CL is beginning to freak me out

[Pony Ruiz]

I've sold a few things on Craigslist. And I have bought 5 gl's from ads on there too. I have been lucky so far.

Everyone has been nice and "normal"

So, I put my one of my bikes out there and got a couple responses. I'd swear they are from the same person. They seem a little weird if only a bit spirited...

Is ebay any better? I don't necessarily need to sell right now but I could use the $, time and space....

Anyway, this is the first one I got, obvious scammer,

How are you? My name is T___ D____. Leave a phone number Have a nice day!
gerqyc qukcp jpoxmgbrt ldecnvv yzakrwlmo smsthwe

and then:

Greetings!

I am very interested in your GL 1000. I appreciate all the work you've put into it. Do you have any bags or mounting racks for them? What kind of seat is that (besides kind of ugly). I'm definitely going to need bags and a new seat. Are those handlebars and mirrors stock? What kind of grips did you put on there? Is the parts motor complete? Would I be able to lift it myself to get it in and out of the trunk of my Prius?

Since the I do need to get the parts I mentioned, and it's also missing the front fairing, and the book value is about $1600 in mint, I'd be willing to give you $1450 for it, plus 2 bushels of apples (picked fresh from my apple trees!). When can I come by to test ride it?


and then this one came with attachments - which I of course did not open.

Yo buddy this sweet ride still for sale? Or have you sold it?

This looks like a real nice old classic. I'm already pretty fast and nimble but what I really need is to get noticed oh yeah am i right? am i right? haha yeah man yo know what i'm talking about. This Looks like just what I need. Suuuuuper nice!

$2500 is a little high bro but I can tell you put in a lot of blood sweat and tears into this ride... so I'm willing to throw in a little somethin' extra than the $1600 KBB realistic value for this bike to help you out cause you seem like a rad dude.

I'm a sensual portrait painter in my free time (see the elegant painting of my mom attached) so I can give you $1600 and then do a custom portrait for you at no charge. That's like a 10k value for free!

It can be of just you, or maybe you and your lady... or daddy not sure your preference. You know whatev is cool with me bro I don't hate. Too much junk in life to carry hate like that. oh yeah! am i right? am i right? Lets just say partner then huh? So like you and your partner can come over for a classy painting. Maybe some hot tub... we can just have fun with it. I'm not sure if you noticed in my picture but I use real fancy gold acrylic paint as much as possible to class things up.

Also right now i'm going through a kinda of water/oceanic crucifixion phase in my art so is it cool if I include these themes in your painting? Thanks bro.

But yeah I'm really psyched about this bike and would love to test ride it so lemme know if it's still available

then a little sanity but the email has the evil 6's in there - freaky.

Hey man I'm very interested in the GL for sale. I've been riding 70's jap bike for the past 5 years and love them. I've never ridden a GL though and yours looks incredible. I really like how you made it look cool and custom and took the bags and ferring off. Super smart idea. Anyway I'm really interested and have cash in had, I'm just curious about the last part of your email about not letting people go on test rides. I would never buy a bike without riding it, but I can totally understand why you would want to be caustious with Craigslist. I have had bad experiences in the past trying to sell bikes on CL. I've sold two bikes on CL, a '75 CB550 and a '78 KZ650. I don't know about you, but I got the most stupid and annoying emails from people. And some of the people seemed normal in their email, but then when they showed up they looked like they were on meth. Anyway, I have a lot of questions about the bike but want to make sure it is still for sale before I bother you with a bunch of questions. Take care, rubber side down

 

[danf]

There's a lot of strange people out there..good luck selling your bike..

 

[detdrbuzzard]

i take it that you didn't bother responding to any of them except maybe the guy that wants to paint a sensual portrait :smilie_happy:

 

[dan filipi]

With responses like that I'd keep it!

Have you put an ad in all the other forums?
That's the way I'd sell it.

 

[joedrum]

if i could id buy it ...nice bike pony ...there all kinds of people trying to live limp wrist and talented fingers of deceit...be careful.... :shock: :mrgreen:

this bike dose need to go to a good home if not yours ...choose the buyer not the other way around....just my thoughts on it.... :mrgreen:

 

[Pony Ruiz]

take it that you didn't bother responding to any of them except maybe the guy that wants to paint a sensual portrait :smilie_happy:

No, the other guy. I was looking to make a bunch of apple pies I could sell - on Craigslist! :music:

With responses like that I'd keep it!

Yep! It might end up here...

choose the buyer not the other way around

exactly!

I hadn't actually thought of it that way, but the thought of letting some yahoo ride off with it makes me ill.

Any thoughts on EBAY selling? I've bought stuff (-$100) never sold.

 

[roncar]

This keeps coming to mind......

