How do you negotiate a minibike buy?

[bullhead]

I have just gotten into buying trail scooters and now minibikes.
When I started shopping on CraigsList for a Tote Gote. I looked up all over the western US. Places I could reasonably drive too. I read a lot of eyebrow lifting ad's!

People seem to title minibikes ad's with popular names. Like Tote Gote, Taco, Vintage, Minibike or Mini Bike. Even misleading year of manufacturing.

Then the way out there prices.
Tote Goat $250, frame only, He state "NO LOW BALLERS"," I DON"T WANT TO MAKE FRIENDS" ,"ONLY CALL IF YOUR GOING TO BUY THE TOTE GOTE".ut:
Wow! I never called. Months later, the frame is still for sale.

I base my buying on how much it will cost to rebuild the item.

I know what I do. And i'v done alright buying and selling for 45 years.

How do you handle overpriced and misleading Craigs List ad's?

I don't want this thread to be a bitch session. I want to get all of us some ideas how to handle the negotiations.

Bullhead

 

[buckeye]

I go look at them and tell them what it is going to need then try to get them at a more reasonable price. If they don't budge, I move on. Usually they will come to their senses and I try to check back with them in a week or two to see if they have changed their minds.
I missed out on one because of that but have had great results. When I can find them.

 

[smallbikes88]

I absolutely never pay retail! I mean when someone says they are firm? I take that as a personal challeng! if a bike has been there for a couple months chances are its not worth the asking price or noone wants it at all. Like the guys asking for 400 for a cushman frame with nothing to it? Its scrap and probably wont sell. alot of guys are just lookign to see if anyone is interested or have anything interesting to trade? Email or text the guy and tell him good luck!

 

[45t]

I usually check condition and compare it to the price. If it seems reasonable i pursue it a lil more. I also look at where a bike is located. If its in a questionable area, I will not go any further. I don't care what a deal it may be, its not worth my safety to get it. On the really bad condition bikes, I look at them for thier usable parts and if its worth my time to part out. A seller can ruin a deal just by opening thier mouth for me. If they think they have rusty gold or I feel they are shady, I'm done. I'm and honest buyer looking for an honest seller.

 

[Bobscooters]

also remember some people forget to take down their ad, i've called before on a item that I have seen posted for weeks and they will say sold it the first day forgot to take down the ad, two weeks later it's still there. it also amazes me some people think they have the only one left on planet earth, only a dinosaur is rare and even those i've seen in a museum.

 

[smallbikes88]

I usually check condition and compare it to the price. If it seems reasonable i pursue it a lil more. I also look at where a bike is located. If its in a questionable area, I will not go any further. I don't care what a deal it may be, its not worth my safety to get it. On the really bad condition bikes, I look at them for thier usable parts and if its worth my time to part out. A seller can ruin a deal just by opening thier mouth for me. If they think they have rusty gold or I feel they are shady, I'm done. I'm and honest buyer looking for an honest seller.

I love your avatar!!!!!

 

[bullhead]

also remember some people forget to take down their ad, i've called before on a item that I have seen posted for weeks and they will say sold it the first day forgot to take down the ad, two weeks later it's still there. it also amazes me some people think they have the only one left on planet earth, only a dinosaur is rare and even those i've seen in a museum.

When the ad stays on. Weeks after. Call again. Act like your someone else.
Phishing scammers use the ad to gain your information.
They commit local law (Fraud) if they really don't have the item.
Notify Carigs List right away!

 

[45t]

I love your avatar!!!!!

Thanks, its off the Christine movie (the assembly line scene at the begining of the movie). I use to have a 1958 plymouth Plaza Christine clone. I miss that car.

 

[jeep2003]

if its something i dont want all that much ill just send them a real low offer and say if you dont get any other offers ill give you ### call me. If its somthing i really want im all over it and find it hard to even talk them down but usually do a little. If its way too much and the person is a weirdo trying to make a mint I just forget about it and let someone else buy it :thumbsup:

 

[smallbikes88]

Thanks, its off the Christine movie (the assembly line scene at the begining of the movie). I use to have a 1958 plymouth Plaza Christine clone. I miss that car.

