Maximizing Revenue: How To Promote Bike Components Shortly

Top-of-the-line methods to recoup a number of the prices of shopping for or restoring a bike is to promote as lots of the outdated elements as attainable.  I’ve achieved this many instances myself.  Actually, I as soon as rebuilt a Honda CB750 that got here with numerous extras and I bought all of the elements for greater than I purchased the motorbike for.

How do you promote motorbike elements? One of the best ways to promote motorbike elements is thru on-line platforms comparable to Fb Market, eBay, and social media channels. Totally clear your motorbike elements and take a number of footage from totally different angles to make sure your greatest possibilities of promoting.

Having beforehand owned a bike restoration enterprise whereas nonetheless at present restoring bikes, I’ve bought lots of of motorbike elements. I’ve realized just a few tried-and-true tips to promote elements shortly and for an excellent revenue.  Preserve studying beneath to be taught the place to promote them, the best way to prep them, the best way to take good footage, and what to anticipate whenever you’re promoting elements on-line.

Greatest Gross sales Channels To Promote Bike Components

The very first thing you’ll want to think about when promoting motorbike elements is the way you’re going to promote the elements which might be on the market. This must occur first as a result of the next steps can look just a little totally different relying on which means you select to promote. I’ve used the entire following platforms to promote motorbike elements and have seen large success.

Fb Market

From my private expertise, the perfect on-line platform to promote each new and used motorbike elements is Fb market. I like this platform as a result of I don’t have to fret about packing it up and paying for delivery. Moreover, the individual often involves you to get the half and also you receives a commission for it!

One thing I don’t like about Market is that it permits all of the flaky individuals on Fb to message you and say issues like, “I’ll be by on Tuesday to choose up the merchandise” after which they by no means present.  It’s very irritating to take care of individuals like that, and Fb has numerous them.

eBay

The subsequent platform I like to make use of is eBay. This platform is particularly useful when you will have a really particular half to a bike you’re attempting to promote. eBay is the second most visited procuring website with over 135 million customers worldwide.  The draw back is that they cost 10%-15% of the promoting value which appears hefty, however to me its value it since eBay is so consumer pleasant and advertises so nicely.  Additionally they have the least quantity of on-line scammers which is a bonus.

A phrase for the sensible, don’t promote actually giant or heavy gadgets on eBay as a result of the vendor pays the delivery price.  So solely promote gadgets on eBay if you can also make an excellent return after the delivery price.  For big or heavy gadgets, use a number of the native listings that I’ll discuss beneath.

Native Classifieds

Many U.S. areas can have on-line native classifieds you should utilize to promote elements. For instance, I at present reside in Utah and now we have an internet site referred to as “KSL.” You possibly can promote something on this web site, together with motorbike elements. I’ve purchased and bought by this platform many instances. Perform some research and see in case your space has one thing just like this.

Craigslist

Craigslist is one other wonderful selection for promoting further motorbike elements. For some, Craigslist could also be out of date of their space, however for others it’s nonetheless thriving. I’ve used this platform dozens of instances and have, once more, seen numerous success. Nonetheless, Craigslist tends to draw numerous scammers, so be cautious that you simply’ll get a number of rip-off messages earlier than you’re contacted by somebody who’s sincerely . You possibly can be taught extra about the best way to use Craigslist by studying my different article right here.

Cycle Dealer

Cycle Dealer is one other wonderful selection. I’ve simply bought precise bikes on there with zero issues. This platform does require a one-time payment starting from $11-$46; the payment will depend on how nicely you need your motorbike elements marketed, what number of footage you need posted, and the way lengthy you need the advert to be reside.

Personally, I’ve seen a lot fewer scammers utilizing this platform in order that one-time payment is totally value it.

Boards

As soon as I began restoring bikes, I referred to a discussion board virtually every single day to learn details about a particular bike I had. These platforms are extremely helpful and are nice with answering extraordinarily particular questions you might need. They’re additionally nice for promoting these further motorbike elements since you may goal a fairly distinct viewers.

The one disadvantage is that you simply don’t need to use this platform too many instances to promote. Discussion board customers are typically there for info functions and never essentially there to purchase one thing. I’d use this platform when you’ve got a fairly particular half you’re attempting to promote however haven’t had a lot luck with the opposite platforms.

Social Media

The usage of social media has grown exponentially during the last 10 years and customers virtually count on ads on there. There are just a few methods you may go about utilizing social media to promote your motorbike elements:

• Be a part of Fb teams particularly created for promoting motorbike elements
• Listing your elements for promote in your private Instagram, Fb, and/or Tiktok accounts
• Pay Instagram, Fb, or Tiktok to promote your elements on the market
• Create a separate Instagram, Fb, and/or Tikok account to put up cool stuff about your motorbike to generate a following, then promote motorbike elements as wanted

Let me give an instance. Once I first began my motorbike restoration enterprise referred to as “Triskelion Motors,” I began an Instagram web page and simply posted cool movies of tasks I used to be engaged on, earlier than and after footage, and informational stuff. I gained a following of about 26,000 in a yr and was capable of promote issues in a short time when the time got here.

I’ve a full article devoted to studying the best way to write an advert that can promote your motorbike and elements shortly. You possibly can learn that by clicking right here.

