If you are looking for a good deal on a new or used bike, you are likely to check online.  Classified websites, such as Craigslist.org, and online marketplaces, such as eBay.com, are home to some amazing deals.

When searching for bikes for sale online, there are a number of steps that you can take to ensure you find the best deals.  When searching with a bike finder or on the websites directly, set a price range to only see bicycles that you can afford.  Then, sort your bike list based on location to see the best deals first!

By utilizing these steps, it is easier for you to find the best deals when shopping online.  With that said, you can get an even better deal with a small amount of negotiating.

The first step of negotiating a better price on bikes for sale is to know the importance of negotiating.  Even if you believe you found a good deal, start out with a low-ball offer.  Always remember this seller is likely an individual you will not encounter again; therefore, do not worry about offending them with a dirt-cheap offer.  A seller with a GT Aggressor Mountain Bike may be asking $250, but they may be willing to accept only $200 - you won't know until you ask!

As for negotiating a better price on bicycles for sale, please keep these helpful tips in mind.

Negotiating a Better Price Tip:  Research Average Selling Price

The best negotiating tool is that of knowledge.  Know the average selling price of the bike in question; both new price and average used price.  This gives you a lot of negotiating power.  That Craigslist seller who was advertising a used Aggressor Mountain Bike for $250 will likely accept your low offer of $200 when you point out the same bike can be purchased new at Example.com for their asking price.

Negotiating a Better Price Tip: Test Drive& Negotiate in Person

Another key to negotiating the price of a used bicycle for sale is to do the haggling in person.  Many sellers have a harder time saying no to a real person, versus a phone on the phone.

There is another benefit of attempting to haggle in person.  That is you can test drive the bicycle for sale before agreeing to buy; test drive on a number of surfaces (road, gravel, grass).  Does the bike handle well?  Are the breaks too slow?  Any faults you do find, no matter how large or small, can be used as proof as to why your low offer should be accepted.

Negotiating a Better Price Tip:  Walk Away

The number one rule of negotiating a better price on bikes for sale is to always be willing to walk away.  Create that impression.  If you are looked at as a guaranteed buyer, the seller has no incentive to accept your low-ball offer or even provide a counteroffer.  Don't be afraid to state "Thanks, but not thanks; I'll go elsewhere," and start to walk away.  If done in person, you are usually called back and presented with a reasonable, realistic counteroffer that still results in you saving money.