Digital Gee

That could well be. I don't care. I just want to sell the bike without a lot of hassle. I once took a pickup truck full of stuff from my garage to a swap meet, and sold all the stuff within a few minutes while waiting in line to get in at 5 a.m.

I knew they were going to turn around and resell it later in the swap meet and probably make a few bucks. Didn't care. I got a fair price (to me) and got to go home before breakfast.

Same principle here. I'm happy if I get this price; while I hope the bike's going to someone who's gonna ride the heck out of it, if instead he flips it at twice the price, it doesn't matter.

That said, I appreciate what you also said about where to meet these folks. I'll probably do the same.

treebound 

I’ve done the same at times and have no regrets. Sometimes just to make someone’s day when they hand me the cash and I hand a good portion of it back to them. Once in awhile if I just want something to move I’ll put “come and get it” in the posting and often one of the several main bike resellers will contact me. And sometimes I get it ridable and then donate the bike to a local thrift shop.

Good luck with the sale. Hopefully whoever buys it will put a thousand miles on it before Labor Day.

GetUpnGo

I've sold a great many bikes, kayaks, skis & boots, acoustic guitars, etc. on Craigslist. In each case I used the proceeds of several sales to buy new items of much higher quality, trading up each time, with profit left over in the end. Example: I started out with an old plywood guitar and a dried out, cracked violin. Within 5 sales I bought a $3000 Taylor acoustic guitar. Four bikes in my basement were enough to buy a custom bike. Top-of-the-line kayak took 8 sales. These were all items I never could have afforded otherwise.

You can be cynical about Craigslist, or you can have fun with it and make a profit. I traveled all over New England buying and selling guitars, bikes, and kayaks through Craigslist. I didn't mind delivering things---it was fun. I visited new places. I met some interesting people. I only ever made one bad purchase. No problems at all with the sales. For me the key to success was being honest with people. If a bike didn't fit them or a kayak was beyond their ability level I told them that.

There is a big market for used commuter bikes in college towns like Boston.

phtomita

I've sold few things on CL.
One rule I've learned is that you have to be patient - and learn how to detect scams and you can also have some fun instead of getting with the fake buyer.
Don't give your phone number on first reply, even if the other side provides theirs - good to be on safe side always - and all phones nowadays can quickly access email, so using CL relay email already gives you all tools needed for communication.


This is the email I was exchanging with 'buyer' today

From: James Miller <378a10630f0f3609a5abd0785cda6a80@reply.craigslist.org>
I’m interested, Can I send a cashiers check for the sale, I’ll arrange pickup once check clears and you get your cash.
https:// your craiglist post

Me:
Hunm.... really? Why you will pick up later?
If you are really interested, I can meet you around Seattle area.

From: James Miller <378a10630f0f3609a5abd0785cda6a80@reply.craigslist.org>
Am in New York

Me:
Well, and why u looking Seattle CL? 😁
Where in NY?
Who will pick the bike?
Isn't just better to buy a new one on online store?
No? ✌

From: James Miller <378a10630f0f3609a5abd0785cda6a80@reply.craigslist.org>
Wanna arrange a private mover for it

Me:
Cool.
But are you form Seattle NY, or Redmond NY?

From: James Miller <378a10630f0f3609a5abd0785cda6a80@reply.craigslist.org>
Brooklyn

Me:
Oh yeah - which part of it?

From: James Miller <378a10630f0f3609a5abd0785cda6a80@reply.craigslist.org>
Long Island

Me:
Brooklyn or Long Island? I am confused now.
U close to JFK?

2cam16

Lol, totally a scammer.

The Quiet One

I've never sold bikes, on CL. I've sold a couple of other things and never had problems, except when I've listed things in the free section. Good grief are the people looking for free stuff ever a picky lot. "Can you deliver it to Appleton?" (20 miles away). No, sorry. Pick up only. "I don't like the color. Do you have it in a different color?" No, I'm not a store, I just have the one. After both instances, I was sworn at. Never again. Free stuff goes to the parkway with a free sign. It's always gone within an hour or two and nobody gives me any torment.

DougG

I've always had good luck selling on CL, including two road bikes about a year ago and several cars. But I'll admit that I underprice things just so that I sell them quickly and easily. In the case of my bikes, I at least felt good that they were going to good homes!

Digital Gee

Well, I sold Mrs. Jones, my 2012 Masi, yesterday, but not through CL. I tried a couple of FB "for sale" groups in the area, and it sold quickly and painlessly. Had about 3 serious buyers lined up, and it was simply a matter of waiting for the weather to cooperate. We had a bunch of snow the last week or ten days. Anyway, it sold for the price I wanted; the buyer was a pretty serious cyclist who will give Mrs. Jones a great new home. Thanks for all the advice!