How To Prep Your Bike Components For Promoting

I do know that after I’m seeking to purchase used motorbike elements, I’m all the time drawn to the itemizing that appears the cleanest. If you happen to count on to promote your motorbike elements, then it is advisable clear it and current it appropriately! You possibly can promote an outdated carburetor for generally double the worth by simply cleansing it up a bit.

At all times bear in mind this whereas promoting motorbike elements: they don’t need to look excellent, they simply need to look higher than the opposite individual you’re competing with.  It amazes me generally at how little effort some individuals put into promoting their motorbike elements.

For smaller elements, I all the time use an ultrasonic cleaner to provide it an excellent cleanse. This often takes about an hour to finish however all you need to do is get it prepared, place the half in there, and watch for it to do its job.

One other fast tip that may double or triple your earnings from promoting motorbike elements is placing a contemporary coat of spray paint on the half earlier than you put up it on the market (if it beforehand had paint).  Something you are able to do to assist catch the attention of a possible purchaser is value it. 

While you create the itemizing, take a look at your competitors and see what comparable elements are being listed for.  While you discover the few elements that almost all intently resemble the standard of what you’re promoting, checklist yours for barely cheaper.  Even when it’s only some {dollars} cheaper, individuals shall be routinely drawn to your itemizing over the others.

Taking Good Footage Of Your Bike Components

Poor high quality footage on classifieds itemizing is considered one of my largest pet peeves.  Virtually everybody owns a good smartphone as of late, and should you don’t then considered one of your mates does.  So whenever you get able to checklist your gadgets on the market, put them in a well-lit space with out distracting issues within the background to take footage. 

Take shut up footage of the gadgets from many various angles to provide the consumers the very best concept of the standard of merchandise they will count on.  And don’t copy and paste producer footage of the merchandise from an internet search.  Take your individual footage, it’ll entice extra individuals.

When taking the image, steer clear of darkish spots, huge shadows, cluttered areas, and footage from too far-off.  Folks need to have the ability to zoom in and take a look at the half extra intently.

Additionally, don’t have individuals in your footage.  Even should you assume your girlfriend is probably the most lovely individual on this planet, no person else desires to see her holding the motorbike half.  Simply put up footage of the merchandise. Guarantee the images are clear and never pixelated whenever you put up them. 

What To Anticipate From Consumers

Relating to promoting your motorbike elements, coping with individuals throughout the promoting course of is the toughest half. I’ve some insane tales from promoting spare bike elements (e-mail me personally if you wish to hear some!) and it’ll in all probability hold you in your toes a bit. Listed here are just a few ideas I’ve in terms of interacting with potential consumers:

Some pink flags to look out for are individuals suggesting to pay with a private examine, cashiers examine, or wire you cash. These are often scammers; solely settle for cost by money or by the direct platform you’re utilizing (Venmo could also be an exception).

Scams may also be detected if somebody messages you with very poor grammar. Loads of scammers are from different nations the place English isn’t their native language.

You don’t owe allegiance to anybody when promoting regionally. If somebody guarantees they’ll come by in a day or two to purchase your merchandise, don’t promise them you’ll maintain it. There have been a handful of instances I made these guarantees solely to seek out out they had been no-shows. State clearly in your itemizing that the merchandise goes to the primary person who fingers you the money and you’ll not permit holds. The one exception is that if a purchaser Venmos you the complete value forward of time.

When utilizing Fb Market and Craigslist, watch out with giving out your tackle or PayPal account info.  I all the time attempt to meet individuals at a big parking zone or retailer when promoting gadgets so that they don’t know the place I reside.  I additionally don’t let individuals pay me on PayPal due to some widespread scams. I’ve used Venmo a handful of instances with no issues.

When promoting elements on locations like eBay, count on a reasonably seamless transaction, however generally the promote can take time.  I like posting my gadgets on eBay with only a “Purchase It Now” value, not an public sale value.  Simply checklist it for just a few {dollars} lower than the competitors so that you don’t need to take care of individuals attempting to nickel and dime you on the worth.

Consumers on eBay have 2 days to pay for the merchandise they purchase, and in the event that they nonetheless don’t pay then you may relist it.  This has solely occurred to me twice in over fifteen years of being on eBay.  I solely promote gadgets to individuals in the USA so I don’t need to take care of delivery gadgets internationally, it simply makes it simpler.

With platforms that require delivery, make sure you ship the merchandise shortly as soon as somebody has paid or else you’ll get unhealthy suggestions and fewer individuals will purchase your gadgets sooner or later. 

Conclusion

The world presents many easy-to-use platforms to promote motorbike elements. It’s a reasonably easy course of, however with these few ideas in thoughts, that course of can now be made simpler. Fb Market, eBay, native classifieds, Craigslist, Cycle Dealer, boards, and all totally different types of social media are wonderful methods to promote the elements you’re promoting.

You should definitely clear up the elements you’re promoting and take numerous good, clear footage. This may give the perfect possibilities of attracting consumers. Moreover, pay attention to scammers since there are a lot on the market that need to take your cash. Be happy to succeed in out to me with any questions! I’ve achieved this lots of of instances and have numerous recommendation to provide.

Associated Questions

Is it attainable to promote motorbike elements to native companies? It’s attainable to promote elements to companies close to you. You’ll want to perform a little research as to who accepts them. Word that you simply in all probability won’t get as a lot cash from them as you’d privately promoting your spare elements.

This text has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial coverage.