 

[joedrum]

i think on parts ebay is okay but on a nce bike like yours i think it takes to much out of your hands pony ....be patienct the right gut will come around you or a forum member you know ...or situlation will chane and you kep it :mrgreen:

 

[Pony Ruiz]

be patient the right gut will come around you or a forum member you know ...or situation will change and you keep it

Yeah, patience and right guy.

Most of the gl's I see around here are either trashed, high milers or they need something that the owner is not willing to do - cause they have either screwed it up and have given up trying to fix it or both.

I bought the brown one in the pic for $7 bones. I was first in line and there were buyers chomppin at my heels. I thought I could do ok on it cause I've rebuilt a set of 1100 carbs. The P.O. tried but gave up...and he was a mechanic albeit a heavy (hamfisted) equip mechanic - and a gl 1500 owner...

Really nice old bikes that haven't been too modified I don't see very much. The ones I do they want a bit more than most people want to pay-and not much good has been done/upgraded.

I bought the 78 for $750 and have probably put 1k into it - I'd be happy with 2k. You are getting some value not just a nice old bike - I had fun and learned something - priceless!

 

[slabghost]

People the world over are getting pretty freaky. I try to make my first meet with buyers or sellers in town or at their place. Not at my home. Any buyers you feel uneasy with. Insist on full price in cash or no deal. If they still buy it, you may buy it back cheap later from another fool who knows not what to do.

 

[dlslick]

I have sold and bought quite a bit on CL and eBay and have had good luck with both. I probably am way too trusting though and have had strangers come look at bikes. The suggestion about meeting somewhere is a good one.

 

[Pony Ruiz]

I ran across some sellers that wanted to meet in a parking lot - thought it was a little paranoid - not anymore!

How about test rides?

Cash in hand of course. What about a signed bill of sale/agreement. They have bought it at this point so they get the title? And they can ride off and not come back for that matter.

I report the sale - end of story...

How much time would you let them ride it for? I was thinking go to a road that is not busy - ride up and down a couple times - if it shifts, stops, doesn't wobble - it is probably good no?

 

[slabghost]

Signed agreement to purchase if damaged. Preferably witnessed. And his drivers license in hand. Be sure he has the motorcycle endorsement on it. As for time. I personally don't test ride so I'd tell them 10 minutes. If you aren't back I'm reporting it stolen.

 

[mcgovern61]

I have bought and sold quite a bit from Ebay with very good results 99% of the time. Out of the 100+ transactions I have done, only one seller did not advertise truthfully about the condition of his stuff. Ebay does have two good options for price..."Buy Now" at your asking price or set a "Reserve" price that limits the lowest level it can be sold. Just remember this, people on Ebay and CL are looking for bargain basement and yard sale prices for everything! Doesn't mean you won't get your price, just limits who will really be willing to buy.

As far as rode tests, closed parking lot only! If the buyer is serious and can ride, that will give enough info for purchase. Other people also posts videos of their bike running to give an idea of how it sounds (Just another option). Before any test drive, do they have an MC endorsement AND at least car insurance? If they wreck or drop your bike, you are not covered if they do not have insurance. (At least here in NJ it works that way).

 

[Pony Ruiz]

Good ideas all!

Most serious sellers here want full cash agreed upon purchase price in hand before a test ride. you break it you already bought it - chances are serious buyers won't be breaking anything, but you never know...

there is no insurance that will cover the bike here for a test ride. Car ins. won't do it..might show good intent tho.

My moto insurance here covers just me on this one particular bike.

I am amazed how many people buy bikes on ebay with out seeing them in person... let alone ride'm

Last bike I sold - guy didn't need to ride it. Last bike I bought that ran I paid for it and rode it home - it has issues, but I made it home - barely!

I am not sure what I am going to do next....

thanks!

 

[dan filipi]

Most serious sellers here want full cash agreed upon purchase price in hand before a test ride. you break it you already bought it - chances are serious buyers won't be breaking anything, but you never know...

Agreed 100%

Cash in your hand before a test ride and I would bring along a 6'5 friend as backup in case the deal goes sour.

These days I meet nobody I don't already know at my house.

 

[danf]

I have found that if you can get two or three guys to show up at the same time to see the bike you are bound to sell it without any test rides...Get them to agree to an appointment..Most guy's are very competitive [cavemen], and they will want to beat out each other to get it, you might even get more than your asking if your lucky.. Tell them you will ride the bike up and down the street in front of them so they can hear the gears...Saturdays are always good day's to sell a bike... You might want to have one of those mechanic mirrors with you so they can read the vin numbers on the frame...I know I would want to match them up before I made a purchase...

 

[scdmarx]

NO FREE RIDES!!!!!
They can ride it all they want once it belongs to them and you are released from all liability.