Motorcycle parts in re-commerce: Harley-Davidson Kiel shows how it's done
Summary: In a podcast interview, podcast@ebay speaks with Lasse Schramm about successful strategies for selling used motorcycle parts on eBay. The managing director of Harley-Davidson Kiel shares insights into digital sales processes, pricing, and the importance of item numbers, compatibility, and photos. The role of AI and international listings in increasing visibility is also discussed. Lasse emphasizes the importance of authenticity and trust in online business and explains how social media and podcasts contribute to success. The conversation offers valuable tips for sellers who want to expand their eBay shop and build a growing online business.
How do you successfully sell used motorcycle parts on eBay? In this episode, we talk with Lasse Schramm, Managing Director of Harley-Davidson Kiel, about re-commerce, digital sales processes, and building a successful eBay shop for used Harley-Davidson parts.
We’re looking at the questions that concern many sellers: How do you organize the journey from product to eBay listing? How do you find the right price? Why are part numbers, compatibility, and good photos so important? And what opportunities do AI, international listings, and social media offer for more visibility and trust?
An episode for anyone who wants to sell used products more professionally, develop their eBay shop further, and turn their passion into a growing online business.
Give it a listen and learn something new!
**Important Links**
- eBay for Business on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ebayforbusiness.de/)
- eBay for Business on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebayforbusiness_deutschland/)
- More info on the eBay podcast „Alles top. Gerne wieder!“ and our podcast hosts (https://www.ebay.de/verkaeuferportal/news/podcast)
**Chapter markers**
- 00:00:00 to 00:02:03: Welcome & insight into Harley-Davidson Kiel
- 00:02:03 to 00:05:21: Lasse’s path from working student to managing director
- 00:05:21 to 00:08:05: Used parts, customization & the Harley business
- 00:08:05 to 00:10:22: Recommerce, workshop & the role of eBay
- 00:10:22 to 00:13:37: Digitization & selling motorcycles online
- 00:13:37 to 00:17:41: How eBay listings for used parts are created
- 00:17:41 to 00:21:47: AI in retail & why authenticity matters
- 00:21:47 to 00:24:59: Social media, podcast & content production in everyday life
- 00:24:59 to 00:30:05: Building trust through personality & community
- 00:30:05 to 00:35:24: International trade, entrepreneurial tips & episode wrap-up
Lasse: I regularly find myself in the situation where people approach us, and then in that moment we have to think: Who is that, actually? But luckily, most customers then clear it up. Don’t worry, there’s no way you could know me. But I know you, because I wanted to stop by from another corner of Germany. I’ve watched every YouTube video. I listen to your podcast every Friday, and I already know a lot about you. Only you haven’t seen me yet. Nice to meet you, by the way.
Isabell: Hello and welcome to "Alles top. Gerne wieder!" the eBay podcast about commerce and eCommerce. I’m Isabell Butterwegge, and in this episode we’re taking a look at a particularly successful retailer: Harley Davidson Kiel. The Harley shop is one of the few selected partners officially allowed to be connected with the legendary motorcycle brand Harley Davidson. And our remote guest today is one of the two managing directors, Lasse Schramm. So if you hear a motorcycle in the background, you’ll know he’s sitting in his own podcast studio at the Kiel location right now. Together with him, we’re looking today at how he works, what contribution podcasts and social media really make to the shop’s success, how customers gain trust, and whether AI plays an important role for the company. So please stick around. It’s worth taking a ride with us. But first, Lasse, it’s great that we get to talk today.
Lasse: Yes, thank you very much for the lovely introduction. I’m really happy to be here today and I’m very curious about what exciting topics we’ll be discussing today around e-commerce, but also everything above and below that.
Isabell: I’m also really looking forward to your insights, but before we start the episode, I have one more question for you out there. Have you already rated our podcast on the streaming platform of your choice? It only takes a moment and helps us tremendously reach even more people with our podcast. So thanks in advance for your support. Lasse, I’d like to start by asking which motorcycle you actually ride yourself.
Lasse: Yes, that’s naturally one of the big questions we all ask each other here all the time. If you could only ride one motorcycle in your life, which Harley Davidson would it be? Well, we actually do have the great advantage, or rather, I have the great advantage that I don’t have to limit myself to just one motorcycle in my everyday life. I always say that if you really want to cover all lifestyles and all motorcycle uses, you really can’t get by with fewer than three motorcycles. But if I had to choose just one, I think it would be a Harley Davidson Lowrider ST as a software model, a brand-new model. It’s kind of the all-rounder, I’d say.
Isabell: Why?
Lasse: Yes, because it combines everyday usability with a performance mindset. So I can carry a bit of stuff with me and still have a very sporty suspension. I myself come more from the sportier side, which isn’t necessarily what people would first associate with Harley Davidson. But even there, we’re very well positioned in terms of model range. And so, yes, it’s a great motorcycle.
Isabell: While I was coming up with the question, I already realized that the answer would probably be shaped by so much expertise that I wouldn’t be able to do much with it anyway. I’m not really that much of a motorcycle nerd. You’ll probably notice that in this episode. So please forgive me if one question or another comes across as a bit silly to you. But I find your industry absolutely fascinating, and I’d be interested in how you actually personally ended up at Harley Davidson in Kiel. I’ve already heard your passion for motorcycles.
Lasse: Yes, it’s definitely, to pick that up again, a real question of faith. Which motorcycle is it, actually? You could do a whole hour-long podcast on that; we actually already have. But I’ve been passionate about two-wheelers my whole life, so I first rode on two wheels when I was 15. And yes, during my studies. I studied law and business law, and while at university I actually ended up here as a working student. Because of an ad in the cafeteria at Christian-Albrechts-University here in Kiel, where I was studying at the time, they were looking for someone to help build a used parts business together with my current business partner and the owner. And I didn’t have a huge amount of experience in the industry. I just loved motorcycles and wanted to earn some quick money alongside my studies. And above all, the remote-work idea interested me back then. So I came here and said, hi, here I am, I love motorcycles, I love working, let’s get started. And then, as a working student, I built up the eBay shop, kicked off the used-parts business, and turned an eBay shop that had existed since 2003—one that dealers might occasionally buy something from here and there—into a proper representative eBay shop for used parts. And yes, it kept developing from there. I then led the department for a while, later also took a look at vehicle sales, handled a lot of financing, and after a semester abroad I came back here as operations manager, and since last year I’ve been managing director and get to take care of everything. Not just e-commerce anymore.
Isabell: But that’s definitely a steep curve, basically from working student to managing director. You just said that back then you built up the used parts sales in your eBay shop. What exactly do you sell there from Harley?
