CL find - how to deal with low-ballers

If they say "Ive got $1000 cash!" I say "1300...paypal"

Do you take cashiers checks?

We had a pushy guy try to throw cash in our face. Too bad it was next to half of what we were asking. Money may talk, but it ain't that well-spoken. Drives me nuts.

That's a good price!

Yes, if they meet you at the bank, you see their drivers license that matches the cashier check, have them sign that they wrote the cashier check, have the bank confirm that said cashier check came from an active bank account with funds to cover it and the bank immediately hands you the cash on the spot.

By the time you give all those requirements, the guy will who asked you to take a cashier check will probably just say, I'll bring cash if he in fact has it.

I personally only deal with cash when dealing with private parties. Private parties that actually have the cash and want the item will generally fully understand.

I have a bike I am selling and listed a few very specific trades I would take- I keep getting offers for shit I don;t want so I have been low-balling them back on trade value with the disclaimer that since they are offering something I have no desire for I am not giving them a fair price. I have two people pissed so far because I low-balled their trades I specifically didn't want, lol.......

Increase your asking price

This^^

Every motorcross racing dirt bike on craigslist has a bubba mcgrath factory powerband taken from a gixxer R1 ninja in the owner's buddy's shop and does 90 mph wheelies easy, so there is no reason at all to ever low ball the seller.

Every bike I list, without fail, I get a few: "Hey, I'll trade you this race quad ABC123. You could easily sell it tomorrow for XXXX"

Everytime - "Then sell it and bring me the cash".... No response.

My favorites are the ones that say they are sending their mover and will pay with paypal.

In my pursuit of a decent post 06 yz 250 two stroke , I'm just going to start ringing sellers make my offer, and it will be way lower than their asking price..... but firm subject to inspection of the bike and then just leave it with them.
I've been watching some bikes that have been just sitting there for a very long time and it's not a surprise considering the ridiculous prices...
Considering that you can buy a brand new 2016 from the parallel imports place in Melbourne for. $8,500...it would seem a bit silly to me to be listing a well used 15 model on the same bikesales site for $7k plus ???

So all they have seen is a few pictures and my description, then the phone call comes...
"What is the lowest price you'd take"
trying to get you to negotiate with yourself....

I reply, "What is the highest you would be willing to pay for if it met all of your expectations?"

I don't have time to deal with them, but I guess that picture also drives the point home.

No matter what I always say something to the effect of "I've only had the bike on CL for a short time and honestly I'm pretty overwhelmed by all of the interest I'm getting. For that reason I'm not going to lower my price. Thanks."

I live out of the country, if I send a check for the full amount could you ship? of course I would add the shipping charges to the check, my uncle is a prince in Nigeria and it will be a gvmnt check so you will have sound sleep that all is well........

With all the interest I've gotten I've realized it's listed too low, but if you want to pay an extra $200 we'll make a deal right now LOL

That is a great advert. Wish I had thought of that when I was a kid selling my old bikes to adults!

On the issue of selling, do you not have instant bank transfer that can be done on a pc or phone in the US ? Makes selling/buying safe and easy as pie.

Johnny Cash is Proud

Lowballs, I like to use the phrase "If you did not like the price on the ad in the first place, you would not have called" When you say that, the person really does not know what to say immediately after.

Secondly- I require phone calls only for first contact, absolutely no text messages or emails! Once I have talked to the person, then I will gladly text. Seems to make any sale very easy and weeds out almost all low ballers.

Awesome job of parenting...

I've bought a few off CL , and if it's what I'm looking for price seems fair....I've never tried to talk someone down on their price. If it's listed too high...I don't bother.

Selling....I've sold I think 6 bikes on CL the past 4 years or so. I always put " CASH ONLY...NO TRADES...PRICE IS FIRM! " ...If I'm not getting calls , I'll lower the price a bit. I still get people low balling me...usually with some sob story. And I still get trade offers. Like people look at the pics but don't read the damn ad.

Something you just have to put up with. But it's better then losing 10 - 20% on a consignment deal with a shop. I will say....every bike I've sold went really smooth.

And they wonder why there kids grow up to be....

if they offer you a low ball price, when they ask if you will accept $xxx cash, just answer back sure, as a down payment.

That's all fair enough, and I've had all of the same experiences myself but it surely is ridiculous ( here in Australia ), what people are asking for old two strokes...then when you see them advertised in the same place at the same price for months on end ....Surely when it comes to second hand dirt bikes , it's really a buyers market?
I feel that twinge of guilt in making a low offer....But I will set the price that Im willing to pay...just got my Yz 125 by doing that...A second hand ,post 06 yz 250 , however , is going to be the problem....
I will continue to make " low ball " offers until I get what I want at the price I'm happy with....unfortunately that will probably mean having to settle with a 2013 or so YZ 250 f for about $4 k as opposed to a 2007 to 2010 yz 250 two stroke for $5 to 7 k. But that 250 f better be " low hours, still,on original tyres , sprockets and chain, oil changed after every ride " etc,etc,etc ...all the bs that people who wanna sell a beater come up with...not keen on dropping $2k in parts , just to freshen up a four stroke motor...Far as I'm concerned, no four stroke that has more than 50 hours on it, is worth any more than half what a new one costs....and only then if it's no more than one year old...
As for bikes that are 6 to 10 years old??? Really? You want 60 to 70 % of what a new one costs ? Really??
I will make my offer...call me back when you are sick of paying money to advertise your old shitter for months on end at your " firm price "

Seriously...just now looking at an 07 yz 250 asking price is $7k, listed just below it is brand new 2016 model for $8.5 k
So if I ring up and offer a fair price of $2,900 for a ten year old motocross bike, does that make me a low baller?
I know for a fact that that bike was about $5k when it was brand new and if the original owner sold it the next year, he probably only got about $2,500 for it.....How could it possibly be worth $7k in 2017?
I know, I know...us low ballers are all just born arseholes....how rude of us to even think of asking the question...

The kid in the picture. Really? Geez....

The last time I sold a bike I got offers to trade for chains saws, $5000 Mtn.Bikes. Quads, campers and tools. In spite of stating no trades and no lowballers.

I make low ball offers, proudly. Have made many great buys just because I was the only guy offering real cash.

The seller is in no way obligated to accept, or even respond.

Pay the price you'd be happy with.