General Cycling Discussion - letting someone test ride my bike?

i'm thinking of selling my bike sometime, putting it up on creig's list or something like that.

i assume potential buyers would want to ride it around the block to make sure it's all good...i know i would. how can i be sure they won't just steal it? i live in NYC so this is a valid concern. is it common to ask for something as collateral? like their driver's license or something like that?

I would ask for a license, and ride with them if possible.

I would ask for a license, and ride with them if possible.

Yep, or something of value and don't take any excuses. (Value to you, not the buyer. A bank card, car keys or checkbook will do you no good if the guy bolts).

The keys to the car they arrived in + ID is usually a good idea.

55/Rad

thanks. i just wasn't sure the etiquette for something like this. since i live in the city, most potential buyers would probably just walk over or take the subway and many people don't even have a car. i guess i'm just paranoid.

It sounds like it would be cool to ask for an ID though. I’ll probably do that or go with them, those are good ideas. Besides, I’ve been training all summer, so I hope I’d be able to catch them if they tried to break away. :)

Ask for drivers license plus another form of ID, just in case.

A driver's license or other plastic could be forged or stolen...I'd be inclined to ask for cash and/or their vehicle/keys as collateral, in addition to ID...

A steel cable...

Just let them know that you'll be asking for this when you're on the phone with them. That way they're not shocked when they show up and you say, "Cash and ID, please."

Being very cynical, one can get a replacement ID in Minnesota for $9 (maybe it's $15). If you're looking to sell the bike for many hundreds of dollars, and the thief really wanted the bike, he could say he paid you (if you ask for 50%) and all you have is 50% of what you want, his ID (which he can replace for $15), and your word against his that the transaction wasn't complete.

Edit: I suppose you could have the person sign a contract. Something like: I, __________, agree to pay timmhaan $xxx for the fancy-schmanzy bike. I have provided $yyy as a deposit and my ID as a deposit. The cash and ID will be returned to me if I choose not to buy the bike. Blah blah

Probably more work and more paranoia than necessary. But maybe you need it.

Tell me when you're showing this to him, I'll tail him on my bike, chase him, and bring him down with my kryptonite chain if he makes a move. :)

Test rides are for people who are ready to buy. If you ride it and you like it are you ready to buy it? If so, let me hold the money now and you can test ride the bike for as long as you like. If you don't have the money with you then you aren't really ready to buy.

Test rides are for people who are ready to buy. If you ride it and you like it are you ready to buy it? If so, let me hold the money now and you can test ride the bike for as long as you like. If you don't have the money with you then you aren't really ready to buy.

so true

I would ask for 100% up front if it's an expensive bike as well. If it's cheap bike, ID will do, but either way, i'm dealing with someone 18 or over. If they are under that age, bring their parents...if they live with a legal guardian, they better have proof of it on hand.

As nasty as this sounds, I want to know WHO to have the police visit if the thing goes south.

Having never sold a bike before, the seller of my bike didn't ask for collateral and from her face I could tell she was a bit nervous about letting a perfect stranger take a test ride. She told me try it out for 10 minutes, and I really wanted 15-20 minutes. So, I had her hold my purse. I showed her that my purse held the full amount in cash. I thought about giving her my car keys, but my car is worth just a bit more than the bike I was considering. I also thought about giving her my ID too, but I like to keep those things with me in case I need it. Murphy's Law applies to me very thoroughly. If I don't have something, I'll end up needing it. Anyhow, I kept my wallet and car keys with me and went for a twenty minute test ride. I bought the bike.

-Shimpie

so true

Heh go to bayridge bikes, she'll let you take a $1000 bike out the door for a ride around the block, no questions asked.