I have to vent! Acceptable behavior when purchasing a motorcycle.

Racerx930
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Stillwater, OK, USA
10/15/2011 11:08am
I have several bikes I own that are like new or honestly better than new. However I try to undersell and over deliver.


Racerx930
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774
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Location
Stillwater, OK, USA
10/15/2011 11:15am
And while I'm ranting I no longer leave feedback for people who bought items from me on ebay. A good transaction goes both ways, believe it or not some people are simply BAD BUYERS. If I can only leave one type of feedback for someone I see no point in it.
JW381
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Harrisburg, OR, USA
10/15/2011 11:39am
This thread makes me happy - happy to know everyone else deals with complete morons when selling stuff also.

My favorite was the kid that offered me his bmx bike, his ps2 and his shitty ps2 games for my first yz250f. The ps3 was already out at that time haha. Had another dude offer me 2000 for something I had listed at a generous 3400. I got 3200 at least. That was my 09 yz250 smoker.
FGR01
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USA
Fantasy
10/15/2011 11:41am
Racerx930 wrote:
I have over 300+ salvage type bikes. I never had intentions of owning a motorcycle salvage but one day I left home to purchase 3 XR75's...
I have over 300+ salvage type bikes. I never had intentions of owning a motorcycle salvage but one day I left home to purchase 3 XR75's and ended up with all these bikes. I sell a lot of salvage type parts on ebay. I have a customer right now furious with me because the 1978 YZ80 stuff he purchased off of ebay does not fit his 1976. If he would of told me before hand he needed this stuff for a 76 I would of told him up front it doesn't fit! Now he wants to return it after I pulled down a complete engine, split cases and everything to pull the parts he needed!
FGR01 wrote:
It goes both ways.. most of the salvage dudes on ebay (or the local yokels just parting out a stolen bike) always say "I'm pretty sure...
It goes both ways.. most of the salvage dudes on ebay (or the local yokels just parting out a stolen bike) always say "I'm pretty sure it will fit a 1999-2012.. or they'll just say it does fit all those years. They just want a quick buck and don't care if the guy gets the thing and it doesn't work for him. They'll sometimes put the disclaimer on there "do your homework" or "check with your dealer" and no returns if it doesn't fit your bike.
Racerx930 wrote:
I had an entire 1978 YZ80 engine listed. I had it listed as a 1979 YZ80 engine and even gave the first 3 digits of the...
I had an entire 1978 YZ80 engine listed. I had it listed as a 1979 YZ80 engine and even gave the first 3 digits of the engine vin. I was contacted and asked if I would pull it down to sell just a few parts. This is in NO way my fault. Never once did he ask if it would fit a 76
Oh, not trying to point the finger at you personally at all. I'm just saying that most of the sellers on ebay parting out bikes don't really know what they have (after all, it's not their personal bike) and are just trying to make a buck. They are purposefully vague or misleading in their descriptions to increase the chances of snagging some hapless schmuck. And you gotta love the minimal/blurry pictures. If you try to send them questions about a part they realize they are cornered by someone that actually knows what's up and they get all curt and pissy.

The Shop

Racerx930
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Stillwater, OK, USA
10/15/2011 11:51am Edited Date/Time 10/15/2011 11:57am
FGR01 wrote:
It goes both ways.. most of the salvage dudes on ebay (or the local yokels just parting out a stolen bike) always say "I'm pretty sure...
It goes both ways.. most of the salvage dudes on ebay (or the local yokels just parting out a stolen bike) always say "I'm pretty sure it will fit a 1999-2012.. or they'll just say it does fit all those years. They just want a quick buck and don't care if the guy gets the thing and it doesn't work for him. They'll sometimes put the disclaimer on there "do your homework" or "check with your dealer" and no returns if it doesn't fit your bike.
Racerx930 wrote:
I had an entire 1978 YZ80 engine listed. I had it listed as a 1979 YZ80 engine and even gave the first 3 digits of the...
I had an entire 1978 YZ80 engine listed. I had it listed as a 1979 YZ80 engine and even gave the first 3 digits of the engine vin. I was contacted and asked if I would pull it down to sell just a few parts. This is in NO way my fault. Never once did he ask if it would fit a 76
FGR01 wrote:
Oh, not trying to point the finger at you personally at all. I'm just saying that most of the sellers on ebay parting out bikes don't...
Oh, not trying to point the finger at you personally at all. I'm just saying that most of the sellers on ebay parting out bikes don't really know what they have (after all, it's not their personal bike) and are just trying to make a buck. They are purposefully vague or misleading in their descriptions to increase the chances of snagging some hapless schmuck. And you gotta love the minimal/blurry pictures. If you try to send them questions about a part they realize they are cornered by someone that actually knows what's up and they get all curt and pissy.
I think it all comes back again to being reasonable. I try to be a reasonable seller. I shouldn't be expected to be an expert on every bike. You are correct I have no clue about some of the stuff I'm selling. If someone has specific concerns about something I try to address them. For example some times I have electrical parts I have no way of testing. I throw them on there for next to nothing and tell people it might be worth taking a chance on, If it works they saved a ton, if not they're not out much.

