Don’t even bother with haggling on the phone, every time I’ve sold something and people have called to ask me what I’ll take for it over the phone, they have generally been time wasters.
As you’ve looked around, you know what the prices are, so you’re either in the ball park or you’re not.
So get down there, as there’s no substitute for being stood in front of someone and if you’ve made the effort, then they know you’re serious. Greet the seller, be nice and friendly, smile and be as confident as you can, without being a kn0b. Tell him that you plan to have a quick look around the bike, have a look at the paperwork and then see from there, as you have another one to look at later and another one to look at tomorrow.
Have a proper look around the bike, take a pad and note down all the faults you can find, including any damage to paint, stickers, panels, wheels etc. Look at all the paperwork and check all the numbers, inspect any other bits that are going to come with the bike and then list down what condition all the consumables are in.
Once you’ve done all of that, you’ll have a proper idea of what this bike is like, plus, you should have a list of things to haggle on (or not).
Above all else, keep things lighthearted and friendly, compliment the seller on their lovely house (if they have one), get them talking about bikes, about football, whatever, they need to feel relaxed and not on edge. Make sure you do not make any compliments about the bike, but do point out any faults you find, or bring them to the sellers attention by running your hand across a mark on the bodywork, or by saying things like “pads are a bit low” but make sure everything you say is in an easy and soft tone, so that the seller thinks you’re just pointing out what you see and not ripping his pride and joy apart.
So, once you’ve decided if you like it enough to make a bid on it, then it’s time to get down to business. Start with something like “overall it looks ok” (if it does), and then go on to mention the few bits you picked up on earlier, but keep it lighthearted and don’t list all the faults you found. Then go on to say that as you mentioned earlier, you’ve got a couple of others to see, but is he willing to listen to offers?
He’ll then reply that he is, so now’s your time to ask him where he sees it at. Let’s say for example the bike is 2k, he’ll probably say he want’s 1800 or 1900 quid for it. You then need to pause for maybe 30 seconds or so without saying anything (this is a good time to refer to the list you made earlier), make him wait, as he’ll be feeling a little on edge now, the longer you can pause here the better, but if he doesn’t say anything more, then it’s time for you to make an offer.
Right, so lets say that you want to get it for 1700, you then need to counter with the following “hmmm, With the bits that need doing I was thinking more like 1400” keep it lighthearted though, do not jump straight in and say it in a calm and relaxed manner.
He’ll then say that he can’t let it go for that price, now it’s time to take another pause for 30 seconds or so. The key to all of this is staying calm and relaxed, the seller needs to know you’re interested, but also feel that you’ll walk away if the deal isn’t working for you. Anyway, after the pause, the seller might make you a counter offer and it’s likely to be a further 100 quid reduction, pause again and then come up 50 or 100 quid and say it’s the best you can do. Don’t say anything else, just wait, he’ll need time to think about it.
He won’t want to lose the sale, he’s spent time with you, he knows you’re serious and you’ve been honest and open with him the whole time, he’ll then counter again, or say that 1700 quid is the best he can do, have a little think and then say that you can maybe stretch to another 50 or 100 quid (1600) but that’s all you have in the budget, as you need to spend money on sorting out the bits you mentioned earlier.
The final stage is just about who’s going to be the bravest, don’t say anything, he needs to know you’re about to walk away on the deal as you’re at your limit, this is a good time to reach into your pocket and get your car keys out (as if you’re getting ready to leave). He’ll then make another offer, or try and call your bluff by sticking to his guns, it’s up to you if you want to meet his price, call his bluff by thanking him and starting to walk away, or offer your 1600 quid again.
The final price is up to you from there.
Above all else, keep it all lighthearted, be sincere and smile as you do all of this and you’ll be just fine.
Good luck and let us know how you get along 
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