Sometimes I hate selling things... (Update: Oh god, it's payday)

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 07/27/2018 at 11:42 • Filed to: Found on Craigslist, Two Wheels Bad

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Update: Faceb ook has become a treasure trove overnight . I’ve only gotten a few messages from Craigslist, however the messages from Facebook are flooding in at a crazy rate. I woke up to ten messages and had ten more by time I got to work. I guess since it’s payday people are wanting to buy stuff. Most of the people read and are giving me serious offers. I’m pu tting them against each other for more monies.

The highest “ bidder” so far is someone willing to pay $225 if I’m willing to deliver it. Just my luck, the guy lives a few miles from where the Chinese Ruckus guy lives, so delivery is no issue!

Original post:

Oppo knows me for my famous phone flips. This is because I used to constantly keep an eBay window open looking for someone getting rid of their device for way less than they should. I’ve started doing this with scooters and bikes...Uh, it’s probably an unhealthy habit. Anyway, selling them is always the worst part. It’s not the lowballers that bother me, it’s not even the wait, but it’s the people who don’t read.

I’m a super detailed and super thorough person. If you’re buying a thing from me, you can rest assured that you’re getting the whole truth.

However, you will only get the whole truth if you read the darned ad...

Tomorrow I’m supposed to pick up a 150cc Chinese Ruckus for a very low price. I’m stoked about it because I’ll basically get to scratch my Grom/Ruckus bike itch, have a bike for the Gambler 500, keep the Rebel, and not cost myself any real money. It’s like the best win/win.

That means I officially put Imperator Slowiosa up !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The original price was $200. I based the price on a few factors:

1) A 150cc GY6 will cost you like $200-$300 plus shipping.

2) 50cc to 150cc engine swaps are somewhat popular and usually require the engine, transmission, and rear wheel. This scooter has all of that and they’re in new condition.

3) The scooter can be revived with not much additional work. I got the engine to fire and run, now the fuel system south of the carb needs to be settled and it should run like a champ.

Thus far, the majority of the responses I’ve gotten have been (in order):

1) People expecting it to come with the front fairing then getting offended when I say it doesn’t come with it. Don’t attack me, it’s not my fault you can’t read.

2) People offering less than 50% of the asking price because of the missing front fairing. Look, at worst it’s a parts scooter with basically brand new parts, at best it’s a project that can get running in a matter of a couple hours with someone who knows what they’re doing. Either way, the darn thing’s worth more than the ask.

3) People asking if it “runs good”. Seriously?

4) People asking if it has a title...Again, reading is fundamental.

Based on the rather stern words from these people, I dropped the price to $150. Am I crazy? I think I’m being pretty reasonable here.

Lesson learned from my first real project vehicle: Save any parts you may need later, even if you don’t think you’ll ever need them again.

jimz > Mercedes Streeter 07/26/2018 at 22:13

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this is why I hate Craigslist for selling anything. too many crazies. my favorites:

- “What’s the lowest you’ll take?” I dunno, what’s the most you’ll pay? don’t come into this expecting me to negotiate against myself.

- “I’ve got cash in hand!” Well good for you! Did you think I take goddamned credit cards or something?

not looking forward to trying to sell two bikes.  might find a place which does consignment. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > jimz 07/26/2018 at 22:27

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Any time some one asks lowest price I reiterate the listed price. If I wanted less I would have given a lower price.

What’s almost worst is sellers who refuse to post an asking price. Like no it’s your stuff, it’s your job to put a price on it 

AestheticsInMotion > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/26/2018 at 22:30

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People who put “best offer” with no price should be fired from a cannon.

People who put “$1 ” as the asking price should be legally required to sell said vehicle for $1.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter 07/26/2018 at 22:31

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But why doesn't it come with a faring?

Mercedes Streeter > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/26/2018 at 22:35

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Per the ad:

Unfortunately, the front end pieces have been destroyed, so what you see is in the pics is what you get. 

The front end pieces had bolts that rusted in place. Instead of trying to extract those bolts, I just tore the pieces off them. I wanted the scooter to look like something you’d see in a Mad Max movie.

