Where are all the decent folk?

[TheArchitect]

On Sunday I put my PCX up for sale on Gumtree and Preloved. Opted for those two sites because it's free to list and thought maybe it'll attract more local folk for a quicker, friendlier sale.

Oh how wrong was I ??

All I've had so far is a number of attempts at a paypal scam, possibly by the same knob under different guises; one guy who insisted on bank transfer payment and on taking the bike as soon as he saw it without insurance or even a crash hat, naturally I said no; and one suspected dealer posing as a private buyer who offered me a third of the asking price.

So I ask you.. where are all the decent, straight up buyers? Is it me or where I live (north London)? Don't get me wrong I'm all up for a haggle so it's not I'm being picky about the money, but it seems the days of turning up with the money in your pocket and bagging a good deal are gone.
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[recman]

How long has it been advertised for?*
Just ignore the tossers and chancers and wait for the good guys.


*oops, just re-read your post. It's only been a few days fella, give it time.

[Baffler186]

Maybe it's a London thing - more population means more chance of scammers? I've advertised on Gumtree before - had no problems apart from a couple of rude people who said they were coming and didn't turn up
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[TheArchitect]

True, I should give it more time but my insurance is due in 2 weeks and I need to get rid before then.

I've now pulled it off Gumtree and placed an ebay ad. Despite the £30 fee, it's slightly more protection from any potential scammers.

This is why I really wanted to part ex, I'll let go of a few hundred quid for the sake of peace of mind any day.
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Robster]

I was expecting the usual 'ship abroad' and 'meet you at the docks' scams when I sold the Mazda but I got none! a bit disappointed to be honest! I did get the odd numpty offering £500 though
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Up the bum no babies.

[stinkwheel]

It's because most people in London are not human beings, they are animals who would steal the last crust of one another and step over someone dying in the street which is why I totally boycott the place.

Move. It's the only way.
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“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.

[Rogerborg]

Why did you turn down the bank transfer? I'd prefer that to cash.

And why take it off Gumtree? Exactly the same people can see your ad on eBay. Oh, I hope you went for a classified ad: an auction is asking for the fantasists to have a ball with drunken 2am "2 be honust m​8 the cat sat on teh keyboard" bids.

Anyway, my thinking is that you have to mine through a lot of dross to find the gold. Write your advert for the benefit of the savvy, monied buyer that you want to turn up. There's no point in trying to dissuade the mongs, tyre lickers and scammers: they won't read it, or won't care, and any ranting will just put off the genuine buyers.

And try not to get riled up or impatient. I've got plenty of anonymous texts and "offers" from chancers. They all get the same reply "Thanks for your interest. The asking price is listed in the advert. Would you like to view the bike?"

In the event, I've sold everything for what I wanted to get, to people who knew what they were buying and nobody got dicked around. Just don't expect your dream buyer to turn up straight away.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[TheArchitect]

[TheArchitect]

[JP7]

I'm not a big fan of Gumtree, I generally sell on eBay and have always got what I wanted.

There are always the chancers, the traders and the "Please what is your last price, send to my country" crew, who send timewasting messages. I used to get really offended when someone would email you nothing more than "Will you take X for it?", which was an offer a grand short of what I wanted without them even bothering to come and see the bike. "What's the reserve?" used to tickle me as well. Try asking a real auctioneer that question. But once you get past those, there always seem to be a few quality buyers around.

A good, honest description and plenty of photos will usually do the trick. It isn't instant, but it just takes one person to spot your advert and take an interest.

[Rogerborg]

[Robster]

[nelmo]

[thx1138]

I've sold a fair few bikes through classified papers, no problems with the buyers and prospective buyers that showed up, but yeah - a shed load of dodgy offers too alongside the enquiries. Par for course.

[TheArchitect]

[BTTD]

The most annoying are the ones who ask tons of ridiculously detailed questions on the phone, arrange to come to view insisting that they can only make one specific time and then don't turn up.
So you're sat waiting around for them having spent an hour on the phone with them a couple days earlier. Twats.

[gavcarter]

I always says its been sold when they ring back aswell "sorry mate had to go xxx can i come later today" usually gets a response like "no, sorry its sold now- you didnt come some so one else did"

[TheCatSatOnTh...]

[notbike]

I'm surprised that you're surprised that london is full of shady assholes. I'm also not surprised that anyone that comes from the internet and also comes from london is probably twice as shady.

I was born in london and it keeps getting worse.

[Rogerborg]

[TheArchitect]

This is my ebay ad.. exactly as it was on Gumtree. Pretty straight to the point I think.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Honda-PCX-125-1-OWNER-FSH-Only-5200-Miles-/171348939933?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item27e531549d
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[TheCatSatOnTh...]

My pet hate is location: London. London's a big place, I'll see a bike in Edgeware but Croydon is not easy for me to get to. Where in London?

No test rides? I bet it's got a fucked gearbox and you'll be long gone before I notice. I'll give it a miss.

I also assume it's not got a scratch, stone chip or mark on it? When was the last service carried out? How long before the next service?

[TheArchitect]

[TheCatSatOnTh...]

[TheArchitect]

[/quote]That's fine your bike your rules, I'm just giving you feedback on your advert and I will immediately skip your advert.[/quote]

I fully see your point. I guess the recent dicking about has put me in a militant mood!

I may just add a note to the ad with a more precise location. Thing is, on Gumtree it did show the exact location because of the way their ads work.

cheers for input though
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen