Commuting General Forum

Selling a bike through small ads- good protocol

 
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BikeRadar Forum Index > Commuting > Commuting General
Author Message
Staggerlee46
Hi
Sorry if this has been covered previously.
I have a second-hand hybrid to sell. Can you recommend a classifieds site through which to sell. I realise BikeRadar has it's own classifieds section- does this compare favourably to posting on Gumtree for example?
My other question is what kind of deposit would you usually ask for before Joe Bloggs rides into the sunset having not paid a penny? Would you ask for the full asking price or a passport for example before the customers takes it for a test ride?
Thanks

Send private message
-null-
If the customer is taking it on a test ride wouldn't they have to leave their car behind, unless they live locally and walked ofc.

Send private message
Staggerlee46
True- I am selling in South London though where people tend to travel by local bus/train a lot.

Send private message
dresbo
Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

Send private message
spen666
dresbo wrote:
Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

I would not buy a bike without a test ride- there are so many things you can't tell until you ride a bike.

Many problems only appear when bike is being ridden under a load.

You can't get feel of bike etc by looking at it

Please
Send private message
nicklouseLives Here
spen666 wrote:
dresbo wrote:
Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

I would not buy a bike without a test ride- there are so many things you can't tell until you ride a bike.

Many problems only appear when bike is being ridden under a load.

You can't get feel of bike etc by looking at it


if allowing a test ride have some form of security.

an envelope full of newspaper cuttings and a Van/car round the corner loses you a bike very quickly.

"Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools Question SheldonBrown
Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
spen666
nicklouse wrote:
spen666 wrote:
dresbo wrote:
Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

I would not buy a bike without a test ride- there are so many things you can't tell until you ride a bike.

Many problems only appear when bike is being ridden under a load.

You can't get feel of bike etc by looking at it


if allowing a test ride have some form of security.

an envelope full of newspaper cuttings and a Van/car round the corner loses you a bike very quickly.



Agreed-
I suggest you take a limb or two as a deposit Twisted Evil

Some form of security is needed - be sensible like you all are

Please
Send private message
condorman
I'd take their picture on a digital camera/mobile telephone. Providing they come back with bike you'll be happy to delete their image - unless of course they're paying by cheque!

Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Staggerlee46
I think it is reasonable to assume people would want to test ride it. After all you would want to do so if purchasing from a shop. I know CycleSurgery take the full price of the bike off a credit card then re-imburse you when you return with the bike, Other shops would just take a credit card off you.
I was thinking instead of taking a deposit you could join them on a test ride to make sure they don't do a runner (assuming you have two bikes).

Send private message
AyrshireBacon
Staggerlee46 wrote:
I was thinking instead of taking a deposit you could join them on a test ride to make sure they don't do a runner (assuming you have two bikes).
..and they can't scalp you Very Happy

I saw something similar to this here. Chap was having a test ride on a Boardman Road Carbon and the youngster from the shop went with him. Looked a lot faster than the boy, so must have provided some security (cash/card/Id) before they left.

time flies like an arrow
fruit flies like a banana
Send private message
Staggerlee46
...they could end up with a 2-4-1 I suppose.

Send private message
dresbo
Presumably they'd have the cash with them if they're serious. They could leave it with you and take it for a test. The downside of this is haggling is hard afterwards!

What about you riding up front on the bars while they pedal Very Happy

Send private message
Staggerlee46
or belt and braces- follow them in their own car.

Send private message
AyrshireBacon
Staggerlee46 wrote:
or belt and braces- follow them in their own car.
Insurance issues. Also, would need to see ownership of the car. A stolen car could soon be swapped for a stolen bike.

time flies like an arrow
fruit flies like a banana
Send private message
amnezia
Just attach a really long rope to your bike Very Happy

Send private message
Wallace1492
AyrshireBacon wrote:
Staggerlee46 wrote:
or belt and braces- follow them in their own car.
Insurance issues. Also, would need to see ownership of the car. A stolen car could soon be swapped for a stolen bike.


Not very productive thieves....

Kona Caldera - nobblies back on
Specialised Tricross - rack mudguards and panniers

FCN : 9/7

"Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"
Send private message
Staggerlee46
I didn't mean this to turn into a 'Everyone is on the Make' thread.......!

Send private message
Wallace1492
They are though, just like when cycling all the b4stards are out to kill you.
Be wary. Be careful.

Full set of fingerprints (check first for fake latex finger ends), take retina scan, tie an explosive collar round his neck and only you have the code - it is set to explode in 10 minutes so bike better be back by then. That should do the trick.....

May put of a few time wasters, but if they are serious buyers.....

Kona Caldera - nobblies back on
Specialised Tricross - rack mudguards and panniers

FCN : 9/7

"Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"
Send private message
Staggerlee46
I think I'd be more inclined to do that if I posted on Gumtree rather than here.....

Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BikeRadar Forum Index > Commuting > Commuting General All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
BikeRadar topic RSS feed 



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group