I might have just made a mistake.

Someone has contacted me about my bike i have for sale and asked if i would meet them half way(ish). I've said NO. Was it a silly thing to have done or should i have just gone along with it for the sale? Any advise welcome I'm not trying to offend any one that has done or dose do a deal this way.

Oh and the FOR SALE LINK BY THE WAY IS: http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=48689

Thanks

[Sid Squid]

It's possibly a little paranoid, but some sellers prefer the very first meeting is done elsewhere than the address at which the bike is kept, as a seller, assuming you do sell, there is no advantage as long as you're taking cash, as a buyer I always make certain that the house I'm standing outside is that of the seller, ask to use the toilet or say you've had a long journey and would like a cuppa or something, just make sure that the address really is the seller's, if you need any comeback you'll be glad you did.

Being realistic, have you had much interest in your bike? If yes, well then you don't need to put yourself out, if no, then perhaps this would have at least established one potential buyer.
Remember this; the overwhelming majority of people are perfectly decent, honest and reasonable, your potential buyer is hugely likely to be just that too, and don't forget that of the less honest and decent folk, people who sell bikes are represented in that fraction to. Also, just like you, your potential buyer has every reason to be suspicious of you trying to take their money, a bit of give and take in the form of easing their first viewing isn't by necessity unreasonable, particularly if there's an appreciable distance between you, I've traveled some distance more than once to view bikes which are so far from the description given that I'd really like to punch* the seller for wasting my time and money.

*Don't punch people, at the very least it's bad manners.

I've done this before with no problem.

Just make sure its somwhere nice and public with plenty of folks about.
Probably worth taking a friend with you for support.

As Sid says, you think it'd be in their interest to be outside your house. I've read advise before about not meeting people at your house when selling, as they may be bike thieves scoping out your address and garage security. This is probably more of an issue if you have a ltd. edition £20K piece of exotica than an SV, mind.

If it wasn't miles out of my way, I'd probably meet them, just go a different route to normal on a weekend pleasure ride/commute home. I don't think I'd want to ride 100 miles just to see them, unless there was an understanding they'd pay for my fuel, regardless of whether or not they bought the bike. Can you imagine how irate you'd be if cancelled a prior engagement, rode 200 miles to meet them, your bike was better than described and it then transpired the bloke was a dreamer without the cash, or a test pilot just looking for a ride with no intention of buying?

Thats more my fear is going all that way for nothing what ever the senerio this guy seems genuine enough but i supose its beaing out of my comfort zone, nd hey im selling a lovely clean low mileage bike its not gunna be that after a few trips up and down the motor way this time of year.

cheers guys,
Dan

When I was selling my RS125 in MCN a chap called 'Tony' called to view it but couldn't get to my address and so wanted me to take it to a car park about 10 miles from my house in the evening.

Absolutely no way was I going to do that!

My suspicions were confirmed when the same guy called again, this time from Autotrader, giving himself a different name but still wanting me to take it to the same carpark.

I suppose it depends on how good a judge of character you are over the phone. Might be worth taking a few 'handy' mates with you, incase it turns out to be a setup.

....so he couldn't get to your house, but he could get to a car park 10 mins away

well left.

Anytime I've taken a vehicle to meet prospective buyers it's been a waste of time.

it always feels like you've gone to sell something, whereas when they come to you, they're coming to buy something - crucial in negociations.

If he was a serious buyer - he'd come and see it.
If he buys it how is he going to get it home? how are you going to get home?

If he's going to buy it, he has to come to you to pick it up at some point.

By travelling half way it means 100% that you won't sell it that day.

It's december, bike sales are slow, he's bored and not very commited to buying a bike, unless someone gift wraps it for him, delivers it to his door and accepts half of what it's worth.

Stay warm, put your feet up with a coffee and wait for him to travel to you

i disagree with Joolz

Imagine you are looking for a bike for around £2k and you live in Birmingham..youve spotted a few bikes you fancy but want to see them first - isnt it reasonable to ask someone to travel to meet you half way, if they live in London or furthur? Yes they dont intend to buy there and then, but if they like what they see, they can make arrangements to come back by train / get a lft next w/e or whatever...

I totally disagree. I've travelled a hundred miles and more to buy cars worth less than the average 32" LCD TV.

If you really want it, you'll travel. If you don't, or you're not sure you want it, you won't. Simple as.

All depends on how desperate you are to sell