Selling a bike through small ads- good protocol

Staggerlee46

Hi
Sorry if this has been covered previously.
I have a second-hand hybrid to sell. Can you recommend a classifieds site through which to sell. I realise BikeRadar has it's own classifieds section- does this compare favourably to posting on Gumtree for example?
My other question is what kind of deposit would you usually ask for before Joe Bloggs rides into the sunset having not paid a penny? Would you ask for the full asking price or a passport for example before the customers takes it for a test ride?
Thanks

suzyb

If the customer is taking it on a test ride wouldn't they have to leave their car behind, unless they live locally and walked ofc.

Staggerlee46

True- I am selling in South London though where people tend to travel by local bus/train a lot.

dresbo

Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

spen666

dresbo wrote:

Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

I would not buy a bike without a test ride- there are so many things you can't tell until you ride a bike.

Many problems only appear when bike is being ridden under a load.

You can't get feel of bike etc by looking at it

nicklouse

spen666 wrote:

dresbo wrote:

Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

I would not buy a bike without a test ride- there are so many things you can't tell until you ride a bike.

Many problems only appear when bike is being ridden under a load.

You can't get feel of bike etc by looking at it

if allowing a test ride have some form of security.

an envelope full of newspaper cuttings and a Van/car round the corner loses you a bike very quickly.

spen666

nicklouse wrote:

spen666 wrote:

dresbo wrote:

Personally I wouldn't allow a 'test ride'. There's not much that you can tell about a bike from riding it that you can't tell from looking and sitting. If the gears skip or chain sucks, well, tell them, otherwise tell them that they're fine.

I reckon they either want 'a bike' in which case they're not going to care about the exact feel, or they'll know exactly what they want and know it when they see it.

I would not buy a bike without a test ride- there are so many things you can't tell until you ride a bike.

Many problems only appear when bike is being ridden under a load.

You can't get feel of bike etc by looking at it

if allowing a test ride have some form of security.

an envelope full of newspaper cuttings and a Van/car round the corner loses you a bike very quickly.

Agreed-
I suggest you take a limb or two as a deposit :twisted:

Some form of security is needed - be sensible like you all are

condorman

I'd take their picture on a digital camera/mobile telephone. Providing they come back with bike you'll be happy to delete their image - unless of course they're paying by cheque!

Staggerlee46

I think it is reasonable to assume people would want to test ride it. After all you would want to do so if purchasing from a shop. I know CycleSurgery take the full price of the bike off a credit card then re-imburse you when you return with the bike, Other shops would just take a credit card off you.
I was thinking instead of taking a deposit you could join them on a test ride to make sure they don't do a runner (assuming you have two bikes).

AyrshireBacon

Staggerlee46 wrote:

I was thinking instead of taking a deposit you could join them on a test ride to make sure they don't do a runner (assuming you have two bikes).

..and they can't scalp you

I saw something similar to this here. Chap was having a test ride on a Boardman Road Carbon and the youngster from the shop went with him. Looked a lot faster than the boy, so must have provided some security (cash/card/Id) before they left.

Staggerlee46

...they could end up with a 2-4-1 I suppose.

dresbo

Presumably they'd have the cash with them if they're serious. They could leave it with you and take it for a test. The downside of this is haggling is hard afterwards!

What about you riding up front on the bars while they pedal

Staggerlee46

or belt and braces- follow them in their own car.

AyrshireBacon

Staggerlee46 wrote:

or belt and braces- follow them in their own car.

Insurance issues. Also, would need to see ownership of the car. A stolen car could soon be swapped for a stolen bike.

amnezia

Just attach a really long rope to your bike

Wallace1492

AyrshireBacon wrote:

Staggerlee46 wrote:

or belt and braces- follow them in their own car.

Insurance issues. Also, would need to see ownership of the car. A stolen car could soon be swapped for a stolen bike.

Not very productive thieves....

Staggerlee46

I didn't mean this to turn into a 'Everyone is on the Make' thread.......!

Wallace1492

They are though, just like when cycling all the b4stards are out to kill you.
Be wary. Be careful.

Full set of fingerprints (check first for fake latex finger ends), take retina scan, tie an explosive collar round his neck and only you have the code - it is set to explode in 10 minutes so bike better be back by then. That should do the trick.....

May put of a few time wasters, but if they are serious buyers.....

Staggerlee46

I think I'd be more inclined to do that if I posted on Gumtree rather than here.....