I also think buyers need to have reasonable expectations. Some ebay part out guys ask rediculous! prices on this stuff. I guess the theory is to do less work and bring in the same money. I price my stuff dirt cheap and just try to move it, after all I have more where it came from on most stuff. If I sell a part for $20 people need to expect a $20 part. If someone expects to get a new or like new part off of a bike that's 30 to 40 years old they are not going to be happy and I state that in my auctions.

On that note I have to be very very careful what I say about something as people will try to hang you on one word. It's no secret if there is a problem with an ebay transaction ebay leaves the seller out to dry 95% of the time. Just like when I'm selling a bike I try to under promise and over deliver.
eeazye
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Akron, OH, USA
10/15/2011 12:02pm
Wow, I can't believe you guys actually get stuff sold on CL! It's been my experience that everytime I list something, the majority of people call or email trying to trade some garbage.

I agree with the idea of being prepared to buy if you call someone and go out to look at an item. It's worked well for me over the years. I'll make the person an offer and literally show them the cash. most times they take it. If not, no big deal.
gsxrcr28
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Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
10/15/2011 12:03pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2011 12:12pm
Years ago I was selling a RD 400. The guy comes over with his friend and asked to take it for a ride, I say no prob just be careful. The friend and I wait about 20 minutes and no sign of the guy. So we get in the car to go look for him, we drive about 4 blocks and find the guy sitting on the sidewalk with road rash and the RD twisted up well off the road up in some trees and bushes. My first words were "looks like you bought it" and luckily he says "yeah I know" and paid me right then, and the bike was jacked up big time. Apparently he tried to wheelie it and looped it. Selling bikes can definately suck at times.
eeazye
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Akron, OH, USA
10/15/2011 12:05pm
JW381 wrote:
This thread makes me happy - happy to know everyone else deals with complete morons when selling stuff also. My favorite was the kid that offered...
This thread makes me happy - happy to know everyone else deals with complete morons when selling stuff also.

My favorite was the kid that offered me his bmx bike, his ps2 and his shitty ps2 games for my first yz250f. The ps3 was already out at that time haha. Had another dude offer me 2000 for something I had listed at a generous 3400. I got 3200 at least. That was my 09 yz250 smoker.
I feel your pain!
captmoto
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
10/15/2011 12:22pm
captmoto wrote:
There are as many shady sellers as buyers. I've been looking a little to get back on a modern bike. I've done quite a bit of...
There are as many shady sellers as buyers. I've been looking a little to get back on a modern bike. I've done quite a bit of driving for "immaculate" condition bikes with hacked plastics, shot chains and sprockets and worn tires. Then, they takes 10 or 12 kicks to start which makes me think intake valves. I am one of those buyers that doesn't buy on the first visit, sorry, if it's buyer beware, I will be very wary
Racerx930 wrote:
I buy alot of bikes so I know what you'r saying. For the most part people aren't intentionally lying to you though. Some peoples standards for...
I buy alot of bikes so I know what you'r saying. For the most part people aren't intentionally lying to you though. Some peoples standards for good condition aren't just very high.

