Buying a bike on Ebay

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I never bid on anything until about 30 seconds at most before the auction ends. To me it's not a race to see who can push the selling price as high as possible. If everyone did the same then ebay prices wouldn't go skyhigh silly.

TBH these bikes dont seem to reach their reserve ive noticed. So there shouldnt be too much of an issue there... Unless there is a **** about who wants to pump up the price to be a .

[timwilky]

Buying a bike off ebay is no different to buying privately. OK, you win the bid. Then go see, if not as described walk away or renegotiate. What is the worse they can do, leave negative feedback, to which you simply say, not as described, lying ******* etc. never ever leave a deposit

As for paying. I always pay with readies. When negotiating privately it is always a useful bargaining tool to let them know you have the readies with you and be prepared to walk away. It is always interesting to see how quickly the loss of an immanent sale can re-educate a vendor to the proper value of a bike.

Now for the iffy bit. I always take a second rider with me. That way as I now own the bike my third party cover for riding others bikes would not be valid. well the second riders would. Also for some reason it tends to **** it down whenever I buy a bike, so carrying a change of boots/gloves/waterproofs etc in the car can make life easier for whoever is riding it back.

Originally Posted by timwilky

Buying a bike off ebay is no different to buying privately. OK, you win the bid. Then go see, if not as described walk away or renegotiate. What is the worse they can do, leave negative feedback, to which you simply say, not as described, lying ******* etc. never ever leave a deposit

I disagree!

I guess it depends how the listing is worded, but i always put you 'bid to buy'. I also strongly recommend that bidders come and see the bike whilst the listing is running and then they can decide if they want to bid/how much.

I take lots of photos and answer any questions that i can.

The 'not as described' argument is a bit rubbish as one mans good is another mans average.

The only way that you will ever know the condition of a bike, in your own mind, is to physically see it.

If you cannot be bothered to look at something before bidding, then either accept the sellers word/photos, or do not bid!

Now i realise i sound very bitter, however all my sales on ebay have gone through without a hitch, so i do not have an axe to grind. It just annoys me that people seem to think they are bidding for the chance to look at a bike, as opposed to buying one. Its this sort of attitude that makes ebay a nightmare.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I never bid on anything until about 30 seconds at most before the auction ends. To me it's not a race to see who can push the selling price as high as possible. If everyone did the same then ebay prices wouldn't go skyhigh silly.

My thoughts excactly, I decide my maximum bid and put it in with about 5 secs left to go so nobody has time to come back with more. If your bid isnt enough then you don't get it simple as that.

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by ASM-Forever

I disagree!

I guess it depends how the listing is worded, but i always put you 'bid to buy'. I also strongly recommend that bidders come and see the bike whilst the listing is running and then they can decide if they want to bid/how much.

I take lots of photos and answer any questions that i can.

The 'not as described' argument is a bit rubbish as one mans good is another mans average.

The only way that you will ever know the condition of a bike, in your own mind, is to physically see it.

If you cannot be bothered to look at something before bidding, then either accept the sellers word/photos, or do not bid!

Now i realise i sound very bitter, however all my sales on ebay have gone through without a hitch, so i do not have an axe to grind. It just annoys me that people seem to think they are bidding for the chance to look at a bike, as opposed to buying one. Its this sort of attitude that makes ebay a nightmare.

Whilst I agree with what you are saying. and I have indeed bought excellent bikes on ebay. There is always the nagging doubt that ones good is another's pig in a poke. Should the latter be true. I still say you have the right to walk away citing the reason should there be any comeback. I have bought from several hundred miles away where a preview is not practical etc. I would not advocate submitting a winning bid and then using it as a view/buy. You have made a bid to buy. But if it is not as described. It is the vendors problem not the buyers.

Whilst I agree entirely with the 'you bid you buy' statement would you honestly buy a bike or other equally expensive motor vehicle without looking at it first.I may be wrong but I was under the impression that on all ebay auctions you are entering into a legally binding contract.Whether the bike is described properly or not.

Originally Posted by ninja bobw

Whilst I agree entirely with the 'you bid you buy' statement would you honestly buy a bike or other equally expensive motor vehicle without looking at it first.I may be wrong but I was under the impression that on all ebay auctions you are entering into a legally binding contract.Whether the bike is described properly or not.

I've bought 6 out of my last 8 bikes blind, been dead chuffed with every one of them - one was in Belfast and another was in Newcastle, requiring plane flights up and riding them home. I trust the sellers to be honest with me if it's a long way to go to view it first. But then again, I always do a healthy bit of negotiating on the phone prior to viewing just in case something needs attention when I get there.

It's worked out well for me. I calculated that with the buying of bikes at the right price, doing basic maintenance, tidying up etc and then selling on at a profit after a year or so, motorcycling has cost me a total of minus £465 over the last 7 years. In other words, I'm in profit for 465 quid and have a garage full of bikes that have in effect cost me nothing.

Not one of my bikes has been bought on eBay, and I've only sold one on there so far - a non-running GPZ500 project that is now in New Zealand.

Well I think im quite lucky. The bike Im thinking of getting is only about 17miles away! So ive talked to the fella and im going to have a look tomorrow evening.

What the bike is worth. Well tbh If I can get this bike for under ?3K which I think I will then Im getting a steal, 2003 model 9000miles Apria Falco.

So the plan is:-

1) have a look
2) If I like it ill do a Vehicle status check (just incase...)
3) Bid
4) There is no chance of a test ride but I dont mind, id imagine ill like it as it has a similar riding position to the SV.
5) Arrange payment and pickup. Im working away for two days when the bidding ends... ill talk to the guy and let him know the craic if I win.
6) Pickup will have to be with Van/trailer as it is SORN atm.
7) Insure it. I might change the insurance over from the SV but im not sure there is much point as the insurance runs out on 11th of next month so I might wait.... Im not sure yet. Work makes it a little complicated unfortunatly

Luckily ive found some cheaper insurance than I had been quoted. I used http://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/chea...ce/?refid=BT01 and got a quote of ?755 fully comp with ?200 excess for the bike (Aprilia Falco...) which considering the next cheapest quote is ?1300 is a bargain!!! Only catch I can find is there are no modifications allowed. Ill have to look into that though as they usually allow little things like exhaust and body work with no issues. If I have to do without loud exhaust im willing for that saving!


If you have any more advice on what I should do let me know!


P.S. Anyone who wants a cheap 1000 that should do them proud then keep an eye on Ebay for aprilia falco's. There is a 2001 model with under 6000 miles with a buy it now price of ?2300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMFG!

I ended up buying it... or at least I have put down a deposit. Im wondering if its a good idea to do some sort of background check? The guy seems legit the bike is in very good condition from what I could see....

Where can I do some background checks? Ive checked DVLA site and it confirms that its silver and SORN which I knew...

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

Where can I do some background checks?

Ebay!

In the item description click on Get the Vehicle Status Report, bung them £6.99 and they'll tell you if it's stolen, written off, got outstanding finance or has mileage inconsistencies. An HPI check is more detailed and more expensive.

Congratulations by the way...