Classified Ads poorly composed

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I like to browse through classified ads, especially on Facebook marketplace for cars and motorcycles. I’m amazed at how poorly some of them are written in that they do not inspire confidence in their vehicle! I often see people state “It started and ran five years ago “. I just ran across one where they were advertising a car and it says

“Recently put some money into it so that it does not affect my reputation as far as when I sell it.”

Thankfully I haven’t seen that sort of thing on Wildguzzi.

[twowings]

There's one out there for an "Alpha Romeo" that "needs work"...not written by a car guy, that's for sure...

[guzziart]

"Ran when parked"
I don't think i put a lot of effort in my ads because if someone is interested in my offering they express their interest by writing or calling.  Plus, I really hate parting with my bikes so it's reflected in the ads I post somewhere/somehow, I think.
"It ran five years ago"  To a handy person this means buy for low, get it running and sell. To the unhandy...stay away.
"Recently put some money into it...blah blah blah... reputation" To a handy person this means buy for low, get it running and sell. To the unhandy...stay away.
I look at it as Truth in Advertising!

[Perazzimx14]

"Will post more pictures when I get home from work" - Internet speak for there are never going to be more pictures posted.

[twowings]

"Have the parts for an easy fix.

[kballowe]

I like the motorcycles for sale ads where the picture is a bike strapped to a trailer.  "Like New" the ad says.

Or, how about the picture that looks like it's in a junk yard.  The bikes still wet from the first wash it's had in years, and there's a tarp all crumpled up sitting next to it.

[BIF]

The ones that get me, are the ones that are almost believable and a good but not great deal, but in the end are fake.

[Moparnut72]

The ones that get me are the ones that set a price and or best offer. What does that mean? Won't the owner take the asking price or is going to hold off until someone offers more? Or no one offers anything but some ridiculous low ball? Is he committed to take it? They hardly ever add or best "reasonable" offer. I once bought a used outboard off eBay with the typical "ran when put away." What wasn't stated was that it had been "put away" years ago outside face up with no faceplate allowing rain into the carbs. Fortunately I really only wanted the lower unit and tower. A spare powerhead would have been a bonus. It was a rusted hulk, I had the beat the powerhead apart with sledge hammer just to rescue the brass reed cages. Lol. Let the buyer beware.
kk

[Perazzimx14]

I always enjoy when sellers blame damage on a previous owner. "Rash on the right side was from when the previous owner dropped the bike in a gravel parking lot at under 100 MPH"

Sport bikes ads where its stated the bike was babied and then they show a pic of the rear tire burned down to the cords and globs of rubber lining the inner fender.

The OBO thing is also one that eludes me. Unless you set a time frame its irrevelant. You can never know the "best offer" if you'll entertain offers indefinitely.

[dguzzi]

   Works both ways, I've had potential buyers that wanted so much info that for the cost of the 30 yr old bike it was just ridiculous.  Then instead of talking about it they were gone,,,,

[Perazzimx14]

   Works both ways, I've had potential buyers that wanted so much info that for the cost of the 30 yr old bike it was just ridiculous.  Then instead of talking about it they were gone,,,,

I like when I'm selling a 15 or 50 year old bike when a potential buyers asks if I'm the original owner or how many previous owners were there. I also like when keyboard buyers ask what is the least I'll take? I answer back with what is the most you'll pay?

[sdcr]

I like when I'm selling a 15 or 50 year old bike when a potential buyers asks if I'm the original owner or how many previous owners were there. I also like when keyboard buyers ask what is the least I'll take? I answer back with what is the most you'll pay?

I like that one, mind if I use it?

[Perazzimx14]

I like that one, mind if I use it?

Not at all 

[michaell32]

"Has an electrical problem, it's probably just a short." = A fuse won't fix it and I don't know anything whatsoever about electricity but don't want to admit it.
"I would fix it but don't have the time" = I have the time but not the skill and don't want to admit it.
"Will need a jump" = Has been sitting so long the tires have flat spots and the battery is dead.  Prepare for a rusted fuel tank and plugged up carb.

[Shorty]

"I know what I have. NO lowballers."    

[aklawok]

 For the occasional seller using the wwwizer-web to open up the market for their vehicle, it is logical to be as truthful and upfront about your perceived condition of it is and that of your sale transactions terms. This helps weed out unnecessary communication with tire kickers, low ballers and cons.
 The worst ones I see have almost zero info, or are " posting for a friend/elderly neighbor" and can't or won't answer questions.

[kballowe]

How about call-backs on a motorcycle that you sold ?

One guy cussed me out on the phone because the oil light was lit.  After he calmed down I explained that it would go out, once he started the engine.

