How To Sell A Pre-Owned E-Bike

Many people want to sell their e-bike for one reason or another. Some have several electric bikes, some might not be into biking anymore, while some sell their current electric bike to get cash for an upgrade. Whatever your reason is, we want to help you sell your electric bike fast and in this article we are providing you with a number of tips. Of course, these same tips apply if you're buying a used electric bike, so make sure to keep on reading!

There are many ways to sell your goods in the modern age, and we will share with you some tips and tricks that will help you position yourself well on the market. All you need to do is enter the process with an open mind and find some time to apply our tips. Let's get started!

Where Can I Sell My Electric Bike?

The easiest way to sell an electric bike (or the parts) is to register it on some sort of an online market. Of course, most people are already familiar with eBay and Craigslist, which are great examples. Still, we suggest you also use the power of social media platforms that have a marketplace, such as the Facebook marketplace.

Some websites, like eBay, give you the ability to create an auction, and you can sell the bike to the person that bids the most. Experienced bikers and those who have created custom pieces might want to look into this platform.

More experienced bikers might know several biking forums that also have a section for selling and buying, which is probably the most niche place to sell - you won't have to explain things in much detail, as you'll probably sell the bike to someone who is also knowledgeable.

You could easily look into your browser history to find some of the sites you have visited while learning about electric bikes and biking. Most of these have some subpage with various offers and listings.

If you like websites like Craigslist, which is a great option, you might also like OfferUp.  This way, you can find local people. Keep in mind that meeting up with these people should always come with great care - protect yourself, your transaction, and the other person.

Popular online websites on the Internet such as eBay offer the option of  selling your bike and provide great visibility. It's a popular service, and many people will see your ad. However, there is also a lot of competition there, which means that you will have to create a really good, eye-catching ad. Of course, you can always search for your bike model to view any previous listings.

If you're not into selling via the Internet, you can also look for any conventions, festivals, or meetups of like-minded enthusiasts. You can try finding a local pawn shop and see whether they are interested, or hit up just about any store that sells sports goods and also does re-selling. Some stores like to buy things from users, especially if you're selling something not as readily available in the area. 

The easiest way to sell an electric bike would be to sell it to someone you already know, a friend or possibly a colleague of a friend. Although this is the easiest way to sell something, there is no guarantee that anyone will be interested in the particular product you are selling. Also, many people expect some sort of a discount because you are friends, which isn't always doable. 

So, we suggest the below mentioned options:

Should I Go Big Or Small - Worldwide eBay Or Local Stores?

So, should you go local or worldwide? Let’s check the pros and the cons for each situation, and we’ll let you decide what the right choice is.

Selling via eBay or other worldwide services.

Pros: reaching a larger number of people- these websites get great traffic already- easy communication and buyer’s ratings- take inspiration from other sellers

Cons: not everyone is close enough to meet up- lots of competition

Selling via a local service or word of mouth.

Pros: trustworthy, direct communication in person- practical since it is nearby- no hassle with shipping and invoices

Cons: you can’t reach a lot of people- if you’re not familiar with the niche, it’s tough to find the right selling spot- not as cost-efficient if you go via a reseller

How To Make A Good Online Listing?

Be clear, concise, and truthful. If you decide to sell your e-bike online, you need to have some marketing skills. Some people think that sugar-coating is a good idea, but the buyer is probably interested in viewing the bike, which means that there is no point in covering things up.

List your bike stats well. Write down all of the important statistics that people should know regarding the electric bike, and browse the Internet to check if all your facts are indeed correct. Your memory might be messing with you sometimes, and that's fine. If you have switched any of the gear in the electric bike, it would be good to mention that as well.

Let them know about the bike's lifetime. When you discuss the state of the bike, mention how you used it, when you used it, how long you've been using it, where you bought it, and possibly take a picture of the receipt as well. Do not share your personal information. Just crop the part where you can see the date, the store, and the price. This will also give you an advantage when negotiating, as they can see the product's original price.

A good picture is worth more than a thousand words. Pictures are very important, which is why you need to take good ones. First, clean the bike properly and give it a good rinse - the shine will surely attract customers. Then, put it up against a clean, bright space, and take the picture from a flattering angle. It's also a good idea to take a picture in your garden or a park because you will get natural lighting. Do not edit the picture or put any filters on, as this will only create a counter effect.

Keep In Mind The Small Tricks

Avoid shipping if possible. Shipping an electric bike can create a lot of complications. Not only are you not sure that it will arrive safely, but you also don't know whether the person will pay you and whether the price of the basic shipping service (or the customs) will put you in an uncomfortable position.

Do not share information that is not needed. If people ask for private information, let them know that you are willing to meet them in a neutral, safe area and you don't want to share your home address or personal information. If you have to travel far to get to them, make sure you request a deposit.

Try to be a good communicator. People who answer questions fast, talk clearly, share all of the needed statistics, and seem polite are always looking more reliable than those who don't check their phone for several days and answer with short and annoying messages. It's important to disclose whether you are willing to make refunds, how far you're willing to go to meet up, etc.

Background check the buyer. Checking the person's information and reviews on the actual online marketplace is also very useful. Sometimes there are buyer's ratings that you can check out, depending on the website.

Selling The Bike In Parts - An Alternative

Take into account that you also have the option of selling the bike in parts. Think about the retail value of each part individually, and list them each separately. If you have customized the bike, there is a chance that you will not find other people who have the same taste as you do, which means that selling the parts individually would be a much faster process.

Conclusion

We hope that our tips and tricks  will assist you to sell your electric bike fast and for the best price. Be clear, share the needed information, be there for any questions, and make sure to take care of your safety well. Your bike will sell itself if you give it a fair chance to shine!