Selling bikes?

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11-09-2009, 05:19 AM
Pax

Selling bikes?

A question for those of you who've bought and sold bikes...I am going to sell both of my bikes and need some advice:

1) I know not every part of the country has winter so should I go ahead and try to sell them now or wait until Spring??

2) Is there a "best" way to go about it, Ebay, Craigslist, forums, newspaper ads?

3) Do you sell them with shipping included or is it the norm to sell them with boxing and shipping extra?

I appreciate any thoughts anyone would like to share, and if it matters to the answer they are a Trek 1500WSD and a Trek 7.5FX.
11-09-2009, 06:51 AM
kermit

I always try to sell a bike locally if I can. List them on craigslist first. Ebay is a last resort or me. Most bike shops will charge $50 for boxing a bike. I usually include that in the price and then charge a flat rate for shipping. It's up to you. If you are not in a hurry try CL first.
11-09-2009, 07:18 AM
Pax

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermit

I always try to sell a bike locally if I can. List them on craigslist first. Ebay is a last resort or me. Most bike shops will charge $50 for boxing a bike. I usually include that in the price and then charge a flat rate for shipping. It's up to you. If you are not in a hurry try CL first.

I was thinking local too, I'll just have to wait until spring to do it...the bike market completely tanks around here for the winter.
11-10-2009, 05:53 AM
kermit

I'd list it now, the holidays are coming! Put a big red bow on it and make it a great holiday gift!
11-10-2009, 06:17 AM
Pax

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermit

I'd list it now, the holidays are coming! Put a big red bow on it and make it a great holiday gift!

I get the feeling the average Craigslist shopper is going to choke when they see the prices (even at half of retail they're waaaay more than a WalMart bike)..."who pays that much for a BIKE?" :p
11-10-2009, 06:26 AM
Biciclista

the people who will pay the price aren't the walmart shoppers. there are people shopping on craigslist who are willing to drop a chunk of change. It only takes one!
That's what's nice about Ebay, you have a huge audience. Of course, selling in the spring is best, but a lot of folks who spend all summer riding spend all winter fussing about bikes, window shopping, etc...
11-10-2009, 06:32 AM
MommyBird

I have sold multiple bikes on ebay.
I have done better than expected every time.
Cover your shipping!!!
I charge a lot and advertise that it will be packed at my LBS. (they charge for this too)
I bought one bike on ebay. New. That turned out well too.
11-10-2009, 02:47 PM
GLC1968

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pax

I get the feeling the average Craigslist shopper is going to choke when they see the prices (even at half of retail they're waaaay more than a WalMart bike)..."who pays that much for a BIKE?" :p

You'd be surprized. I sold a Prius on craigslist and those don't go for chump-change. ;)

When someone does a google search for Specialized Tricross,for example, craigslist postings come up, so you may not even end up selling it locally. We sold my husband's Trek Pilot to a guy in FL when we listed it in NC. It's always worth a shot and it's free!
11-10-2009, 03:32 PM
Pax

Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

BTW - Did you let the potential buyer take a test spin? If so, how did you protect yourself from a ride away??
11-10-2009, 05:35 PM
zia

As a buyer, I took my craiglist bike for a good, 30-minute test ride. I left my license, like I would at a bike shop.
11-11-2009, 04:52 AM
Pax

Quote:

Originally Posted by zia

As a buyer, I took my craiglist bike for a good, 30-minute test ride. I left my license, like I would at a bike shop.

Thanks for the tip!
11-11-2009, 05:35 AM
Bike Chick

Pax, a lot of our cycling friends troll Craig's List looking for good bikes. I'm going to be selling my Trek WSD Pilot shortly and I think I will start there.

BTW, what size is your 1500?
11-11-2009, 05:49 AM
Pax

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bike Chick

BTW, what size is your 1500?

I'll have to double check the measurement, IIRC it's either a 51 or 54?? (my 7.5FX is a 20" and I have a 32" inseam)
11-11-2009, 05:53 AM
staceysue

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pax

Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

BTW - Did you let the potential buyer take a test spin? If so, how did you protect yourself from a ride away??

Make them leave their car in your driveway!
11-11-2009, 08:25 AM
GLC1968

Quote:

Originally Posted by staceysue

Make them leave their car in your driveway!

Yep, that's what we did. Besides, we live in the boonies - if they were willing to trade a car AND bike all the way back to town...then they can have the bike! :p
11-11-2009, 10:35 AM
out_spokin'

definitely try CL, whenever you're ready

+1 to the suggestions to try free on CL, and don't worry about the timing. Set the price, know ahead of time if you'd accept a lower offer, and give it a shot. Sure, there are folks who wouldn't spend more than $50 on a bike looking at CL, but they aren't your buyer pool. I've bought & sold bikes & parts on CL with great results, and always try there first. Ebay does bring the better exposure, but the fees have gotten crazy, and the timing can really matter. (pre-holiday OK, spring great, try listing on a Sunday night!)

Oh, and here's a great little piece on how to write a good ad. I can understand crappy info on the wally world bikes, but can't believe how many folks try to sell an expensive bike without a size, component info, and/or pictures.

http://www.usedbicycleguide.com/Tips...ycle%20Ad.html

If you get to the home page on that site there's great advice for buyers that might help you as a seller as well. http://www.usedbicycleguide.com/index.html.

Good luck!