Although there are many online auctions, we will focus here on eBay because of its popularity and the fact that it has become the standard for most online motorcycle auctions. The people who run eBay work hard to ensure that its system is as fair and safe as possible because the company makes its money by drawing lots of buyers and sellers together. Because the site continues to add functionality, you should check the section of the website on buying resources and services to learn about the most up-to-date suggestions and features.

* The following is excerpted from the book, The Perfect Motorcycle: How to Choose, Find and Buy the Perfect New or Used Bike. The information provided here will give you a framework to guide your motorcycle purchases. Space limitations preclude an in-depth discussion of the subject. You can find out about the book at www.theperfectmotorcycle.com. There are also 18 checklists and worksheets available for download at www.theperfectmotorcycle.com/download-worksheets-and-che.html that you can use to supplement the information in the book.

** Important Saftey Tip: Because you’ll probably be bidding in the comfort of your own home and you might have access to alcoholic beverages, be careful–beer and online auctions don’t mix. You need to stay sharp, keep a cool head, and keep your emotions in check when bidding. Alcohol or anything else that reduces inhibitions should be avoided. This is especially true when you can spend ever-increasing sums of money by simply clicking your mouse.

Here are the recommended steps for buying bikes on an online auction:

For new users:

1. Set up an account
2. Buy something small that you need anyway and would buy locally, to get a feel for the system

For all users:

1. Research: Watch bikes similar to the ones you’re interested in to see, and keep notes on 1) The prices they sell for 2) The timing of the winning bids 3) The time of day and day of the week of the auctions that conclude in especially good deals 4) Click the “Research” button in the search results
2. Inspect: When you have selected a bike you want to bid on, inspect it in person or have your trusted advisor inspect it in person (don’t skip this step). Ask the seller all the questions you would if you were face-to-face.
3. Determine Your Price: Determine the maximum you’d pay.
4. Buy: If your number is close to “buy it now,” buy it now to avoid getting swooped by another buyer. If there is a “best offer” on the listing, submit your number. If there isn’t an option to stop the auction, place your bid in an amount just over your maximum bid price, in the last 15 minutes of the auction.
5. Second Chance: If you don’t win the auction, you probably didn’t lose at the last minute and miss by the little amount that is listed as the winning bid. The other bidder was probably willing to buy for substantially more than you bid. The proxy bidding bid just that little bit more than your bid, on behalf of the other buyer. If you’re outbid on a bike, wait a while after the auction has ended before placing a bid on another motorcycle. If the bidder who won the auction retracts the bid for any reason, you could receive a second chance offer through eBay from the seller, and your bid could become the winning bid.
6. Next?: If you don’t receive a second chance, do like the shampoo bottle recommends—rinse and repeat. If you realize ahead of time that you may need to go through a certain number of auctions to get the deal you want, you’re now one more “no” closer to your “yes.” Just keep at it until your
   bike in shining armor comes along.

Kevin Domino’s book, The Perfect Motorcycle: How to Choose, Find and Buy the Perfect New or Used Bike, is published by 671 Press. www.theperfectmotorcycle.com

Kevin is an avid motorcycle enthusiast with a riding career spanning four decades. He has ridden many hundreds of thousands of miles on dozens of new and used motorcycles from around the world, and participated in many motorcycling activities, from riding dirt bikes and motocross to motorcycle commuting in metro areas, to long-distance rides and rallies.

Kevin’s writing is enriched by the business perspective earned in nearly 30 years in professional sales and operations management for high-tech companies.

Currently based in the Midwestern U.S., he is preparing two more books for publication.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/buying-a-motorycycle-on-ebay-motors-a-successful-6step-strategy-to-get-the-perfect-bike-1762978.html