In the world of sales, confidence is key. But if you’ve never completed a sale in your life, it’s easy to feel anything but. That’s where we step in. Helping you master the art of selling a bike in the digital age, with these top tips and helpful hints, we’ll take you from Trigger to Del Boy in next to no time. Cushty, indeed.
10. Hit the web
We all know that when it comes to buying a house, it’s all about ‘location, location, location’ – but when it comes to flogging your bike, it’s all about ‘research, research, research’. Knowing how your bike’s miles, age and condition affect its price is nine tenths of the law, so before you start bragging about how much your machine is worth, you should probably check how much similar bikes are making online.
9. Clean it up
There’s a reason why dealerships pay their employees to polish their motorbikes, and it’s not because there’s nothing better to do. A cleaner bike is a million times more likely to sell than a dirty one, so before you go any further, it’s time to give your pride and joy the clean of its life. And remember, if you can’t see your face in it, it ain’t clean!
8. Picture perfect
When it comes to taking a picture, nothing spoils gleaming paintwork like a heavy downpour or a damp and miserable sky – so unless you’re in a tearing rush to sell up, there’s a lot to be said for waiting for a bright and clear day. Choosing your kit is important to.
7. Choose your platform
So your bike is shining bright and you’ve got the pictures to prove it, what next? It’s time to get serious and pick your marketplace, that’s what. Bike Trader is a firm favourite, as is eBay – and let’s not forget the good old fashioned classified ads in the back of your favourite mags. All three are safe bets, but if you’ve got a niche machine, such as a chopper or a classic, it might be worth advertising somewhere a little more specific, such as a dedicated website, forum or publication.
6. Keep it simple
Once you’ve chosen your platform, you’ll be prompted to disclose some basic information about your bike. This is the first opportunity you’ll have to ‘sell’ your bike to your audience, so it’s important to get it right. Keep it simple and nail the basics. Above all else, people will want to know the condition of your machine, so it pays to be honest!
5. Double up
Once you’ve fielded a few calls and someone’s secured a viewing, always take a mate along to lend a hand. They don’t have to say anything, just having them there as an extra security measure could come in handy if you’re dealing with dodgy customers
4. Del Boys and Triggers
Remember the part where we said confidence is key? Well now it’s time to put it to the test. If you’re warm, friendly and polite, your customers will like you – and the way you present yourself can be the difference between nailing a sale and failing miserably.
3. Sealing the deal
You’ve got them in the palm of your hand and they’re swooning over your bike, left right and centre. It’s time to seal the deal. By bringing up the subject of money, you’ll be able to steer the conversation towards payment – but we warned, you’re going to have to haggle. Set your stall out early and agree a minimum fee you’ll accept for the bike. If they’re way off the mark with their bid, fair enough, the deal might not work. But if they’re only haggling over a couple of hundred quid, it might be worth meeting in the middle.
2. Payment
There’s one golden rule when it comes to payment, and that’s not to let the bike out of your sight until the agreed amount has been paid in full. If they suggest paying a deposit and transferring the rest later, that’s fine, as long as they understand they can’t have the bike until they’ve done so. Whether you’d prefer a bank transfer or cash is up to you!
1 What next?
Once they’ve paid (in full, remember), it’s time to get your paperwork in order. You’re legally obliged to inform the DVLA if your bike is changing hands, so be sure to get the buyer to fill out section 10 of a V5 document before they leave. Once this has been done, all that’s needed is to sort insurance – which is where we come in.
In a rush to secure an insurance deal? You can get a quote here from Carole Nash or give us a call on 0800 804 7952 and we’ll help you get cover in a matter of minutes. Double cushty.
