Do Craig's List Buyer's Avoid Do It Yourself Mechanics

[mikebikeuw]

Hi, I’m wondering if CL buyers avoid “Bike Dudes”. I buy 80s bikes at a non-profit in Seattle for $40 to $70 ; refurbish them and then try and sell them on CL for $100-$200. The selling on CL, as years have gone by, has gotten tougher and tougher. After a couple months of trying, I usually sell the bike shop for my asking price and then the bike shop sells it for double. If I do get fortunate enough to get someone from CL to show up, they always buy the bike.

I don’t think my prices are too high. I use Statricks to price the bike and then go about 20 percent below the average ask.

In the ads, I normally state that I refurbish bikes as a hobby; include my website name; but get very few replies. I’ve even tried stating that they could return the bike within the first week; but still didn’t help. On one ad, I didn’t say that I refurbished the bike and the guy was super interested; said it was the perfect size; then I replied to one of his questions, “No It doesn’t need a tune-up; I refurbish bikes as a hobby” and that was the last I heard of him.

I also have a website where I have a photos of a bike during the refurbish process but I wonder if seeing how rough the bike starts off as would scare off potential buyers.

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and if it’s best to pretend you don’t work on bikes or wait till maybe they show up to tell them. I prefer being up front with people. Any other advice that would help would be appreciated.

 

[RichardB]

It's a bit of a mystery. I'm a Brit, so not familiar with the US market, but my only guess is your use of words like 'refurbish' and 'hobby'. To some people, that might sound as if you are only semi-competent and the purchase would be a risk. 'Refurbish' suggests a quick clean and a squirt of oil, and 'hobby' might sound unserious to some. I am interested in older cars and motorbikes, but I would hesitate to buy from someone who said they did it as a hobby, even though that is essentially what everyone is doing. To me, there is a big difference between a hobbyist doing a refurbishment, and a marque enthusiast doing a nut-and-bolt restoration. (Even though they might in the end be one and the same.) It's all in the words. I could be totally wrong; it's just how it sounds to me.

Personally, if it's getting in the way, don't mention it unless asked. Nothing dishonest about that. Get your buyer round and show how knowledgeable you are by talking enthusiastically about the bike and all the things you have done to it - that would sell to me.

 

[steveindenmark]

How about adding some previous customers reviews.

If they ask if it needs a tune up just tell them it rides fine. Dont even tell them that you fix them up.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

It's a bit of a mystery. I'm a Brit, so not familiar with the US market, but my only guess is your use of words like 'refurbish' and 'hobby'. To some people, that might sound as if you are only semi-competent and the purchase would be a risk. 'Refurbish' suggests a quick clean and a squirt of oil, and 'hobby' might sound unserious to some. I am interested in older cars and motorbikes, but I would hesitate to buy from someone who said they did it as a hobby, even though that is essentially what everyone is doing. To me, there is a big difference between a hobbyist doing a refurbishment, and a marque enthusiast doing a nut-and-bolt restoration. (Even though they might in the end be one and the same.) It's all in the words. I could be totally wrong; it's just how it sounds to me.

Personally, if it's getting in the way, don't mention it unless asked. Nothing dishonest about that. Get your buyer round and show how knowledgeable you are by talking enthusiastically about the bike and all the things you have done to it - that would sell to me.

One possible reason is that people are looking to buy and refurbish the bikes themselves, possibly to sell them on.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi, I’m wondering if CL buyers avoid “Bike Dudes”. I buy 80s bikes at a non-profit in Seattle for $40 to $70 ; refurbish them and then try and sell them on CL for $100-$200. The selling on CL, as years have gone by, has gotten tougher and tougher. After a couple months of trying, I usually sell the bike shop for my asking price and then the bike shop sells it for double. If I do get fortunate enough to get someone from CL to show up, they always buy the bike.

I don’t think my prices are too high. I use Statricks to price the bike and then go about 20 percent below the average ask.

