Selling the Bird

[TBShorty]

The Triumph RAT website has had a security breach so they cancelled everyone's password.  I believe that was the end of May.  Now they're resetting all the passwords but it's the 19th of July and still not done.  As luck would have it I'm trying to sell my 2004 Thunderbird Sport and can't post an ad to sell the thing.  I've heard horror stories of selling on Craigs list so I'm advertising on cycletrader and local.  Anyone had a good experience with Craigslist?

[rocker59]

Selling a V7 Classic:
One response.  Guy came to look at it.  Young hipster d00d who couldn't ride.  He didn't buy.  Basically a waste of time.  Sold it to a member here on WG.

Selling some custom Miata/Civic wheels:
Young guy responded.  Poor grammar.  Set up an appointment to meet him at a nearby shopping center parking lot.  He was there when I arrived.  Paid cash with hundred dollar bills.

Selling a horse:
a bunch of inquiries from people who didn't read the detailed ad.  Big waste of time.  Not one valid, qualified respondent.  I still have that horse, and he's a good one.  Glad I kept him.


Basically, I think CL is hit and miss, and can be a pain in the arse.  I would post a rarity like a TBird Sport on Ebay before Craigslist.  But first, I would post it in the classifieds sections here at WG, and over on ADVrider. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

I sold a bike and car on Craigslist without a problem, just listed my phone number.
You will get one or two try it on of course but so long as you don't part with the goods until you have cash in hand how can it go wrong?

[aschem]

People have been murdered responding to CL ads, very few, but it has happened. In California, I had someone get pissed and throw a tantrum in my face because I would not budge on price. Here in Idaho, I get allot of flakes and people who low-ball. Had a couple of good experiences too. It is definitely hit and miss.

[Red Dog]

Hit & Miss.  The easiest sales were the one's where I was pretty much giving the stuff away, old cars, RV's, trailers, broke tools....

Motorcycles for me were the worst, low ball, wanna trade, free rides, didn't know how to rides, expert Uncles etc....

If you do it make your terms clear & repeat them on the phone: No Rides without cash, no checks, no trades etc.

A few times I got bad feelings on the phone so I agreed to meet in a shopping center & rode or trailered the bike there.

[lucydad]

TBS,

I reset my password on Triumph Rat no problems.  Has to be different and meet their criteria.  Perhaps try again?
Its a good forum, but not as splendid as Wildgoose. 

[charlie b]

I've sold a number of items on CL.  Milling machine, 12x36 lathe, two trailers.  Bought a trailer and looked at a bike that was so different from the ad that I laughed at the guy as I walked away.  I would not travel very far to see something on CL either.

Yes, you get the old scam, "I'll send someone to pay you double cause they owe me some money and then you can send the other half back to me".  Or, the lowballers.  Or, "I'll send you cash if you give me your bank number."

All four items sold within 4 days (all but one trailer sold in one day).  And, yes, I price them to sell.

Not sure about a car, but, would not hesitate to sell one on there if it was for just a couple thousand.  More than that amount of cash changing hands makes me nervous.

Criminals?  There have been so few cases of that I would not worry about it.  Probably more people mugged playing Pokemon Go than from CL adds.

[fotoguzzi]

I would try eBay first, vehicles are listed for a flat fee, no percentage taken.  If not sold you might get the listing fee back? It's been awhile but eBay works for me.
For CL, I'd never leave my phone # but require them to give one by email.

[Cool Runnings]

Sold a canoe on craigslist within 45 minutes of posting, buyer paid cash with no haggling.

[normzone]

Selling a horse:
a bunch of inquiries from people who didn't read the detailed ad.  Big waste of time.  Not one valid, qualified respondent.  I still have that horse, and he's a good one.  Glad I kept him.

Thread hijack: Please tell me more about the horse ?

[not-fishing]

I've sold a John Deer 4 wd tractor (skip loader) with good results on Craigslist.  It did take time for the right buyer to come along.

Now when I sold my Clacka craft low side drift boat that took a fair effort but it was mainly due to it being over-priced for the market.  I ended up selling it for an amount I was offered a month earlier.

[rocker59]

Thread hijack: Please tell me more about the horse ?

I have a horse thread languishing somewhere around here, but he's a 2004 Missouri Fox Trotter gelding who has turned out to be a pretty darned good trail horse for me.  Taking him to New Mexico in September for some trail riding around Tres Piedras/Taos/Cimarron.







the horse thread:  http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=44571.0

[Dilliw]

Sold lots of things on Craigslist and now I have my first item on Offerup. 

