Haven't looking into buying/selling a new to me bike in a while. Is there anything else other than FB Marketplace, Kijiji, bike specific forums I should know? Autotrader seems meh now.
Used bike online listings.
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That's pretty much it. It's been a year or two but I still do the most trading on Kijiji - you're more likely to find a deal on Facebook because for some reason half the population can't fill out an ad there properly, you just have to figure out if the "$1000 motorcycle" with a thumbnail of just a tire is the bike you're looking for.
That said there is a nice '79 CBX on FB right now...
And an 82 CBX
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My personal favourite is when people use their "Featured" photo to display some useless piece of whatever they're trying to sell. You get a split second to attract someones attention when you're selling something and they're scrolling through ads, so yeah, when you list a motorcycle, having your first "featured" photo a crappy shot of a footpeg or something, yeah, not helpful.
Poorly worded ads for the win. My bike is an FZ1 and the bike was listed as an FZR.
It sat on Marketplace for months with no one interested in it. despite being priced 25% less than all the comparable bikes.
I just happened to stumble upon the ad and recognized the picture of the bike and bought it right away.
If I was buying a new bike, I would first check FB, then Kijiji. If I knew the exact model of bike I wanted, I would also check model specific forums and Facebook groups for that model. Autotrader and Craigslist might have ads not posted on FB or Kijiji.
It sat on Marketplace for months with no one interested in it. despite being priced 25% less than all the comparable bikes.
I just happened to stumble upon the ad and recognized the picture of the bike and bought it right away.
If I was buying a new bike, I would first check FB, then Kijiji. If I knew the exact model of bike I wanted, I would also check model specific forums and Facebook groups for that model. Autotrader and Craigslist might have ads not posted on FB or Kijiji.
Agreed, and have seen it so many times. I'm constantly amazed how people put so little thought or effort in their ads and attempt to sell the stuff.
If the seller can't be bothered to clear the junk off the bike and roll it out in the open for a couple pictures then why should I make the effort to come see it?
If your looking for a quick sale try calling GP Bikes in Whitby. They are always looking for quality used bikes and are very reasonable to deal with, they’ll even come pick your bike up. My stepson called them about a Triumph they had for sale last week and they made him a decent offer on his current ride over the phone (2024 Kawasaki Eliminator 500) whether he bought the Triumph or not. I took a VFR 800 there a few years back, Jerry the owner came out, looked at it and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. The whole transaction took about three minutes. If your trading in I don’t think you pay HST on the trade in value either. They move a lot of nice used bikes there.
A few weeks ago, the GP Bike's hauler went by my house, to my surprise.
Found out later, the young feller at the corner sold his bmws1000rr to them.
The other thing that irks me is sellers that you need to coerce into actually showing/selling what they've got listed.
I'm looking for a self contained flat panel display right now for a home automation project and found a guy selling what I think would work, but I asked a simple question - to get a photo of the label on the back so I can see exactly what make/model the display is, since of course, it wasn't actually listed in the ad. Dude ghosted me since. That was a week ago, panel is still for sale. Apparently even the slightest amount of effort isn't worth anyones time anymore I guess.
I've had the same experience.
Over the last few months I've put some effort into selling a bunch of miscellaneous stuff that has value to specific users. Some was leftover nursery/greenhouse equipment and some was personal stuff that I am either no longer using or have just lost interest in.
I've managed to sell all of it on kijiji for the most part, though some through FB marketplace and one piece of equipment by mailing (snail not E) 6 letters to 6 companies (I received 2 responses and sold it for my asking price).
I always post as many pictures as required, always showing the entire object from multiple angles if it's large enough, including current odo or hour meter readings, builder/vin plates for equipment, and specific pictures of included accessories. I don't play the "It's on there but not included." or "negotiable" game. If it's in the picture; it's part of the deal. All pictures are uncluttered with as empty a background as possible (table, grass, floor, bare wall, sky etc.) and the item is always clean and complete as described in the ad.
I fully describe the item honestly, and how much use it's had and any recent maintenance or extraordinary part replacement etc. I also add a bit of descriptive flourish such as , "A solid and reliable machine. Has worked flawlessly for 20 years, and has lots more left." I keep all maintenance receipts for all vehicles and maintenance logs for equipment and hand them to the buyer to review.
Most of the items sell quickly at full asking price, and some with a minimal/acceptable drop. I respond politely to every inquiry, including when the item is sold or I have a potential buyer already. It's no skin off my nose if you don't want to buy it, nor if you want to act like a dick. Almost without fail, I get a response thanking me for being so upfront and quick to respond and a complimentary email after the transaction.
I think crappy ads and sellers attract crappy customers.