Lasse: Yes, basically everything that comes up, to be honest. We’re in what I’d say is a very privileged situation, because our brand lives extremely off customization. So even more so than with other motorcycle manufacturers, there isn’t a single bike that leaves the factory in stock form. And just to explain that a bit. I think if you’ve ever configured a car or maybe a BMW motorcycle or another brand, you go to the manufacturer’s website and basically build your motorcycle or car the way you want it. It’s a bit different with Harley Davidson. The motorcycles always arrive with us in 100 percent original condition and are then customized exclusively by us. That means every part that gets customized naturally becomes available afterward, but even when we take motorcycles in trade, there are lots of parts that have been customized. We also have the option of getting bulk lots from other dealers because they don’t yet have the infrastructure for this kind of business.
Isabell: Quick question: what are bulk lots?
Lasse: I’d say the classic case is that a whole lot of old parts accumulate and I’ve gotten myself a shipping container because, well. Basically, I get the feeling that it somehow has value. But on the other hand, I don’t really know exactly: how do I turn that into value? And a bulk lot of parts? Let’s say a shipping container full, or someone stores it in a separate room or whatever. Uh, yes, we sometimes get those kinds of parts from other dealers too.
Isabell: So that means you basically buy the leftovers from other dealers and then resell the valuable ones on eBay. Or how should I picture that?
Lasse: So the breakdown is roughly 90 to 10. About 90% of what we sell is our own parts. We’re the largest dealer in Europe here in the picturesque Kiel, and in recent years we’ve also been the largest outside the USA. And we sell a good four-digit number of motorcycles a year. So a lot comes up for us, and if we have the opportunity to get parts from other dealers or even smaller workshops, we take those too. But 90% are our own parts, and basically everything you can imagine that can be taken off a motorcycle or maybe converted at some point and is then no longer needed, etc.
Isabell: Take us through what your shop actually looks like. eBay isn’t, or let’s say not yet, your core business. What should I picture when I think of your shop in Kiel?
Lasse: Yes, we have a really great retail store here, a great, irregular building with a lovely courtyard, with two different large showrooms, where between 120 and 200 new and used motorcycles are always on display, which of course we present on our sales floor. Then we have large workshops all around the building. Or rather, on the other side of this U-shape we have a total of 20 employees moving around, both in the workshop and in sales, in back office, and then of course in eCommerce, and then the entire second floor is reserved for both offices and storage space for eBay, for our own online shop that we still operate, and the entire shipping infrastructure.
Isabell: So eBay has taken up a lot of space with you, not just in the business, but also physically. What does that look like for you looking ahead?
Lasse: Yes, I think the general business, especially with used parts, is extremely exciting and will only become more exciting. A huge factor at Harley in particular is the availability of parts. I always say the lifetime value of a used part changes dramatically over time. A part that may not be worth much today because the market is relatively saturated, because the motorcycles are being converted a lot right now—I’d say model year 2026—doesn’t mean that part won’t be worth significantly more in two or three years because availability on the market will then be much lower. So if we have parts that we remove from motorcycles from the 2000s, for example, an original muffler is no longer that easy to get on the internet. And at Harley, original OEM parts straight from the manufacturer cost a pretty penny. And anyone who says, I want to restore a motorcycle, or maybe I’ve had a small accident, tipped over. I want to repair my motorcycle a bit, but maybe I don’t have the money to go fully for brand-new OEM parts. For them, parts like these are very interesting.
Isabell: The trend toward re-commerce. We can clearly see that on our platform as well. So not just in your area, but generally. We conducted a survey and in fact 92% of people in Germany want to spend the same amount or even more on used products this year. So that also lines up completely with what you just said and with the rising, or at least steady, demand in this area. You just said that you still have your online shop. You still have the eBay shop, and of course you also have your physical presence in Kiel. How do those three work together?
Lasse: Yes, especially during the coronavirus period we, like many others, digitized very heavily. Back then we built a complete digital sales area that is attached to our normal online shop. So let me put it very bluntly: through the website and our online shop, you can buy not only a T-shirt, but also motorcycles. We have a complete digital sales area with 360-degree tours for the motorcycles, and with us you can literally buy with one click just like you’d buy a jacket. Small deposit via PayPal and then digitally buy both new and used vehicles from us, but also everything around that. So we do a lot of merchandise. Harley Davidson is a very strong lifestyle brand with really, really cool clothes that we naturally sell through our online shop. And then there’s eBay, and digital business has definitely become something that plays a very, very big role, especially since COVID.
Isabell: We’ve had a category in our podcast for a few weeks now called "Never again gladly!" That may come as a bit of a surprise to you now. I’d like to know from you, since you’ve already come so far and climbed such a steep curve at Harley Davidson in Kiel, when you think back to your early days, what was a classic mistake you’d say you’d never do that way again?
Lasse: I think in the very beginning I probably should have taken one weekend or another off. I really have to say that. That combination of then having the double load, studying and working full-time—so full-time studies and full-time work—was pretty intense in retrospect. On the other hand, looking back, everything always feels a bit more romantic, and maybe then I wouldn’t be sitting exactly here and at this point in time. So, as far as my career path is concerned, I would pretty much do everything the same way again. I can’t say otherwise.
Isabell: That’s a very, very nice piece of advice for those who are maybe wondering whether they should take the weekend off or not. They also say that if you’re self-employed, you yourself are constantly working.
Lasse: Exactly.
Isabell: You just said that I can also have a motorcycle digitally configured in your online shop. I find that interesting, especially because these are actually very high-priced products. Does that work well, or are buyers ultimately more dissatisfied with what they end up expecting?
Lasse: Yes, we have the option on hd-kiel.de and then directly in the digital sales area, where 100 plus motorcycles are immediately available at all times. New vehicles, but especially used vehicles. And that’s actually the most exciting part: the used vehicles are specially prepared by us. They’re blasted with dry ice and technically checked from top to bottom as part of a very complex 110-point inspection. The entire history is reviewed. And then we make an effort to present the motorcycles, especially the used vehicles, as realistically as possible. So with 360-degree videos, high resolution, but without too many filters or any major editing, so that we simply create a realistic picture of the vehicle’s condition. Still, of course, as part of this HD certified—Harley Davidson’s special used-vehicle program—we only offer motorcycles that are truly in good condition. And even so, we present the condition as realistically as possible. If there happens to be a small dent somewhere, it should be visible too, so that someone who has their motorcycle or dream bike delivered across Germany isn’t disappointed in any way. And our goal is to support customers extremely closely throughout the entire process. So anyone who buys a motorcycle from us online, whether online or in person. In person is of course a bit easier. They’ll still have a friendly contact two years later. They can even call here in ten years and say, “Hey, I’ve got a small question,” and we simply try to bring personality into it as much as possible and be available. Don’t promise anything you can’t keep—that’s really our biggest credo. And yes, then simply make sure that we have a realistic representation of the vehicles.