A similar incident with an ABS light

Then there was the buyer that was upset because it leaked gas - after filling the tank to the very top and having fuel out the overflow hose.

[sdcr]

Ads that have no price. I imagine that these get very few calls.

[mr_pacman]

it's not enjoyable selling anything lately. Gone are the days of buyers/sellers being respectful, courteous and pleasant to deal with.  Now it seems like most buyers will toss out fake offers and then disappear if you accept, only to reappear again under a different name and attempt to negotiate from the last price. 
 
These days, when I sell something, I do my research and price it well below the market value and then decide who I'm going to deal with based on how they reach out to me. I'm happy to sell for less than market if the buyer is a good person.
 

[Perazzimx14]

it's not enjoyable selling anything lately. Gone are the days of buyers/sellers being respectful, courteous and pleasant to deal with.  Now it seems like most buyers will toss out fake offers and then disappear if you accept, only to reappear again under a different name and attempt to negotiate from the last price. 
 
These days, when I sell something, I do my research and price it well below the market value and then decide who I'm going to deal with based on how they reach out to me. I'm happy to sell for less than market if the buyer is a good person.

I still enjoy selling and buying and there is no secret to either. Bikes priced right sell and bikes priced wrong, don't. Most of the time tire kickers or time wasters are easy to spot and even easier to ignore. Selling or buying is only as hard as you make it.

[Bulldog9]

I hate selling anything, thats why the Herd is at 3 cars, 1 truck, 1 motorhome, and 7 motorcycles, or is it 8? And too many guns.

I should sell a couple of the motorcycles, and am strongly considering selling the 1200 Sport and Baby Breva along with the XS750 Triple. The Sport and Breva are 100% ready to go any day time or place, the Yamaha needs to be brought back to life as it has been in stasis for 10+ years.

I've sold/given cars to a few people the last few years but it was between family and friends, not the cesspool that is Craigslist FB Marketplace, or various Classifieds.

When I sold the MGX-21, the process was easy, it sold in a week, had a buyer who gave asking price without question. He arrived with trailer in tow, I deposited the check electronically, got confirmation from the bank, and he giddily took it for a test ride and we loaded it on his trailer. He almost dumped it on the test ride 2X, and then a couple more while loading. I was recovering from Hip replacement surgery so wasn't much help.

Anyhoooooo...... 3 months later I get a text message from someone claiming to be his son. They claimed he had died of a heart attack 2 weeks after buying and wanted me to buy it back.......... My response was obviously an immediate NO, but I offered to re-post my ad if the bike was still in the same shape. We could use the same wording and pictures. I just needed a good e-mail address and their asking price.

They came back with a bit more pressure, tried guilt, but quickly discovered my grandmother and maybe daughters were the only people capable. I never heard back........... Of course I searched the obituaries, but never saw one. Such a strange world..............

So................ to save me from the hassle, and embarrassment of a potential bad ad, if anyone is interested in a near perfect 1200 Sport or Breva 750, shoot me a PM 

[Perazzimx14]

I hate selling anything, thats why the Herd is at 3 cars, 1 truck, 1 motorhome, and 7 motorcycles, or is it 8? And too many guns.

I should sell a couple of the motorcycles, and am strongly considering selling the 1200 Sport and Baby Breva along with the XS750 Triple. The Sport and Breva are 100% ready to go any day time or place, the Yamaha needs to be brought back to life as it has been in stasis for 10+ years.

I've sold/given cars to a few people the last few years but it was between family and friends, not the cesspool that is Craigslist FB Marketplace, or various Classifieds.

When I sold the MGX-21, the process was easy, it sold in a week, had a buyer who gave asking price without question. He arrived with trailer in tow, I deposited the check electronically, got confirmation from the bank, and he giddily took it for a test ride and we loaded it on his trailer. He almost dumped it on the test ride 2X, and then a couple more while loading. I was recovering from Hip replacement surgery so wasn't much help.

Anyhoooooo...... 3 months later I get a text message from someone claiming to be his son. They claimed he had died of a heart attack 2 weeks after buying and wanted me to buy it back.......... My response was obviously an immediate NO, but I offered to re-post my ad if the bike was still in the same shape. We could use the same wording and pictures. I just needed a good e-mail address and their asking price.

They came back with a bit more pressure, tried guilt, but quickly discovered my grandmother and maybe daughters were the only people capable. I never heard back........... Of course I searched the obituaries, but never saw one. Such a strange world..............

So................ to save me from the hassle, and embarrassment of a potential bad ad, if anyone is interested in a near perfect 1200 Sport or Breva 750, shoot me a PM 

Guilt and/or pressure would have fallen on deaf ears.