Classic & Vintage - How To Answer Question "Why Are You Selling It"?

I'm back in ebay selling mode, and the one question from buyers that always irritates me is "Why are you selling it"?

I used to give out this info, sometimes put it in the auction, but I decided that was bad practice. After getting an ebay stalker, I try to keep the chit-chat with potential buyers, at least ones I don't know, to a minimum.

But even back then, if I didn't include a reason, when somebody asked, it always struck me as a little nosy. I don't ask why they are buying it, for instance, and the reason I'm selling something is about me, not about the item.

I've yet to come up w/a graceful way to deflect somebody on this, although I'm getting there. If it is accompanied by other questions, I just answer the relevant questions and ignore the "why are you selling it", although one day, just once, I wanna say, "you crafty devil, ya got me, it is a POS that only an idiot would buy. Aren't you glad you asked?".

Anyhow, these days, I tend towards something along the lines of "We/I don't give out reasons why an item is for sale", but that seems a little too cold.

I'm wondering if this question bugs others and how they deal with it.

My pat response is "I have too many bikes".

(- and if that wasn't the truth, I probably WOULDN'T be selling it!)

"I have too many bikes."

Good question!

However, I rarely get asked why I'm selling. I guess I answer it before I get asked it. If it is a flip, I tell them upfront. For me, bike flipper is a labor of love, but I expect to get paid. If it is obvious that I have made the repairs, no one faults me for making a buck. If it is a keeper that is being replaced, I tell them that. Most bikes for me have a season, and when the season has passed, I list it.

Just be genuine! If you are evasive, it breeds distrust.

why are you buying it?

+3 I am in the camp, "I love bikes, but I just have too many of them right now." The word flip? I never, ever mention it.

If somebody comes to my house from a craigslist sale, I don't mind chatting w/somebody about why I'm selling something. Just something about some stranger on ebay, especially when they are leading w/that question, I find very off-putting, like I'm being accused of something.

I'd like to find something pithy & perhaps poetic (see, there I go...) that would close down that line of inquiry w/out feelings getting hurt.

....
I'd like to find something pithy & perhaps poetic ...

I'd ride this bike but it has to go -
I want to keep it but my wife says "no"!

Just tell them your mom is dying and you need money for the funeral.

That should shut them up.

I don't let it bother me. I think people ask when an item is described as a fantastic item in which case they feel, (if it's so good why are you selling it)? Most people are just guarding against getting burnt, and you can't blame them with all the dirtbag ebayers these days. I know first hand that ebay and paypal do nothing for you in the event your taken advantage of. They slap the offender on the wrist and let them keep on selling, and your still out your money.

I'd ride this bike but it has to go -
I want to keep it but my wife says "no"!

Hey, that's nice, unfortunately I'm selling mostly parts. I almost put this in an auction for (friction) shifters:

If you aren't riding friction
You're on the road to perdition

...
If you aren't riding friction
You're on the road to perdition

Truer words, never spoken.

Maybe I am too trusting, but I don't see the question as being nosy. I see it as another way of asking "If someone else didn't like this bike enough to sell it, then why do you think I would I like it any better?"

How about the truth? Wouldn't that go something like, "I have too many parts, need to clear some room in the house, and I could use the money."

I don't know your specifics but why wouldn't that be an appropriate answer?

On occasions, I've asked sellers why they were selling. Although some sellers are dishonest, some answer honestly and tell things not included in their listing. They won't offer the information, but they can't lie when asked directly. For me, it is an appropriate question to ask and an appropriate question to answer.

That question doesn't get my ire up as much as these lulus:

-"Why is that tire bald?" - A question always asked when trail tires are mounted - the kind that are have MTB tread flanking the edges on each side, but are otherwise smooth in the center.

-"It doesn't shift right." I test the bike. "Seems fine - what was wrong with the shifting?" "It made a lot of noise." "Sir/madam, these shifters are friction shifters. They don't click into place." "Then what's wrong with it?"

- "There's rust on it." - It's asked as a question, but phrased as a statement. What do you want me to do about it? Magic it away?