Isabell: Yes, absolutely fascinating business model. I’d like to talk with you about the process of selling products on eBay, because especially with used products, the challenge is that they’re unique listings. So you always have to create a new listing for each individual case. Roughly how many products do you currently have online, and what’s the process at your location from removing the part from the motorcycle to listing it live on our platform?
Lasse: Yes, the number of product listings varies over the year, to be honest. Of course it always depends on how many parts come up in the daily business plus how well we manage to integrate the structures into day-to-day operations. Basically, the parts are dismantled or come up due to trade-ins, etc., and then ideally land in the eBay shelf with a proper model designation. That means it says what kind of motorcycle it is, what the model is called, and what year it is from. That naturally makes a big difference too. If we stick with the Lowrider ST, my motorcycle that I mentioned at the beginning, it makes a difference whether it’s a 2026 model or a 2022 model. And so it always says either the model or the model year. And then we have the option, using various tools and exploded diagrams, to find the exact part number for that part and then also figure out which other models that part number—and therefore this part—is compatible with. And then the whole thing moves one station further, gets properly priced in the next step, gets filled out with the help of various worksheets. Then a note is attached to it. It says what kind of item it is, which part number, what condition it’s in, etc. Then the whole thing moves one station further, gets photographed in our photo box in the next step, including the worksheet with all the information on it, and then at the end of one of those photo days all the photos are digitized to end up as drafts in eBay Seller Central.
Isabell: And do you use AI along this process?
Lasse: Yes, that’s definitely a very exciting topic. We’ve already experimented a lot with it. I think the most exciting use case right now is recognizing original parts and linking vehicle compatibility with a vehicle photo. So in my dream scenario, we’d train an AI so that it can tell us from a photo what kind of part it is and, ideally, maybe spit out the OEM part number. We’re definitely researching and experimenting with that. It still works in about 50% of cases. That’s why we’re definitely still researching there, plus what could definitely be very exciting is dynamic pricing using AI. So in that case, the platform is a bit in demand—you as eBay, in this case—how can you maybe screen the market day by day using AI for certain items and say whether the price for the item I may have listed half a year ago is still current, without me having to comb through my entire assortment of listed items myself?
Isabell: Yes, that’s definitely super exciting. You just said, without me having to comb through it myself—so that’s your current process? So you regularly screen the prices and check whether they still hold up?
Lasse: Exactly. That’s what we’re on top of. Of course, relisting items is always the priority. eBay rewards us very well for that. When we’re active there and diligently list new items every day, we definitely notice it immediately in our sales, I have to say. And still, we have this rolling process where items have to be checked for relevance from back to front. That also lets us keep a good eye on ourselves. Does this actually check out the way we listed the item back then? And above all, does the price still fit? Because just because something is sitting on the shelf, and we may have found the right price back then, doesn’t mean that six months later it’s still current.
Isabell: Yes, I think so too. It’s definitely super exciting that you stay on top of that. I also find it interesting that you use a photo box for your pictures. There are some really great AI tools out there now. Why don’t you use those?
Lasse: We’ve kind of transferred that from our standards. Also when it comes to the used-vehicle business, because used-vehicle sales are a real matter of trust, especially when you handle things digitally. Many people who hear that we really sell motorcycles digitally across Germany and partly across Europe, and that even used vehicles that are 10, 15, 20 years old are sold this way, ask: how do you actually do that? And for us, that’s a huge question of trust. And for me, for us, it starts with a realistic presentation, so a used vehicle. And that can also be applied very well to a used part. In my opinion, it should always be presented as realistically as possible. That’s why we at least refrain from using any filters in our sales photos, both for vehicles and used items. We avoid major vehicle edits because we want the condition to be shown as realistically as possible. Because nothing is more annoying than buying a used part on eBay or a used motorcycle or used car and afterward feeling like I wasn’t really properly informed about the actual condition. Then I’d rather have a realistic presentation. I know, okay, there may be a scratch or two on it. I know what I’m getting, and afterward I’m happier with my used motorcycle or used exhaust. That’s why we avoid AI-generated images and also try as much as possible to avoid stock photos, which we of course have access to as official Harley Davidson dealers. But it doesn’t do me any good if I take the stock photo of a muffler that in no way matches the condition of the used part I actually have on site.
Isabell: Yes, I think that’s a super valuable tip. So to everyone selling re-commerce: perfection can sometimes be better and land better with the end customer than polishing everything to look perfect and shiny with AI. Then let’s talk about your social media presence, Lasse. I’ve noticed that you’re really on top of it and already quite professional. You have several thousand followers on Instagram. That definitely looks good. Which channels do you use besides Instagram?
Lasse: Yes, we use Instagram very, very actively. What has become very, very big in the last two years is YouTube as well. So we use YouTube very actively. We’ve had our own podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. for some time now. And yes, we also cover the entire Meta portfolio. So Facebook is also a very exciting platform for us, which, I’d say, isn’t really up to date for people our age anymore. But for our target group, Facebook is actually a more effective channel than Instagram. On Facebook we actually have significantly more followers, almost 50% more than on Instagram. And we cover the whole portfolio there. We did TikTok for a long time as well, but we’ve scaled it back a bit for now because we didn’t see huge added value there. I’d say YouTube is extremely important for us. We really release a new video every Sunday, a new podcast episode every Friday, and today we actually have video day here too, and videos are being produced very diligently.
Isabell: When it comes to content production, you really do everything from A to Z—podcast, video production, then social media content. How do you fit all of that into your daily work?
Lasse: Yes, that’s obviously a good question. It only works with solid and good structure and good organization. Of course we have the advantage that we’re a very, very young team—I and the managing owner are both 30 years old. That means we probably have a pretty good affinity for social media. And then it really just comes down to good organization. We have a great marketing team that basically takes care of all the organizational work for us. And I always say we’re really just the tools. Of course we have the know-how, we have the desire to sit in front of the camera or behind the microphone. But it gets prepared really well by our marketing team. And then it’s just, alright, today we have the topic, you and you, the YouTube video, that’s the topic, we put the motorcycles there. 3, 2, 1, go. Of course, we have the huge advantage that we already spend all day, every day with this product anyway, and especially the salespeople are the kind of people who may speak one sentence too many rather than one too few. That means they definitely aren’t shy, and they’re just really into Harley Davidson. And all you really need to do is point the camera at them and have good structure in the back office. And our really great marketing team does that.
