Selling the TZR...

Where is the best place to sell?

E-bay seems a bit too much like hard work, so I was thinking more along the
lines of the local buy and sell, or local papers, possibly loot?

Can anyone give me a list of places they have tried to sell bikes, and what
works best, and what doesn't.

TIA

 

I thought TOG had written something for the FAQ about this, but
in general, (for selling)
o) sprots bikes that are ten a penny (CBR6 et al) => Bike trader
o) SOB and 125s => free ads.

People don't know what they are asking for go to local papers,
so you can get silly money there.

I sold my CG via word of mouth, and the crashed CX via local
paper, and then the other CX by offering it on here...

 

As Will said.
Ebay can be really fickle at times, and you'll often get nowhere near what
you want - compared to how much you can sell something for in the paper.

 

tbh, I wouldn't go near ebay for selling big items like cars and bikes.
Or buying either. When you go and look at a bike, it should take 15/20
minutes (at least) to peer at it, check things over, have a go. You
can't do that via ebay. I know TOG is making money on it, but he knows
*exactly* what he's doing...

Nice!

 

Exactly, with cheaper things, people can be willing to risk it - usually
the only time that something large makes a fair bit of money is if it's
rare, or you get several people who want that and can't get it anywhere
else at short notice. Bikes I've had bad experience of selling on there,
bits and other items though, have gone quite well.

Indeedy - though I'm a bit miffed that Bennetts haven't send my insurance
covernote, and my speedo cable hasn't arrived yet, so I can't tax it or
ride it (legally).

 

Ebay is often not a good place to _buy_ cars and bikes.

However, _selling_ on ebay is a piece of piss.

Write a good, honest description, take several decent photos, stick it
up with a £1 start and no reserve. Also add a clause that allows you to
pull the auction if it's not going well.... something along the lines of
'This item is also for sale locally, I reserve the right to terminate
the auction early if sold'.

You really can't lose. I sold a car that would have gone to the breakers
for £220 plus a very rusty Fiat Spider without tax or MOT on there for a
respectable price.

It's no hassle at all. Someone wins, turns up with the money and takes
it away. Lots less hassle that an endless string of dreamers on your
doorstep.

 

<fx: turns coin over>
I sold my Blackbird on Ebay. Got £4100 for it (which was what I was
after). I doubt I'd have got much (if any) more selling it via the
paper, and it reached a much wider potential punterbase. The bloke that
bought it was well pleased as the bike was as described.

As a seller I'd say that you *must* take DECENT photos and ensure the
bike/whatever is described precisely as is. Lying about it being in A1
condition will do you no favours [1]. Give prospective buyers chance to
ask questions, and even let 'em view if they wish. IANAL but if they ask
a question you *must* give a truthful answer, so there's no excuse for
them not realising the tyres are split and the re's a huge hole in the
engine casings. Stick it on at a realistic price, for a lengthy auction
duration, and wait until the last couple of days before expecting any
bids.

If they win the auction they buy the bike.

Simple, unless...

[1] The item doesn't live up to the advert. Even if it *sells* on ebay,
expect the buyer to check the bike over thoroughly before they give you
the wedge, so it better be as described. If it isn't, don't be surprised
if the purchaser tells you to poke it.

Just my humble opinion.

 

well **** my hat. Just wot i wrote (but quicker)

 

Yes, but this is a TZR - they always fetch shedloads for what they are on
there, even absolutely minging ones fit for the knackers yard.

I'd try ebay if it were me...

--
JackH - D.Bot (University of Speed)

BOTAFOT #110 - BOTAFOF #29 - GSX750F

"We might be ugly, but we don't care..."

 

My CG125 went into loot on a wednesday and the cash was in my hand on
friday.

 

Doesn't matter now... I got knocked off it by a BMW earlier, and then while
I was in hospital, the bike got nicked from the scene...

 

bummer, gws

 

Oh good grief!
or is that *Result*

 

Well, I'm TPO insurance, so don't know what his company will say since the
bike can't be checked over for damages if they find him at fault, which I
don't know if they will yet.

 

Selling unusual low end stuff is sometimes worthwhile. I shifted an old
Hillman Imp for a *lot* more than I paid for it on ebay.

Honesty is the key. Having a link to another website with shedloads of
good photographs inspires the buyers confidence.

But as other posters have said, I'd probably stick it in the local
loot/Friday-Ad/whatever and stay in for the weekend [1].


[1] *Important* In the past I have placed an advert (in November IIRC),
gone away for the weekend, and then had to sort out all the hassle of
organising, and staying in for, people viewing, in daylight, at odd times
of the working day. PITA and my fault...

 

I wouldn't call seven pound fifty a result though..

 

TP*O*
Oh dear.

 

IIWY I'd ask you insco why it's taken them however long it has to get a
covernote out when the two insurers I use (motorcycle direct and tesco)
both got my full docs to me within 48 hours. I don't understand why
covernotes are still used.

 

Well, not covernote - new certificate I meant.

 

You'd better keep it now, mate.