The main choice when selling a bike is whether you want to sell to a shop or an individual buyer.If you want to get rid of it quickly and not feel like haggling over a price, selling it to a shop is a good choice.Selling to an individual buyer will net you more money, but it will take a little more work.Bluebook can help you determine what a bike is worth by using recent sales of similar bikes.
Step 1: Your bike needs to be cleaned.
It will be difficult to figure out what your bike is worth if you don't inspect it first.To clean the frame of your bicycle, use a shop rag and dish soap.After rinsing the soap off, wipe your bike dry with a square head brush.If you want to make it ride like new, use a degreaser to remove lubricant and oil from your chain and waterproof lubricant to re-oil it.If you removed parts of your bike, it's a good idea to put them back together.Potential buyers will want a feature even if you don't want it.Don't hesitate to replace the seat if it's worn down.If the seat is brand new, it will be easier to sell your bike.Sell your bike for parts if there is something seriously wrong with it.
Step 2: If you want to see what other owners paid for your bike, use the online search.
If you want to find out what your bike costs, you can use the name on the side of the bike.There are a variety of websites where you can find used bike prices.If you can see what other people are willing to pay for your bicycle, you should be able to figure out what it is worth.After one year of use, a new bicycle loses at least 45% of its value, and 2% for each additional year after that.There are serial numbers underneath the handle of most bikes.If you can't find your model, look for your bike's serial number.
Step 3: The Bicycle Bluebook can be used to check the price of a bike.
If you want to know what your bike is worth, type your model into the search bar and select your features and condition.If you want to know if you can sell your bike for under or over the market value, compare the Bluebook value to what you saw in your initial search.Like the Kelley Bluebook for cars, the bicycle bluebook is a lot like that.They take sales data from multiple sources to figure out what a bike is worth.You can learn more by visiting them at: https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/.
Step 4: The condition of your bike can affect the estimate.
When evaluating your bike, be honest with yourself.It can pass for a bike if you have a few dents or scratches in the paint.You won't be able to say it's in excellent condition if you have a wobbly rim and bent handlebars.If there are structural issues that prevent the bike from being used, you may want to sell the parts.It will be easier to pass off a bad bike.Your bike has been heavily used if you have worn bike wraps and brake pads.
Step 5: Set your price and be willing to negotiate.
You are ready to sell your bike once you have established a price that you think is fair.Determine the lowest price that you are willing to sell your bike for before you list a price, because individual sellers and shops will typically negotiate over your price.
Step 6: Your bike's model, condition, and features should be highlighted in your advert.
Your bike's model, condition, and type should be included in the headline of your ad.Tell us about your bike's features, like a leather seat, new wheels, and how many gears it has.In a way that will help readers understand what you are selling, use accurate language and avoid hyperbole.At the end of your post, write "price is firm" if you don't want to negotiate.List your bike as "heavily used" if it is in a poor condition.It is a BMX bike if it has pegs.
Step 7: You can sell your bike on the site.
There are a lot of marketplaces for buying bicycles.To make it easier for potential buyers to determine if they are interested or not, include the major intersection near your home in your advert.You can set up a sale by connecting with buyers over email.If you take your bike with you to a public place, you are less likely to be ripped off during a sale.Don't accept cashier's checks.They are used by counterfeiters to scam sellers.There is a website at www.craigslist.org.
Step 8: Sell your bicycle parts on Pros Closet.
The largest used-bicycle marketplace on the internet is Pros Closet.Please include the model, condition, and custom options in the photo you submit.If Pros Closet is willing to buy your bicycle, they will send you a price.You can sell your bike's parts and components separately.Pros Closet will pay for your shipping.Once you accept an offer, take your bicycle to a shipping store and have them wrap it for you.Pros Closet's offers are good for 3 days, so don't submit your photos and information if you want to sell it elsewhere.There is a website at www.theproscloset.com.
Step 9: If you want to sell your bicycle, use Facebook groups.
There are many bicycling groups on Facebook.Find a group and join it.If you want to coordinate a sale with a local biking enthusiast, list your bike along with photos and explain why you are selling it.The benefit of using Facebook is that you can get references for people you know and negotiate with them.Visit Facebook.
Step 10: If you go to a local bike shop, you can find out if they will purchase your bike.
Any bike store that sells used bikes will be interested in buying your bike.Take it to the shop.They will offer you something for it.You can try to get a better price, but the bike shop won't budge on their offer.A bike shop is a good place to sell a high-end bike, but you don't know a lot about how to communicate or highlight the bike's features to a potential buyer.
Step 11: If you don't live near a bike shop, go to a used sporting goods store.
If there are no bike shops in your area, look for sporting goods stores that buy and sell used bikes.They won't know much about used bike prices, so take a print out of your bike's Bluebook value and some examples of other similar bikes that have been sold to support your proposal.Since a used sporting goods store won't be as knowledgeable about what they're buying, it's a good option if you have a custom or cheap bicycle.
Step 12: Consignment stores will sell your bike for you.
Consignment shops make money by selling other people's goods and taking a percentage of the sale.Consignment shops are a good option if you want to get a higher price.Tell the shop what you want to get for your bike.If you don't want to negotiate with strangers, consignment shops are a good choice.