I returned home from BM on Wednesday, seething with jealousy. I am now determined to do the DAS this year and get me a big bike. Having made my decision I decided to look at how much said new bike might cost me.
Trawling through eBay there appear to be some bargains out there, when compared to dealers and even private sales in Biketrader etc.
There are downsides though, I am a mechanical moron, so I’d have no clue what to look for etc.
Anyone got any bargain tips/horror stories from buying off eBay?
i have bought 2 bikes via ebay, i say via cos i never bid on em, i contact said seller and ask about private buy and wot money they are looking at, most of em say they have it advertised locally anyway.
i go look at bike and make an offer then and there, does them a favour too cos they dont have to give ebay commision on sale of bike if auction ended.
Bought a couple from ebay. Best bargins seem to be the ones where the seller hasnt bothered to put a photo on, or the photos are so poor you cant see what your getting.
Ive taken the chance and got a couple of bargins if they hadnt have been as described I would have walked away with the cash still in my pocket…
Out of the 25 bikes I have owned in my brief biking career, I reckon I have bought 20 of them off eBay.
All of them have been as described and infact, most have exceeded my expectations.
So long as you take the time to do a lot of research on the models that you are interested in and strike up a relationship with the buyer, then you shouldn’t have any problems.
Research = Interested in an XJ600S, find out what their weaknesses are via google or forums, check the users description, if all weaknesses are detailed, great, if not, phone and ask them a few questions. If they dodge the answer, walk away. If they answer them honestly, you can’t go wrong.
Having said all of that, I am a good judge of character so can generally identify the BS’ers from the honest folk. As a rule, I generally don’t buy bikes from people that put sweet f.a effort into their advert.
eBay is always risky but take your time and you can minimise those risks to next to none.
if they hadnt have been as described I would have walked away with the cash still in my pocket…