Isabell: With so many different channels and such a regular posting sequence, where do your content ideas actually come from?
Lasse: Yes, I think the most important thing is never to lose sight of the customer perspective. We’re all huge Harley Davidson enthusiasts, of course, which means every one of us has bought a motorcycle themselves at some point. They’ve taken a motorcycle to the workshop themselves at some point. They ride their own motorcycle very regularly. So I think it’s always very important to put on the customer glasses and ask yourself: What questions do I ask myself regularly? Or what questions would interest me if it were about motorcycles? And at the same time, with the many motorcycles we get to sell here every year, we have the questions that keep coming up again and again. And the salespeople? I think they could write books by now about the conversations they’ve had with customers here. What can also help is looking into forums, for example, which is a huge topic in our industry, and seeing what questions are being discussed a lot there. And then maybe you’re in the privileged position of being able to pick up on one or another myth that’s floating around on the internet. And just saying, for example, we have the topic of emissions standards—how does that actually change the exhaust sound? There are so many myths circulating on the internet, and then just saying, alright, I’ll make a video about that and explain exactly what it’s really like.
Isabell: I find that really fascinating. And then you just stand in front of the camera without a script, etc.? So the tip would be to just do it and show a bit of perfectionism there too.
Lasse: Exactly. So I always encourage the guys to be themselves and bring their personality in front of the camera. As diverse as our customers are, our team is just as diverse. From the lawyer with slicked-back hair to a real rocker, we’ve got everything on the team. And our customers are exactly the same. So everyone should just be themselves and be the way they are. And especially imperfection, I think, is something these days that appeals to a lot of people a bit more than everything being completely smoothed out.
Isabell: So your 20 employees basically signed on with the company knowing they’d regularly have to step in front of the camera.
Lasse: Well, we really make sure that it’s not just us who are seen, but the whole team. Of course, one person may be a little more into it than another, but I think, in general, it’s grown very organically with us. We’re not the kind of company that suddenly ramped up its social media presence overnight; over the last five or six years it’s just become more and more step by step. And most of them really enjoy it a lot. And if someone doesn’t like being in front of the camera quite as much, that’s absolutely fine too. In general, the salespeople are a bit more of show-offs than maybe one or another mechanic, who likes to work a bit more on their own. And that’s totally fine. It’s just important that we present a good impression of the team, and we sprinkle in things from time to time where you really see each and every one of us. Or maybe a small group scene from one of our events, so that the whole team stays in view. But mainly, it has to be said, it’s the salespeople who are seen. And then the service managers, everyone who just feels like talking in front of the camera about what we already do here every day.
Isabell: Yes, I think it’s really great that you appear as a team like that. I think it makes it much easier to identify with you as a company. Have you also noticed that this has an impact on your buyers? Especially when I think about trust in you as a brand.
Lasse: Definitely. I regularly find myself in the situation—and many other sellers and employees here do too—where people approach us and then in that moment we have to think: who is that, actually? But luckily, most customers then clear it up. Don’t worry, there’s no way you could know me. I know you. But because I wanted to stop by from another part of Germany and check you out. I’ve watched every YouTube video. I listen to your podcast every Friday and already know a lot about you. You just haven’t seen me yet. Nice to meet you, by the way. And yes, that naturally plays a huge role, because we ask each and every person on our team to be as authentic as possible in front of the camera. And it just wouldn’t work in everyday life any other way, because we simply don’t have the time to come up with massive scripts or to say we’re going to plan the video—which can sometimes run 45 to 60 minutes when we really get going—from start to finish, but instead the guys should just step in front of the camera as they are, the way they naturally convey their Harley Davidson passion, and just let it out. And then you’re simply as you are, with the nice side effect that the guys are exactly the same on the phone and by email as they are on YouTube or in the podcast. So trust is a huge, huge thing, and I think we can just send the great guys we have here out into the world and show everyone out there what nice people work here, actually.
Isabell: Speaking of sending out into the world, do you actually sell internationally too?
Lasse: Yes, as far as eBay, the online shop, etc. are concerned, yes. For motorcycles, we’re mainly active across Germany. So from Kiel to Munich, that’s absolutely no problem. We have this digital sales area and can have any motorcycle delivered right to your doorstep in no time, and we have our own transport structure within the company so the motorcycle actually comes straight to your front door. Digital sales process, completely sorted. You don’t have to physically be here with us for anything. Everything is digital; in theory, you don’t even have to call. And as far as eBay parts, etc., online shop goes, we’re actually completely internationalized. I’m always amazed at what parts of the world Harley Davidson parts are still shipped to from here in Kiel.
Isabell: Were there countries that surprised me?
Lasse: Yes, actually basically everything that goes across the big pond. So the United States, actually, and partly South America, where I always thought: where are parts more readily available than in Milwaukee, if they don’t even have to fly or be shipped across the big pond? So we actually do a lot of South America in used parts. But otherwise, really everything is represented. So truly the whole world.
Isabell: How exactly do you manage it when you create the listings so that they’re available internationally?
Lasse: Yes, we make sure the parts are listed as internationally as possible, of course. We’re an American brand, so naturally most of our product descriptions and product names are already in American English. That helps a lot, of course. But because we don’t want to limit ourselves to Germany, the listing texts, etc., are always provided in both German and English.
Isabell: I think that’s also an interesting approach, just including both right away. I often see that, basically, one text is translated for the different countries and then actively posted on the individual eBay websites. But translating both, especially when you have such an international or American brand, makes total sense. Lasse, with a quick look at the time, we’re almost at the end of our podcast episode. Before I close the episode, though, I’d like to know what you enjoy even more in your work today than you did a few years ago.
Lasse: Yes, getting to work with such a great product every single day really is a gift, I have to say. I deal with motorcycles from morning to night. And what’s even more fun is working with motorcyclists. We really fulfill people’s dreams here every day, and that is incredibly fun. I can’t say it any other way. From the small Harley as an entry-level motorcycle under €10,000 to the huge custom bike for €100,000 plus, these are truly life dreams. And especially in these extraordinary times—which, if we’re being completely honest, we’ve actually been in for years now, with one crisis after another—motorcycling is a real place of calm for many. And that’s wonderful to see. And here we can really fulfill life dreams. Every day. And that gives me a lot of joy.
Isabell: That was very, very beautifully said. If someone is listening now and is still thinking about maybe starting an eBay shop themselves, what would be your three most important tips to give them?
