Topic: Cl Rants.

[tomkimberly]

I've been trying to sell a 1972 CB350 f ON Craigs list.

Here is a typical response:  Hi, do you still have the cb350f?  what does BOS mean in your ad?  Also, what happens if I try to register the bike without the pink slip?  Thanks

Here is my reply: I guess you are a real goober if you don't know what BOS means.....

If anyone here is interested, please PM me, I'm in Orange County, CA 92865

I'll make a good deal for members here on this forum.



Tom

[Powderman]

I'll bite, what is BOS and how is it used in the ad? Link to the ad? I assume you have no title? Can you register in Ca. without a title, I know some states you can't or it's too much hassle to deal with. What are you asking for it?

[Dimitri13]

Or you can just, y'know, write Bill of Sale? Nobody uses the acronym BOS.

Your ad isn't clear on what BOS means. First you state it needs a new battery, then BOS only, then right into the "pink slip." If you had made the BOS and pink slip it's own line, then it would be easier to use context clues to figure out what it is.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/4232675390.html

[Dr. Noisewater]

Too bad you don't live closer.. That would make the perfect bike for my wife.

[dave500]

i thought it meant Bike Of #$%*?but what would i know,i guess im a real goober?

why jeopardize your sale by telling him hes a goober,if you just said bill of sale(or bike of #$%*)you mightve had a sale?

[bjbuchanan]

It depends on where you are I suppose. BOS or bill of sale for the most part means crap in NY. Bring that up to the counter and they just blink at you, the only thing it is good for here is ensuring you pay the tax rate on the real sale cost hehe

You get some annoying stuff from craigslist, i understand. Everybody treats your stuff like it is crap, the old "how much to take it off your hands" bs. They will offer you 200 for it, but if that title was in their name it is 3500 FIRMMMM, not one penny less cheapos

[tomkimberly]

BOS meazns bill of sell. In California, a BOS is all that is needed. This is a killer deal but the "pickers" and scheemers on CL will try to get a super deal. I'd rather scrap the bike out on Ebay or burn it in the fire pit.


Tom

[harisuluv]

With craigslist you know what you are going to get.

If I ever sell anything on craigslist the first two lines are:

"If you are reading this the bike is still for sale.

IF YOU ARE READING THESE WORDS THEN I HAVE NOT SOLD THE BIKE YET."

I answer they phone and they say "Do you still have the ______?

However, the more info you put in the less dumb questions you will receive.  You will always receive some though even if things are overly explicit.  When you get someone who calls up and asks dumb questions that are already in the ad, you can just assume that they aren't serious buyers anyway and just get off the phone.  If you have dealt with CL enough you can tell from the first 30 seconds whether or not the buyer is serious or is just a time waster.  If you can't then you're just a wishful thinker.

The other thing I do is if they ask me a question that is stupid and/or already described, I just ignore them.  If they are serious they will read the ad again and they will have their answer, otherwise they are just time wasters and broke anyways so I haven't wasted any time responding to them.

[harisuluv]

I just looked at the ad, you're having trouble selling it at $1500? 

Supposedly CA prices are so much higher than anywhere else right?

I will say, and this is just an observation, when I see the seller say "all it needs is ______ or, just have to _______ it's really easy!"  It puts up red flags for me, cause anyone reading it would just say to themself, "Ok... well if it's so easy then just do it and ask for $1k more."

To be fair, the ad is pretty bare bones, perhaps maybe give a little more detail?  Just a thought.

[750K]

Shouldn't this be in the open forum section, not the tech section?

[dave500]

is this the tech section?id complain to craigslist straight away!

[Stev-o]

I'm am on CL every day and did not know what BOS was.   A lot of ads do not get deleted when the item is sold, hence the first question "still available?".

Doesn't bother me, I just respond with: Yes, would like to show it to you.

A word of advice - list as much info as possible in the ad, it helps reduce the amount of dumb questions.
And be prepared for the scammers, I get texts from them nearly every time. 

[flybox1]

I'm am on CL every day and did not know what BOS was.   A lot of ads do not get deleted when the item is sold, hence the first question "still available?".
A word of advice - list as much info as possible in the ad, it helps reduce the amount of dumb questions.

+1!!!
When i sold my 350F, it wrote a short essay, and it sold it for my asking price within 2 weeks.

Spend the $50 or so and get a VT title, and then it transferred into your name.
A little work on your part might bring a quicker sale and cover the costs of the title and then some....

