Should I just STFU?
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#28
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Are you selling it or buying it? If not, not sure why the concern.
I saw this ad on CL and was just compelled to respond. Here is my comment:
I want to advise you that your ad for this bike has a couple of mistakes. The bicycle is probably post 1974 since the chainring lacks the additional braces between the Herons. The reflectors on the pedals also date it to that time frame. The second point is that the while the saddle may be a Brooks, it is most certainly not leather. It is plastic covered.
Should I STFU?
https://easternshore.craigslist.org/...014674353.html
I want to advise you that your ad for this bike has a couple of mistakes. The bicycle is probably post 1974 since the chainring lacks the additional braces between the Herons. The reflectors on the pedals also date it to that time frame. The second point is that the while the saddle may be a Brooks, it is most certainly not leather. It is plastic covered.
Should I STFU?
https://easternshore.craigslist.org/...014674353.html
#29
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I saw this ad on CL and was just compelled to respond. Here is my comment:
I want to advise you that your ad for this bike has a couple of mistakes. The bicycle is probably post 1974 since the chainring lacks the additional braces between the Herons. The reflectors on the pedals also date it to that time frame. The second point is that the while the saddle may be a Brooks, it is most certainly not leather. It is plastic covered.
Should I STFU?
https://easternshore.craigslist.org/...014674353.html
I want to advise you that your ad for this bike has a couple of mistakes. The bicycle is probably post 1974 since the chainring lacks the additional braces between the Herons. The reflectors on the pedals also date it to that time frame. The second point is that the while the saddle may be a Brooks, it is most certainly not leather. It is plastic covered.
Should I STFU?
https://easternshore.craigslist.org/...014674353.html
From experience, here are the answers I usually get from advice like yours to a seller:
"Why do you care, are you interested in it?"
"Yeah, well an expert is born every day."
"So, are you calling me a liar?"
"The seat IS leather dumbass. I don't care what you say."
Last edited by UKFan4Sure; 11-13-19 at 07:55 PM.
#30
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#31
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Am I missing something?
As it currently stands the add seems pretty accurate. Has it been corrected? It looks like a 70s bike, the seat model nearly sent Brooks broke coz they were terrible.
It appears to be stored in a dry place over the last 40 odd years.These bikes are difficult to work on if they haven't been kept dry, the cables, fittings, fasteners and even the venerable SA hubs epitomised the mindset that heralded the beginning of the end for the British industry.
It appears to be stored in a dry place over the last 40 odd years.These bikes are difficult to work on if they haven't been kept dry, the cables, fittings, fasteners and even the venerable SA hubs epitomised the mindset that heralded the beginning of the end for the British industry.
#32
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Really, you got nothing better to do?
Tim
Tim
#33
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The rule of thumb is: You may know, but why mess it up if you really wanted it or for someone else who was trying to buy it?
It probably does without saying that if they want to sell somethind they should:
However, you are basically allowed to price something as you wish, and face the possible disagreement of others. As the wisdom or folly of your strategy becomes clearer and your need to move the item becomes greater, marketing factors may change and drastically or other avenues will present themselves.
Some remain firm, despite your obvious visions of their 'ridiculous' nature, but they still have the right to ask and be denied, the prevailing market's opinion be damned. You have to let them, and sometimes a self-realized dose of reality is better than making somebody upset and overly stubborn. It IS their sale.
It probably does without saying that if they want to sell somethind they should:
- Do their homework
- Know what they have
- Know what they want for it regardless
However, you are basically allowed to price something as you wish, and face the possible disagreement of others. As the wisdom or folly of your strategy becomes clearer and your need to move the item becomes greater, marketing factors may change and drastically or other avenues will present themselves.
Some remain firm, despite your obvious visions of their 'ridiculous' nature, but they still have the right to ask and be denied, the prevailing market's opinion be damned. You have to let them, and sometimes a self-realized dose of reality is better than making somebody upset and overly stubborn. It IS their sale.
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#34
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1976 Refurb
1976 is the youngest Raleigh I have ever refurbished by about some 20 years. I've done other British bikes from the 70s and 80s but not Raleighs. I was shocked how poorly it had lasted compared to the 1940s and 50s Raleighs.
Nearly every aspect of the bike was driven by lowering cost. Even lack of miles on the clock could not hide the bone-headedness of going cheap and nasty in order to compete with the price of foreign imports.
Nearly every aspect of the bike was driven by lowering cost. Even lack of miles on the clock could not hide the bone-headedness of going cheap and nasty in order to compete with the price of foreign imports.
#35
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I got an email from the seller today thanking me for the correction. I checked the CL ad - it has been corrected, and the price bumped to $90. Now a potential buyer is going to tell me to STFU.
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#36
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If you already read thru the ad, noticed the mistake, feel the urge to say something. Just say it. If it offends them and they get sore so what. Screw them.. you got it off your chest. Its not about what they do with it, its about you offering it.