- "Can I bring it back? It doesn't fit me." - Asked one day after buying the bike. That in itself isn't irritating - what's irritating is when the same person wasted two hours of your time the previous day goading you to re-adjust every fit-related component on the bike, usually incorrectly - and admitted they were completely satisfied (for 24 hours, anyway) before the purchase.

And - last, but not least - the grandaddy of stupid questions:

-"Is it stolen?" - Besides the fact that the buyer indirectly accuses you of being a bike thief, would an actual thief admit to have stolen it?


Just tell them your mom is dying and you need money for the funeral.

That should shut them up.

Does that gain you sympathy with all the screaming college girls begging you for mixtes? :P

-Kurt

I find any questions about my motives or intent--be it eBay, Craigslist, or casual conversation--to be uncivil and beside the point and treat them as such. I describe the items in detail, provide clear, large images and state the terms of sale in plain terms; if that's not enough folks are welcome to move on to someone who doesn't object to their time being wasted or their privacy invaded.

How about the truth? Wouldn't that go something like, "I have too many parts, need to clear some room in the house, and I could use the money."

I don't know your specifics but why wouldn't that be an appropriate answer?

It sounds like you are implying that I'm a liar if I don't feel obligated to answer questions non-germane to the item for sale?

I feel like it is none of their business whether I need money, have problems with my wife, etc. Furthermore, sometimes it feels like the buyer is fishing to see if I'm desperate (I'm not..).

I take pains to photograph and describe stuff accurately, ship quickly, answer nearly all questions about the item condition and possible application promptly, even the impossibly stupid ones. Whether I'm broke or not doesn't change anything about the part. That is a question about me and I'm not looking for new relationships on ebay.

I may be particularly sensitive about this because I had a real bad experience w/some guy who decided I was his friend, started more or less stalking me, somehow got my phone number, started calling me, getting hostile when I didn't pay attention to him. It was really surreal and creepy and it took a lot of care and effort to shake this guy successfully. At one point I was seriously worried about this guy showing up at my door in the middle of the night raving drunk or something.

Does that gain you sympathy with all the screaming college girls begging you for mixtes? :P

-Kurt

Squealing girls seldom ask questions........ :)

Squealing girls seldom ask questions........ :)

But the wife will.

-Kurt

It sounds like you are implying that I'm a liar if I don't feel obligated to answer questions non-germane to the item for sale?

I feel like it is none of their business whether I need money, have problems with my wife, etc. Furthermore, sometimes it feels like the buyer is fishing to see if I'm desperate (I'm not..).

I take pains to photograph and describe stuff accurately, ship quickly, answer nearly all questions about the item condition and possible application promptly. Whether I'm broke or not doesn't change anything about the part. That is a question about me and I'm not looking for new relationships on ebay.

I may be particularly sensitive about this because I had a real bad experience w/some guy who decided I was his friend, started more or less stalking me, somehow got my phone number, started calling me, getting hostile when I didn't pay attention to him. It was really surreal and creepy and it took a lot of care and effort to shake this guy successfully. At one point I was seriously worried about this guy showing up at my door in the middle of the night raving drunk or something.

Christ, you asked how you might answer that question, I gave you an example. You asked US how you might answer that question. If you don't want to answer it then don't.

Why not just answer the buyers question? If you're unwilling or uncomfortable answering then they can decide whether or not to purchase the item.

If you're uncomfortable answering those questions for buyers then why ask us how to do it? If you're concerned about potential buyers stalking you then don't sell your items.

Whatever, but for God's sake quit complaining.

Sensitive? Apparently.

But the wife will.

-Kurt

No she won't. She knows why I'm selling the bike..... so I can give her the money. :)

Christ, you asked how you might answer that question, I gave you an example. You asked US how you might answer that question. If you don't want to answer it then don't.

Why not just answer the buyers question? If you're unwilling or uncomfortable answering then they can decide whether or not to purchase the item.

If you're uncomfortable answering those questions for buyers then why ask us how to do it?

Sensitive? Apparently.