Oh i know where its from, love the movie and first thing i would do if i won the lottery is buy the 1957 plymouth fury( actually i know they say the car was a fury but it really was the belvadeer, i think? Any way i want a christine sooo bad!)

 

[Frank McGrath]

also remember some people forget to take down their ad, i've called before on a item that I have seen posted for weeks and they will say sold it the first day forgot to take down the ad, two weeks later it's still there. it also amazes me some people think they have the only one left on planet earth, only a dinosaur is rare and even those i've seen in a museum.

The word "Rare" is the most overused word in the dictionary. If I see an ad where the word rare is used, I take a picture of my collection and send it to them. It usually brings the price down from rare to common.

 

[bigrob]

Its funny Frank I had a similar experience with a seller that wanted to much for an old frame , problem was I realy wanted it because it was the same as the firsr one my brother and I had as kids, canadian made DMP Scamper. Any way the guy wouldn't budge on the price until I sent him some picture of some of my bikes and allso one from 35 years ago. He allmost gave me the bike and I have stayed in contact with him. It seems he was trying to make sure it went to someone who would treat it right. Lol
Rob.

 

[oldmotors]

If I like the price I buy it. If not, I pass.

 

[Itype2slo]

You can tell if they are an A-hole by the first sentences of the ad. The worst are people who part out bikes on ebay and just have a photo of the complete bike. If they are to lazy to take it apart and take individual photos then they are probably to lazy to take it apart after the auction properly and use hammers & saws. no matter the item its never good to deal with jerks.

 

[toomanytoys]

I am a low baller usually. Minibikes are not a gold mine. Just because something is old doesn't make it worth money.

I get lucky sometimes, like with the ATV I bought, asking 2000 offered a 1000 and loaded it up. Some people are DESPERATE for money. Right now is a good time if you have money to get some great deals on stuff.

 

[waltsuz]

How do you negotiate a minibike buy?

Mostly by the price of steel:thumbsup: Right now a 20' length of 1 inch DOM .083 is about $80.00....I have considered going to 7/8ths but then I would have to buy another set of dies which will cost what the wheels do for a complete roller:grind:

 

[HGQjazz]

I will start a conversation with anyone willing to talk, but if their ad sounds like they are inflexible and the price is nowhere in the ballpark then I won't even bother contacting them.

I once went to look at a mini-bike a guy was asking $400 for and it was all there, but not really worth more than $100. He ended up being a super nice guy and someone I have a lot in common with....but I didn't buy the mini.

 

[Neck]

How do you negotiate a minibike buy?

Mostly by the price of steel:thumbsup: Right now a 20' length of 1 inch DOM .083 is about $80.00....I have considered going to 7/8ths but then I would have to buy another set of dies which will cost what the wheels do for a complete roller:grind:

You funny guy Walt!
I generally focus on Taco's, so the pickens are usually pretty slim. I deal with other collectors (entrepreneurs) and the price is mostly fixed (they know what their worth!). The negotiating is usually trades. And, I buy mostly project bikes, I can't afford to buy a "nice" complete vintage Taco:laugh:

 

[bullhead]

You can tell if they are an A-hole by the first sentences of the ad. The worst are people who part out bikes on ebay and just have a photo of the complete bike. If they are to lazy to take it apart and take individual photos then they are probably to lazy to take it apart after the auction properly and use hammers & saws. no matter the item its never good to deal with jerks.

Hummmm. Not only did I go to Orange High School in Orange California. I parted out old Honda's on Ebay for year's! Until Ebay changed managment.

I am not sure how you equate your negotiating skills by name calling.

Bullhead

 

[Itype2slo]

Hummmm. Not only did I go to Orange High School in Orange California. I parted out old Honda's on Ebay for year's! Until Ebay changed managment.

I am not sure how you equate your negotiating skills by name calling.

Bullhead

Hummmm. That would expain a lot. Just saying if you part out a bike using a single photo of an intact bike for all the parts thats just lazy and I skip right over those ads. as far as negotaiting I offer less than asking price even if its too good to be true I still offer less, It cant hurt. And name calling is just in my nature.