A two-wheeler is the most popular and quintessential mode of transport for a vast majority of the Indian population. This is evidenced by the 200+ million two wheelers currently present on Indian roads. If you are a customer who wants to buy a good quality two-wheeler and also want to save a significant amount of money, then a second-hand bike is your best bet. Despite being a massive market, the customers transacting in the second-hand bike segment have to deal with poor customer experience at the hands of small-time dealers.
Keeping these factors in mind, customers who are looking for good quality second-hand bikes at a reasonable price should definitely buy them from a reputable company that also offers post-sales support, insurance and other value-added services, all under one roof.
In the current situation where customers cannot step out of their homes to visit our showrooms, these processes will be helping customers to transact in the convenience of their homes.
PRE-SALE
- Budget: The best thing is that you can buy a good quality second-hand bike at an extremely lucrative price - with no additional taxes or depreciation to factor. You pay for what you get. Once a buyer identifies the kind of second-hand bike he/ she is looking to purchase, the next task will be to decide how much one is willing to spend. Customers should take into consideration factors like quality, age of the bike, brand value and availability of the two-wheeler in question, whilst deciding the budget.
- Research: Once you have decided on a specific model and budget, ensure that you do a thorough research online and also through sellers. This research helps you to set your expectations about the two-wheeler you are planning to buy as no model/ brand of two-wheeler is a 100% match for all your needs. All you have to ensure is that the lack of certain features in your choice of make and model is not a deal-breaker for you.
- Scam Alert: Since the second-hand bike market in India is totally unorganized, it is advised to stay alert for fraudsters and scamsters. It is naive for anyone to trust a seller (who in most cases is a complete stranger) whom they may have met online. Given the recent increase in crimes during these kinds of transactions, it is strongly advised to buy from a verified institutional seller as opposed to individual sellers or unorganized dealers on the street.
- Identifying the Seller: You can find offline and online dealers with a wide range of second-hand bikes. Do not merely get swayed by good images and a lucrative price tag alone. Make it a point to know about the seller’s services and policies. Beware of sellers whose purchase terms seem vague or open-ended. Please opt for those sellers whose policies and terms are explicitly stated and provide for insurance cover to address any deficiencies in services. Verbal assurance and promises are of no value.
DURING SALE
- Test/ Trial Run at Home: A test ride is a must before the final purchase decision is made. It can help you determine finer aspects such as riding comfort, on-road performance, the mechanical performance of brakes and other components. Also, a visual inspection to ensure that you are getting what has been promised. Having said this, please note, it is impossible for anyone to judge the quality of the two-wheeler by merely taking a test ride as these machines are very complicated to evaluate by any common man in a matter of 60 mins. In most of the cases, even your neighbourhood mechanic fails to evaluate the two-wheeler in the best possible manner as these machines are so complicated that even mechanics who are good at one model/ brand often fail to evaluate another model/ brand and additionally these mechanics will never give any undertaking that their assessment is foolproof.
- Offers and Deals: Explore a lot of options from different sellers and choose the best deal. Look into special discounts and offers to get little extra savings on your second-hand bike. Always watch out for those.
POST SALE
- Paper Verification: Before buying a second-hand bike, it is mandatory to check all related documents like insurance, RC book, chassis number, manufacturing date, and pollution certificate. In case of a previously-on-loan bike, a bank hypothecation certificate is also a must. A paid verification from the RTO will also ascertain if there are any open violations against the two-wheeler or not. In this age, where producing duplicate documents is very easy, we strongly advise customers to take extra care to avoid getting cheated by sellers.
- Warranty Period/ Post Sale Benefits: While opting for a second-hand bike, it is advisable to check the warranty dates and exchange validity. Clarifying such terms will help you return or exchange the two-wheeler if you are not satisfied with its quality.
