Introduction to Gyrocopters
Selling a gyrocopter is in some ways much like selling an automobile, but in other ways quite different. It is similar in that you will want to give it a good cleaning and repair anything that could affect the price. You will also need to do some research on what similar gyrocopters are selling for so you can set your price accordingly. From here the process of selling a gyrocopter is quite different than a car.
You probably have not seen a listing “Gyrocopters for Sale” in your local newspaper’s classified section so that rules out advertising your gyrocopter that way. Instead you must search out flying magazines, associations and other networking sites, online classifieds and perhaps even an area devoted to private sales at an airport or other location that other gyrocopter enthusiasts frequent.
A second thing that is different is the ethics of disclosure. While you might not tell a prospective buyer of your 8 year old car that it might be time for brakes, you will certainly want to mention any faulty equipment that you know of about your gyrocopter. It may make for a lower sales price as the buyer knows they will need to put out money to fix it, but it is the right thing to do so that your silence does not endanger their life. And by all means encourage a potential buyer to have the gyrocopter completely inspected before the sale is concluded.
Occasionally you will find that someone claims to be interested in purchasing your gyrocopter but is still working on the financial end of it. They may ask you to hold it off the market to give them time to get the funds together. Generally speaking this is not a good idea as you may lose a buyer that is all set and ready to commence with the sale while you wait for one that may not even be able to come up with the money. However, if you do decide to hold it for someone, it is a good idea to have them put down a nonrefundable deposit. Chances are if they are not serious about getting the gyrocopter from you, they will balk at the idea of a deposit and you will then know not to do it. You should also put a time limit on how long you will hold onto it for them as you do not want it to drag out unnecessarily.
If your reason for selling your gyrocopter is that you have your eyes on a newer or better one, you should also talk to the company that is selling the one you want because some of them will agree to take a trade-in. Just as in doing so with a car, you will usually get a lower price this way than an outright sale but the absence of the frustration factor may make it completely worth it to you. You will also have the peace of mind that they will most likely go over it with a fine-toothed comb before reselling it.