Lasse: I would do it from the start with the right approach and the right energy. I think a lot of people get tangled up because they feel like they should really do something, but they don’t really have the time and maybe don’t yet have the expertise to say: I’ll implement it like this. And then I think many lose the motivation because they invest time and money without really going all in, and after half a year they realize it all makes no sense. I’m going to stop again and, in the worst case, never touch it again. So just think it through properly: what do I actually want to do? In what framework do I want to do it? Start as small as possible and as big as necessary, so that it makes sense and is fun. Maybe don’t get tangled up when it comes to the infrastructure at the beginning. With a modern phone, you can do a lot today, and with a neutral photo corner that doesn’t have to be expensive. And then simply keep at it step by step and make the best of what you already have in your business, I’d say. And then just go for it step by step, and however big it gets, it gets. And keep costs as low as possible.
Isabell: Those were very nice closing words. Many, many thanks, Lasse, for your time. Thanks for taking us along on your journey today and for introducing us more closely to your business. I think it’s fascinating how much passion is in every corner of your operation, how closely you’ve united your online shop with your offline presence and the eBay shop. And yes, I think you can really feel the love for the product in everything you’ve told us. And yes, I think it’s great that with the vision of fulfilling life dreams, you’re accomplishing so much, and I believe you can really be an inspiration to one person or another. Thanks for being here.
Lasse: Yes, many heartfelt thanks.
Isabell: Hello and welcome to "Alles top. Gerne wieder!" the eBay podcast about commerce and eCommerce. I’m Isabell Butterwegge, and in this episode we’re taking a look at a particularly successful retailer: Harley Davidson Kiel. The Harley shop is one of the few selected partners officially allowed to be connected with the legendary motorcycle brand Harley Davidson. And our remote guest today is one of the two managing directors, Lasse Schramm. So if you hear a motorcycle in the background, you’ll know he’s sitting in his own podcast studio at the Kiel location right now. Together with him, we’re looking today at how he works, what contribution podcasts and social media really make to the shop’s success, how customers gain trust, and whether AI plays an important role for the company. So please stick around. It’s worth taking a ride with us. But first, Lasse, it’s great that we get to talk today.
Lasse: Yes, thank you very much for the lovely introduction. I’m really happy to be here today and I’m very curious about what exciting topics we’ll be discussing today around e-commerce, but also everything above and below that.
Isabell: I’m also really looking forward to your insights, but before we start the episode, I have one more question for you out there. Have you already rated our podcast on the streaming platform of your choice? It only takes a moment and helps us tremendously reach even more people with our podcast. So thanks in advance for your support. Lasse, I’d like to start by asking which motorcycle you actually ride yourself.
Lasse: Yes, that’s naturally one of the big questions we all ask each other here all the time. If you could only ride one motorcycle in your life, which Harley Davidson would it be? Well, we actually do have the great advantage, or rather, I have the great advantage that I don’t have to limit myself to just one motorcycle in my everyday life. I always say that if you really want to cover all lifestyles and all motorcycle uses, you really can’t get by with fewer than three motorcycles. But if I had to choose just one, I think it would be a Harley Davidson Lowrider ST as a software model, a brand-new model. It’s kind of the all-rounder, I’d say.
Isabell: Why?
Lasse: Yes, because it combines everyday usability with a performance mindset. So I can carry a bit of stuff with me and still have a very sporty suspension. I myself come more from the sportier side, which isn’t necessarily what people would first associate with Harley Davidson. But even there, we’re very well positioned in terms of model range. And so, yes, it’s a great motorcycle.
Isabell: While I was coming up with the question, I already realized that the answer would probably be shaped by so much expertise that I wouldn’t be able to do much with it anyway. I’m not really that much of a motorcycle nerd. You’ll probably notice that in this episode. So please forgive me if one question or another comes across as a bit silly to you. But I find your industry absolutely fascinating, and I’d be interested in how you actually personally ended up at Harley Davidson in Kiel. I’ve already heard your passion for motorcycles.
Lasse: Yes, it’s definitely, to pick that up again, a real question of faith. Which motorcycle is it, actually? You could do a whole hour-long podcast on that; we actually already have. But I’ve been passionate about two-wheelers my whole life, so I first rode on two wheels when I was 15. And yes, during my studies. I studied law and business law, and while at university I actually ended up here as a working student. Because of an ad in the cafeteria at Christian-Albrechts-University here in Kiel, where I was studying at the time, they were looking for someone to help build a used parts business together with my current business partner and the owner. And I didn’t have a huge amount of experience in the industry. I just loved motorcycles and wanted to earn some quick money alongside my studies. And above all, the remote-work idea interested me back then. So I came here and said, hi, here I am, I love motorcycles, I love working, let’s get started. And then, as a working student, I built up the eBay shop, kicked off the used-parts business, and turned an eBay shop that had existed since 2003—one that dealers might occasionally buy something from here and there—into a proper representative eBay shop for used parts. And yes, it kept developing from there. I then led the department for a while, later also took a look at vehicle sales, handled a lot of financing, and after a semester abroad I came back here as operations manager, and since last year I’ve been managing director and get to take care of everything. Not just e-commerce anymore.
Isabell: But that’s definitely a steep curve, basically from working student to managing director. You just said that back then you built up the used parts sales in your eBay shop. What exactly do you sell there from Harley?
Lasse: Yes, basically everything that comes up, to be honest. We’re in what I’d say is a very privileged situation, because our brand lives extremely off customization. So even more so than with other motorcycle manufacturers, there isn’t a single bike that leaves the factory in stock form. And just to explain that a bit. I think if you’ve ever configured a car or maybe a BMW motorcycle or another brand, you go to the manufacturer’s website and basically build your motorcycle or car the way you want it. It’s a bit different with Harley Davidson. The motorcycles always arrive with us in 100 percent original condition and are then customized exclusively by us. That means every part that gets customized naturally becomes available afterward, but even when we take motorcycles in trade, there are lots of parts that have been customized. We also have the option of getting bulk lots from other dealers because they don’t yet have the infrastructure for this kind of business.
Isabell: Quick question: what are bulk lots?
Lasse: I’d say the classic case is that a whole lot of old parts accumulate and I’ve gotten myself a shipping container because, well. Basically, I get the feeling that it somehow has value. But on the other hand, I don’t really know exactly: how do I turn that into value? And a bulk lot of parts? Let’s say a shipping container full, or someone stores it in a separate room or whatever. Uh, yes, we sometimes get those kinds of parts from other dealers too.
Isabell: So that means you basically buy the leftovers from other dealers and then resell the valuable ones on eBay. Or how should I picture that?
