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Private Sale vs. BigMoto We Buy Any Motorbike: Which Is Best?

Private Sale vs. BigMoto We Buy Any Motorbike: Which Is Best?

When it comes to selling your bike, the first question is always how. Should you opt to sell your bike online with a reputable buyer like BigMoto, or opt to sell it to a private buyer?

There are pros and cons to both, but selling your bike online with a WeBuyAnyBike specialist tends to prove more reliable. Here’s how to figure out where to sell your bike for the best price and easiest process. Let’s get into it. 

Why to Sell Your Bike

Not sure whether or not to sell your bike in the first place? Here are some common reasons:

  • Upgrading to a new or more powerful model

  • No longer using your bike or using it less frequently

  • Need to make some quick cash

  • Downsizing to something lighter and more practical

  • Selling a damaged or non-running bike that’s too expensive to repair. 

If you’re selling a damaged bike, you’re much more likely to sell it to a ‘we buy any bike’ company like BigMoto than to private buyers. Typically, private buyers are looking to purchase a new running bike, not a damaged bike for parts, so you’ll have more luck with an official bike buyer and seller. 

Selling Privately: The Pros and Cons

The Benefits

The main advantage of selling privately is financial. You’ll be cutting out any third-party fees, so you can get a higher price for your bike. However, buying from a reliable online ‘we buy any bike’ site can get you a good price as long as you choose the right one. A site like BigMoto gives you a fair and transparent price based on market conditions. 

Private sales can also feel more personal since you get to know the person selling your bike. If facetime with a buyer is important to you, this is a benefit of a private sale, though most sellers prefer a good price and a speedy process. 

The Drawbacks

While private sales can have their upsides, there are many drawbacks to opting for a private sale instead of a webuyanybike site like BigMoto. 

First, a private sale takes time. You’ll need to photograph your bike, write up adverts, and find somewhere suitable to post it. Plus, depending on the model and condition of the bike, you won’t necessarily receive interest straight away, so you could have to wait weeks or months just to hear from an interested buyer.

When the enquiries finally come, some buyers take it more seriously than others. You might find some buyers seem super interested but string you along. Be prepared for private buyers not to show up for meetings or to haggle aggressively for an unrealistically low price and waste your time. 

There are also safety risks to inviting strangers round to your home. Even once you’ve agreed on a price, you’ll have to make sure the payment is secure. You won’t have the same worries with an established online buyer like BigMoto.

While there are some benefits of a private sale, the risks tend to outweigh any potential advantages. 

We Buy Any Motorbike: Big Moto Pros and Cons

The Benefits

The process of selling with BigMoto simply couldn’t be easier. You get a free, instant valuation online, and you can organise for your bike to be picked up as soon as the very next day. 

Unlike selling through private buyers, you won’t be waiting weeks for movement. Plus, when we at BigMoto say we buy any bike, we mean it. You won’t have to wait for somebody who is looking to purchase your exact make and model. We buy any bike, no matter its condition - even if it doesn’t run we’re happy to take it off your hands. 

Selling through us is much safer and more reliable, too. Payment is secure, and you don’t have to let strangers know your address or location to come and take a look at your bike, which you do in private sales. The best part? While you’re on your site selling your bike, you can browse our new and used models to find your next ride!

The Drawbacks

Selling online to a ‘we buy any bike’ business like BigMoto lacks the personal interaction of a personal sale, or might not be the best choice if you plan on selling the bike to somebody you know personally. However, overall, there are very few downsides to selling on BigMoto. It’s quick, easy, and entirely transparent. 

Should I Sell Privately or With BigMoto?

The only obvious reason to opt for a private sale is that there’s a friend or family member you want to sell to. That aside, selling to a WeBuyAnyBike business like BigMoto is the obvious choice. It’s quicker, easier, and hassle-free. You can get an instant quote based on market conditions, so you know you’re getting a fair price.