I've sold a ton of stuff lately, everything on Marketplace except for one on kijiji. Snowmobiles and tons of related merch, trailer, 4 helmets, kids stuff, home stuff. If the person is nice and doesn't waste my time I often toss them free stuff while they're here if they can use it.
I just posted up some track riding gear for more than reasonable prices and I'll likely end taking add down and keeping it as there's too many time wasters who ask me a ton of questions about the items then tell me they don't travel near me so if I want to drive 1-2hrs to them so they can try stuff on maybe they'll take it.
I just posted up some track riding gear for more than reasonable prices and I'll likely end taking add down and keeping it as there's too many time wasters who ask me a ton of questions about the items then tell me they don't travel near me so if I want to drive 1-2hrs to them so they can try stuff on maybe they'll take it.
Think I'll re-list the Scrambler on March 1st and see how it goes....
POWERMAN
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I sold my Z650 last fall for $500 less than I wanted - Funny thing is I didnt miss it as much as I thought I would given how much I spent on it.
It reached a stage where I had to force myself to ride every year. The 18 year old kid that picked it up was super excited about it. He planned to sell his R3 shortly after.
Gave him a bunch of freebies as well as I wanted to free up space in my basement:
I still have my eye on a cruiser (Indian) however but will hold off for now as I am on the lookout for an awd/4wd beater that is cheap on insurance as well.
Looked at a 2007 Merc E350 with 250k on the odometer. Excellent condition for 4k as the guy had to leave the country this month.
Insurance was close to 3k annually - f that lol.
Keep an eye out for a Suzuki SX4, if you're lucky you can find one that is both AWD & manual. I came across a couple in my car search last year
I go over and above with my listings as well, but I am constantly infuriated by people who ask questions about something that is literally in the first line of the ad.
I’m selling a bunch of old hard drives right now from a storage project that is no longer and in the listings I have disclosed that they are high-hour drives because SMART reports that they’re “Pre-Fail” as a result of the hours, even though the actual amount of reading and writing that they have done is very tiny – they were on hot standby most of the time.
They are priced pretty cheap accordingly and I have gone so far as putting “READ THE DAMN AD FULLY!” more or less in the title where I’ve disclosed this (and said that they are not appropriate for Mission critical storage accordingly), yet I am getting hammered with people inquiring about them wanting to know if they are perfectly healthy without any problems.
I’ve politely (while gnashing teeth) responded “Did you read the ad fully?” in my responses, beyond which pretty much everybody ghosts.
Fragile egos can't handle being made to feel stupid. When you're a little ***** it's easier to tuck your tail and run away than to own up to the oversight and move forward.
Definitely experience a lot of time wasters with FB or Kijiji but, it’s still better than the penny saver days.
I do try to connect with either seller or buyer via phone call. At least for my generation talking to a person you get a feel for them and vice versa.
I had one crazy keyboard commando want to meet up and fight because I listed a 72 TR6 for a friend that had several pics including one of the dash. In the add, the odo pic mileage shown is in miles and the listing only allowed for kilometres. Also mentioned the odometer was likely rolled but, true mileage was unknown. Any questions, give the owner a call etc.
Well apparently they drove to see the car and felt mislead and waste of time. It was a two owner car and the seller an 82 yo and not much for social media. A 72 TR6 with original paint and tasteful mods like Webber carbs and Monza exhaust and meticulously maintained and listed at a decent daily driver.
The fella kept messaging me, calling me names and scammer and owed him for gas and time wasted to see the car etc. I felt like they were on steroids and super aggressive. Anyways, blocked him and car sold within a week of listing near list price to someone that knows these cars etc.
Real eye opener for me and a first.
Point being, there are all kinds out there and doesn’t matter the channel used to sell or buy. I do find AutoTrader pretty much useless. When it was in print, it was my go to.
I do try to connect with either seller or buyer via phone call. At least for my generation talking to a person you get a feel for them and vice versa.
I had one crazy keyboard commando want to meet up and fight because I listed a 72 TR6 for a friend that had several pics including one of the dash. In the add, the odo pic mileage shown is in miles and the listing only allowed for kilometres. Also mentioned the odometer was likely rolled but, true mileage was unknown. Any questions, give the owner a call etc.
Well apparently they drove to see the car and felt mislead and waste of time. It was a two owner car and the seller an 82 yo and not much for social media. A 72 TR6 with original paint and tasteful mods like Webber carbs and Monza exhaust and meticulously maintained and listed at a decent daily driver.
The fella kept messaging me, calling me names and scammer and owed him for gas and time wasted to see the car etc. I felt like they were on steroids and super aggressive. Anyways, blocked him and car sold within a week of listing near list price to someone that knows these cars etc.
Real eye opener for me and a first.
Point being, there are all kinds out there and doesn’t matter the channel used to sell or buy. I do find AutoTrader pretty much useless. When it was in print, it was my go to.
