by Sue Simpson

Created on: July 12, 2008   Last Updated: May 09, 2011

It's easy to sell a bike on Craigslist.org. Selling goods on the Internet has become easier and easier, and since Craigslist doesn't charge people anything to buy and sell goods on their site, it's an ideal place to list your bike. Millions of people look at or use Craigslist every year, so you have a real opportunity to get rid of the bike that's been taking up space in your garage.

First, go to http://www.craigslist.org. Look at the other ads listed for bicycles, especially those in your area, to see if there are many other bicycles listed in your area. Too many other bicycles listed in your local region could make for a lot of competition and might require you to lower the cost of your bike, or potentially seek other options for places to sell your bike. However, if it looks like a good opportunity, proceed with the following three steps to sell your bike!

The next thing you need to do is title your ad. Give it a snappy title that will attract buyers to your ad. With so many ads for bikes on Craigslist, you need to make yours stand out. Include the price, the size of your bike (like how big the frame is), and if it's a particular brand. Also, if it is a mountain bike, include that in the title, as those appear to be attractive to buyers.

The next thing you need to do is write your ad. Definitely include pictures, since buyers are much more likely to click on ads with pictures. In the ad itself, describe your bike honestly. A buyer is going to see your bike when they come to get it, after all, so you might as well be honest up front! Talk about the tires (are they worn?), the grips (are they used?), the pedals, rims (in good condition?), spokes (any missing or broken), etc. It's important that you provide as much detail as possible. Clean your bike, too, since a dirty bike might detract from its look, but it's easy for you to take care of.

The last thing you need to do is put a price on your bike. Think first about how much it cost you, then think about how much you'd be willing to sell it for. Finally, check out how much similar bikes are being sold for on craigslist. If you list a twenty year old children's bike for $150, you probably won't have too many buyers. A lot of bicycles go for thirty to one hundred dollars, depending on their condition, age, and the market in which you're selling the bike.

So, give your ad a great title, write some good copy, and put an attractive dollar amount on your bike. You'll get it sold right away!

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