[Maurice]

I'm a goofy goober too, didn't know what BOS meant... Spell it out, doesn't take too long and makes it look that much more serious. And it prevents from confusing with POS. No offense, your bike looks great.

Complaining about craigslist, another one of those first world problems

[Bankerdanny]

It took me a couple munites but I did finally realize what BOS was before scrolling down but I buy and sell a fair amount of vehicles

The person who contacted you may not however. He may also not know a lot about registration in CA. Maybe he recently relocated from Illinois or another state where a title is a must to register and almost impossible to get if the seller doesn't have it and wasn't the last registered owner.

So maybe you should be less of a jerk, stop assuming that the potential buyer is as familiar with the registration process as you are and politely answer their questions. If you did maybe you would have already sold the bike.

[Powderman]

Everyone hit on the points I summarized in the first reply. With no link to the ad it was hard to determine what to advise. A potential buyer is my best friend, unless they come off with some really low ball offer or uneducated lame question, then I just walk away.

[750K]

is this the tech section?id complain to craigslist straight away!

Damn good idea Dave, they have that Rants & Raves section specifically for #$%* like this. Lots of popcorn in R&R on CL.

[754]

If i call I dont ask if they still have..more like... I am calling about the Daihatsu Sper Trumpet 60cc... And let them speak nect
 CL...... Worth what you paid.for it..

[Stev-o]

is this the tech section?id complain to craigslist straight away!

Damn good idea Dave, they have that Rants & Raves section specifically for #$%* like this. Lots of popcorn in R&R on CL.

You say popcorn??!

[goldarrow]

After 20 replies, the ad still say BOS.   

[Stev-o]

Is it still available??

[goldarrow]

Stev-o, Pick one.   Ad is up, bike is still for sale.   Ad is up, bike is sold but seller never took down the ad.

[Stev-o]

Ad is up, bike is still for sale.   

This

[dave500]

is this the tech section?id complain to craigslist straight away!

Damn good idea Dave, they have that Rants & Raves section specifically for #$%* like this. Lots of popcorn in R&R on CL.

You say popcorn??!

man?last time i saw a mouth like that it had a hook in it!

[Tews19]

BOS!!! That was funny. I am with Stev-o and others.. I search CL and had to think what BOS meant..... Goober is the one who has yet to sell and have snide remarks to people asking what BOS means......

Detailed listing usually sell fast ...

Good luck on the sale

[750K]

I got an idea, everyone hit the flag button. Haha, think how frustrated he'll be with CL then lol

[Tews19]

I got an idea, everyone hit the flag button. Haha, think how frustrated he'll be with CL then lol

LOL oh #$%*... Here it comes!

[tomkimberly]

Not looking for any sympathy, but over the past 3 years my health has seriously deteriorated to the point where a good day is one which I can get out of bed under my own power. Life happens and one must live with cards one is dealt.

Of course this is not the type of info one places in a CL ad.

What I'm doing now is thinning out the herd, trying to get my prized bikes to new owners who will value them as much as I do.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

Tom

[Goofaroo]

Needs new battery. BOS only. Been out of the DMV system for years, easy to register. If I had the pink slip, I would be asking for $2,500.00 (or more).

If it is so simple in California, why not just title the bike and ask $2,500?

[Bailgang]

Not looking for any sympathy, but over the past 3 years my health has seriously deteriorated to the point where a good day is one which I can get out of bed under my own power. Life happens and one must live with cards one is dealt.

Of course this is not the type of info one places in a CL ad.

What I'm doing now is thinning out the herd, trying to get my prized bikes to new owners who will value them as much as I do.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

Tom

I don't think you offended anyone it's just that many were trying to point out details about your ad that may be preventing you from selling the bike. Some may have gotten a bit critical in pointing things out but I must admit that your ad would've sent up some red flags to me too.

[Powderman]

Is he wanting to sell it or is he just looking for a good home for it?

[tomkimberly]

Is he wanting to sell it or is he just looking for a good home for it?

Both. The Yamaha's I own so far have gone to members of yamahaenduro.com, the Honda's I'd like to be able to do the same for here however it appears the culture is much different between the two groups.

I did sell my 1972 CB350F today for a really good deal of $ 1250.00, new tires, new Dyna S, new Seat assembly, new 4 into 2 exhaust, complete repaint, rebuilt master cylinder and caliper, stainless steel brake line, new rear bake pads, etc. for the buyer. My biggest fear is selling to those jerks who are only interested in parting out these pieces of history.

Tom