And as far as not buying on the first trip I can't agree on that one, I guess if you have lots of free time. If I'm going to look at something I'm going because I'm going to buy it if it's what I'm looking for. No use wasting everyones time with multiple trips.
Well, here in SoCal there are alot more choices for used bikes. Just because I show up doesn't mean I have to pay what someone asks for a beater, especially a 4 stroke. Too many potential time bombs out there.
Racerx930
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Stillwater, OK, USA
10/15/2011 12:34pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2011 12:39pm
captmoto wrote:
There are as many shady sellers as buyers. I've been looking a little to get back on a modern bike. I've done quite a bit of...
There are as many shady sellers as buyers. I've been looking a little to get back on a modern bike. I've done quite a bit of driving for "immaculate" condition bikes with hacked plastics, shot chains and sprockets and worn tires. Then, they takes 10 or 12 kicks to start which makes me think intake valves. I am one of those buyers that doesn't buy on the first visit, sorry, if it's buyer beware, I will be very wary
Racerx930 wrote:
I buy alot of bikes so I know what you'r saying. For the most part people aren't intentionally lying to you though. Some peoples standards for...
I buy alot of bikes so I know what you'r saying. For the most part people aren't intentionally lying to you though. Some peoples standards for good condition aren't just very high.

And as far as not buying on the first trip I can't agree on that one, I guess if you have lots of free time. If I'm going to look at something I'm going because I'm going to buy it if it's what I'm looking for. No use wasting everyones time with multiple trips.
captmoto wrote:
Well, here in SoCal there are alot more choices for used bikes. Just because I show up doesn't mean I have to pay what someone asks...
Well, here in SoCal there are alot more choices for used bikes. Just because I show up doesn't mean I have to pay what someone asks for a beater, especially a 4 stroke. Too many potential time bombs out there.
I have no arguement with that satement. That's a completely different subject. You said you're not going to buy a bike on the first trip, No one should have to show you the bike 5 times for you to determine that. There's no shortage of used bikes anywhere.

I once bought a truck from a local small car dealership when I was 20 years old. I remember trying to get out of the dealership by saying "I need to go look at this other truck in Oklahoma City first". The Salesman said "why go all the way down there and get fucked when you can get fucked right here" I paid the man on the spot!
Walter
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Tucson, AZ, USA
10/15/2011 1:09pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
Once when I was selling a bike a guy came over to look, test rode it, then asked if he could take a pic of the...
Once when I was selling a bike a guy came over to look, test rode it, then asked if he could take a pic of the bike. I thought that was kinda strange but being the easygoing person I am I said sure. About a week later I see an ad for my bike with an asking price a couple hundred more than what I was asking. I had them take the ad down, lol.
Todd Applegate? Evil
The post of the day...
CR500Rider
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San Antonio, TX, USA
10/15/2011 1:33pm
Test rides with cash in my hand. That's just a good policy.
Electro
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Beloit, WI, USA
10/15/2011 1:58pm
Racerx930 wrote:
I have several bikes I own that are like new or honestly better than new. However I try to undersell and over deliver. [img]http://hphotos-sea1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/252573_211460468892527_100000857270311_584769_1404042_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205639_197840430254531_100000857270311_495900_4137526_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/299590_259077414130832_100000857270311_751664_1006537887_n.jpg[/img]
I have several bikes I own that are like new or honestly better than new. However I try to undersell and over deliver.


That grey xr was the first real bike I ever rode , about 8yrs old at the time , obviously it left an empression on me till this day, loved that thing.
Electro
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Beloit, WI, USA
10/15/2011 2:09pm
captmoto wrote:
There are as many shady sellers as buyers. I've been looking a little to get back on a modern bike. I've done quite a bit of...
There are as many shady sellers as buyers. I've been looking a little to get back on a modern bike. I've done quite a bit of driving for "immaculate" condition bikes with hacked plastics, shot chains and sprockets and worn tires. Then, they takes 10 or 12 kicks to start which makes me think intake valves. I am one of those buyers that doesn't buy on the first visit, sorry, if it's buyer beware, I will be very wary
I always get pics of all angles of the bike emailed to me cause CL pics suck ,then I inspect them very carefully, then I usually get the guy to meet me half way if it is to far and always in a place where you can ride it but will have people around because when your carrying a bunch of cash ya never know. And I make up a reciept with vin number and make them sign.
Walter
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Tucson, AZ, USA
10/15/2011 2:26pm
Over the last year or so I have bought and sold a number of vintage motorcycles and bicycles.

I am particularly fond of the "buyers" who begin with "What'll ya take fer it?" or "What is your bottom line" wanting me to start by bidding against myself and those who make a ridiculous lowball offer and then, when I say no thanks we are done here, insist that I "have to" make a counter offer.