I took your response as fairly aggressive, this one even more so, you don't know me, to avoid a flame war, maybe better to keep observations about my character out of things.

To be more accurate, maybe I should have said "how to respond to question".

I took your response as fairly aggressive, this one is even more so, you don't know me, to avoid a flame war, maybe better to keep observations about my character out of things.

To be more accurate, maybe I should have said "how to respond to question".

Man, you need to grow a thicker internet skin...

I can recall at least a few posts where you think respondents are "aggressive" or some such thing. There's hardly an aggressive word spoken here.

No she won't. She knows why I'm selling the bike..... so I can give her the money. :)

To buy you shirts that the girls ripped to pieces.

-Kurt

How about the truth? Wouldn't that go something like, "I have too many parts, need to clear some room in the house, and I could use the money."

I don't know your specifics but why wouldn't that be an appropriate answer?

Sounds like a reasonable reply to me.

This is a common question that consumers are taught to ask. If I have any suspicions or concerns when buying I ask the same question. I think it's a good practice to follow. I respond to these questions honestly, as I believe in full disclosure. "I purchased this bike with the intent to resell, I did this, this and this to the bike." "I purchased this bike because I am aware of it's value, it is in the exact condition that I recieved it, you may restore it as you see fit." If a seller is offended by this question he may well keep his "widget" and move on to the next.........

I sell complete bikes, framesets and parts. I enjoy finding this stuff, learning about it and finding an appreciative home for it. Not to mention a little scratch on the side.

Honesty IS the best policy.

How about the truth? Wouldn't that go something like, "I have too many parts, need to clear some room in the house, and I could use the money."

I don't know your specifics but why wouldn't that be an appropriate answer?


Sounds like a reasonable reply to me.

I thought so too but evidently I offended robatsu's sense of what's an appropriate response to an eBay buyer's question.


This is a common question that consumers are taught to ask. If I have any suspicions or concerns when buying I ask the same question. I think it's a good practice to follow. I respond to these questions honestly, as I believe in full disclosure. "I purchased this bike with the intent to resell, I did this, this and this to the bike." "I purchased this bike because I am aware of it's value, it is in the exact condition that I recieved it, you may restore it as you see fit." If a seller is offended by this question he may well keep his "widget" and move on to the next.........

I sell complete bikes, framesets and parts. I enjoy finding this stuff, learning about it and finding an appreciative home for it. Not to mention a little scratch on the side.

Honesty IS the best policy.

Exactly....so I fail to see how "I have to many parts and need to clear some room." or whatever is somehow the wrong answer. Heck, "I need the money." is a perfectly valid and honest answer, if it's true.

robatsu accused me of calling him a liar? Not telling the truth is the very definition of lying right? At the very least, a non answer of "I'm not prepared to answer any questions, please refer to the pictures of the item if you have any." is at least honest. Of course, you won't sell on eBay much with that.

So that again begs the question, why even be asking us this? It's just weird.

Honesty IS the best policy.

I agree and follow this policy. I guess we all draw lines at which questions are relevant.

Some people may feel comfortable and answer, "my wife is gonna kill me if I don't sell some bike stuff". Probably lots less feel comfortable with a follow on question, "Jeez, is she always such a b*tch". I don't feel that not wanting to disclose my motives/circumstances surrounding a sale is any evidence of dishonesty/treachery/pathology and frankly resent any implication that it is. I don't begrudge those that are freer with their private affairs and hope that they realize that one size does not fit all and someone who is perhaps more private is still a decent, reasonable, and worthy person.

I asked how you guys respond to this, not for sniping at my character because I prefer to keep my transactions w/buyers impersonal or that how one's choice in responding to this question is a personal mark of grace.

I agree and follow this policy. I guess we all draw lines at which questions are relevant.

Some people may feel comfortable and answer, "my wife is gonna kill me if I don't sell some bike stuff". Probably lots less feel comfortable with a follow on question, "Jeez, is she always such a b*tch". I don't feel that not wanting to disclose my motives/circumstances surrounding a sale is any evidence of dishonesty/treachery/pathology and frankly resent any implication that it is. I don't begrudge those that are freer with their private affairs and hope that they realize that one size does not fit all and someone who is perhaps more private is still a decent, reasonable, and worthy person.

