Selling a Vespa is one of the scariest things I've ever done.

[Christophe Noel]

We recently sold my wife's 150cc Vespa and holy cow, was that a scary proposition. Throngs of people lined up to buy it, and selling it was a sinch. We bought it for $2800, rode it for three years and sold it for $2600. Not too shabby. However, here are just a few of the questions I received either in person or via phone and email chats from at least a dozen different people:

"I'd like to buy your scooter, can you help me load it in my Honda CRV?"

"My daughter wants a Vespa desperately. Can you teach her to ride it" Before I could say no, the next question came. "She's 13. Is that too young?"

"I work in Anthem and live in Tempe. Will this go fast enough for the freeway." <cue the Dumb and Dumber clip>

"What kind of mileage does it get? Roughly 45mpg. "Hmmmm....how long does it take to charge? Oh, you mean it burns GAS??" :Wow1:

"I'll take it. Can you ride it to me in Tucson. I'll pay for the fuel."

"What's that?" That's a kick starter. "Doesn't it have a key? :beer:

There were more. Remember everyone, these people are on the roads with us.

 

[Flagster]

We used to use a scooter for our late night fast food runs in Ann Arbor during grad school...
Our apartment complex kind of connected to a Wendys and a Subway. We figured it wasn't DUI if you never had to enter the main roadway...and besides we were on a scooter right...solid reasoning...I was one of those people...

 

[Cabrito]

"I'd like to buy your scooter, can you help me load it in my Honda CRV?"

Oh yeah!

I just sold my BMW F650 and thank goodness the first person to look at it bought it because all these types of questions were flooding my email... It made me realize that I really hate selling vehicles and find that I don't have much patience for this stuff.

 

[digitaldelay]

Aww, should've kept the Vespa! They are just about to come out with a line of fragrances. :bike_rider:

http://www.basenotes.net/content/1952-Coty-sign-deal-to-create-Vespa-fragrances

Jason

 

[mkitchen]

Just bought Mo one last fall

Mo is loving hers. We got it last fall so she could get used to two wheeled motoring and she is loving it. She goes all over town and gets a big grin every time she pulls into the gas station. $4.00 usually does a fill up. With me commuting on my new to me KLR and her riding the Vespa, our concern is getting the cars out often enough to charge the batteries.
I do love the responses that you got though. In this day of easy access information, how can folks continue to be in the dark? It does make me feel good about getting the Vespa over another type of scooter though, That is a un-believable resale price.
Mikey

 

[cascade.king]

I have been a fan of scooters for years, and there are good ones and bad ones. Vespa makes some nice machinery, but most buy them for the "lifestyle."

A 60's Lambretta SX is a gorgeous thing..

Selling scooters, however, has been hit or miss. People have weird assumptions about their ease of use or capabilities.

 

[Rallyroo]

Wow.

I guess the uninformed don't even bother doing some research before wanting to buy products they're unfamiliar with?

 

[dave1014]

Did anyone ask you if it was the princess from spaceballs?

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