A thread about selling vehicles on Facebook - is this creepy or am I just getting old?

As some of you know from my other threads I am trying to sell a Kawasaki Concours and it is turning into some kind of weird adventure. 

A few days ago I put an ad on Facebook Marketplace for it. Today somebody texted me on my phone outside of Facebook and stated we had talked earlier about the bike on Facebook and that he would like to come over on Saturday and test ride it. The thing that bothered me is that I do not remember talking to this guy on Facebook and that I do not remember giving ANYBODY  responding to any of the ads on Facebook or Cycle Trader my phone number. My phone number is not listed on either of the ads. Quite frankly, when I sold cars on Craigslist in the past I would be very stingy about giving my phone number to anybody until I decided that they were serious and not crazy. Yeah. I got responses from people wanting me to take the car to a back alley in the worst part of town so that they could take a look at it with their homies. Not a chance, buddy. No phone number for you. If I thought the guy was crazy, all he had was an e-mail address filtered through Craigslist. No chance one of these guys would ever find their way to my door. 

I know that this guy looked up my profile on Facebook then Googled my name and pulled the phone number from there. I'm sure he found my address too. One of the home flippers who stalk me constantly by phone and by mail actually showed me how easy it was to find an address and phone number if all you have is a name, and you can pull up the owner's name on any property if you have the address using government sources, even if the property is a rental and NOT the address where the person lives. 

This just creeps me out. I almost feel like this guy is stalking me. I immediately pulled the ad from Facebook.  Good old, creepy, stalky Facebook that is always asking me to put more information about myself online. I know that a lot of younger people have no problem putting their whole lives online. In fact, it is a modern form of entertainment. Am I just being an old fuddy duddy here because I grew up during a time that the internet flat out did not exist and then learned computers on BBSs and a kinder, gentler less commercial usenet, before everybody was out to screw you or troll you or make money off you. Is Facebook Marketplace the way to sell your stuff now and will I have to get used to everybody I talk to online having all the information out there on me, or is this really going too far. 

Also, I am a little bit shaky about letting just anybody and everybody test ride my bike. This guy was pretty aggressive about it. I kind of feel like Facebook is full of kids who want to go joyriding and have no intention of buying. I almost feel like I should ask for a Driver's License with Motorcycle Certification and a $2,000 cash deposit before letting somebody ride off with it. The last time I test rode at a dealer they actually kept my driver's license and made me sign for a credit check before they let me loose. The last bike I sold was on E-bay to somebody across the country in Florida and there was no test ride involved, just videos of the bike running. I would really rather do this again. 

Not being an old fuddy duddy.  FB and pretty much all social media is designed to milk you of everything that you are and keep milking the bones.

He may not have looked you up online, though.  Its been years since I've been on FB, and even more years since I did it, but I once found someone's phone number on their FB because they had put it in there themselves.

If you haven't watched this yet, you might want to.  https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224

Selling on FB works both ways. You know who's contacted you, unlike CL (or any other way to sell something) where it could be any random schmo.

As for registrar information being available, that's been the case pretty much forever. It's public information. It just takes a little less literal physical legwork than it used to.

Heck, being able to look up someone's phone number and address with their name isn't exactly new technology, you used to get a reference book delivered to your door every year. No matter how you want to sell something, you need to put some contact info out there and it's possible to connect the dots. Pretty much has been your whole life.

In reply to Snowdoggie :

I almost feel like I should ask for a Driver's License with Motorcycle Certification and a $2,000 cash deposit before letting somebody ride off with it.

Anybody that is not willing to do this, is not serious enough about buying the bike. To the guy that got your number and LIED about how... def. not the guy to be dealing with. Tell him to call you from the police station parking lot at X agreed time, and then you will bring the bike up for him to see. (No sense waiting around for a no show) And tell him upfront the test ride conditions. The police station in my town has 3 parking spaces marked just for this.

Separate from FB, but bike test ride ediquette is full payment stays with you while they ride, and if they drop it, they bought it.  If you already have the money, it does not matter so much  if they ball it.

Keith Tanner said:

Selling on FB works both ways. You know who's contacted you, unlike CL (or any other way to sell something) where it could be any random schmo.

As for registrar information being available, that's been the case pretty much forever. It's public information. It just takes a little less literal physical legwork than it used to.

Heck, being able to look up someone's phone number and address with their name isn't exactly new technology, you used to get a reference book delivered to your door every year. No matter how you want to sell something, you need to put some contact info out there and it's possible to connect the dots. Pretty much has been your whole life.

Nope. I remember before the Internet you could pay the phone company (back when there was only one) and make your phone number unlisted. Our family had an unlisted number. There was no way to get it unless somebody gave it to you or you worked for THE phone company and broke your employer's rules. Then when cell phones first came out there was no cell phone directory. For a long time, you just didn't get telemarketing calls on cell phones because that directory just didn't exist. I could remember dumping my landline because everybody important called me on my cell and the voicemail on my landline was just a graveyard for telemarketers calls that I would never hear. After a while, telemarketers started showing up on my cell. I don't remember giving them the number they all seem to have it and it is all over the internet. I have never seen anybody offer an unlisted cell phone number. 

