part exchanging

[wow]

I never know how it works. Altho quite new to bikes (just been riding 2 years on a big bike) I have bought 3 bikes already (1 was my 125), part exchanged one of them. What I'm unsure about is how it (should) work(s). You're interested in a bike, start talking about a price and extras etc etc, then they estimate the value of your current bike. How do you know that they don't take anything more off you old bike as they've just offered you a lower price for the new bike? Do you always have yours estimated before you start talking about a price for the new one?

I sold one bike via biketrader that was ok.

I've never tried E-bay.

[arenalife]

It all depends on your bike, if it's a old scruff bag, niche model or tasteless modded bike you're better off selling it. Dealers love clean original desirable bikes. They sometimes offer as much as a private sale price for them, they have done for me a couple of times in the past.

As soon as you start looking at a bike they usually get chatty with you and ask what you're riding now, as soon as you tell them they're working out a deal based on it. If you hold out till the end after all your bargaining for extras etc then surprise them with a PX, don't be surprised if they offer you a lower figure. Usually you'd have mentioned the PX while discussing cost. If they're stiffing you they'll usually keep telling you about 'cost to change up' instead of telling you how little they're offering for your bike.

eBay is very good for getting rid of bikes quick for a reasonable amount. Not as much as some private sales but usually more than PX and you know it's going to go so you can plan getting your new bike around it.

[hovis]

i guess it depends on how much they offer you for your bike, you should know how much its worth or how much you want for it.
im about to do this, but if they dont offer me what i want, i will sell the bike private.
one good thing about PX is it takes the hassle out of selling your bike, so it may be worth taking a bit less, so you dont have to wait to sell, and you dont get idiots comming around and offering you silly money, and picking faults (time wasters)

[yorkie_chris]

Remember if you're offered a "good" PX price, then they'll just make it up on the price of the new one.

Better to sell private IMO, you're not paying anyones overheads except your own there.

[Wideboy]

also its YOUR bike so don't accept the offer if you think its to low, like most people said better to sell private

[shonadoll]

I'd sell privately, you'd get more for it. They just adjust the prices anyway.

Ebay, biketrader are both good - I prefer ebay, bigger audience and that auction fever. Just make sure you take tons of photos, on a nice day, with a good background. If I'm looking I always scrutinise the surroundings too, to see if their house is falling down or something!

I took my vn pics on a gravel drive and got a nice shot of a new (loan) car too!

[Lozzo]

Never be afraid to say "Sorry but that's nowhere near what it's worth to you or me" and walk away. If they want to sell a bike then they'll call you back, be tough and be prepared to negotiate hard. If he can't drop the price of the bike, or give you much more in px then start mentioning that you'd quite like new accessories and clothing - see what offer he makes, then go away to think on it. Never sign up there and then, do your homework at home. If he pushes for a signature there and then, find another dealer.

Like someone else has said, it's your bike and you're under no obligation to take peanuts for it. Personally I'd never px a bike because every dealer needs to make a huge profit to survive, and it's you and me who lose on the px because of that.

Sell privately, and when doing that never take any stick from buyers. If someone is getting too pushy with the negotiations tell them you've changed your mind and you'd rather keep it than sell for such a low price, then show them the way out. If they're somewhere near what the bike is worth then give it consideration and never be afraid to say "Lets stop these shenanigans and call it quits, I say we meet half way between your offer and what I want" then put your hand out as if to shake on the deal, and watch it be accepted.

[Durbs]

They sometimes offer as much as a private sale price for them, they have done for me a couple of times in the past.

Aye, PX'd my Varadero a few months back and got more than i was asking privately for it! Also struck a decent deal on the SV i was swapping it for.

But generally the first thing they'll ask is are you a PX or cash buyer and mentally adjust their patter accordingly so you always lose out a bit on a PX.

Well worth it for the reduction in hassle of selling privately - had a couple of afternoons waiting in for people who never showed up when i advertised my bike privately. Really annoyed me that so i'll stick to PX in the future.

[Steve W]

Know what your bike is worth from the relevant press, dealers, Parker's guide etc.

Know what cash you want or need for the bike.

Don't rush in and agree straight off.

Dealer is generally less hassle but also less money.

If buying in part exchange know whether the bike you're buying is one that is likely to sell easily and if what you're buying is also used whether that's popular, how long the dealer's been trying to sell it.

When I bought in part exhange I knew what I was prepared to pay to make up the differnce between what I was selling and what I was buying e.g. my bike was worth around ?2.8k; bike I wanted to buy for sale at ?4.95k so had firm limit as to what I was prepared to pay (?2.3k).

Good luck!