You finally saved up all your pennies to create the Picasso of all ATVs. New exhaust system, A-arms, axle and shocks are all installed and the beauty is ready to ride. So now what? Get rid of the huge pile of parts next to it. How, you ask? Throw it in the trash? Well, if you do that, you might as well dump your wallet into the same garbage bin.
We've all had a pile like this at some point in time. Almost brand-new parts that have nothing wrong with them, other than the fact that you can't go as fast as you'd like. You can throw them away, or you can put that money back into your pocket. As the old saying goes, "one man's trash is another man's treasure."
Look around the next time you go to your favorite riding spot. Not everyone has to have the latest and greatest bolt-on goodies. One thing is for certain, though: Parts do break (hey, almost everyone crashes at some point). The easy solution? Visit the local dealer and order new parts. The biggest problem with that is the amount of money you'll be shelling out for those replacement pieces. This is where our good friend, the Internet, comes into play. With a little research, people can find high-quality used parts with little to no time on them and pay about half of what a brand-new item would cost.
If you have Internet access, start by checking out various "classified-type" websites. One of the most popular and user-friendly is eBay (www.eBay.com). Through eBay, you can buy and sell old or new items anywhere in the world. For a minimal fee, this site lets you post pictures and include a description of your item, as well as allowing you to host the auction. You would be amazed at how much money your new paperweights may bring you!
Another website that's becoming increasingly popular is Craig's List (www.craigslist.org). Primarily utilized to advertise deals within your local geographic area, you can post an ad on its website for free. This concept is very similar to listing an ad in the newspaper. There's a perk to posting something on Craig's List versus a plain listing in the classified section of your neighborhood paper. This site allows you to post a few pictures to go with your ad, which can really make or break a deal. If you decide to go with Craig's List, you will need to write a thorough description of the item. It's also highly recommended to repost your ad on a daily basis to maximize its visibility factor. Also, be prepared to field multiple e-mails and phone calls from potential buyers.
Last but not least, browse online ATV or off-road forums. Almost every ATV website or club has some kind of section devoted to the buying and selling of ATV parts. Be creative in your search. If you think someplace "may" sell used parts, then look into it! The money you put back into your pocket is only limited by the amount of time you invest in your own research.
Once you've completed your research and determined which site you want to use to sell your parts, take a moment to inventory everything you have. This will make it easier to keep track of everything you're selling. Keep in mind that if you're planning to use an auction-type method to sell your parts, like eBay, don't list them somewhere else. This will ensure that you don't sell the same part to two different people and get put in a bind.
The next step is one of the most important steps of all-clean your parts! I'm not saying to completely disassemble and rebuild everything that you're selling. Just take some time to wipe off all of the grease build-up, dust and dirt that has accumulated over time. If you were looking to buy something used, would you buy from Seller A, who had cleaned their parts to show as much detail as possible, or from Seller B, whose parts looked like they had been lying out in the backyard for the past year?