advice selling my guzzi

[harrytief]

I've had my loops on the classifieds for some time now without any bites. I don't want to break up the collection of bikes and parts nor will I send it to fleabay just yet. I will post up and ad local to me but I would still like someone in the guzzi community to become the next caregiver to this flock. I am thinking that adding my V7sport to the sale might spur someone here to to buy the whole lot. Thoughts?
Harry

[TN Mark]

As you've found out, selling three (3) Moto Guzzi bikes in a lot is a difficult proposition. Would adding a fourth bike really help you out? You've stated strongly in your ad about not being willing to separate this collection. IMHO, I'd rethink that tactic immediately if you're serious about selling. Just because this is 'your' collection doesn't mean someone else has the identical desire or the ability to complete the purchase. Just a few thoughts.

[Shorty]

Took me a while to find the ad. WOW! What a collection of goodies! The problem as I see it is there is TOO much stuff for most people to buy in bulk. Someone would have to have the storage space, and  also have the expectation of being in the repair game long term. Many lower 48 people do not want to be bothered buying  a Canadian (titled) machine for fear of what is involved.(whether that fear is unfounded or not) I would sell the parts seperately on ebay. I would also sell the bikes individually, with a solid explanation of what all is involved for a foreign buyer.  In my view, throwing in the V7Sport will only add to the total price, making it even harder for an undecided buyer to pull the trigger. Sorry, probably NOT what you wanted to hear. Good luck!

[bad Chad]

Exactly what Mark and Shorty said.

[Perazzimx14]

Keep in mind this is your collection. Most people do not want, have room or can afford a ready made collection. There is a great chance that if someone buys this collection of motorcycles will part it out. So there is almost zero likelihood of this stuff staying together always. 

I do not get emotionally attached to inanimate objects. When I sell a motorcycle its because I no longer want it. I also do not care what the buyer does with it as once the money exchanges hands its his to do with as they please.



 

[JJ]

I've had my loops on the classifieds for some time now without any bites. I don't want to break up the collection of bikes and parts nor will I send it to fleabay just yet. I will post up and ad local to me but I would still like someone in the guzzi community to become the next caregiver to this flock. I am thinking that adding my V7sport to the sale might spur someone here to to buy the whole lot. Thoughts?
Harry

Another option - - The annual MECUM vintage motorcycle auction in Vegas in January...lots of global exposure there!!

[cliffrod]

Adding to good advice already provided-

I worked very hard through a couple of divorces, thousands of miles, jobs, etc for nearly two decades to have my collection of good Italian bikes.  Then I wanted/needed my studio more. So I sold everything except my V7 Sport and Shovelhead. 

I offered them together (discounted) for about a year before lowering individual prices that actually proved marketable.  Then it still took about a year to sell all of them.  Letting go after all the time & effort is tough.  The days of trading for or buying good, running truly classic bikes for beer money are gone.

My advice is that you tried.  It didn't work.  Time for a different strategy.  Keep them or sell them separately.  A lot of stuff means a lot of work and probably even more time spent.   If you're not into it, broker it out for a percentage that gets it done. 

Stuff is worth what it sells for.  That's all.  Be glad for the good times you had and move on, with or without them.  Life is bigger than things or ideas about what they are worth.  Good luck.

[EldoMike]

I've bought a lot of Moto Guzzi parts collections over the last 25 years or so...in all but a few cases I'd been better off investing the money in something else  ...that being said, if you were in the states I'd probably have to contact you...good luck with your sales!

[John Ulrich]

The more you bundle the less $$ you get!

[blackcat]

The more you bundle the less $$ you get!

True. 

I recently had a conversation with a friend and he was trying to sell a group of Ducati parts and nobody want them for $500 bucks, so he photographed all of the parts and put them on eBay. He netted $2,000 bucks though it took up way more time than a single sale.

[Tom]

Harper's for a lot sale. 

[bad Chad]

 By now you may be wishing you didn’t ask!

[Dave Swanson]

I think selling individual pieces on eBay could be a profitable part time venture for you for the next couple years!

[LongRanger]

Important distinction: Are your bikes for sale? Or are you trying to sell them? There’s a difference.

[Tom]

 

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Buying 3 bikes and a garage full of parts is a big undertaking. You gotta think anyone interested enough in Guzzi to buy all that probably already has 3+ bikes and a garage full of parts.
I dont think you are being passed over because it's not a valuable collection, just the sheer size is a logistical problem.  So another vote to list the bikes separately and try to sell the parts haul as a lot.
If you dont get any bites then, time to sell the parts one at a time on ebay.

