Originally Posted by rccardr

1) I'd have called the guy up, confirmed the size and any other immediate details not apparent in the pictures, and set a time to come by and see the bike that evening.
2) I'd arrive 5 minutes early with $400 in one pocket and two fifties in the other. And a helmet for the test ride.
3) If the bike looks as good as in the pictures and rides well I'd do the old 'you're asking $500, I have a $400 bike budget, would you take that right now in cash' scenario.
4) If he accepts or offers to meet me halfway, I've just saved somewhere between $50 and $100.
5) If he holds tight to $500, I pay and go on my way happy. Because...
6) I wouldn't go see the bike in the first place unless I had the money to spend, was ready to take it home with me tonight, and was willing to pay that for a pristine example.