Selling a bike

[Joliet Jim]

Just wondering if anyone has advice or words of caution for listing my Centauro on EBay, FB, Cycletrader etc. I need to move the bike and unfortunately for me WG doesn't appear to have any interest. I originally bought it on EBay and travelled to Iowa to pick it up and ride it home. Not sure if any of the other options are better for selling the beast.

[bronzestar1]

I've bought and sold vehicles on eBay, FBM, and Cycle Trader.  If you list it on FBM, make sure to include in the listing words to the effect that auto replies will be ignored ("is this available"), and to use a key word in the reply (like "Centauro") to filter out spammers.  There are a lot of fakes and flakes on FBM.  Not sure how much it would cost to list it, but I'd also consider Bring A Trailer auction site.  You can set a reserve price, number of days, etc. 

[Dave Swanson]

Since FB is free and quite effective I would put it on there.  The price for your Centi won't be high enough to cause any undue burden for the buyer to bring cash.  Cash is always the lowest risk way for you to go. 

[TN Mark]

Agree with bronzestar1. But I’d avoid FMP if you can. It’s a virtual cesspool. For a few reasons, selling on owners forums is seldom the best, or even a viable option.

[guzzisteve]

You could try classifieds on MGNOC site, Guzzi folks look there. Sweet bike Jim.

[Vagrant]

I refuse to use FB. But, the last three bikes I sold were on my wifes account and they went quick. The other old standbys were a waste of time.

[Dave Swanson]

Agree with bronzestar1. But I’d avoid FMP if you can. It’s a virtual cesspool. For a few reasons, selling on owners forums is seldom the best, or even a viable option.

I agree that FB has much to dislike, but FBM is THE place nowadays to sell motorcycles.  It is the only place many buyers look.  Just use normal caution. 

I must say that FB also has the best moderated private special interest pages that exist today.  For obscure areas of interest there are dedicated pages for just about anything you can imagine with resident experts available to help.  Without the amazing knowledge base on some of the specialized vintage motorcycle pages I would not have been able to restore a few bikes to the highest level of accuracy. 

FB is like most things in life,  it is what you make of it. 

[Dirk_S]

When you list the bike on FB Marketplace, be sure to A) add the listing to the plethora of moto group pages including the Moto Guzzi-centered ones (there’s an option to list in up to 20 groups); and B) prepare yourself for the obnoxious folks who respond, don’t read even half your listing’s descriptions, and try to low-ball you with hilarious offers. My favorite is when they say, “What’s the lowest you can go?” U.S. citizens don’t understand the art of haggling.

[SIR REAL ED]

I always make it a policy to reply to inquires with "Here is my phone number, nnn-nnn-nnnn.  Call me if you have any questions.  I only respond to phone calls."

Scammers & the non-serious have never responded.

I never buy or sell to those who will not talk to me.

[Perazzimx14]

FBMP has been great for both buying and selling but I am buying/selling bikes that to put it bluntly are far more desirable and have a much bigger pool of buyers/sellers.

Selling Guzzi's is rarely a quick thing as there are so few buyers and usually they do not command much money so taking a financial hit is part of their character. In the US WG probably has the highest concentration of potential buyers and from what you are already experiencing is crickets.

If you have to get rid of the bike put it eBay with no reserve and start it at $1 and hope it does okay. Or if you have time post it a few places that do not charge for a realistic price (probably not what you are hoping for) and wait for a buyer to come along.

Buying a Guzzi is fun. Selling them sucks!

[DoubleGuzzi]

My favorite is when they say, “What’s the lowest you can go?” U.S. citizens don’t understand the art of haggling.

Not confined to Stateside selling, I can assure you. 
It's not uncommon to see bikes listed for over a year, regardless of whether a realistic/sensible price is set. (Not me): A low mileage Carbon Dark for £4300 anyone?

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Bring A Trailer is another option. It costs $99 for a listing, but gets good exposure. I've sold a truck on there, bought a truck and four motorcycles. BaT gets a shipping quote as well though I've never used their shipping as it's more expensive than other specialty motorcycle shippers.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'll promote the Facebook group that Mike Skaggs started and I help moderate: "Moto Guzzi Bikes & Parts FS".

https://www.facebook.com/groups/898627433562137

Mike and I "run a tight ship" and that occasionally ruffles a few feathers. Oh well.

[Motormike]

I was going to mention Bring-a-Trailer as well.  I've sold two bikes using them.  They are something of a PITA to deal with because of their (to me at least) ridiculous photo requirements of 65 to 70 photos!  But the bikes DO sell.  I would think an unusual bike like the V10 Centauro might do reasonably well there.  One nice thing is they vet buyers and sellers, so it seems to be a much safer option than other on-line sites. Because of that, there is no guarantee they will accept your bike for listing. You can go on their website and do a search of closed auctions and see if and what other Moto Guzzi's have gone for.

[Perazzimx14]

My favorite is when they say, “What’s the lowest you can go?” U.S. citizens don’t understand the art of haggling.

