, I will come to personally take the motorcycle with a van, I will pay in advance payment expenses for the cancellation in Great Britain, for l' export in Italy, if he does not trust to you, I have a British friend who will come from you and he will give to you un' advance payment of the money, if to instead she trusts you I will pay, you to the delivery of the motorcycle, when I come in Great Britain. I would want to know, if the motorcycle introduces mechanical defects and if you can send photo to me of aesthetic defects, thanks for the patience"

this was sent through ebay and he has got feedback on his profile.

later on he sent another

"excuse for the delay, is David from Verona, Italy, writes for knowing if you sell also all' foreign country, if I adjudicate myself l' auction, I will pay to the delivery, the motorcycle I personally come to withdraw near your address, on agreement, are 3000 km round-trip, with a van but it is worth the hard work. if you have photo also sends them to me, thanks for the patience. David."

seems like a lot of hassle for a bike but im having a hard time understanding his english.
____________________
Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

[and]

...

[multijoy]

A colleague of mine was flogging his lotus and had a lot of interest from europe- no reason why they should be an issue more than any other buyer.

Same warnings apply, really- cash/cleared funds or no bike, regardless of how far they've come. I can only assume the euro's good at the moment!
____________________
'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[Throttle]

Someone earlier mentioned writing up a note to cover any convictions while out on a test run.

I would also follow the same procedure for those wanting to ride the bike away.

Also if your egaying the bike, I found that a straight forward auction was the best way. I managed to sell my old CG for £40 more than I bought it for. Not much profit but it will cover the ebay funds etc.

[Ste]

[robbieguy2003]

About the foreign guys. I'd try and have a decent chat with them.

Because of the Euro and the cost of bikes abroad lots of them are buying in the UK and selling in Europe now, it's kinda like double double for them.

My brother in law sold his 1000rr a while back to a bloke from the Netherlands. He turned up with Cash and Paid on the spot, put the bike in the back of a van - with two other bikes already in.

He offered me £6k for my 07 RR on the spot

The money went in no problem and everything was good.

Just take some of the advice from above and be careful. I always find it's worth having a mate or two around as well just because you're dealing with an unknown.
____________________
Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[mark83]

I totally agree - Euro is very strong so a Euro buyer is likely to be a smart one trying to save himself the exchange rate difference.

Less likely to chip at the price when they turn up as well - not nice going home empty handed after a 1000 mile trip to pick the bike up!
____________________
Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo