Selling your bike

[moto]

This will be the first bike I am going to sell and I am not looking forward to the experience.
I never was any good at selling things. Expect there are lots of timewasters and dreamers with no intention of buying too.

Anyone got any good tips they have learnt from experience.

I was thinking of putting it on Ebay first as it will reach more potential customers and it's only a small charge if it goes unsold.

I expect a local dealer (if he wants it at all) will only offer me peanuts and I don't need a part exchange because I am picking up the next bike privately.

[SW Motech Shop UK]

Its worth trying Ebay, you can put a reserve price on it if you are worried about it not selling for what you want for it. Dealers want to make a profit so i wouldnt bother trying to sell it that way.
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https://www.motorcycle-road-and-race.co.uk and https://www.sw-motech-shop.co.uk/ and https://www.motorcycle-luggage.co.uk/

[HP]

ebay it and use a classified add this way it is far cheaper.
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What flavour would you like the windows Harvey?

[moto]

By classified ad do you mean put it on for a fixed price?
What duration should a classified advert be put on for?

Is that a better way than putting it in for a 7 day auction?

I did not know there were different charges for the 2 types of advert.

If put in an auction is it best to have a start price or say £1000 or start at 99p (with a reserve) like I see some ads do?

[HP]

Yeh with a classified add it cost you one set price of about £17 and it last for 28 days, you also dont have to pay any percentage on the sale cost so it works out alot cheaper. You can set a price and you can add make me an offer box where you can get ebay to automatically decline certain offers and except them if they are high enough. Here is an example https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-SUZUKI-SV-650-K5-BLUE-SOLD-SOLD-SOLD-/120562963837?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c121cd57d
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What flavour would you like the windows Harvey?

[moto]

Ok so a one off payment of £17 for 28 days, no otehr costs.

How much would it cost the other way through a 7 day auction?
The bike should fetch between £1000-£2000

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

I'd put it in Bikemart (MCN) or biketrader. Up ontheir webistes and I think it automatically goes in the paper.

Ebay gets you more idiots/tyre kickers and problems it seems. Never had a problem selling through MCN/bikemart though. Also the fee's for putting in an add are more straightforward.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[neatbik]

Be honest on your ad, take photos of any wealk points, but also tell people of any good points too - low mileage? Good tyres, c + s's, etc etc.

When you get people coming to look at it be polite but firm - its your bike so dont let them take control.
Some people are easy to deal with and some arent.

Time wasters are easy to suss out, as are genuine people, and i usually find you can get a good idea of someone just talking to them on the phone.

Have a realistic price you want for it and dont be bullied into dropping it.

Overall, dont stress too much about it - if someone has taken the effort to come and view the bike then imo they are already 75% sold on it

[moto]

Thanks for the tips, they are very helpful.

I just dread selling anything as I seem to get offended easily when someone is trying to run whatever it is I am selling down.

I am the opposite when I go to view a bike, if I like it I will tell them and even though I notice faults and they see me notice them I otten don't even mention it as I don't expect everything to be perfect.

Anyway I will look into MCN and their charges.

After having a read on Ebay it seems the auction is the more expensive way to go and there is a charge for setting a reserve too.
Buy it now is the cheaper option and the listing is for 30 days.

[HP]

If it you describe every fault and good bit then the seller will have nothing bad to say, if he/she is being negative to try to knock some money of just say no the right buyer will come around, you dont have to sell it to the first person who comes around.

Cheers Harry
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What flavour would you like the windows Harvey?

[Clanger]

Don't offer to a dealer, there are plenty of places online where you can advertise for free... plus there is Motorcycle Weekly, Used Bike Guide, eBay, MCN, Autotrader and probably a whole load more places if you just google it.

Years back I was considering a trade-in with my old Bros, but luckily for me, my friend worked at the place, and told me that my bike was worth £1,300 - yet they offered me £400. So I refused the deal, and ended up buying my next bike privately. When I sold the Bros, I did indeed get £1,300 for her. Sweet.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss