FS:46cm LHT

[Catrin]

As much as I really don't want to sell this bike, I really need to do so. I've listed my LHT on Craigslist here (http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/2824366843.html)

I've received a couple of nibbles, but I don't know how serious they are. I would love to see this bike go to a TE member if possible :) So much, in fact, that I would split the packing/shipping cost in order to keep her in the family.

[Biciclista]

Isn't this your main squeeze, er, bike? How can you sell it!!! awww.

[Catrin]

Isn't this your main squeeze, er, bike? How can you sell it!!! awww.

The Gunnar is my main squeeze for the road, the LHT hasn't been ridden outside since the Gunnar came home. The LHT has made a fine trainer bike though...which is quite the downfall for a fully dressed touring bike :o

Someone just contacted me from Craigslist who wants the LHT...but he wants to give me a check. Yeah, right. I don't think so :rolleyes:

If I don't sell it I won't cry, but it would certainly help my budget if I can.

[Biciclista]

can't you request a bank issued cashier's check?

[Catrin]

can't you request a bank issued cashier's check?

I've been warned about anything but cash. Craigslist warns that cashier's checks and money orders are often bad and to not accept them. I don't know if there are problems with certified checks or not...

[Biciclista]

perhaps if it's on a local bank? I know there are lots of scammers... :(
but that's a nice bike.

[Biciclista]

If they are already saying they want to give you a check, then it's likely a scam.

Have they even seen the bike?

good point.

[Cataboo]

I've taken a local check before with high priced items I sell on craigslist, such as kayaks. There's only so much you can take out of an ATM at one time each day.

I tend to write down all their driver's license info. You can call the bank & ask if the check will clear.

I have also told them, give me the check, I'll deposit it and when it clears, I'll deliver the item to you. That's worked for a kayak I sold. If they want you to trust them enough to accept a personal check, they should trust you enough to deliver the item after the check has cleared.

If they have paypal, I've had them log on to paypal on my computer and transfer the money to me.

[Catrin]

Exactly, they've not seen more than the pictures on Craig's list. If they have a local bank, they can make a visit on their way to meet me at one of my favorite LBS to get cash.

For a TE member, PayPal is fine ;)

Cataboo, I just saw your post, those are good ideas. I am asking quite a lot of money for the bike...

[Bethany1]

Just sold my Madone a little over a week ago on Craigslist and stated cash only. If they can write a check, they can pay in cash. Lovely lady bought the bike within a couple of days. I had 2 scammers email me but ignored them.

Don't be shy for asking for cash. If someone really wants the bike, they'll happily pay the cash.

If you need to, put it in more than one city. I wasn't getting any bites in Lincoln but had it sold in two days when I put it up in Omaha.

Good luck selling your bike!

[Bethany1]

What are Monkey Bars? Did you just add bar ends to the the handlebar? DH is looking for some way to be comfortable on his mountain bike and if there's set of handlebars that would work, great.

He does have bar ends on the bike, but he's still not comfortable. Yours look better than his.

[OakLeaf]

There's only so much you can take out of an ATM at one time each day.


But they have to go to the bank in person during business hours to get a cashier's check. They could just as easily get cash.

[Catrin]

What are Monkey Bars? Did you just add bar ends to the the handlebar? DH is looking for some way to be comfortable on his mountain bike and if there's set of handlebars that would work, great.

He does have bar ends on the bike, but he's still not comfortable. Yours look better than his.

Monkey Bars is the name of the bars that Easton gave then. These are 2-inch riser bars and yes, we added Titec Bar ends to the bars. Ergon now makes a rocking set of grips with quite substantial rubbery bar ends that I dearly love. I didn't know about them at the time or those Ergons would have been put on my LHT, rather than the Ergon grips + Titec bar ends.

[Catrin]

But they have to go to the bank in person during business hours to get a cashier's check. They could just as easily get cash.

This is my point exactly. I don't know how cashier's checks can be bad, but apparently that has happened. Cash is always good :)

[Catrin]

Then there is the other person interested in my bike, or says she is. What she is really interested in is to persuade me to sign up for her "make thousands on the internet job" scam. Yeah, right. I am amazed that people actually fall for such things, but some must...

[Catrin]

Any downside to using Paypal to allow someone to purchase my bike long distance? I can't think of any...and they would pay for packaging and shipping...

[Blueberry]

Yes.

Read their SNAD policy (significantly not as described). If they get the bike and decide they don't like it, generally they can ship it back. Paypal will refund their entire purchase price (including shipping) - so you're out shipping and paypal fees. Definitely educate yourself as to whether this is a risk you are willing to take.

[Catrin]

I've already looked at this, though it looks like Paypal expects them to pay the return shipping. There is a lot of interest in this bike - but nothing local.

I have it on both eBay and Craig's list - Craig's list seems to get the most attention but there are a few days left for the eBay listing. I've tried to be very specific in my description, even mentioning the few cosmetic scratches that's been covered to prevent rust.

[Blueberry]

The problem isn't anything in your description. From what I understand, if a buyer files a SNAD claim, paypal will nearly always side with him/her (even if your description is accurate). They either require that the seller ship the bike back or - if they decide it's counterfit (google paypal and violin), they will tell the buyer to destroy it (not likely here).

My point was just that there is a risk.

[Bethany1]

I don't think it's your bike that's the problem, it's the size as it's a 46 cm. It just means your buying pool will be a lot smaller and will take longer to sell. You aren't doing anything wrong :)

[emily_in_nc]

I have sold three bikes on ebay and received Paypal payments. No issues whatsoever. Of course there is always a risk. If the bike is damaged in shipping, the buyer could return it. I had one bike packed professionally by an LBS because it was a tandem, and the buyer paid for that. The single bikes I packed myself -- VERRRRY carefully and with a ton of bubble wrap. Both made it to their destinations in good condition using UPS (insured, of course).

Good luck!

[Sky King]

also look at posting it on the Surly owners bike forum.

[Tri Girl]

I sold my Bike Friday to someone here on the TE forums. She was a new user and I was a little nervous, but we talked a couple times on the phone and I think we both felt comfortable enough to go forward with the transaction. We both admitted we were a bit nervous. I gave her my eBay user info so she could look up my buying and selling history.
She actually paid me first through Paypal, then I shipped the bike. It was a leap of faith for both of us (especially her since she paid me first). She lives in Canada, so we shipped it to a UPS store in NY and she picked it up there so she didn't have to pay customs fees.
It worked out well for me (and for her) so it can be done successfully. You just have to be careful. :)

[Catrin]

If you bring the bike to a lbs, the buyer can call them and verify the bike exists before they pay you. Once you verify paypal, give the lbs the go-ahead, and the buyer can go through them with packaging and shipping fees. So, a go-between for a more expensive purchase protects both of you.

Just make sure the lbs waits for your permission before shipping!

I can send anyone money through my bank. I suppose the bank could act as a go between. You wait until the funds are pending...

This is a good idea. The LBS is actually my own LBS and is the store who did the work to convert the LHT to riser bars/trigger shifters. The man who is interested was hoping there is an REI store here as he gets combined packaging/shipping for a little less from them than from other sources. We are getting one here, but not until later in the spring.

He will let me know tomorrow if he will purchase it, but I've not pulled my Craig's List, eBay or local club sales listing. He found me via Craig's list - interesting how there has been more attention on this sale from Craig's list than other sources.

I think the PayPal fees are lower than traditional bank transfer fees...but this is a consideration. I would be uncomfortable giving out my account information though, so there is a risk with both approaches.

This is all quite the education!

[malkin]

...it's the size as it's a 46 cm... It just means your buying pool will be a lot smaller ...


*giggle*
sorry, can't help myself

[Catrin]

This is an interesting process as I've never quite done anything like this before. Oh, I've sold a few things online, but nothing more expensive than a $400 set of books.

So far I've advertised on Craig's list, eBay, and am taking the bike to a local cyclist swap meet tomorrow. I've had some interesting questions, and everyone seems legit outside of the guy who started out in the very first email talking about "cutting you a check for the bike" Yeah, right, THAT was going to happen. We will see what happens - surprisingly enough none have tried to talk my price down yet.

[Biciclista]

usually they ask for a price reduction when they have money in their hand.

[Catrin]

usually they ask for a price reduction when they have money in their hand.

Probably, but there won't be one unless they don't want the saddle and pedals. I am not letting her go cheap...I will keep it before I do that.

[Catrin]

It sold on eBay! :D :(

I need the money, but it is sad to see her go. However, perhaps this way she will get ridden. As it turns out the purchaser lives in Columbus, OH and wants to pick it up in person. She says it is to save "me" the hassle of having it shipped, but of course it is really about her saving the packing/shipping costs. I can understand that, it isn't cheap. I did allow "local pickup" as an option.

It does look like this option means it will take longer for eBay to release my payment though, I need to confirm that later today.

[Catrin]

Too bad she didn't see it on Craig's list. Would have been easier for both of you.

Congrats on selling, (I think!).

She did see it, but decided to hold off on purchasing it which is when it went to eBay. It would have been nice to not have to give a slice to eBay and PayPal, but that is how things work sometimes. I am still getting a good price and my budget will finally be happy with me once I get that money. Since it is going to be a "local pickup", I think it increases the time it will take for them to release payment.

[laura*]

... pick it up in person. ...

It does look like this option means it will take longer for eBay to release my payment though, ...

PayPal should never be used for pick up in person sales! If the buyer ever disputes the transaction, you'll have no proof of delivery and will lose both the money and item.

Refund the buyer and tell them to bring cash!

[Catrin]

PayPal should never be used for pick up in person sales! If the buyer ever disputes the transaction, you'll have no proof of delivery and will lose both the money and item.

Refund the buyer and tell them to bring cash!

I need to go through eBay since this was done through eBay. I am going to take a picture of her on her lovely new LHT and it will be done at my bike store with witnesses.

[Catrin]

Thankfully the buyer wants to give me cash :) They are driving from Columbus to pick up the bike. I am unsure how to deal with this with eBay, but I will take cash over PayPal any day. I am still going to take pictures...

[Biciclista]

Congrats!

[laura*]

Thankfully the buyer wants to give me cash :) They are driving from Columbus to pick up the bike. I am unsure how to deal with this with eBay, ...

Someplace in your list of (ended) auctions, there is a pop up menu that should have a choice of "Mark as Paid". Select this and then you're done.

[Catrin]

Someplace in your list of (ended) auctions, there is a pop up menu that should have a choice of "Mark as Paid". Select this and then you're done.

I found it after sending her a new invoice without the shipping charge. She was tickled to have my lovely LHT and wanted to ride it all of the way home to Columbus, Ohio! My bike went to a good home and she will actually get to go touring! Sad to see her go, but my bill collectors will be happy and she will get to have adventures :cool:

[WindingRoad]

My experience with buyers is that they like to wait til the last minute then offer you less. Usually after u have put the time and effort into transporting the bike to a safe place to meet. Lame.

[Catrin]

My experience with buyers is that they like to wait til the last minute then offer you less. Usually after u have put the time and effort into transporting the bike to a safe place to meet. Lame.

Thankfully that did not happen. There was an email a few days ago from her where she suggested a lower price, but I told her it was worth that much for me to keep it...and that was the last time it came up.