Lasse: So the breakdown is roughly 90 to 10. About 90% of what we sell is our own parts. We’re the largest dealer in Europe here in the picturesque Kiel, and in recent years we’ve also been the largest outside the USA. And we sell a good four-digit number of motorcycles a year. So a lot comes up for us, and if we have the opportunity to get parts from other dealers or even smaller workshops, we take those too. But 90% are our own parts, and basically everything you can imagine that can be taken off a motorcycle or maybe converted at some point and is then no longer needed, etc.
Isabell: Take us through what your shop actually looks like. eBay isn’t, or let’s say not yet, your core business. What should I picture when I think of your shop in Kiel?
Lasse: Yes, we have a really great retail store here, a great, irregular building with a lovely courtyard, with two different large showrooms, where between 120 and 200 new and used motorcycles are always on display, which of course we present on our sales floor. Then we have large workshops all around the building. Or rather, on the other side of this U-shape we have a total of 20 employees moving around, both in the workshop and in sales, in back office, and then of course in eCommerce, and then the entire second floor is reserved for both offices and storage space for eBay, for our own online shop that we still operate, and the entire shipping infrastructure.
Isabell: So eBay has taken up a lot of space with you, not just in the business, but also physically. What does that look like for you looking ahead?
Lasse: Yes, I think the general business, especially with used parts, is extremely exciting and will only become more exciting. A huge factor at Harley in particular is the availability of parts. I always say the lifetime value of a used part changes dramatically over time. A part that may not be worth much today because the market is relatively saturated, because the motorcycles are being converted a lot right now—I’d say model year 2026—doesn’t mean that part won’t be worth significantly more in two or three years because availability on the market will then be much lower. So if we have parts that we remove from motorcycles from the 2000s, for example, an original muffler is no longer that easy to get on the internet. And at Harley, original OEM parts straight from the manufacturer cost a pretty penny. And anyone who says, I want to restore a motorcycle, or maybe I’ve had a small accident, tipped over. I want to repair my motorcycle a bit, but maybe I don’t have the money to go fully for brand-new OEM parts. For them, parts like these are very interesting.
Isabell: The trend toward re-commerce. We can clearly see that on our platform as well. So not just in your area, but generally. We conducted a survey and in fact 92% of people in Germany want to spend the same amount or even more on used products this year. So that also lines up completely with what you just said and with the rising, or at least steady, demand in this area. You just said that you still have your online shop. You still have the eBay shop, and of course you also have your physical presence in Kiel. How do those three work together?
Lasse: Yes, especially during the coronavirus period we, like many others, digitized very heavily. Back then we built a complete digital sales area that is attached to our normal online shop. So let me put it very bluntly: through the website and our online shop, you can buy not only a T-shirt, but also motorcycles. We have a complete digital sales area with 360-degree tours for the motorcycles, and with us you can literally buy with one click just like you’d buy a jacket. Small deposit via PayPal and then digitally buy both new and used vehicles from us, but also everything around that. So we do a lot of merchandise. Harley Davidson is a very strong lifestyle brand with really, really cool clothes that we naturally sell through our online shop. And then there’s eBay, and digital business has definitely become something that plays a very, very big role, especially since COVID.
Isabell: We’ve had a category in our podcast for a few weeks now called "Never again gladly!" That may come as a bit of a surprise to you now. I’d like to know from you, since you’ve already come so far and climbed such a steep curve at Harley Davidson in Kiel, when you think back to your early days, what was a classic mistake you’d say you’d never do that way again?
Lasse: I think in the very beginning I probably should have taken one weekend or another off. I really have to say that. That combination of then having the double load, studying and working full-time—so full-time studies and full-time work—was pretty intense in retrospect. On the other hand, looking back, everything always feels a bit more romantic, and maybe then I wouldn’t be sitting exactly here and at this point in time. So, as far as my career path is concerned, I would pretty much do everything the same way again. I can’t say otherwise.
Isabell: That’s a very, very nice piece of advice for those who are maybe wondering whether they should take the weekend off or not. They also say that if you’re self-employed, you yourself are constantly working.
Lasse: Exactly.
Isabell: You just said that I can also have a motorcycle digitally configured in your online shop. I find that interesting, especially because these are actually very high-priced products. Does that work well, or are buyers ultimately more dissatisfied with what they end up expecting?
Lasse: Yes, we have the option on hd-kiel.de and then directly in the digital sales area, where 100 plus motorcycles are immediately available at all times. New vehicles, but especially used vehicles. And that’s actually the most exciting part: the used vehicles are specially prepared by us. They’re blasted with dry ice and technically checked from top to bottom as part of a very complex 110-point inspection. The entire history is reviewed. And then we make an effort to present the motorcycles, especially the used vehicles, as realistically as possible. So with 360-degree videos, high resolution, but without too many filters or any major editing, so that we simply create a realistic picture of the vehicle’s condition. Still, of course, as part of this HD certified—Harley Davidson’s special used-vehicle program—we only offer motorcycles that are truly in good condition. And even so, we present the condition as realistically as possible. If there happens to be a small dent somewhere, it should be visible too, so that someone who has their motorcycle or dream bike delivered across Germany isn’t disappointed in any way. And our goal is to support customers extremely closely throughout the entire process. So anyone who buys a motorcycle from us online, whether online or in person. In person is of course a bit easier. They’ll still have a friendly contact two years later. They can even call here in ten years and say, “Hey, I’ve got a small question,” and we simply try to bring personality into it as much as possible and be available. Don’t promise anything you can’t keep—that’s really our biggest credo. And yes, then simply make sure that we have a realistic representation of the vehicles.
Isabell: Yes, absolutely fascinating business model. I’d like to talk with you about the process of selling products on eBay, because especially with used products, the challenge is that they’re unique listings. So you always have to create a new listing for each individual case. Roughly how many products do you currently have online, and what’s the process at your location from removing the part from the motorcycle to listing it live on our platform?
Lasse: Yes, the number of product listings varies over the year, to be honest. Of course it always depends on how many parts come up in the daily business plus how well we manage to integrate the structures into day-to-day operations. Basically, the parts are dismantled or come up due to trade-ins, etc., and then ideally land in the eBay shelf with a proper model designation. That means it says what kind of motorcycle it is, what the model is called, and what year it is from. That naturally makes a big difference too. If we stick with the Lowrider ST, my motorcycle that I mentioned at the beginning, it makes a difference whether it’s a 2026 model or a 2022 model. And so it always says either the model or the model year. And then we have the option, using various tools and exploded diagrams, to find the exact part number for that part and then also figure out which other models that part number—and therefore this part—is compatible with. And then the whole thing moves one station further, gets properly priced in the next step, gets filled out with the help of various worksheets. Then a note is attached to it. It says what kind of item it is, which part number, what condition it’s in, etc. Then the whole thing moves one station further, gets photographed in our photo box in the next step, including the worksheet with all the information on it, and then at the end of one of those photo days all the photos are digitized to end up as drafts in eBay Seller Central.