I recently had a bike that I had meticulously described in the ad and had posted many detailed photos. A "buyer" showed up and started to pick the bike apart on a number of areas (all BS). I grew tired of it, stopped him and said..."I guess this is not the bike for you" and told him we are done here. Guy became very irate and insisted that I had to lower my price because of the "problems" with the bike. That meeting ended poorly.
DANIELINS
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Location
canyon hills, CA, USA
10/15/2011 2:47pm
A friend of mine has a bike i want to buy (1975 yamaha mx 125), we went back and forth and finally settled on a price, he asked me to deposit the funds in his bank account and i did this morning. I went to pick up the bike at his brothers house and i was told that they lended it to a friend to ride this weekend and he should have it back tomorrow night..wtf? this is a pristine 35 year old bike, why in the fuk would you lend it to someone to ride if it is sold????as you can tell i'm pissed
ATKpilot99
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Lake Geneva, WI, USA
10/15/2011 3:34pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
Classic Craigslist right here.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/2650498539.html Looks like it hasn't been washed since 92
Hallzilla wrote:
What a pile of shit, That idiot would have to pay me to take it away And he's asking 2 grand, that guy has been hitting...
What a pile of shit, That idiot would have to pay me to take it away And he's asking 2 grand, that guy has been hitting the pipe for too long.
But it's set up for racing and can go 85... Actually now that I think of it that doesn't even look like a 92. I think KTM 250s had right side kick by that time. Looks like mid to late 80s.
bmxcurator
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The Desert, AZ, USA
10/15/2011 5:48pm
After dealing with jackholes for several bike sales (thru craigslist and ebay) I was selling a nice RM125 for 1,200. Girl calls and says she will be at my house in the morning, around 10AM. 9:59 that morning, she rolls up with an empty trailer and 1,100 cash and places it in my hands. I ask her if she wants to hear it run: "Oh.....sure" I fire it up, we make small talk. Find out she drove over 4 hours to get here. I promptly hand her one of her $100 bills back for her gas, she was very grateful.
machine
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Collettsville, NC, USA
10/15/2011 5:50pm
bmxcurator wrote:
After dealing with jackholes for several bike sales (thru craigslist and ebay) I was selling a nice RM125 for 1,200. Girl calls and says she will...
After dealing with jackholes for several bike sales (thru craigslist and ebay) I was selling a nice RM125 for 1,200. Girl calls and says she will be at my house in the morning, around 10AM. 9:59 that morning, she rolls up with an empty trailer and 1,100 cash and places it in my hands. I ask her if she wants to hear it run: "Oh.....sure" I fire it up, we make small talk. Find out she drove over 4 hours to get here. I promptly hand her one of her $100 bills back for her gas, she was very grateful.
you just ruined the thread, thanks a lot......Tongue



btw -please don't tell me she was hot too.
MOTODAD422
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Easton, PA, USA
10/15/2011 6:19pm
I had a YZ250 for sale in the local free paper and the ad said $ 2500.00 or best offer,a guy calls me up and asks if anyone offered me more than $ 2500.00, I thought about it for a second and said yeah someone offered me 2650.00 , he said would you take 2700.00 and I said maybe, come and look at it. He came to my house and gave me the 2700.00,but had no tie downs, and asked if he could buy a set from me,for 50.00 bucks, I said no problem.
ATKpilot99
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Lake Geneva, WI, USA
10/15/2011 7:21pm
MOTODAD422 wrote:
I had a YZ250 for sale in the local free paper and the ad said $ 2500.00 or best offer,a guy calls me up and asks...
I had a YZ250 for sale in the local free paper and the ad said $ 2500.00 or best offer,a guy calls me up and asks if anyone offered me more than $ 2500.00, I thought about it for a second and said yeah someone offered me 2650.00 , he said would you take 2700.00 and I said maybe, come and look at it. He came to my house and gave me the 2700.00,but had no tie downs, and asked if he could buy a set from me,for 50.00 bucks, I said no problem.
Bizzaro world negotiating.
Racerx930
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Stillwater, OK, USA
10/16/2011 2:51pm
I had bike #2 at a local vintage race today. Someone came up to me at the race today and asked if I would consider selling it. I told him the price and he paid me on the spot.
scrubz
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USA
10/16/2011 4:44pm
Craigslist is fine, get rid of the email reply back in the listing part so no one can email you, put your phone number there and say no text messaging! I ignore texts on my bikes, Especially the "bro, you still got the bike?" I text my friends but will do no buisness with anyone during a sale with texts! If they want it, they will call, this method brings the honest people out. If I look at a bike on cl, if there is no number, I dont bother, no one ever replies back anyway! If people dont have the courage to talk in person about a sale, they are not interested. I have had bikes on ebay before with my number posted, if the listing ends, you would be surprised at the people that call you after, and make a deal after. Cash only deals, I use a 3 copy bill of sale and check all bills with a conterfeit bill pen. This has been my experience over the years.
scrubz
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10/16/2011 4:48pm
MOTODAD422 wrote:
I had a YZ250 for sale in the local free paper and the ad said $ 2500.00 or best offer,a guy calls me up and asks...
I had a YZ250 for sale in the local free paper and the ad said $ 2500.00 or best offer,a guy calls me up and asks if anyone offered me more than $ 2500.00, I thought about it for a second and said yeah someone offered me 2650.00 , he said would you take 2700.00 and I said maybe, come and look at it. He came to my house and gave me the 2700.00,but had no tie downs, and asked if he could buy a set from me,for 50.00 bucks, I said no problem.
Nice!
10/16/2011 4:51pm Edited Date/Time 10/16/2011 4:52pm
Don't you just love it when you have a clean, well sorted bike, receipts for any new / rebuilt components, and you have it priced at a loss already? Then you get the Creepslist guys shooting you lowball offers.