I asked how you guys respond to this, not for sniping at my character because I prefer to keep my transactions w/buyers impersonal or that how one's choice in responding to this question is a personal mark of grace.

Nobody, me included, was sniping at your character! I simply fail to understand why you're asking us this question when you've apparently made up your mind that you don't want to disclose any selected information to your potential buyers.

I merely suggested that answering the question truthfully would probably work. How that's sniping at your character is beyond me?

I asked how you guys respond to this, not for sniping at my character because I prefer to keep my transactions w/buyers impersonal or that how one's choice in responding to this question is a personal mark of grace.


I've yet to come up w/a graceful way to deflect somebody on this, although I'm getting there. If it is accompanied by other questions, I just answer the relevant questions and ignore the "why are you selling it", although one day, just once, I wanna say, "you crafty devil, ya got me, it is a POS that only an idiot would buy. Aren't you glad you asked?".

Speaking of aggressive... ^^^

Deflect? What does "deflect" mean? Deflect says to me you want to give them a non-answer answer that keep you from having to answer the question but satisfies them enough to continue bidding on your auction.

Again, if you want to keep your reason for selling private then simply say, "I'm not comfortable answering that question." or in your auction descriptions say, "I will not answer the question 'Why do you want to sell this item?'".

Jay you can't have it both ways...it's a valid question for a buyer to ask of you! They want an answer from you but you don't want to give it. Then don't! Realizing of course the buyer might go elsewhere and your pool of potential buyers may be smaller.

This thread is terrible. Let's go ride bikes.

I recently posted on this board about an ebay local pick-up...........Long story short, I questioned the seller about the condition of the wheels on said bike. I was told that if I did'nt like his response......."save us all the trouble and don't buy my bike"............DONE!

Smart buyers will avoid you like the plague if they feel you are trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Be honest, answer any and all questions. It will make the world a better place.

This thread is terrible. Let's go ride bikes.

No kidding. Christ, girls...... what is going on in this forum lately?

Just tell people you got the bike as settlement in a relationship gone bad, and you're getting rid of it because it has a strange rattle in one of the tubes.

No kidding. Christ, girls...... what is going on in this forum lately?

Quite frankly, I disliked robatsu implying I was calling him a liar.

Quite frankly, I disliked robatsu implying I was calling him a liar.

You need to grow thicker internet skin. :p

No kidding. Christ, girls...... what is going on in this forum lately?

I saw the same thing happen on a coin board I used to go to. People started getting cliquey, then snarky, then started taking offense where it wasn't warranted, jumping to conclusions, and then there were a rash of forum "suicides". "I'm leaving this forum" type stuff. I for one am ready for some of the people around here to start splitting - there has been a fair bit of name calling and unwarranted butthurt around this little corner of the web lately.

I have had my behavior described as "despicable" and "creepy" in a recent thread, and was a little surprised at the venom that was directed at me. There seem to be lots more people here who are ready to troll than there used to be.

Well, all I know is I gave the guy a reasoned and, judging by the number of people who agreed with me, an appropriate response.

For that I was deemed "aggressive".

Go figure.

I'm going to bed now, and I'm going for a bike ride tomorrow. I want this mess cleaned up by the time I get back.

Don't make me call Uncle Bambi.

Every time you mention Uncle Bambi HE pops into my head :)

http://img.listal.com/image/1616534/600full.jpg

I really don't see anything wrong with a buyer asking all the questions they'd like, given that they're item related and not about sexual orientation or the color of the moon. What with all the potential travel time and expenses, sold "as is", no returns accepted, buyer pays return shipping charges. There really is no "line to be crossed" when inquiring about a potential purchase, is there?

This thread is terrible. Let's go ride bikes.
+1


No kidding. Christ, girls...... what is going on in this forum lately?
+1


You need to grow thicker internet skin. :p
SHA-BOOM! Sorry, but he got you there, Keith.