Craigslist has been very good to me but you have to be careful on how you respond to inquiries.  I only use email and  make sure they have a local ISP address, local phone number, or they have knowledge of some local spots. 

Oh do you have a local riding group or bike night?  Ours has a Facebook page and lots of bikes have sold on there.  If not a member of the group it will be sold to a friend of a member of the group. 

[Kiwi all]

Tell me more about the Tbird Sport, I am in the market for one.

[rocker59]

Tell me more about the Tbird5 Sport, I am in the market for one.

 

[JeffOlson]

I have had some success selling on Craigslist and am about to try again. However, the last time I placed an ad for a car, someone emailed me wondering if I would take PayPal funds for it. No, I would not, even though I use PayPal quite regularly...

Also, it seems like I get a lot of responses to car ads from Russians. Not sure why. Maybe there are a lot of Russians near me. Actually, come to think of it, there is a large Russian community next door in Woodburn...

[swooshdave]

I have had some success selling on Craigslist and am about to try again. However, the last time I placed an ad for a car, someone emailed me wondering if I would take PayPal funds for it. No, I would not, even though I use PayPal quite regularly...

Also, it seems like I get a lot of responses to car ads from Russians. Not sure why. Maybe there are a lot of Russians near me. Actually, come to think of it, there is a large Russian community next door in Woodburn...

There is a very large population of Russians here. Sold my last car (914) to a young Russian kid from East Portland. Posted it on a Facebook group. Those are great because it's very targeted marketing.

[Guzzistajohn]

I sold a V11 scura on CL I had to weed through a dozen or so scammers and morons but I finally found a good dude on the east coast (rare I know)  ended up being a real cakewalk.

[Bulldog9]

I've had nothing but good experience on Craigslist buying and selling.

The Triumph RAT website has had a security breach so they cancelled everyone's password.  I believe that was the end of May.  Now they're resetting all the passwords but it's the 19th of July and still not done.  As luck would have it I'm trying to sell my 2004 Thunderbird Sport and can't post an ad to sell the thing.  I've heard horror stories of selling on Craigs list so I'm advertising on cycletrader and local.  Anyone had a good experience with Craigslist?

[jas67]

Basically, I think CL is hit and miss, and can be a pain in the arse.  I would post a rarity like a TBird Sport on Ebay before Craigslist.  But first, I would post it in the classifieds sections here at WG, and over on ADVrider.

 :1:


Like Rocker stated, CL is a hit and miss.   I sold two bikes on CL this year for asking price within days of listing them.    A couple others were listed on CL for months without success, but, sold on eBay quickly.   A few that I've listed on eBay after giving up on CL got more money than I was even asking on CL.

Another good place to sell bikes (and parts & accessories) is the Flea Market section of ADVRider.    I've had pretty good luck there, and it is free.    When I listed my 2009 V7C there in a few years back, it sold for asking price within a week.    My 2003 F650GS Dakar sold for asking price there in less than 24 hours.

[rocker59]

Yep.  A rare, and desireable (to an enthusiast) 2004 Thunderbird Sport would likely do better on the classifieds of ADVrider and/or Ebay, rather than on a local Craigslist ad.  Unless you are in a big metro, I guess.

Most motorcyclists will not even know what it is, so targeting the enthusiast market would probably yield better/quicker results.

[TBShorty]

Thanks guys, I think I'll try ADVRider and there is a local club Utah British Bike Club, I will contact them.
Okay Kiwi the bike is in SLC Utah and it is currently listed at cycletrader.com.
Thanks again. 

[menzies]

Those bikes have an almost cult like following and even have a rally in WV or NC, cannot remember the exact location.

Good luck with the sale.

[n3303j]

Posted 4 bikes to Craiglist in the past year.
Get the usual collection of bargain hunters and idiots.
BUT I'm only looking for one GOOD BUYER.
Craiglist was always the first to deliver me the ONE GOOD BUYER who agreed with my price and terms.

[LowRyter]

I sold my '94 Camaro on CL a couple of months ago.  It took me a couple of months to do it.  The guy that bought it owes me $100 but I knew he'd welch when I sold it to him.

The Sport is a nice bike.  Stylish and sporty. 

[steven c]

 I feel your pain I'm still waiting for the kid who bought my 75 Suzuki GT380 in 1977 to pay me the hundred he owes me. I'm sure he is good for it.

[Cool Runnings]

Sold the old FJR on craigslist, $6,500 in huns. 

[Dave Swanson]

I've had excellent results with CL also.   Cash and no drama.  There is always some chaff that goes along with the wheat though.