Bikes in good shape or ones that have been refurbished to very good condition don't just get that way by themselves.

How many hours have we all spent on a bike, that really can not be added to the price of said machine?

I had a guy from the 'list come out to look / buy a bike a while back. There was nothing he could pick apart on it. But still got the lowball offer. I asked the guy if he thought the bike / parts just jumped together to look as good as it did. He said well, uh,er,um, ...no.

He was firm on his offer,which was about $150 bucks off my low buck. So I started taking things off the bike until I had $150 worth of stuff laying on the ground.

He went for it, and bought the bike.Unsure
scrubz
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USA
10/16/2011 4:58pm
I had a older xr75, It was black, not the original color, I sold it on craigslist and met the guy, he seen it and said " i thought it was gray?" I said NO SIR. It was worded with black in the ad and had good photos, I printed the craigslist ad off before I met the guy that day, He had nothing to say. DONE DEAL!
scrubz
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USA
10/16/2011 5:05pm
Don't you just love it when you have a clean, well sorted bike, receipts for any new / rebuilt components, and you have it priced at...
Don't you just love it when you have a clean, well sorted bike, receipts for any new / rebuilt components, and you have it priced at a loss already? Then you get the Creepslist guys shooting you lowball offers.

Bikes in good shape or ones that have been refurbished to very good condition don't just get that way by themselves.

How many hours have we all spent on a bike, that really can not be added to the price of said machine?

I had a guy from the 'list come out to look / buy a bike a while back. There was nothing he could pick apart on it. But still got the lowball offer. I asked the guy if he thought the bike / parts just jumped together to look as good as it did. He said well, uh,er,um, ...no.

He was firm on his offer,which was about $150 bucks off my low buck. So I started taking things off the bike until I had $150 worth of stuff laying on the ground.

He went for it, and bought the bike.Unsure
Wow! Good job! I sure hope he was happy as he got his price then! LOL at creepslist, that site brings out some interesting people!
10/16/2011 6:09pm
A couple years ago a guy who was helping me out with funds for racing asked me to sell his sons 2007 CRF 150R. The bike literally had 1 ride on it as his son looped it out on a dirt road the first time he rode it and they parked it for a year and a half before deciding to sell it. It sat in a shed for a while so we bought new plastic, graphics, put on new tires, new chain, and cleaned it up to look like showroom again. I listed it on CL and this guy calls right away saying he wants to buy it for my asking price. He wants to buy it for his son, who has never ridden, and is going to bring his "friend" who used to race "the C class at Dade City" to look at it and make sure its a good deal. I say no problem and we make a plan to meet for the sell. He and his "ex-racer buddy" show up and his dickhole buddy starts going over the bike with a fine-tooth comb. He asks a 1000 questions and then starts in toward a tone that the bike was stolen. I told him yes, I stole it, along with the title, cleaned it up, and then invited you to my house to buy it. He then starts asking about the other bikes in my garage (2 CRF250s and 2 CRF 450s, all with # 599 and identical graphics) wanting to know if I had stolen them as well. About this time I invited him to go get fucked. He ran out claiming to be back with the police asap. Sold it to his buddy the next day for the asking price and 20 minutes worth of apologies.

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