Bike Sale - Question

[Narcoda]

Hello,

Calling on the vast experience and knowledge of you guys!

If I sell my GSA12 for an asking of £8k (or thereabouts)

1. Do I allow a test drive?

Google'd opinions suggest I do not...unless I have held cash as insurance.
My problem is I am not sure if i'd buy a bike without a test run.
Any suggestions?

2. If a seller wants my bike... how do i accept payment?

Cash is nice... but they are unlikely to bring a suitcase full of money?
Do I accept a cheque for the full sum? If so - what if it bounces?
Maybe a combination of cash and cheque? (again security for the cheque?)

Any advice appreciated

 

[g.s.john]

If they want a test ride they leave the full asking price in cash plus you want to see a driving licence and a currant insurance cert which covers them for riding other machines third party minimum otherwise any collision damage is down to you.

 

[Batfink]

Hi,

Totally understand how you feel it's always a worrying time when you've got someone you know nothing about clambering all over your pride and joy.

1. Test drive, I've only let people test drive when they show up with photo ID and proof of insurance, then I've taken a photo of them, and hold their paperwork till all back in one piece.

2. I usually opt for cash as the best payment method, there's lots of stuff on the net about how to ID fake notes. Or you could take a cheque and only give them the bike once the bank have told you the funds have fully cleared.

Cheers

Bat

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

I've never had a problem with giving test rides, but I have usually sussed the person out by then! It is always a risk but then I also wouldn't buy a bike without a test ride, never ever.

If you feel any doubt before the test ride you have the final word, but then they could just pull out a gun if they really wanted it.

 

[Narcoda]

quality replies - thank you - i knew i could rely on GSER!

Just a thought, can i really ask someone to produce 8k in cash for the sale?
I mean is it general practice?

Can I assume that anybody unwilling to commit to these simple terms for a test drive, will not be trustworthy?

Lastly, should I mention something along these lines in my sale advert?

Again - your time is much appreciated

 

[wreck diver]

The safest way to take cash is take the buyer to your bank and pay the cash in,in front of him.That way you both know its not a lot of fake notes.
There are some very good forged notes about at the moment.
Better to be safe than out of pocket.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Get them to transfer the payment using CHAPS. They will need to pre-arrange it with their bank. Tell them to bring driving licence and passport and take a photocopy.
No test drive without fully comp. Once you are both happy. Go to your bank and do the transfer.

 

[Doberman]

When I bought my GSA I paid £9k in cash. It was much easier to pay there and then, get the bike and drive off, instead of going to my bank, then his bank, etc.

Cash works for me...

If you have a serious buyer who is ready to buy, it wouldn't make much of a difference to be honest if it was cash or bank transfer. As long as you get paid first, he is good to go.

 

[johnboy]

I recently used elctronic transfer i.e. internet banking and the money moved vitually instantaneously between accounts.

 

[Steptoe]

I bought a harley last week.

Arranged a time with the seller, caught a train to the sellers house, liked the bike, paid in cash, called my insurance on the mobile and rode it home.


Three weeks ago I sold a guzzi griso.

Buyer arrived at the time he said, liked the bike, paid me cash and rode it away.

It can be as simple as you want it to be. And if you want to haggle seriously it has to be done with cash.

 

[Canuck]

I recently used elctronic transfer i.e. internet banking and the money moved vitually instantaneously between accounts.

Last bike I bought... mate drove me to the sellers house (I had previously been there and taken bike for a test ride while he followed on my bike)... we talked price... agreed what I would pay... went inside... logged on computer... direct transfer to his account via online banking... I jumped on and rode home! This was agreed before hand mind you.

 

[Rasher]

Watch out for any chargeback scams, not so likely on a low value bike, but scams were rife for prestige vehicles a few years back.

Even Bankers Draughts are not actually gauranteed, go for bank transfer or cash, I personally would not give a test ride even if cash left as in the event of a crash you could end up in a right old dust-up.

The buyer is protected by law if you have lied or mislead, once the deal is done they can ride the bike, until then they can naff-off.

I would offer a pillion ride to show it runs smoothly etc. and ut it up for any independant inspection - in 25 years and many bike sales I have never needed to give a test ride, although I have asked for them (and not been offended if they were not granted)

Cash is king, but as stated modern electronic transfers work - just make sure it is a solid one and cannot be charged back.

 

[Wapping]

Three weeks ago I sold a guzzi griso.

Buyer arrived at the time he said, liked the bike, paid me cash and rode it away.

There is one born every minute

 

[Yonkyo]

I sold my HP2 to German chap on fleabay.
He transferred £11k to my bank.
Two weeks later he turns up, test rides my bike, likes it.
We wheel it in to his van. And off he goes back to the fatherland.
jobs a good un.

 

[lunc]

I would definitely want a test ride if I was spending £8K on a bike and I wouldn't have it in cash either, but would be happy to leave a cash deposit to secure the bike and then use a bank transfer for the rest and pick the bike up when cleared.

For a cheaper bike I'd risk a cash payment (and this definitely helps a haggle) but I'm not going to buy anything without a test ride because there are too many serious faults that can't be spotted by looking alone and I'd sort out a test ride on the phone before travelling (even with a dealer because some give you a serious amount of guff and grief over a test ride these days).