Seems like the worst of them are on Facebook. One guy earlier this morning wanted me to bring the bike over to his office during the lunch hour so he could check it out. Kind of like the auto leasing company in town that advertises they will bring cars to your office for a test drive one after another until you find the one you like. I guarantee you that leasing company is making a lot more on their deal than I am selling a used bike for less than 2K. Do they not see the difference?

My time is worth a lot, at least to me. I have the kind of job where I actually bill time. The time I don't have to bill I would rather spend with Mrs. Snowdoggie and my dogs, or with something I enjoy, rather than entertaining some Facebook troll. 

Selling on FB marketplace is a mixed bag.

You've got the bots or trolls that waste your time and I assume are just fishing for...I don't even know...

You have the real people who can't be bothered to communicate effectively so they just push the dumbass button ("Is this still available")

And in rare cases, you have a reasonable person who can construct something similar to a sentence or at least spell out complete words and throw in a question mark where appropriate.

If you click on the would-be buyer's profile before responding you'll start to see patterns.  The "not a real person" ones get pretty easy to pick out.  The second group (the kids on my lawn) are also easy to pick out.  Don't waste too much time on them but you can reply to their message and see where it goes.  They'll almost certainly ask you several questions that have already been detailed out in the ad.  

Now that I live in a private little paradise, my vetting process has become pretty stringent.

As mentioned above...it goes both ways.  If a guy can't get on my program pretty quick it's just not going to work out.

And this goes for the prospective tenants for properties I rent as well.  If a person can't be bothered to put just a little bit of effort into communicating with me...they just saved me a LOT of time and money by disqualifying themselves.  

I wonder if you could make money as a consignment only shop for old bikes.

Probably not due to rental rates and all of the business expenses.

Although maybe as extra business to an established shop.

Mobile consignment? Like detailing etc. You'd have to be bonded/insured etc. And of course the bikes would have to be in decent shape.

Margins could be so slim no matter how you shake/stir the cocktail.

There are no test rides when it comes to motorcycles. 

He can buy it and decide to return it if the motorcycle never left your line of sight, but that's it. 

Yeah. Now I am dealing with an old sick dog. He is having trouble walking tonight. Falls. Gets up and walks into a corner again. Falls. Like a dog getting ready to die.

That and Mom in a nursing home that got hit by Covid.

My life really sucks lately.

Berkeley me.

So sorry to hear about the dog. wish y'all both my best, and your mom as well. We lost our GSD prolly 4 years ago, and will miss him the rest of my life. But, like your doing, we stayed with him and made him as comfortable as possible.

I'd jump on that Gold Wing if it was closer, but I like your bike as well as the others you posted! Keep the ads on yours current, and leave the asking price... if the right person sees the ad, it will work out. Just try to blow off the losers!

Life suck goes in cycles, this one will pass.

You're asking $3k for the bike?  Have the buyer meet you in a public place (Wal-Mart?) and he can test drive it right after he drops $3k in your hand.  I mean, what if he drops it?

Yeah, FB is creepy with what you can do these days. If I was selling a vehicle, I would stick to CL and only communicate through a prepaid burner phone. 

Recently sold my old non-running FX16 on FB.  Good grief there are some crazies out there.  Asking $750.  

Buyer: Will you take $400.

Me: Thank you for the offer, I have several people scheduled to come look at it.

Buyer: I have to have it, I'll offer $1,000.

Me: no response.  Really?

BTW, I got my asking price.  The new owner even wanted my old magnetic decals for nostalgia.

Just be careful!  I would not let them take a ride.  

Snowdoggie said:

Keith Tanner said:

Selling on FB works both ways. You know who's contacted you, unlike CL (or any other way to sell something) where it could be any random schmo.

As for registrar information being available, that's been the case pretty much forever. It's public information. It just takes a little less literal physical legwork than it used to.

Heck, being able to look up someone's phone number and address with their name isn't exactly new technology, you used to get a reference book delivered to your door every year. No matter how you want to sell something, you need to put some contact info out there and it's possible to connect the dots. Pretty much has been your whole life.

Nope. I remember before the Internet you could pay the phone company (back when there was only one) and make your phone number unlisted. Our family had an unlisted number. There was no way to get it unless somebody gave it to you or you worked for THE phone company and broke your employer's rules. Then when cell phones first came out there was no cell phone directory. For a long time, you just didn't get telemarketing calls on cell phones because that directory just didn't exist. I could remember dumping my landline because everybody important called me on my cell and the voicemail on my landline was just a graveyard for telemarketers calls that I would never hear. After a while, telemarketers started showing up on my cell. I don't remember giving them the number they all seem to have it and it is all over the internet. I have never seen anybody offer an unlisted cell phone number. 

Property ownership information is still public record and has always been available. How do you think the phone book companies got it? Going door-to-door to ask pretty please?