Isabell: And do you use AI along this process?
Lasse: Yes, that’s definitely a very exciting topic. We’ve already experimented a lot with it. I think the most exciting use case right now is recognizing original parts and linking vehicle compatibility with a vehicle photo. So in my dream scenario, we’d train an AI so that it can tell us from a photo what kind of part it is and, ideally, maybe spit out the OEM part number. We’re definitely researching and experimenting with that. It still works in about 50% of cases. That’s why we’re definitely still researching there, plus what could definitely be very exciting is dynamic pricing using AI. So in that case, the platform is a bit in demand—you as eBay, in this case—how can you maybe screen the market day by day using AI for certain items and say whether the price for the item I may have listed half a year ago is still current, without me having to comb through my entire assortment of listed items myself?
Isabell: Yes, that’s definitely super exciting. You just said, without me having to comb through it myself—so that’s your current process? So you regularly screen the prices and check whether they still hold up?
Lasse: Exactly. That’s what we’re on top of. Of course, relisting items is always the priority. eBay rewards us very well for that. When we’re active there and diligently list new items every day, we definitely notice it immediately in our sales, I have to say. And still, we have this rolling process where items have to be checked for relevance from back to front. That also lets us keep a good eye on ourselves. Does this actually check out the way we listed the item back then? And above all, does the price still fit? Because just because something is sitting on the shelf, and we may have found the right price back then, doesn’t mean that six months later it’s still current.
Isabell: Yes, I think so too. It’s definitely super exciting that you stay on top of that. I also find it interesting that you use a photo box for your pictures. There are some really great AI tools out there now. Why don’t you use those?
Lasse: We’ve kind of transferred that from our standards. Also when it comes to the used-vehicle business, because used-vehicle sales are a real matter of trust, especially when you handle things digitally. Many people who hear that we really sell motorcycles digitally across Germany and partly across Europe, and that even used vehicles that are 10, 15, 20 years old are sold this way, ask: how do you actually do that? And for us, that’s a huge question of trust. And for me, for us, it starts with a realistic presentation, so a used vehicle. And that can also be applied very well to a used part. In my opinion, it should always be presented as realistically as possible. That’s why we at least refrain from using any filters in our sales photos, both for vehicles and used items. We avoid major vehicle edits because we want the condition to be shown as realistically as possible. Because nothing is more annoying than buying a used part on eBay or a used motorcycle or used car and afterward feeling like I wasn’t really properly informed about the actual condition. Then I’d rather have a realistic presentation. I know, okay, there may be a scratch or two on it. I know what I’m getting, and afterward I’m happier with my used motorcycle or used exhaust. That’s why we avoid AI-generated images and also try as much as possible to avoid stock photos, which we of course have access to as official Harley Davidson dealers. But it doesn’t do me any good if I take the stock photo of a muffler that in no way matches the condition of the used part I actually have on site.
Isabell: Yes, I think that’s a super valuable tip. So to everyone selling re-commerce: perfection can sometimes be better and land better with the end customer than polishing everything to look perfect and shiny with AI. Then let’s talk about your social media presence, Lasse. I’ve noticed that you’re really on top of it and already quite professional. You have several thousand followers on Instagram. That definitely looks good. Which channels do you use besides Instagram?
Lasse: Yes, we use Instagram very, very actively. What has become very, very big in the last two years is YouTube as well. So we use YouTube very actively. We’ve had our own podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. for some time now. And yes, we also cover the entire Meta portfolio. So Facebook is also a very exciting platform for us, which, I’d say, isn’t really up to date for people our age anymore. But for our target group, Facebook is actually a more effective channel than Instagram. On Facebook we actually have significantly more followers, almost 50% more than on Instagram. And we cover the whole portfolio there. We did TikTok for a long time as well, but we’ve scaled it back a bit for now because we didn’t see huge added value there. I’d say YouTube is extremely important for us. We really release a new video every Sunday, a new podcast episode every Friday, and today we actually have video day here too, and videos are being produced very diligently.
Isabell: When it comes to content production, you really do everything from A to Z—podcast, video production, then social media content. How do you fit all of that into your daily work?
Lasse: Yes, that’s obviously a good question. It only works with solid and good structure and good organization. Of course we have the advantage that we’re a very, very young team—I and the managing owner are both 30 years old. That means we probably have a pretty good affinity for social media. And then it really just comes down to good organization. We have a great marketing team that basically takes care of all the organizational work for us. And I always say we’re really just the tools. Of course we have the know-how, we have the desire to sit in front of the camera or behind the microphone. But it gets prepared really well by our marketing team. And then it’s just, alright, today we have the topic, you and you, the YouTube video, that’s the topic, we put the motorcycles there. 3, 2, 1, go. Of course, we have the huge advantage that we already spend all day, every day with this product anyway, and especially the salespeople are the kind of people who may speak one sentence too many rather than one too few. That means they definitely aren’t shy, and they’re just really into Harley Davidson. And all you really need to do is point the camera at them and have good structure in the back office. And our really great marketing team does that.
Isabell: With so many different channels and such a regular posting sequence, where do your content ideas actually come from?
Lasse: Yes, I think the most important thing is never to lose sight of the customer perspective. We’re all huge Harley Davidson enthusiasts, of course, which means every one of us has bought a motorcycle themselves at some point. They’ve taken a motorcycle to the workshop themselves at some point. They ride their own motorcycle very regularly. So I think it’s always very important to put on the customer glasses and ask yourself: What questions do I ask myself regularly? Or what questions would interest me if it were about motorcycles? And at the same time, with the many motorcycles we get to sell here every year, we have the questions that keep coming up again and again. And the salespeople? I think they could write books by now about the conversations they’ve had with customers here. What can also help is looking into forums, for example, which is a huge topic in our industry, and seeing what questions are being discussed a lot there. And then maybe you’re in the privileged position of being able to pick up on one or another myth that’s floating around on the internet. And just saying, for example, we have the topic of emissions standards—how does that actually change the exhaust sound? There are so many myths circulating on the internet, and then just saying, alright, I’ll make a video about that and explain exactly what it’s really like.
Isabell: I find that really fascinating. And then you just stand in front of the camera without a script, etc.? So the tip would be to just do it and show a bit of perfectionism there too.
