My 1940 W/NG on Ebay

[PeterW]

Just a quick update to say the old girl is still with me.

She's on Ebay at the moment https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277222363832?
961 views and 57 watchers who, I guess, are people just curious to see if it sells.

Its the only W/NG on ebay.
There is one on Car & Classic which is very different and a bit cheaper
And one on Marktplaatz which is finished similar to how some dealers presented them postware in polychromatic colours. Looks nice if a bit pricey.

Years ago I was selling my car and had no bites at all. I then added a few hundred to the price and it sold straight away - I think peple just thought it must have been a bit of a nail at the lower price. Maybe I'll try that next month :¬)

In other news, I'm trying to make progress on my tatty MGB GT but its sweltering. At least any paint I do dries quickly!

[MarkO]

I have a very decent Velocette Viper for sale at a very reasonable price. No bites whatsoever. Few folk have any spare cash and those that do are setting it aside for future demands from our dear HMG. Sign of the times and I fear it is far from touching the sea bed.

[Paul Slootheer]

From what I understand from folks around me, is that in general younger people nowadays are less attracted into spannering and old bikes then the older generation. At the same time the 50’s bike market did collapse a couple of years ago. Apart from some very special machines, they struggle to sell and won’t reach the prices they once did in the ‘90’s and early 2000. At this moment quite some people for diff. reasons are trying to slim down their stable. One day things might change again, but I’am afraid I wont live to see it again…

[PeterW]

Well, over 1200 view and plenty of watchers but nobody beat a path to my door laden with cash and the month's listing has now ended.
Think I'll pop it back on ebay in the Miltary category and see how that goes. I'm probably being a bit optimistic on price but I'm happy to have offers from genuine AOMCC members.

That one in Cheval this month looks very nice - if I wasn't trying to make space......

[MarkO]

As an aside - where does one advertise classic bikes for free these days? I don't care much for Gumtree - too many idiots to be honest. Car and classic used to be good, but no bites from there at all. Anywhere else? - Club websites/forums I guess....

[PeterW]

As an aside - where does one advertise classic bikes for free these days? I don't care much for Gumtree - too many idiots to be honest. Car and classic used to be good, but no bites from there at all. Anywhere else? - Club websites/forums I guess....

Its tricky - the ones with the biggest audience (ebay, gumtree, facebook) naturally attract the biggest number of chancers and tyre kickers. Club sites are great but people on there usually have enough bikes already and can be very particular.
I think if I just wanted to get rid of a bike quick I'd put it on facebook - seems to be a source of cheap stuff, buyers are often local and its free.
Ebay is also good for a quick sale if you don't mind letting it go cheap but I think its real strength is, if you are selling something a bit niche and want a better price, it has an international market. as long as you can put up with the "I'll give you 50 quid for it mate" brigade, there is a fair chance that sensible buyers will find it. Bearing in mind what traditional auction houses charge I reckon the the classified ad charge is cheap enough for the service.
I'm also a fan of going old school and just pinning a for sale sign on it. Attracts people who weren't actively looking :¬)

[PeterW]

I had a look at what other WD bikes are for sale at the moment and the answer is "very few"
This looks good - 1939 BSA M20 not cheap. I couldnt find any Nortons and only one Matchless G3L in civvy colours.

Anyway, thought I'd stick mine back on fleabay :¬)
I've bumped the price up a bit - I always think if people see something cheap they might think there is something wrong with it....

We'll see. By this time next year I will have retired and hopefully have finished the MGB so garage space won't be such an issue and I'll maybe have more time to actually ride with it.

[nevhunter]

I like the W/D bikes because you don't spend heaps on Paint and chrome Most finishes are MATT and scratches etc touch up with a matched colour Rattle can of acrylic Lacquer. They were NEVER repaired like a Concourse Bike. The preferred W/D bikes as I read it were the ARIEL and the tele forked G3L Matchless. The Ariel is high ground clearance and a bit wind sensitive and the gears are TRIALS ratios. I have a G3l but it s challenging me a bit as apparently None Came to Australia. The W/NG's are not that thick on the ground either. I've had 3 of those. Nev

[PeterW]

1450 views this time - listed under military rather than Other Motorcycles so more views with the higher price but still no actual buyers so far.
Looks like its staying a bit longer :¬)

[MarkO]

Peter

If I want to sell my Velo I am resigned to the fact that I will have to lower the price - significantly. I may well believe it is a superior bike in very good condition - which it is - but it is only worth as much as what someone is prepared to pay for it. The current economic climate combined with an ever dwindling amount of interested buyers all points to making a loss on purchase price, let alone breaking even.

I guess it then depends on how much of a loss is acceptable to you. Mine is already at a price which is @20% loss on purchase and still unsold. It's not doing it any good under a sheet in the shed with another Winter coming......