Craigslist tips? (NGC)

[Rhodan]

Hey, sorry to bother with a NGC question but I know a lot of you guys have sold your bikes via Craigslist.

I have a scooter (Kymco People 300i) that I want to sell now that it's obvious the V7 is what I'm mainly riding:  just don't want to pay the extra $$ for insurance and license fees.  Plus, someone may as well get some use from it:  it's a nice scoot.

So it looks like Craigslist is what I need to do.  I did read all the info they posted about scams and cashier's checks so I don't think I have any questions there.  Any warnings/tips from people that have used Craigslist to sell bikes?  I see some ads that insist the potential buyer bring cash, some that include # number, some that don't, some that insist they meet the buyer at the bank, etc.

Basically I just want to sell this with as little hassle as possible.  I do realize I'll need to be clear about trades (I don't want any), whether it's OBO or not, etc.

I realize my timing probably sucks so I may be holding on to it until spring; but I figured no harm in putting in an ad and seeing what happens.  Any tips appreciated.

[mach1mustang351]

I've had solid success with craigslist. All deals done face to face. Cash only, or guaranteed funds. My biggest frustration is dealing with low ballers and people not showing up to see the car, bike etc. Other than that, good luck with the sale.

[nunzio]

I put that I only communicate by phone.
I talk to the the guy and go from there.
It is easy for me to tell if the guy is "real"  or wants to play games.

I Have them come over and sell the bike to them.

I say no text... email... etc..in the listing.

If they can't follow that one request I don't care to do business with them.
Young people will call and  say that "texting" is the way young people do business now days.

I repeat to them...If they can't follow that one request I don't care to do business with them

I've sold 20 or so bikes on Craigslist and never had a problem....vintage bikes mostly, so, maybe a different crowd?.

I tell everyone first thing that...... I have someone on the way to see the bike.

If I get a bad feeling (it has happened 2 or 3 times maybe) I just take their number.

[Rhodan]

Thanks to you both.  Yeah, I could see how having an up-front conversation could weed out some folks. 

Mach1:  you mentioned  "guaranteed funds" in addition to cash.  What would you consider those to be?  I don't want to be hard-core about stuff (cash only) but on the other hand, I definitely do want to get my money.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

IMO cash is the only way to go for an item in the price range of your Kymco People 300i

[Green1000S]

Rule #1:  Cash only, in person.

Dont list your phone number fully or you run higher risk of getting later spammed.( in other words if your number is 470-552-1255. List it as 470-552-one-two-five-five. And the ones who cannot figure out the number, you don't want to do business with...) This way dorks cannot use computer run programs to fish your telephone number)

No larger "checks" than requested amount, anyone who wants to pay full amount without asking proper questions is highly suspicious. Rule #1 applies, cash only, although I had one guy from NZ who purchased Quota, by bank wire.

No Western Union anything. Rule #1 applies. Cash only.

If your buyer is out of state and requests bike to be shipped, gets a bit more complicated.

Be cautious when people show up in your house or garage. I always have a friend with me when I show a bike to a unknown person. Like your neighbor or buddy called H&K 40. You never know who is coming.

NO rides without leaving me collateral ( money or several credit cards AND matching drivers license.

Good luck, I've been happy with Craigslist, although many callers never show up. It's sort of a sport nowadays...

[Fuzzy]

Craigslist has the atmosphere of a Moroccan bazaar. Anything can happen. Protect yourself as the folks above have suggested.

[segesta]

I'll pile on. Lots of good advice here about being safe.

1. In the ad, make sure you describe everything. Explain why you're selling it. If the brakes need work, or needs new tires, say so. People respond to honesty, plus it reduces disappointment when the buyer shows up. Correct grammar and spelling helps, too.
2. Take decent photos, and make sure they are oriented correctly. Don't take a picture of your beautiful bike surrounded by lawnmowers and misc garage crap (or the classic 'CVO Ultra Classic with old boxes stacked ON THE BIKE')
3. Take the plate off before you hand it over!

Remember, buyers are people too. You don't want to come across as a flake seller, just as you want to avoid flake buyers.

PS If you don't want the buyer to come to your house, offer to meet at the local police station parking lot.

[Perazzimx14]

I have had great success with CL and do the following.

1. Never put my phone number in the add. Once a potential buyer contacts me via email I ask them for their number so that I call them. This weeds out 99.95 of tire kickers/spammers.
2. Arrange to meet in a public place. There is a gas station near my house that I have the potential buyer meet me at a specific time. I always ask what they are driving and tell them I be arriving in. I always shop up early and in a differnt vehicle/motorcycle than I tell then. If they show up on time and look legitimate I'll ride over and talk to them. If all checks out I have them follow me home if not i'll take off. Normally being on a bike I can easily loose them if they try to follow(I have never had to do this yet)
3. When I get to the house whatever I am selling is on display in the driveway. The garage and shed are closed. People do not need to know what I have.
4. No test drives/rides without the total asking price in cash in my hands. If they don't have the cash with them they can ride along if it a vehicle or follow me if it a motorcycle.
5. Cash only

 

[Rhodan]

I've always wanted to go to Morocco.   

