Topic: You think there is much use in posting a "Wanted" ad on Craig's List for a bike?

[Kong]

I've been searching Craig's List and E-Bay as well as the local papers for a project bike, I know with some certainty what I want and how much I'm willing to pay for it.  What I don't need is to be bombarded with e-mails from every idiot who owns a computer and too much time on their hands.  So I was wondering, have any of you all had good experiences with Wanted ads, either on Craig's List or elsewhere, when looking for a bike?  My desire is the usual, a running  but ugly 550 with good paper at a reasonable price, a real plus if it doesn't have too much rust, and it doesn't really have to be running five or six hundred bucks tops.

What are your thoughts?

[kck3]

Yeah- I put a "WTB:Honda CBXXX" on craigslist   got a lot of calls/emails.

[Little_Horse]

I posted a wanted add for a project bike worded much like your post above and that is how I found my cb500. I actually got about 5 responses and 3 of them where legitimate and honest. One guy wanted way too much for his cb350 so it ended up making my choice of the 500 pretty easy. I was not really bombarded by a bunch of garbage spam, but hey its craigslist you have to weed through the garbage, I just ignore it and revel in the part of it that does work, for selling and buying and finding.

[Alan F.]

I would simply sign up for a new email address from yahoo or one of the others.  Never give your primary email address out in a publicly posted ad like that, and never post your full name or phone number either....
It's pretty easy to weed through the spam and reply to the actual replies when you're not worried about some of them turning out to be spammers.  When you're done with the add simply delete the email account and go on with your life.

But if the want adds have failed you, word of mouth is always a good alternative. Post a flyer at a local bike shop or grocery store. r

Retirement home type places are an untapped resource for locating old tools, cars and bikes. Family members often have to find new homes for items that have long gone unused and forgotten....

[Stev-o]

Have you seen this website:


http://www.searchtempest.com/results.php?location=15201&maxDist=500&region_us=1&search_string=cb550&keytype=adv&Region=na&cityselect=zip&page=0&showeb=1&category=8&subcat=sss&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

Look at the '74 550 in Irwin for $800, looks like a good candidate.

[xedge4lifex]

i look for dudes in the city (chicago- logan square) hipster kids are eating this cafe #$%* up like crazy right now. the trust fund babies love paying top dollar with mommy and daddys money for a vintage honda.

so yeah, the wtb are definitely answered, at least in my area.

[Grnrngr]

i look for dudes in the city (chicago- logan square)

[xedge4lifex]

i look for dudes in the city (chicago- logan square)

hahaha thats wrigleyville 

[Kong]

Have you seen this website:


http://www.searchtempest.com/results.php?location=15201&maxDist=500&region_us=1&search_string=cb550&keytype=adv&Region=na&cityselect=zip&page=0&showeb=1&category=8&subcat=sss&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

Look at the '74 550 in Irwin for $800, looks like a good candidate.

I ran across that one a couple of days ago and shot out an E-mail to see if it was still available.  No answer yet.

It hadn't occurred to me to just set up a new e-mail address just for the purpose.  That, obviously, is the solution..

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions, and of course the link to a potential purchase is appreciated too.

Kong

[Stev-o]

One other suggestion - if you see a great deal on a bike, call immediately, don't email. There are a lot of guys out there looking for deals just like you.

This happened to me just last week: emailed a guy about a complete parts bike for $300, he emailed me back the next day stating it was sold.