If you are looking to purchase a used motorcycle, you will want to get one at a great price. There are a lot of different places that you can look for a used motorcycle, but which are the best? When you consider the advertising channel and the price of the motorcycle, you also need to look at the pros and cons that come with them.
Classifieds
In the past, the first place people would look when buying a used vehicle of any kind would be the classifieds. While the popularity of the classifieds has decreased over the years, you should not write them off completely. There are a lot of people who still use the classifieds to advertise their used cars and motorcycles which is why you should look at them as well.
One of the primary benefits of classifieds is that many of them require the seller to pay for the advert. As a buyer, this will tell you one thing and that is that the seller is motivated. If they are still unsure about selling the motorcycle they will not be willing to pay to advertise it. These listings will also have some of the best prices when you are looking for a good deal.
The reason for this is the simple fact that when a seller places an advert with a very high price, they are the only one losing. The cost of the advert has to be paid whether or not they get any response to the listing. If they overprice the motorcycle, they will not get a return on their payment and this is something that most people will want to avoid.
The primary issue you will find with classifieds is the fact that there are not going to be many listings. The death of classified adverts has been years in the making and there are many other channels that people can use. However, when you do find listings, the sellers are generally more motivated and responsive than other methods which saves everyone time.
Craigslist
While Craigslist is a form of classified advertising, it is best to consider it on its own. The reason for this is that Craigslist does not work like any other classifieds site and you need to be aware of this. People on Craigslist can be crazy and you need to keep this in mind when you look at motorcycle listings.
The primary reason for caution with Craigslist is the fact that you do not have to pay to list your motorcycle. There is also a very wide range of prices on Craigslist which can make your search very confusing. History also shows that Craigslist is full of potential scammers and it is often considered to be better to avoid this completely.
eBay
Online auction website like eBay is a great place to look for used motorcycles and you will often be able to get good deals. There are often a lot of listings on the website and you will be able to find some rare and classic bikes for a good price. Most motorcycle sellers on eBay will also post pictures to ensure that you look at their listing which is good for any buyer.
The primary benefit of eBay is the fact that you can shop around for a used motorcycle without having to talk to anyone. If the listing does not have the information that you want, you can contact the seller or move onto the next listing. Most of the listings will also have pictures that provide you with some idea as to what you might be getting.
The one issue with the pictures on eBay is that they might not show you everything that you want. A seller can also touch up the pictures to hide any imperfections that they want to avoid you seeing. If the pictures do not show you the details that you want, you should contact the seller. If they are motivated, they will get back to you quickly and if they have nothing to hide, they will provide you with the images that you want.
The primary issue that you might have with eBay is the location of the motorcycle. If the motorcycle is not close to you, you will have to bid or buy based on the pictures online and this can be daunting. If the seller is close by, you will generally be able to arrange a viewing before you commit to buying. Getting the motorcycle can also be a challenge if you are far from the seller as you will need to travel to them as most private sellers will not send the bike to you.
A Used Motorcycle Dealership
Used motorcycle dealerships such as Next Ride are still a go-to for many people who want to buy a used motorcycle. This is due to the fact that they will have a range of different used motorcycles on offer at any time. You will also be able to view the motorcycles and take them for a test ride before you buy. Another benefit of going through a dealership is the accountability that they have for their actions.
The dealership will also still be there if there are any problems with the motorcycle after you have bought it. You should be able to get spare parts from the dealership and they will also provide you with some form of warranty when you buy from them. This does not mean that buying from a dealership will not be without any problems.
The primary issue that you will face with a used motorcycle dealership is the fact that you will not get the best deals. Dealerships are looking to make as much profit on every sale as possible. This means that there is a markup on the price of the motorcycle that you could avoid if you are buying from a private seller.
There are many places that you can look for a used motorcycle and get a great price. Classifieds are still a good option, but eBay should also be considered. Dealerships will offer many benefits, but you will not always get the best price.