Originally Posted by
RoadGuy
Most of us would advise a inexperienced/new rider to bring someone with him/her when going to look at a used bike.
Some of the people here have had no sympathy for Newbies that failed to heed that advice and got burned as a result.
What's the difference between a Potential Buyer bringing someone, and asking the Seller to take the bike to a shop for a Pre-purchase Inspection that he will pay for?
Too much trouble? You are the Seller, the Buyer is doing you the favor of taking your unwanted bike or bike that you are flipping off your hands.
Are you worried that the bike will not pass an inspection? If you are that worried about it, maybe you you have done a better/more through job prepping the bike for sale.
Bikes that I have sold have had a full service by me. All bearings have been lubricated and adjusted, shifters and brakes adjusted, wheels have had a quick truing, and the seat and handlebar stem have been checked to make sure that they are not frozen. The tires will be new or near new. I don't do this for a living, bikes are a hobby that I do when I have some free time. I would not feel good about selling a bike that was not safe and ready to ride.
Personally, I don't have any problem with a pre-purchase inspection, as long as I have met the Buyer, who has already seen the bike, we have agreed on the price, and the inspection is the only thing left to do before money changes hands.
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Depends on how far away the shop is. For me it's about 40 minutes through town to one and close to 60 minutes to the other. traffic here is a nightmare.
in a post above I accidently said "appraisal" which is not what i meant. I meant inspection but with an inspection comes an appraisal by the buyer as whether it's worth it to him or not.
Having had to deal with buyers who wanted to dicker good prices even lower I just pass on those buyers and sell to another. YMMV
Btw, many years ago I had to sell a slightly used bicycle because my daughter need the money. Therefore i price it at $750.00 in ordr to make a quick sale. Dde calls about the bike, says he's really interested and when can he come for it. I gave him a date and time and the guy came and offered $250.00 for it. I darn near threw him out the door. I despise lowballers.
If someone is that unsre about whether or not a bike is good they need to educate themselves on what to watch for or buy used from a reputable shop.
Cheers