Advice on selling a big ticket item (motorcycle) on E-bay?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m wondering if anyone has experience selling a big ticket item on E-bay. I am helping a friend out by listing his motorcycle on E-bay, and I just want to avoid any pitfalls or mistakes. I’ve listed small items on there for years, I have a certified Pay-Pal account that I can withdraw money from instantly using my Pay-Pal Mastercard, and think I’m all set.

I’m wondering mostly about payment. Is Pay-Pal a good way to take payment for an item like this? (It will probably be about a $6,000 transaction) Should I insist on using an Escrow service? Or is that not needed if using Pay-Pal? I just want to make sure the bike sells (that’s part is no problem, I can do up the selling page nice), but mainly that we don’t get totally screwed on fees and that the money actually comes through. Is a cashiers check the best way?

Should it be obvious to the buyer that they are responsible for transporting the bike, outside of a certain mile radius? (in which case I’m sure he would deliver it)

Any special notes I should make regarding clear title and such?

Thoughts?

2

I have a friend who sold a car on ebay, but it’s about the same:

  1. DON’T assume the buyer knows to make arrangements to get the bike.

  2. Find out how much Paypal will charge you for a large transaction. A certified check may be a better way to go.

  3. Indicate whether or not the title is clear.

  4. Insist that a percentage of the payment be sent with x days of winning with the balance to be paid when pick up arrangements are made.

  5. Go over the bike with a fine toothed comb and indicate every scratch & dent that might matter.

Good luck!

3

What he said above, plus:

Item is sold “as is”!

Make a time limit for pickup/delivary

Certified funds or Paypal (but check those fees!)

I sold 3 motorcycles on ebay and did real well on all of them. Shipping ain’t cheap and I ended up delivering 2 of them to the east coast and pocketed about $600 after expenses for 5 days of suicidal driving (it was pretty fun, though).

One advantage to selling on the bay is that once you get the money, the bike goes away and you don’t have to deal with it again or see it around town, or answer annoying questions about every little scratch it has. Hey, sold “AS IS” is kinda cool!

Somebodys gotta go back and git a shitload of dimes!

4

Thanks to both of you! I took your advice and posted my ad. I did the deposit required, and also the money order/bank check payment deal. I sure appreciate the advice!!