Topic: Craigslist Conspiracy!

[Accolay]

I'd like to buy another bike. But I'm fairly convinced there is somebody sitting on their computer all day long with the sole purpose to buy Hondas with a truck ready to to pick up. There have been some really good deals lately, and the bikes are just gone... I saw a Honda 305 listed for $200- gone, then see it listed again by the new buyer for $800. I don't know if it's individuals or some motorcycle reseller doing this but frankly, it's kinda pissing me off....I mean, yay for capitalism, but can't a regular Joe get a good deal?

Anybody else get this feeling?

[scrapvalue]

There are people playing games, but it really comes down to being the first one to get there.
Check often, like everytime you get on the computer.

[Dyrden]

Theres an app for that.  Seriously.  I use it.

[Bailgang]

When my youngest bought his cbr600 he realized very early on that if he wanted to be the first to pick up a bike at the right price then he had to check craigslist at least once every half hour and even then there was a couple of times he was too late.

[nomad]

It's all about timing, persistance and having the flexibility in your schedule to head out at a moment's notice to go check out/ buy a bike.  Also, use tools like Search Tempest to search your surrounding areas all in one search.  And hold out for the bike you're looking for.  Don't snatch one up just because you were the first to see it on CL.

[tramp]

check some of the area's close to you that don't move fast

[nomad]

check some of the area's close to you that don't move fast

Yep.  I found my 750 listed on CL in a podunk little town up in the mountains of NC.  It took me roughly 4 hours to get to there.

Also, post up what you're looking for in the "wanted" section here.  You never know who (in your neck of the woods) might be on the fence about parting with one of their bikes... or know someone who is.

[Bailgang]

  Don't snatch one up just because you were the first to see it on CL.

That's another reason it took my kid a while to spot the bike he wanted. Once he spotted something he'd have me check out the ad first. If there was any hint that the bike was set up as a stunt bike, he stayed away from it.

[754]

 If you are not the lead dog, the scenery neverr changes..

 Maybe you should look elsewhere.. pound the ground, beat the bushes.. lots of barn-fresh stuff out there still.. If you havent run an ad, stop complaining...

[Two-Bit]

You can sign up to get alert e-mails when certain items are posted on craigslist. This way you will be notified as soon as key words are posted.

[tomkimberly]

I have picked up two bikes by running "wanted" ads on CL.

Tom

[Don R]

I found mt K0 on craigs list in a podunk town 30 miles from here. There is a bike shop there so I called my buddy the repo man to get the inside info without alerting the guys at the bike shop who were closer than me. I called him and asked about it, he was sitting in the bike shop when he answered.
The description was the same as the shop owners bike, everyone got a hoot out of that, it turned out to be a clone of his. Anyway I finally got the guy to answer his phone and I was waiting at his house when he got home.  He thought he cheated me at $600 with lesters and a NOS K0 in the box sidecover.

[Duanob]

Don't forget some people use craigslist to 'market price' their crap. they post a price and get a bunch of responses and realize they can get much more for it. but if they use the same number and location people will flame them so they use a different number and near by location hopefully not raise any red flags.

[flybox1]

I'd like to buy another bike. But I'm fairly convinced there is somebody sitting on their computer all day long with the sole purpose to buy Hondas with a truck ready to to pick up.

Anybody else get this feeling?

Yeah...you are describing me    but you kinda have to be.  they seem to be going faster and demanding higher prices, but deals are still out there.

Took me over 6 mos to get my hands on my 78K ($700).  there were plenty to choose from over the months, some too high, and some POS's needing more work than i was willing to deal with.
the first few months were just trying to figure out what i needed to be the first in line when a CL add posted.
Searchtempest - i used this daily, sometimes every few hours. just pull up my bookmark and refresh.  took only seconds. home, work, batphone....they all had it loaded
Cash - have it at the ready.  dont waste time needing to run to the bank.
Truck/Trailer -  I didnt have one.  I found my nearest car rental place. knew their hours, and asked them if i made a reservation now, how fast could you pick it up.
there were just as many adds WANTING CB's as there were selling them.
stay at it...good deals will come and go. 
all the ones you didnt get will be forgotten once one is in your garage 

[LesterPiglet]

If someone were to bring a box of CB's here, no matter what condition, they would be rich. If the engine runs £500 easy.

[K5 Keith]

My experience was just the same! Many of the vintage bikes on CL when I was looking for my CB were being posted by the same person south of my area... I took note of the phone number and the background in the pictures. I had a constant eye on CL and when one came up I called the seller and he said someone with a trailer was already on his way from down south. Suspicious that it was the same guy (only interested in reselling it) I told him I'd pay $100 more than he was asking but he's welcome to give the guy a shot first. Sure enough, the seller was given an offer $500 less than asking. He turned it down and called me. When we met I verified the phone number as the same. I paid what the seller was asking as I thought it was fair (even less than what it would have been re-posted for!). Really, I have no problem with the guy flipping vintage bikes... good hobby if he's got the time and ability.