ganchan

I've read various articles on how to craft a good ad description, etc. Otherwise, all I really know about the Craigslist selling experience is:

-Expect a fraction of what I originally paid for the bike, even if it's relatively new
-Hang onto potential customer's ID if they want to take a test ride
-Meet on neutral ground if possible
-Require cash
-Make sure bike is clean, aired up, etc.

But how frequently should I post my ad? And what other stuff do I need to know or do?

Thanks in advance for your input.

tagaproject6

You've pretty much got it. Repost every week if you get no bites. Take a nice clean, clear and well lit pic of the bike. Bring a friend with you at the venue. Hang on to their cell phone(people value these more than anything) AND ID.

Look around your area craigslist on how much your bike is selling.

And lie like a dog about its mileage and how it was not abused and well taken care of, etc!

Johnny Alien

A bike that is priced right should not last more that a week or two at this time of year. I would suggest not reposting every week. If it's still around after two weeks or so repost it with a lower price. I also have never taken someone's ID while they test drove it. At least not if they drove up in a car. Good photos and a fair price will sell it quick.

Jimi77

I've had people meet me at my house. I just keep dropping the price every week until it's gone.

PlanoFuji

I make purchasers come to my home.
I have no problem with letting them go for a test ride, since their car is my collateral.
I don't reduce price for two reasons; one, buyers will contact you with lower offers even if you state that the price is firm, and all bikes I have sold have done so even if it has taken up to three weeks.
The time it takes to sell seems dependent upon an interested buyer finding the ad-- so refreshing your post twice a week seems to maximize this.

Be sure to tell folks in the ad that; the wheels have been trued by a professonal (sp) mekanic, the barings (sp) have been replaced and regreased, the tires are new and barely used, etc... Accuracy doesn't seem to affect sales.


And finally, keep incidents like this in mind; https://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/17...eal-man-phone/

longbeachgary

What I do is take lots of photos and host them to photobucket. From there I copy and paste the image code for each photo to a word document and write your ad copy. This way you are able to post as many photos as you want and they are big photos.

Also, I would not let anyone test ride that bike without passing the cash over to you. If something happens to the bike then the cash is your's and the bike is their's.

Coombzy

I agree with this. When I test drove I left my boyfriend as collateral who had my purse.

Lots of photos, lots of info. As a person eyeing classifieds I can tell you I'm looking for details about how it's been cared for. Size is good too! I've seen a few bikes where I wish the person had supplied the height before hand as it was a non-starter.

Also I agree with lowering the price a little bit each week. I sell a ton of stuff and it's a good way to get it gone quickly.

Savagewolf

I try to make my ads so that no questions are needed. All photos are clear and show as many details as needed. Key components are listed, any additions or defects are noted, etc.

I want the ad to look like what I'd like to see if I were buying.

kenji666

If it's a nice bike, have the buyer meet you at your house for a test ride.
Ask the buyer what kind of pedals they use, and if you use the same ones, have it set up for the test ride.
You can take them off if you sell it. If they use different pedals, tell them to bring them for the test ride.

It's okay to insist on cash, but be ready to accept Paypal.
As a buyer, I'm not going to show up at a stranger's house just to get ambushed and robbed of $500-1000 in cash.

Be ready to negotiate on price. The buyer will not offer you full asking price. When they make you an offer, counter it with something higher, whatever minimum you're willing to accept.

License2Ill

I wouldn't buy a bike from somebody that was trying to sell it curbside and not at home. Most likely stolen. As for expectations of price, that's only got to do with the actual value of the bike itself. I wouldn't give somebody my ID for a test ride either. Jesus, I will have driven to come look at the bike in my car parked in front of your house, why the heck would need my ID in order for me to ride up and down your street? You wanna come with me on the ride? Some of this stuff is just silly in this day and age. I'd feel the same way if you tried selling a car like that, or speakers out of the back of your van.

I can take paypal or a card with a paypal card reader, but haven't sold anything that way. It would be nice if people took paypal more often. Anybody can apply for the card reader if you've got a a little bit of a balance in your account.

dynaryder

I took PayPal once,never again. Wound up losing too much on the deal due to PayPal fees. If you're willing to drop money on fees,you'll do better listing on eBay and doing 'local pickup only'.

Turbo231

+1

That's how I do it. I often say the price is firm and wait, and mentioned that while I understand I've said that if the ad is listed the bike is available, you're going to ask anyway so go ahead. I'm usually not in a hurry and your buyer will come even if it takes a month or two. I also like to force a bit of interaction...aka only answer their question exactly if they message me, only after a few emails will I actually give my address for a test ride. Even if it is "you know my bike is in this town, right?".

I use Kijiji, which is like CL but in Canada and has a nicer interface, they also host up to 8 pictures. https://alberta.kijiji.ca/

dpeters11

When I sold a bike, I was not expecting the question "Is that a good brand?" It was a Trek, which I thought everyone knew. And I at least throw in a set of cheap platform pedals into the listing. But no kickstand

I actually had one ask if I had the manual.

thenomad

Really? You think I'm going to invite some stranger to my house, where my wife and kids are, show him all my stuff, just to sell something?
Sorry but the opportunity to "come back for more" later won't happen. The other thing that won't happen is someone who has buyers remorse deciding to come back etc. The deal is done, as is, caveat emptor. I'm not going to rip anyone off but darn if people these days aren't half crazy sometimes.

That being said I've met at other people's houses plenty but prefer public places. Only one person asked why and said what you said, I told him I don't know him and he doesn't know me, isn't it better just to meet somewhere? No problem, his daughter got a great bike.

I've sold a good deal and bought a good deal of stuff and I've almost never had a bad experience but I do take some precautions.

License2Ill

I don't know what you think is going to get somebody looking to burglarize your home over to look at a bike in your driveway or garage. It's silly to think this somehow provides someone with an opening to rob you later. People walk up to my door all the time trying to sell stuff, typically stuff that involves someone coming over to give an estimate on something in or around the house. Sometimes girl scouts even stop by to sell cookies. Like I said, if someone has a bike or car, or even a tv, let alone furniture or other household items, I'll be damned if I'm going to buy that stuff in a parking lot just off the freeway from somebody who drives up with it in the back of their truck offering a great deal for cash. That's the time for the buyer to start asking if the bike is registered, look for stickers and numbers, and make a few calls to check on it first.

elboGreaze

Most of the time , buyers just come to my home , less hassle for me. I normally shut the garage up, though, so no one sees my 10 classic bikes hanging from the rafters.

thenomad

Good thing only honest people sell stuff from their home.

Cyclelogikal

Never sell from your house! Meet them out like a business parking lot. Too risky having who knows who at your home to case it out for the later buffet of merchandise!

Turbo231

Are you inviting them in? Usually I deal with curb side and if they are looking at a bike, then have the bike out. Never flaunt your crap, regardless of seller, some guy walking down the road can see your stuff, and I don't even have that guys contact info like I might of a buyers who had to contact me.

I agree, meeting someone at a 3rd party place is weird and sets off red flags for me. As a seller, I don't want to be bothered meeting someone somewhere, but I will be bothered to make sure whatever I have of importance is out of view, like I would with any other person who might show up for any reason.

Cyclelogikal

To each their own. I don't want a bunch of Jackwagons at my home.

ganchan

Thanks, all. The bike sold (for my asking price!) the second time I posted the ad. I sold it from a nearby commercial lot, simply because my customer already knew how to find it.