Lasse: Exactly. So I always encourage the guys to be themselves and bring their personality in front of the camera. As diverse as our customers are, our team is just as diverse. From the lawyer with slicked-back hair to a real rocker, we’ve got everything on the team. And our customers are exactly the same. So everyone should just be themselves and be the way they are. And especially imperfection, I think, is something these days that appeals to a lot of people a bit more than everything being completely smoothed out.
Isabell: So your 20 employees basically signed on with the company knowing they’d regularly have to step in front of the camera.
Lasse: Well, we really make sure that it’s not just us who are seen, but the whole team. Of course, one person may be a little more into it than another, but I think, in general, it’s grown very organically with us. We’re not the kind of company that suddenly ramped up its social media presence overnight; over the last five or six years it’s just become more and more step by step. And most of them really enjoy it a lot. And if someone doesn’t like being in front of the camera quite as much, that’s absolutely fine too. In general, the salespeople are a bit more of show-offs than maybe one or another mechanic, who likes to work a bit more on their own. And that’s totally fine. It’s just important that we present a good impression of the team, and we sprinkle in things from time to time where you really see each and every one of us. Or maybe a small group scene from one of our events, so that the whole team stays in view. But mainly, it has to be said, it’s the salespeople who are seen. And then the service managers, everyone who just feels like talking in front of the camera about what we already do here every day.
Isabell: Yes, I think it’s really great that you appear as a team like that. I think it makes it much easier to identify with you as a company. Have you also noticed that this has an impact on your buyers? Especially when I think about trust in you as a brand.
Lasse: Definitely. I regularly find myself in the situation—and many other sellers and employees here do too—where people approach us and then in that moment we have to think: who is that, actually? But luckily, most customers then clear it up. Don’t worry, there’s no way you could know me. I know you. But because I wanted to stop by from another part of Germany and check you out. I’ve watched every YouTube video. I listen to your podcast every Friday and already know a lot about you. You just haven’t seen me yet. Nice to meet you, by the way. And yes, that naturally plays a huge role, because we ask each and every person on our team to be as authentic as possible in front of the camera. And it just wouldn’t work in everyday life any other way, because we simply don’t have the time to come up with massive scripts or to say we’re going to plan the video—which can sometimes run 45 to 60 minutes when we really get going—from start to finish, but instead the guys should just step in front of the camera as they are, the way they naturally convey their Harley Davidson passion, and just let it out. And then you’re simply as you are, with the nice side effect that the guys are exactly the same on the phone and by email as they are on YouTube or in the podcast. So trust is a huge, huge thing, and I think we can just send the great guys we have here out into the world and show everyone out there what nice people work here, actually.
Isabell: Speaking of sending out into the world, do you actually sell internationally too?
Lasse: Yes, as far as eBay, the online shop, etc. are concerned, yes. For motorcycles, we’re mainly active across Germany. So from Kiel to Munich, that’s absolutely no problem. We have this digital sales area and can have any motorcycle delivered right to your doorstep in no time, and we have our own transport structure within the company so the motorcycle actually comes straight to your front door. Digital sales process, completely sorted. You don’t have to physically be here with us for anything. Everything is digital; in theory, you don’t even have to call. And as far as eBay parts, etc., online shop goes, we’re actually completely internationalized. I’m always amazed at what parts of the world Harley Davidson parts are still shipped to from here in Kiel.
Isabell: Were there countries that surprised me?
Lasse: Yes, actually basically everything that goes across the big pond. So the United States, actually, and partly South America, where I always thought: where are parts more readily available than in Milwaukee, if they don’t even have to fly or be shipped across the big pond? So we actually do a lot of South America in used parts. But otherwise, really everything is represented. So truly the whole world.
Isabell: How exactly do you manage it when you create the listings so that they’re available internationally?
Lasse: Yes, we make sure the parts are listed as internationally as possible, of course. We’re an American brand, so naturally most of our product descriptions and product names are already in American English. That helps a lot, of course. But because we don’t want to limit ourselves to Germany, the listing texts, etc., are always provided in both German and English.
Isabell: I think that’s also an interesting approach, just including both right away. I often see that, basically, one text is translated for the different countries and then actively posted on the individual eBay websites. But translating both, especially when you have such an international or American brand, makes total sense. Lasse, with a quick look at the time, we’re almost at the end of our podcast episode. Before I close the episode, though, I’d like to know what you enjoy even more in your work today than you did a few years ago.
Lasse: Yes, getting to work with such a great product every single day really is a gift, I have to say. I deal with motorcycles from morning to night. And what’s even more fun is working with motorcyclists. We really fulfill people’s dreams here every day, and that is incredibly fun. I can’t say it any other way. From the small Harley as an entry-level motorcycle under €10,000 to the huge custom bike for €100,000 plus, these are truly life dreams. And especially in these extraordinary times—which, if we’re being completely honest, we’ve actually been in for years now, with one crisis after another—motorcycling is a real place of calm for many. And that’s wonderful to see. And here we can really fulfill life dreams. Every day. And that gives me a lot of joy.
Isabell: That was very, very beautifully said. If someone is listening now and is still thinking about maybe starting an eBay shop themselves, what would be your three most important tips to give them?
Lasse: I would do it from the start with the right approach and the right energy. I think a lot of people get tangled up because they feel like they should really do something, but they don’t really have the time and maybe don’t yet have the expertise to say: I’ll implement it like this. And then I think many lose the motivation because they invest time and money without really going all in, and after half a year they realize it all makes no sense. I’m going to stop again and, in the worst case, never touch it again. So just think it through properly: what do I actually want to do? In what framework do I want to do it? Start as small as possible and as big as necessary, so that it makes sense and is fun. Maybe don’t get tangled up when it comes to the infrastructure at the beginning. With a modern phone, you can do a lot today, and with a neutral photo corner that doesn’t have to be expensive. And then simply keep at it step by step and make the best of what you already have in your business, I’d say. And then just go for it step by step, and however big it gets, it gets. And keep costs as low as possible.
Isabell: Those were very nice closing words. Many, many thanks, Lasse, for your time. Thanks for taking us along on your journey today and for introducing us more closely to your business. I think it’s fascinating how much passion is in every corner of your operation, how closely you’ve united your online shop with your offline presence and the eBay shop. And yes, I think you can really feel the love for the product in everything you’ve told us. And yes, I think it’s great that with the vision of fulfilling life dreams, you’re accomplishing so much, and I believe you can really be an inspiration to one person or another. Thanks for being here.
Lasse: Yes, many heartfelt thanks.
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