I also agree with others, being in Canada is a mark against the sale in my opinion..  Maybe it's not as difficult and expensive as I assume- but without knowing the import process, I would just guess that it's more trouble than I want to take on in the age of --19. That is probably limiting your buyer pool to an extent as well. Even if the process is easy and straightforward, you are looking at driving a truck north of the border in the face of snow and ice during international travel restrictions to retrieve it. Most bike shippers wont transport parts- just the bike and anything bolted to it.

Alternately, if you have the ability, finish the Eldo that's 'nearly completed'.
That way you could sell both the Ambo & #1 Eldo separately as running bikes (maybe a bad time of year at this point?), then sell *the 'project bike' plus whatever parts you have on hand that the bike needs* as a single lot... Sort of a 'kit'
After those three chunks are gone, the remaining parts will be a much more manageable 'cornucopia' to sell in one big lot, or you can start selling it off piece by piece on ebay.

[Bulldog9]

Buying 3 bikes and a garage full of parts is a big undertaking. You gotta think anyone interested enough in Guzzi to buy all that probably already has 3+ bikes and a garage full of parts.
I dont think you are being passed over because it's not a valuable collection, just the sheer size is a logistical problem.  So another vote to list the bikes separately and try to sell the parts haul as a lot.
If you dont get any bites then, time to sell the parts one at a time on ebay.

I also agree with others, being in Canada is a mark against the sale in my opinion..  Maybe it's not as difficult and expensive as I assume- but without knowing the import process, I would just guess that it's more trouble than I want to take on in the age of --19. That is probably limiting your buyer pool to an extent as well. Even if the process is easy and straightforward, you are looking at driving a truck north of the border in the face of snow and ice during international travel restrictions to retrieve it. Most bike shippers wont transport parts- just the bike and anything bolted to it.

Alternately, if you have the ability, finish the Eldo that's 'nearly completed'.
That way you could sell both the Ambo & #1 Eldo separately as running bikes (maybe a bad time of year at this point?), then sell *the 'project bike' plus whatever parts you have on hand that the bike needs* as a single lot... Sort of a 'kit'
After those three chunks are gone, the remaining parts will be a much more manageable 'cornucopia' to sell in one big lot, or you can start selling it off piece by piece on ebay.

**This is spot on advice. Was thinking the same.

[Canuck750]

Like Curtis Harper told me years ago; the cheapest thing on a Guzzi is the guy in the saddle

Its a pain in the a$$ but selling parts individually on Ebay is probably the best route, I sold a big collection once, not bike related, and it took me over a year on Ebay to liquidate it but I did get my money out of it and more.

Mark at Dream Cycle in B.C. will post your bikes for free on his web site, it gets lots of eyeballs and I have had some luck selling a Guzzi on there in the past.

http://www.classicbikeexchange.com/classicbike%20SALE1.htm

Have you tried the CVMG for sale service? I follow it closely and have found bikes through it.

https://www.cvmg.ca/Buy-and-Sell

[80CX100]

Like Curtis Harper told me years ago; the cheapest thing on a Guzzi is the guy in the saddle

      Best line I've read in a while, 

      I agree with Curtis, speaking for myself at this point in my life, I'm not so cheap with cash, but when it comes to time, focus and storage space, I guard that very carefully.

      Harry I love your bikes and I love your parts stash, if I was just starting out with an empty garage, and possessed the time, cash, storage space and mechanical ability, I'd lowball you an offer, flog one of the bikes and most parts and hopefully end up with an almost free guzzi in hand, but that's not who and where I am; I think you'll have a tough time finding that guy. imho

      I know how tough it can be to part with our treasures and also to find time to assemble a bike when the heart's not there. 

      Personally, I have no ability or desire to get into the parts selling/packing/shipping game perhaps you're of the same mind set? idk

      I think if you want to get as much cash out of the lot, I'd flog a running bike,,, then finish off the other bike or make a deal with someone to finish it off in exchange for parts and then flog another runner.

      They're rare, but there are a few guys in Canada working on vintage bikes that may be interested in whatever parts you have left over, but by the very nature of their business they have to be even cheaper than we are,lol 

      Good luck in whatever you chose to do.

      Kelly

[Bulldog9]

I have to admit, this listing is haunting me.... Hang on to it for a couple years till I retire 

[Cal3Me]

there has been a lot of buzz about selling stuff on face book market place lately ,,,, so they say