In the ads, I normally state that I refurbish bikes as a hobby; include my website name; but get very few replies. I’ve even tried stating that they could return the bike within the first week; but still didn’t help. On one ad, I didn’t say that I refurbished the bike and the guy was super interested; said it was the perfect size; then I replied to one of his questions, “No It doesn’t need a tune-up; I refurbish bikes as a hobby” and that was the last I heard of him.

I also have a website where I have a photos of a bike during the refurbish process but I wonder if seeing how rough the bike starts off as would scare off potential buyers.

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and if it’s best to pretend you don’t work on bikes or wait till maybe they show up to tell them. I prefer being up front with people. Any other advice that would help would be appreciated.

Why not advertise the same bike twice, once as a person who has refurbished the bike from its original state and the other as an owner, who has loved the bike, enjoyed owning it, always taken great care of it and is now prepared to let it go to someone else...all of which is true.

Also, photography, great photographs that show a pride in the bike, will attract buyers. Even pretty average bikes can look very tempting in good light, with a bit of focus here and there.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

It's a bit of a mystery. I'm a Brit, so not familiar with the US market, but my only guess is your use of words like 'refurbish' and 'hobby'. To some people, that might sound as if you are only semi-competent and the purchase would be a risk. 'Refurbish' suggests a quick clean and a squirt of oil, and 'hobby' might sound unserious to some. I am interested in older cars and motorbikes, but I would hesitate to buy from someone who said they did it as a hobby, even though that is essentially what everyone is doing. To me, there is a big difference between a hobbyist doing a refurbishment, and a marque enthusiast doing a nut-and-bolt restoration. (Even though they might in the end be one and the same.) It's all in the words. I could be totally wrong; it's just how it sounds to me.

Personally, if it's getting in the way, don't mention it unless asked. Nothing dishonest about that. Get your buyer round and show how knowledgeable you are by talking enthusiastically about the bike and all the things you have done to it - that would sell to me.

You are right about doing something as a hobby and people judging you as a semi-competent . I started building wheels as a hobby and I'm sure many people judged my wheels as something less than professionally built, without even inspecting one.
A pro builder once told me I wish I could build them like you but I can't afford the time .
It used to bother me..... not anymore

 

[mikebikeuw]

Why not advertise the same bike twice, once as a person who has refurbished the bike from its original state and the other as an owner, who has loved the bike, enjoyed owning it, always taken great care of it and is now prepared to let it go to someone else...all of which is true.

Also, photography, great photographs that show a pride in the bike, will attract buyers. Even pretty average bikes can look very tempting in good light, with a bit of focus here and there.

Good idea! I'll try two ads from both perspectives and see if there is more interest in one than the other. I've also been told that I may be pricing too low; that is something else I could test.

 

[mikebikeuw]

You are right about doing something as a hobby and people judging you as a semi-competent . I started building wheels as a hobby and I'm sure many people judged my wheels as something less than professionally built, without even inspecting one.
A pro builder once told me I wish I could build them like you but I can't afford the time .
It used to bother me..... not anymore

Thanks Spokes! Funny how similar words can be read different. I see what you mean. These days with all the instructional video's on YouTube; there gets to be less different between amateurs and professionals. Some of us amateur bike mechanics might be a little better even. Much easier to true a new wheel than a 30 year old one with rusted nipples. Umm, I hope I can say "nipple" here. Is there a G rated word for spoke nipples?

 

[mikebikeuw]

How about adding some previous customers reviews.

If they ask if it needs a tune up just tell them it rides fine. Dont even tell them that you fix them up.

Tried your suggestion this week and it worked. She bought one bike for his son then came back a few days later and bought another bike for her daughter. Finally, my dry spell is over! which means I can go pick-up a couple more bikes to try out my new Christmas tools on. Thanks

 

[The_Weekend_Report_Guy]

Love happy ending stories..!

 

[RichardB]

Good news. well done.