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#37
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You gonna let the ones who get offended stop you from helping the other folks who honestly would appreciate a little help with selling their bike? Who cares how they react.
/2 cent.
/2 cent.
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#38
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Job done
You did the right thing for both seller and buyer
Last edited by Johno59; 11-14-19 at 11:19 AM.
#39
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you will spend a long and frustrating career correcting the errors in eboy and CL ad postings.
Better to swoop down on underpriced offerings and say nothing !
Just my personal opinion
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
Better to swoop down on underpriced offerings and say nothing !
Just my personal opinion
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
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#41
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Yup- STFU! When I see errors, I chuckle to myself and say, KMMS (keep my mouth shut). It is none of my business how a person portrays his or her bike. If I am interested in buying, I go to see the bike and deal with any errors while there, in person.
On the flip side, if someone tells me that I have made an error, I check the situation and, either way, I thank the individual for their offer to help. Unless, some fool tries to fool me. Then I offer my best GFYSAH remark (go .... yourself ...hole).
But that is just me and, as you all know, I am almost always nice. Almost!
On the flip side, if someone tells me that I have made an error, I check the situation and, either way, I thank the individual for their offer to help. Unless, some fool tries to fool me. Then I offer my best GFYSAH remark (go .... yourself ...hole).
But that is just me and, as you all know, I am almost always nice. Almost!
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#42
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It would have been more productive to alert that seller that the frame appears to be a 23", pretty unusual for a ladies' 3-speed and highly sought by some. I got one for myself for the time when I'll no longer be able to swing a leg over my 23" men's.
I have notified sellers when something was obviously and/or dangerously wrong, like a bent frame or fork that the casual shopper might miss. One quaint and otherwise nice looking Crescent was listed for months after I emailed and the ad never changed and there was no acknowledgement. Some sellers might want to know, others could not care less.
I have notified sellers when something was obviously and/or dangerously wrong, like a bent frame or fork that the casual shopper might miss. One quaint and otherwise nice looking Crescent was listed for months after I emailed and the ad never changed and there was no acknowledgement. Some sellers might want to know, others could not care less.
#43
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I was at the big, local bike shop service counter on one very busy day, when a guy ahead of me needed a rear wheel trued. The young mech had the guy's bike in the stand for only a few seconds, then said the rim was bent and the whole wheel needed to be replaced. The customer asked if he had a wheel in stock. So the mech leaves to look for a replacement wheel. At that point, I spoke up to the customer and told him I would tread lightly. It didn't look that bad to me. And a second opinion elsewhere with less traffic doesn't cost that much. I quickly left, and he thanked me.
Sometimes I just cannot and will not stfu. Like now.
Sometimes I just cannot and will not stfu. Like now.
#44
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Back when I was more enthusiastic about the buying and selling of bikes, I'd responded to about a dozen or so eBay and CL ads, correcting their errors in the most extremely polite terms I could muster. I'd say about half were ignored, two or three came back "STFU and FU a-hole" but the rest were appreciative.
I don't know if it was worth my time personally (it isn't now) but it was interesting to do at the time.
I don't know if it was worth my time personally (it isn't now) but it was interesting to do at the time.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#45
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Correcting Sellers
'Twere me, I'd take a more helpful tone:
"Nice clean bike! Looks to me like it's probably 1974 or later, since it has pedal reflectors, and the chainring lacks the additional braces between the Herons. And the saddle is indeed the original Brooks, but is plastic covered, not leather. Good luck with the sale.
"Nice clean bike! Looks to me like it's probably 1974 or later, since it has pedal reflectors, and the chainring lacks the additional braces between the Herons. And the saddle is indeed the original Brooks, but is plastic covered, not leather. Good luck with the sale.
There are some things that I regularly search for on eBay and I run across lots of misinformation, BS and so on.
Pickers, pawn shops and estate sales seem to be the worst offenders. I never waste my time with that group.
As a PSA, Public Service Announcement I occasionally send a message to a seller who has posted wrong information or things that could be misunderstood and would result in both the seller and the buyer having to resolve a problem. Usually something like a whole bike or frame that requires time consuming packing and shipping. Karma.
I write a pleasant note like the one above providing the proper information and sometimes a source so the seller can check it out for themselves and end with "good luck with your auction".
Most sellers have been appreciative but then's there's been a few A-Holes!
"Rare Peugeot U08 ridden in the Tour Of France" (only been submerged for a few years)
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
#46
What happened?
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I haven't had a girlfriend since 2000 because they are all named Ms. Taken. A few grains of salt there.
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#48
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This one has been running for several months in my area...
https://poconos.craigslist.org/bik/d...990861831.html
https://poconos.craigslist.org/bik/d...990861831.html
#49
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But overall, replying on every CL gaffe I find would be like straightening worms.
This one has been running for several months in my area...
https://poconos.craigslist.org/bik/d...990861831.html
https://poconos.craigslist.org/bik/d...990861831.html