Good tips, thanks all.  Present it well and be up-front with any issues.  Sounds like cash is the way to go (Y.W..you're absolutely right:  I'll be lucky if I get something in the 2k range).  Have a friend along.  Do some things to block/slow-down the spammers.  Don't take any wooden nickels. 

Segesta & Perazzimx14:  that was going to be my next question (re: location).  I have a big grocery store parking lot not far from my house.  I'm not terribly keen to have people show up at the house, but that might be a reasonable location for all involved.  Hopefully it doesn't look like a drug deal.    That might get me some of these as well...      

Segesta:  What's the reason for taking off the plate?  It's probably a basic question but I've never sold a vehicle via private deal.

[rss29]

Segesta:  What's the reason for taking off the plate?  It's probably a basic question but I've never sold a vehicle via private deal.

Segesta is thinking Illinois, where the plates stay with the owner. Follow your state's guidelines with respect to licensing.

You guys seem overly paranoid. I've bought and sold tons of stuff on Craigslist and have never had a bad experience. Just use common sense and you'll be fine.

[Tobit]

I've had solid success with craigslist. All deals done face to face. Cash only, or guaranteed funds. My biggest frustration is dealing with low ballers and people not showing up to see the car, bike etc. Other than that, good luck with the sale.

Amen.

Never had an issue with dozens of CL transactions, buying and selling.  When selling include the best pictures you can of the actual item, solid information, no editorializing, don't do the map thing and put a pointer to your house, (I set it a few blocks away) and if you accept emails, stipulate the mention of the item in the subject line.  All generic "hey is your XXX still available" get deleted.  They're generally phishing emails unless they're specific.  I also insist "local sale only, cash only."  The most expensive non-vehicle thing I've sold was only about $400 so folks shouldn't have a problem with that.

I've sold two cars on CL, one for $2,500 cash and the buyer complied when they came from out of state to pick it up, and another for $5,000, which I accepted a certified check, issued from a bank, when they came to pick it up but I also got a copy of their drivers license, took pictures of them and their tow vehicle, had a good vibe after talking with and meeting the person, etc.

I print up a document stating name, address, DL number, VIN, etc, of both of us, we both sign and both keep a copy.  Might not hold up but doesn't hurt. 

I never let a license plate go with a vehicle.  It's mine, I can transfer it to another purchase.

Good luck.

Tobit 

[Mark West]

All above is good advice. One thing that will help you recognize scammers is they don't mention what you have for sale when they contact you through craigslist.

Their message will say something like " I am interested in the item you have for sale" or "I want to buy the item you have for sale" Every time I've sold something on craigslist, I've gotten multiple messages like these. Just delete and forget.

[LongRanger]

I agree there's a heightened level of paranoia with some of these responses, but it might be a function of where they live. I've bought, sold and given away a lot of stuff on Craig's and just follow simple common sense. I don't insist on cash and I don't stipulate conditions of the sale. It all just depends on the buyer and their character. I'm also fine listing my phone number. Use your best judgment and you'll be fine.

[Rhodan]

Re: paranoia

I live in a fairly large city.  All of our neighbors have been burgled (some several times) over the past few years.  It's not a unsafe neighborhood, to some extent it just goes with the territory.  *shrug*

But that's part of the reason I don't want to meet folks at our house.  Our neighbor who was robbed three times in about six months used to host a number of yard-sales for a church organization.  I'm not saying yard-salers were casing the house but it does seem like a strong possibility.  When the hosting stopped, the burglaries stopped.

Just from day-to-day dealings with people, I'll say I'm also a lot more skeptical of people's stories than I used to be.

Having said all that:  life's too short to be suspicious of everyone and their motives.  That's a good way to suck out the joy of life.     So I do appreciate the counter-balancing opinions and words of wisdom. 

 


 

[Zinfan]

Good info here, I'm just about to sell my MP3 and had the same questions Rhodan had.  Time to take it off the lift and test ride it a bit as I've de-darksided it prior to sale, should be interesting to see how it handles after riding it for over 35000 miles with a car tire on back.

[Tobit]

If a buyer is coming to your house, which I've had done a few times for stuff I drag out of the garage before they get there, dressers, sports equipment, bicycles, they are not permitted to come in and use my restroom.  They could just be casing the house.  Besides, now that we have Oni, our big bark 90 lbs Ridgeback, they don't want to come in anyway.

Just casing the house.  There's a gas station down the street.

Tobit

[Lannis]

A bank parking lot is a good place to meet.   The buyer will know that there are security cameras there, plus there's a chance he can get his cash (if he didn't bring it) right there if he's legit .....

Lannis