And yes, companies who have your attention or know how to get it will always be trying to sell that ability to someone else. I agree they are getting better at both. 

Yep. FB marketplace can be a PITA, but that is sort of the price you pay for a free service.  

Selling anything out of the ordinary just adds to the fun.  I recently sold a bicycle that was built for a rather specific style of racing.  Despite saying that in the ad (not well enough, obviously) I was getting a ton of messages asking questions that made it obvious they didn't know what the bike was and wouldn't work for how they would ride it.  I eventually sold it yesterday to a guy in New Mexico who knew what it was. 

On Sunday I plan to get the second bike I need to sell posted, but it is more of a standard mountain bike so hopefully the sale will go smoother (and local - since I don't have a bike box the bike would fit in).

I'm not on Facebook anymore but I am pretty sure that I remember that you could call or text somwone- perhaps it had something to do with messenger. 
Other than that- I find that most users are my age (40) or older. 

Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

Snowdoggie said:

Keith Tanner said:

Selling on FB works both ways. You know who's contacted you, unlike CL (or any other way to sell something) where it could be any random schmo.

As for registrar information being available, that's been the case pretty much forever. It's public information. It just takes a little less literal physical legwork than it used to.

Heck, being able to look up someone's phone number and address with their name isn't exactly new technology, you used to get a reference book delivered to your door every year. No matter how you want to sell something, you need to put some contact info out there and it's possible to connect the dots. Pretty much has been your whole life.

Nope. I remember before the Internet you could pay the phone company (back when there was only one) and make your phone number unlisted. Our family had an unlisted number. There was no way to get it unless somebody gave it to you or you worked for THE phone company and broke your employer's rules. Then when cell phones first came out there was no cell phone directory. For a long time, you just didn't get telemarketing calls on cell phones because that directory just didn't exist. I could remember dumping my landline because everybody important called me on my cell and the voicemail on my landline was just a graveyard for telemarketers calls that I would never hear. After a while, telemarketers started showing up on my cell. I don't remember giving them the number they all seem to have it and it is all over the internet. I have never seen anybody offer an unlisted cell phone number. 

Property ownership information is still public record and has always been available. How do you think the phone book companies got it? Going door-to-door to ask pretty please?

And yes, companies who have your attention or know how to get it will always be trying to sell that ability to someone else. I agree they are getting better at both. 

Back when there was only one telephone company they would just get it off of your billing information and put it in the phone book. Now I get multiple phone books from companies that have nothing to do with my cell phone provider and they usually go right in the trash, then I look up the numbers I need on the phone like everybody else. I have no idea how they get my information. Consider that some people own more than one property and they would have to guess which one is the residence. And at least in my County certain people like Judges, District Attorneys, public officeholders and their employees get their information removed from the Tax Assessor's public files. So that stuff isn't complete or accurate. Also, those with the most money. i.e. the ones the advertisers want to reach the most, have little tricks to hide their actual residence from the public. 

Well, Mr test ride was back again yesterday only now he was calling me directly and leaving messages instead of texting me. I really don't want people riding the bike without buying it first. I am very uncomfortable with that. Especially considering how aggressive some of these people are. So I just said berk it and took the last ad off of cycle trader. 

This morning I get an e-mail from some guy wanting to know what happened to the ad and throwing out another low ball offer. He also asked if I sold it if so, how much I got. 

Now I am just sick of the bullE36 M3. I may actually keep the bike at this point. I was really disappointed at how low the price went. I have actually started riding it again.

Robbie (Forum Supporter) 

And yes, companies who have your attention or know how to get it will always be trying to sell that ability to someone else. I agree they are getting better at both. 

That bothers me. That companies are out to capture my attention and determine what my focus should be. It also makes you think. Do I want to spend the morning having a leisurely brunch with Mrs. Snowdoggie and watching the antics of my dogs, or do I want to watch cable news and get stirred up with what the media wants to upset us with. Do I want to spend the afternoon in the garage with a beer, some wrenches and an old classic car that needs my attention, or do I want to cruise Facebook, chase the neural spikes and feed on endless sales pitches based on my online behavior. Or maybe just read a book or take a long ride on the old motorcycle I almost sold. 

What you let in and what you block out. It really does make you think.

If I sell something on FB, I conduct all transactions at local pd station around the corner and have had no issues with buyers.

Most of the moto sales I've done, either buying or selling, won't allow a test ride without full asking price, cash in hand.  Just in case the guy drops the bike.  Heck, I let one of my good friends ride my bike and he promptly dropped it, right in front of me, leaving my driveway!

I am in Canada and typically use Kijiji, it is also anonymous which I like; Although being anonymous there are a lot of no-shows.
To hopefully cut down on no-shows, I almost used Facebook Marketplace to advertise one of my apartments but decided against it. To list the apartment, I was required to enter an address. Sorry no deal. I am not going to give away the address of a vacant apartment. That is an open invitation to squatters.

In reply to Liratert :

You want to canoe