I agree with r0ckh0und. I don't sell on eBay, but I do sell bikes off my front lawn and through CL, and I get the question infrequently. My answer is always "I like to fix up old bikes". That usually prompts the buyer to ask "Where do you get the bikes?" and that's my cue to launch into my spiel about rescuing bikes from the scrappers like lost kittens from the medical research labs, transforming the once-ugly ducking bike like magic into a shiny "new" beautiful vintage time machine, saving the environment one bike at a time. People never fail to catch my enthusiasm.

One thing I make clear is that this is my hobby, and not a business. People seem to like that it's a hobby of "fixing bikes".

I usually add that it's my hobby "gone out of control", hence the surplus of bikes cluttering the garage that my wife would REALLY like to see gone. Soon. As in right now.

I want this mess cleaned up by the time I get back.

http://www.treehugger.com/PileofBikes.jpg

:innocent:

-Kurt

It's sorta nice to see someone else's thread go bad, really... :) Perhaps someone can find something in my post to either a: mock, or b: hate on, or c: misunderstand completely. That would take the pressure off Khatfull and Robatsu.

I've had that question too from buyers on CL, and actually, I do think it's an odd thing to ask, as I'm often selling something because I didn't like it. That doesn't mean it's bad, per se, or that someone else won't like it. In that case, honesty wouldn't be the best policy. "I'm selling this because I found it very awkward to ride and it hurts my wrists," or "I know more about bikes now, and I think this one is an ugly POC. " :)

I usually say something like "It didn't fit me," or "I bought a more expensive version because I liked this one so much," or something equally idiotic. I really find that question hard to answer sometimes.

I saw the same thing happen on a coin board I used to go to. People started getting cliquey, then snarky...

Who you callin' snarky? Huh? HUH? Oh wait...

Is this thread for real? Is it April 1st?
People ask "why are you selling something" so that you will assure them it is good or not broken or whatever, it is a standard question from a buyer of a used anything. A good seller answers the question in a way that makes the potential buyer feel "good" or reassured about purchasing it.

I was going to mind my own but I can not hold back any longer.

First and foremost, Keith (khatful) is one of the nicest NON AGRESSIVE people you could ever know, and in no way, shape or form called you a liar. You asked us all a question, and the answers you recieved are not what you wanted to hear (the truth). I have personally had several dealings with Keith including phone conversations, and he is nothing short or a true gentleman. You owe the man an apology.

Back to my original answer: "I just have too many bikes.". I consider this an honest answer, one glance in my garage, and it is obvious I have too many bikes. And of course I have about 4X more: spread around under the deck, in the workshop, in the basement, etc.

It just doesn't go into WHY I have too many bikes (I'm flipping them). I consider a discussion of the whole flip process to be counter to selling. Bike, so I don't go there.

Other than silly chatter, I consider the question to be really stupid. But I get asked it a lot, so giving a simple, civil answer, works for me.

I have been asked that question many times, especially in my driveway with a dozen bikes hanging in the open garage.
I just say "for money, unless you have something cool to trade."

That, somehow, tends to deflate the buyer's suspicion that I'm actually trying to sell it for money, which, of course, I am.

The 4-paragraph macroeconomic reason almost never goes over well. The buyers' eyes start to glaze as they slowly back up to their vehicle.

"Because giving it away makes my wife get mad" almost never works. I think the buyers consider that flippant, but some guys catch on and offer $1.

"To meet girls" almost never works with female buyers. For some reason, they think that's creepy.

"I have others I like better," or "it doesn't fit" seem to work well, and generate a measure of empathy with certain buyers.
They don't need to buy it, either, but they sure know what I'm talking about.

"It's stolen" has not worked yet.

"It's not a Centurion" works because most people cannot figure out the logic in that statement.

"It's not the kind of bike I like to ride" works pretty well, but generates low-ball offers in many cases.

"I'm getting into triathlons and I want a 12-lb aerodynamic carbon bike" always works.

"To buy meth" does not work.