Selling a bike

[Perazzimx14]

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.

Years ago we updated our kitchen and replace the 70's era green (worked perfectly) dishwasher. Listed it in the local paper for free including the color and that it was 100% operational. 1st call....what color is it, does it work? Green and yes! Well I was hoping it was white, do you have a white dishwasher I could have??

Dishwasher ended up going to the dump.

We have tried to give other stuff away over the years with similar results and now either put a small price to try and weed out the internet pariah and when someone shows up to make the purchase tell them to take it but mostly now just bypass all the hassle and take our "free" stuff it to the dump and give it to the recycle pile or the hole in the ground.

Trying to give stuff away seems to always turn into no good deed goes unpunished.

[cliffrod]

..... my price is always really fair.

This ^^^^ is the only magic formula. 

With few exceptions, things sell for what they're actually worth in the given marketplace.  Auctions can be great, but they can very easily bring together that one premium buyer and special item to then shift the market back down to normal valuations. 

Lower price enough to a fair amount and most items will sell.  But sometimes Free is even too much to ask for something.

[Motormike]

Years ago we updated our kitchen and replace the 70's era green (worked perfectly) dishwasher. Listed it in the local paper for free including the color and that it was 100% operational. 1st call....what color is it, does it work? Green and yes! Well I was hoping it was white, do you have a white dishwasher I could have??

When I try to sell a vehicle and have plenty of COLOR photos, as soon as I get the "what color is it?" nonsense, I just figure it's a scammer or someone too stupid to deal with and don't respond.

I'm in the slow process of getting rid of decades of old takeoff motorcycle parts.  I've learned pretty well what will sell on ebay and what to just throw away.  Recently hauled a Ducati Multistrada fuel tank to the dump.  Almost perfect condition, but the old air-cooled Multi fuel tank was huge (long) and the shipping costs would far outweigh the value of the tank.  So, I got tired of tripping over it, and I finally got over any regrets and tossed it.  No doubt someone in Europe would have given me $400 for it but would have balked at the $900 packing and shipping quote!

[DC950]

it really depends on where you live.  In some places, CL is still the place.  In others, it's all FB.

Since CL started charging $5 to sell a vehicle, the number of scammers and flakes has dropped like a rock. 

There are still some, including the weirdo who I tried to buy a pair of  R65s from.  Had a great conversation on the phone with him too.  Then nothing.

[Motormike]

Whenever I try to sell a motorcycle on CL, it invariably ends up with someone wanting to trade me a jon boat! 

[Perazzimx14]

Whenever I try to sell a motorcycle on CL, it invariably ends up with someone wanting to trade me a jon boat! 

Around here trade fodder was musical instruments or a clapped out 1990's era pickup that only needed a $5 part off eBay to make 100%.

[TN Mark]

There you go Jim: use every available resource and trust very few who contact you. Keeping expectations low helps your own sanity.

[rocker59]

https://www.cycletrader.com

[SIR REAL ED]

There you go Jim: use every available resource and trust very few who contact you. Keeping expectations low helps your own sanity.

Well said.  A reasonable asking price is a great start to not being disappointed in humanity.

So many are looking for a true sucker to come along and ante up ridiculous money.

the other bizarre sales pitch:  "Not really interested in selling.  Just testing the waters."

[MikeP996]

I quit selling to individuals a long time ago - it's just too much hassle for me to deal with.  The last several sales have been to motorcycle buying companies.  No, you won't get the best price because they have to make a profit too BUT you call them, they give you a price you say OK (or not) they come and pick it up and pay you.  I've sold three that way and was quite content with the price.  In one case, they offered me a price, I accepted, then they called me back and told me they were going to pay me MORE than I had already accepted.  :) 

[Moparnut72]

My general experience is "buy high, sell low." 
kk

[Motormike]

The last several sales have been to motorcycle buying companies.

Care to give some names of said companies?