Tips for Selling your Bike on Craigslist

• Table of Contents
• 1. Know your price point
• 2. A well-lit photo is worth one thousand poorly-lit photos
• 3. K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid)
• 4. List your phone number
• 5. First come, first serve

There are several things you need to consider when selling anything on craigslist.org. The popular website allows you to sell just about anything, from furniture to cars. One of the reasons that craigslist has worked so well is because of their anonymous emailing system that allows you to post something without having your email and/or contact number available to the world. If you’re ready to sell your motorcycle, here are some tips that will make your selling experience better. I have been selling things on craigslist for the last decade and have become very comfortable using it and have compiled a list that will definitely help you.

1. Know your price point

This is not as hard as it seems. First thing you need to do is know where you price your bike. There are many websites out there that will tell you what your bike is worth in its current state. Take my 2005 Honda 919 for example, kbb.com currently says it’s worth $3700. You should also see what your bike is going for on sites like ebay.com to see what price your bike is selling nationwide. Keep in mind that you’ll need to price your motorcycle competitively but always start on the high end so you leave room for negotiations. If your ad isn’t getting callbacks or email replies, it’s probably because you’re pricing your bike too high for the local market, you can always repost your listing at a lower price.

2. A well-lit photo is worth one thousand poorly-lit photos

I can’t stress how important this is, if you want to sell your motorcycle you need to make it as presentable as possible. Taking a picture of it in your cluttered garage with poor lighting on your crappy cell phone camera is probably not going to be good enough. Choose a nice clear day outside, make sure you bike is clean and the background is also clean, this can be the difference between selling right away and not selling at all. When looking to buy something online, I don’t even bother looking at listings without pictures. It’s always a hassle emailing back and forth and asking people for pictures, don’t be that guy.

3. K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid)

Your ad doesn’t need to tell the buyer your sentimental attachment to it or how many of your kids the bike is responsible for. All you need to post in your add is a short list of the most important points; manufacturer, model, year, mileage, after market modifications, and whether it has ever been in an accident etc. Buyers only want to these things and nothing else. If you include this valuable information, you’ll have to answer less questions when people start calling or emailing you.

4. List your phone number

I personally struggled doing this when I was selling my first few things. Can you blame me? If the sale didn’t go through, I didn’t want half a dozen of pissed off people having my number. Over the years, I realized that I was having better success selling my items by simple including my number and I was selling the items a lot faster than ever before.

5. First come, first serve

This is the age-old golden rule for craigslist buyers/sellers. It makes a lot of sense too. I’ve been promised the sun and the moon by buyers telling me that they’re on their way to buy the item but have to stop at their baby’s momma’s house to pick up some money. I’ve also been stood up a couple of dozen times as well. If you’re already pricing your motorcycle correctly, you know what you’d like to get out of it and what your lowest accepted offer will be. When I’m selling something I simply want to get rid of it so the first offer to come inside my price range will take it, don’t wait for a potentially higher offer that will never come. I always end my listings with, “First person with cash takes it.” I find that this is key because money talks, right?

Always keep in mind that you want to make sure you’re staying safe when you’re meeting the buyer. If you’re not comfortable having people come to your house, meet at a public location during day time so you can avoid any dangerous situations. Also, never accept personal checks or cashier’s check, they can be easily forged, cash is king! Now get to selling, I’m sure you have a garage full of things that you’re ready to part ways with…that reminds me, anyone want to buy a lightly used Honda Racing jacket?