Selling bikes and best practice

[art3mis]

Selling a used road bike. For sale value in the $500 -1000 range.

What is accepted 'best practice' before letting a total stranger take your prized possession for a test ride?
Is it fair to demand full cash deposit?

 

[Juliansou]

Hi - I’ve only sold one fairly cheap road bike (£250) via eBay. The buyer came to collect and I offered to let him take it for a spin if he paid in full. We had an agreement that if he didn’t like the bike I’d give him his money back. As it happens he was happy with the bike & just paid and took it. Personally, I would always ask for cash upfront before letting anyone go for a ride. I think most reasonable people would understand your rationale, and I would question anyone who was reluctant to do so. Good luck with the sale!

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Is it fair to demand full cash deposit?

It's entirely reasonable to ask for some collateral to the value of the item, or something the potential buyer can't afford to lose, like an employee identity card or the keys to the vehicle they arrived in.