Q for TOG. Opinion on the online price guides?

Hi TOG.

I know you're asked day in, day out for valuations, and it's got to be
nice to feel your opion warrants all this attention. But I always
refer back to Parkers online guide for my ideas on price. Hey, I
don't want to add to your workload.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/pricing/used_bike/

Do you think that it's accurate? For example, I'd love to get a
'cheap' Hayabsa but the stuff selling on ebay all seems to go for more
than the guide. Normal on ebay?

Thanks.

 

I haven't checked that site before, so thanks.

My first impression is that their dealer prices are only slightly higher
than private sale prices - I recently sold a decent (I mean, well used,
but not buggered about) 1994 CB500 twin. They reckon dealer price at
£950, which I wouldn't quibble with too much, but private sale at £855
which is laughably optimistic.

Again, as we've been talking Blackbirds recently, their dealer price for
a five year-old Bird is £3770, which I think is a little bit strong but
achievable, but privately they quote £3540, which I think is £500 over
the odds.

I also looked up a 1997R VFR750 as I've been ruminating about buying
one. They're quoting £2225 privately, which is about right, but £2430
from a dealer which is ludicrous - any dealer worth his salt will ask
closer to £2800-2900 for a good VFR.

They don't even list my Ducati 750SS, so I can't check that.....

In summary, it's a rough guide only. I have no idea how frequently every
price is updated. From what I've just seen, I wouldn't trust it
impicitly, no.

The used bike trade is so bizarre - things change quite fast: bikes come
in and out of fashion, and some used bikes get an amazing reputation
very early on.

But like I say, the main problem I see is that their dealer prices are
far too close to their private prices. If there was only a £200
discrepancy between the two, nobody would ever sell a used bike because
all the buyers would opt for a dealer simply for peace of mind plus the
chance of having a new tyre put on before it's sold, or similar.

 

On Fri, 9 Jun 2006 09:15:55 +0100,

Suprised. Got any others worth looking at?

snip.

Thanks TOG, nice of you.

 

Y'all wanna bring yer blackbirds to España to sell. I've been told to
expect 6000 euros for mine at 8 years of age.

--

Paul.
CBR1100XX SuperBlackbird
BOTAFOT #4
BOTAFOF #30
MRO #24
OMF #15
UKRMMA #30
Buy this house: http://personales.ya.com/wibbleypants/main.htm
This will be ready soon:
http://personales.ya.com/wibbleypants/bb_in_andalucia_spain.htm

 

D'oh!