...I also never thought I’d sell it before finishing the project. That’s definitely a lesson learned.

Mercedes Streeter > AestheticsInMotion 07/26/2018 at 22:37

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“Make me an offer”

Uh, give me a price? You’re the seller. I’m glad all the forums I’m a member of have a requirement that items for sale have to have a legit price.

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 07/26/2018 at 22:50

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I saw that you already lowered the price, and figured you must be getting bombarded with dumb questions. I’m fighting the urge to buy it myself.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Mercedes Streeter 07/26/2018 at 22:58

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At least you didn’t make the mistake of having “loose” conditions for selling something.

Someone wanted to trade an 1155-era i7-3770K PC for my Honda 919. I should have stated “ Z170/X99 and up, please.”

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher 07/26/2018 at 23:00

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Oh gosh the questions are so bad. I’ve never sold a vehicle private sale   before and I’m already hating it. It’s like selling phones but 10x worse because it’s not eBay.

Mercedes Streeter > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 07/26/2018 at 23:03

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I briefly had my Honda Rebel on CL for all of a day while I was figuring out what I wanted to do with the bike stable (no more than 3). That ad asked for “ $1,000, trades, or trades plus cash” and hoo boy, the initial trades were hilarious. Took down the ad when I figured out that I love the Rebel too much to get rid of it.

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher 07/26/2018 at 23:08

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Also, if you do come and get it (which I highly recommend :P), ignore how I’ve “ secured” the throttle cable to the carb.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter 07/26/2018 at 23:18

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Oh I was being sarcastic.

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 07/26/2018 at 23:22

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Ha!

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 07/26/2018 at 23:23

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Yeah, it can be pretty bad. 

Mercedes Streeter > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/26/2018 at 23:39

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I’ve had too many units of alcohol to tell. lol

Mmmmm, weisse...

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter 07/27/2018 at 00:13

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“Units of alcohol" I might have to steal that phrase. 

CompactLuxuryFan > Mercedes Streeter 07/27/2018 at 01:53

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Kinda off-topic but I recently impulse bought an Essential PH-1 for $250 during Amazon Prime Day and now I’m kinda torn about flipping it. I figure in order to sell it easily I’d have to do like $310 tops and then would it even be worth the hassle? Have you had a chance to play with one of those at all? I “daily” an iPhone 7 and have no plans of switching but I figure I could also gift it to a family member or something.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Mercedes Streeter 07/27/2018 at 06:42

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I do computer work on the side and have an ad on Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) saying as such in detail. The VERY first line says “in such and such an area” (towns all within 15 minutes of me).

I get an email from a fellow name Frank asking about some work he needs done on a Mac, we go through the motions, then I ask him where he is located so I can figure out when I’ll have time to get there.

“I’m in Shelburne...how long will this take?”

Shelburne is an HOUR AND A HALF away...

Mercedes Streeter > CompactLuxuryFan 07/27/2018 at 11:36

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I haven’t had the change to touch a PH-1! That said, it looks like the PH-1 isn’t a good candidate for a flip. Looking at eBay, looks like new ones are selling for $310-$399, so you could sell it for somewhere in that range. However, eBay and PayPal are going to want a cut of the sale and in the end your gains will basically be very little.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Mercedes Streeter 07/27/2018 at 11:52

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225 and you need to be there anyway sounds like a winner to me

(but then im lazy.,.. 2 birds one stone all that jazz)

CaptDale - is secretly British > Mercedes Streeter 07/27/2018 at 12:33

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Wanna sell my Aprilia for me? XD

Spoon II > AestheticsInMotion 07/27/2018 at 12:59

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Haha, Yes! T hose are the worst! I always look at the price first just to know if it’s feasible. No price equals no way to weigh my options

Spoon II > Mercedes Streeter 07/27/2018 at 13:01

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I wish more people shared that detail-oriented philosophy. There are ton of bikes for sale around here, but most of them don’t have the year, mileage, or often, even a price listed. It’s the worst.