My response the this question is either:

1. The lowest I can go is $0.01 if I go any lower I’m not selling, I’m giving away.

2. What is the absolute maximum you pay?

Stupid question deserve stupid answers!

[Ncdan]

FBM, hands down. Free advertising and a lot of viewers. No better way to advertise your bike.

[SemperVee]

 I have used Craiglist list  -  Only cost $5 to list for 30 days. 

[sdcr]

I like this one.

“1. The lowest I can go is $0.01 if I go any lower I’m not selling, I’m giving away.”

Probably confuses them though…

[Clifton]

Yeah even if you list it as "$3,000 Price Firm" be prepared for "will you take $2,500?, I can give you $2,000 CASH" etc....

Last bike I sold (a Trail 125) a guy immediately replied "I'll take it and can pick it up tomorrow just need to get my buddy with his truck, I'll call you tonight or first thing tomorrow." When he didn't call that morning I called him, he said "I can't buy it because my buddy wouldn't loan me the money". LOL so I guess we need to ask prospective buyers "do you actually have the money?"

[Perazzimx14]

Yeah even if you list it as "$3,000 Price Firm" be prepared for "will you take $2,500?, I can give you $2,000 CASH" etc....

Last bike I sold (a Trail 125) a guy immediately replied "I'll take it and can pick it up tomorrow just need to get my buddy with his truck, I'll call you tonight or first thing tomorrow." When he didn't call that morning I called him, he said "I can't buy it because my buddy wouldn't loan me the money". LOL so I guess we need to ask prospective buyers "do you actually have the money?"

A lot of buyers have the wanton desire to buy but not the money. I have gotten a good deal on a bike more than one just because I had cash in hand a the willingness to spend it.

[Clifton]

A lot of buyers have the wanton desire to buy but not the money. I have gotten a good deal on a bike more than one just because I had cash in hand a the willingness to spend it.

Yes unfortunately I've run into many buyers interested in a bike I'm selling that are wanting to buy it if they can somehow come up with the funds. I find I can generally get a good idea by talking to the interested person over the phone rather than text or email.

[Motormike]

A lot of buyers have the wanton desire to buy but not the money. I have gotten a good deal on a bike more than one just because I had cash in hand a the willingness to spend it.

Like the saying goes, "Money talks and BS walks!"

[SemperVee]

Whenever I have been asked  "what is the least you will take - My response that always shuts that down is "What is the most you will give me?"

[frozengoose]

Like the saying goes, "Money talks and BS walks!"

Exactly, that's the conundrum whenever you're selling something. I've had good luck with Craigs List; sold 3 old Triumphs, my '84 Ford pickup, and numerous tools on CL. No problem with scammers, spammers, or lammers, but IDN, maybe it's cause I'm in Alaska. YRMV

[tommy2cyl]

I listed my DR 350 SE and Van Van 200 last year on FBMP and CL.  Only two inquiries on FB, nothing  serious.  I had serious interest on CL from one person for
each bike and they both bought.   I really thought I would have a bunch of scammers on CL but did not and I thought I would get multiple and serous inquiries
on FBMP and I did not.   You never know.   

[SIR REAL ED]

I listed my DR 350 SE and Van Van 200 last year on FBMP and CL.  Only two inquiries on FB, nothing  serious.  I had serious interest on CL from one person for
each bike and they both bought.   I really thought I would have a bunch of scammers on CL but did not and I thought I would get multiple and serous inquiries
on FBMP and I did not.   You never know.   

My experience is almost no scammers on Craigslist.  Tons on Facebook Market Place.

Who knows why.  Maybe because there is less crap on Craigslist, it attracts a higher caliber of human.

[johnwesley]

I've had good luck on FBM selling bikes. You can get the oddball on there, and sometimes I'm probably an oddball on there. List it on market place and then choose the option to list in more places. Send it to the group Charlie mentioned and on the MGNOC page. There are several Guzzi pages on FB. My last 3 bikes I picked up from the marketplace. The last few I sold were sold on FBM with no hassles and no time wasters. The last bike was a 1985 250 Rebel for $2100, a guy asked a question about it and picked it up the next day.

[John Ulrich]

FBM is perfect for cleaning out an old tread mill, refrigerator etc.  Why pay a service to bring it out of the basement.  The word “FREE” does all the work for you!

[davethewelder]

Market Place is great fun reading the response's.   "if it were a S I'd pay your price", "how much for cash", Whats the lowest you'll take",  "has it had the Desmo service done".   Ive sold a few bikes there and usually they show up and pay the price I'm asking but my price is always really fair.

[sign216]

FBM is perfect for cleaning out an old tread mill, refrigerator etc.  Why pay a service to bring it out of the basement.  The word “FREE” does all the work for you!

I've had worse luck listing things for free, a lot of no-shows, time wasters.  Now, I list an item for $1 or $5 in the for sale section.  People who responded to that, show up. 

I'm listing a Benelli 350 right now, on CL, FBM, and Ebay. 

CL - Not a lot of action of CL, but it's free.
FBM - gives more local exposure, more responses. Free
Ebayy - $49 to list for a month.  Good exposure, we'll see.