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Anyone ever had that bike that just won't sell?

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Anyone ever had that bike that just won't sell?

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Old 08-31-15, 05:14 PM
  #1  
sloar 
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Anyone ever had that bike that just won't sell?

No, this isn't a for sale ad. I'm helping a friend sell off a large portion of his collection, I've sold several Super Sports, but this one just will not sell. It might be the conversion, but I simply refuse to change it. I really like it so if it doesn't sell I may just keep this one for myself. Anyone else have a nice bike that they just can't get rid of?



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Old 08-31-15, 05:19 PM
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You make a little bike look littler by standing tall over it. Squat down and reshoot the photo from crank high perspective. You have 11 Super Sports for sale? Stick the words commuter and hybrid somewhere in the text too, since it has Northroads bars.

It would help too put the frame size and SOH in the ad and the height range for it.
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Old 08-31-15, 05:24 PM
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This is just a random pic, I have several more on the ads. So far I have sold 10 Super Sports. I'm really surprised this hasn't sold. Its super clean, and price is pretty low in my opinion.



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Old 08-31-15, 05:27 PM
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That bike would last an hour here with the college students returning.
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Old 08-31-15, 05:29 PM
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Over 2 weeks and not a nibble, not even a scammer! As soon as I listed this on CL about 50 other people put bikes on, 4 of them Schwinn girl's road bikes........ Originally bought it for parts then decided it was too nice. It's probably going to end up as parts after all. With all the colleges in this area I figured this would sell quickly this time of year, it would be a great campus bike, that's what I get for thinking.


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Old 08-31-15, 05:33 PM
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If the bike won't sell and you love it, just keep it - maybe you were asking too much - for the love.

My 'never sell' bikes have yet to become C&V.
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Old 08-31-15, 05:33 PM
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squat
what oj said.

that goes for any full bike pic or drivetrain pic. ya gotta squat, or ya don't know squat.

the bike i can't sell is too nice and not nice enough. it's a respray with campy record. so the guys that want to lock up their bike see it as a theft magnet, and the guys that don't see it as a bike without its original paint and decals. whatever. i'll just ride it.
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Old 08-31-15, 05:36 PM
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Whats the price?
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Old 08-31-15, 05:47 PM
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I usually do squat for pics, but after trying to sell this all summer Its getting old. Its not my bike, I would have to buy it from my friend. I'm asking $140, I don't think that to much to ask.
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Old 08-31-15, 05:50 PM
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I would ask $200 here.

Do you have a college nearby?
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Old 08-31-15, 05:54 PM
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Ball State in Muncie, 40 minutes away. No bites, I'm really surprised that I still have it, it's almost mint except for a few minor paint scratches. Pretty good for a 43 year old tank.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:02 PM
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The problem with smaller markets is that the "right" customer can take a while to come along. With all the Super Sports you have already sold, you may have saturated the market for SS.

As far as the bike, very attractive for sure. The saddle is the one turn off for me. I know a SS should have come with a Brooks racing saddle.

Do you deliver to campus?
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Old 08-31-15, 06:03 PM
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That's a good looking bike at a fair price. Be patient.

In Berkeley, I bet that bike would sell in a couple days at $200.

In answer to your question: no, never. I like working on bikes more than dealing with CL riff-raff. Thus, I tend to price bikes under what I feel is local market value in order to get a quick sale and move on to the next project. I have never had a bike for sale last more than a couple weeks, and usually less than that. In fact, I've never had a person come out to test ride a bike and not end up buying it, except one nice woman who I had to convince the bike was not her size.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:03 PM
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Try streamers from the hand grips? Maybe a wicker basket up front?

Sorry, but to me, those bars and the grips make that look like the bike I got stuck with as a hand-me-down. It was a happy day when I sent the 20" equivalent of that to the happy hunting ground in favor of a Raleigh Fireball.

Yes, it is clearly a better bike than that, but still, it evokes imagery I want to never return to. Not trying to be mean or rude, but perhaps I'm not alone in that slightly warped point of view, and offering it as a possibility.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:07 PM
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With all the factories closing in Muncie ,and the support businesses too. There isn't much money in Muncie anymore. That town is dead. (Borg Warner closing got my job ) .I had to move to Cincinnati to find work.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by sloar
I usually do squat for pics, but after trying to sell this all summer Its getting old. Its not my bike, I would have to buy it from my friend. I'm asking $140, I don't think that to much to ask.
I'm surprised your daughter doesn't want it!
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Old 08-31-15, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by oddjob2
I'm surprised your daughter doesn't want it!
She does, but she's to small,
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Old 08-31-15, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by sloar
She does, but she's to small,
No layaway plan for family?
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Old 08-31-15, 06:34 PM
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Nope, they pay just like everyone else, or no bike. Seriously she doesn't show interest in it. She lets me know right away when she sees one she wants.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:34 PM
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Yes! You own it now. lol

Originally Posted by sloar
No, this isn't a for sale ad. I'm helping a friend sell off a large portion of his collection, I've sold several Super Sports, but this one just will not sell. It might be the conversion, but I simply refuse to change it. I really like it so if it doesn't sell I may just keep this one for myself. Anyone else have a nice bike that they just can't get rid of?



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Old 08-31-15, 06:35 PM
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My 1976 25" Sprite 27--very low miles, great paint, new tires, completely relubed, new bearing balls, cables, casings. You'd think someone would want it for $175, but it's been languishing on Craigslist Vermont for most of the summer. Go figure.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Flog00
Yes! You own it now. lol
Yeah, forgot about that one. I guess theres a buyer for every bike.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by gaucho777
... In fact, I've never had a person come out to test ride a bike and not end up buying it, except one ...
i was on a streak like that for a long while. then i had an streak of imbeciles.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:46 PM
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My main problem is my biggest audience is Indianapolis. People will email me wanting to see the bike, then change their mind when they find out I'm an hour away.
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Old 08-31-15, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by jonwvara
My 1976 25" Sprite 27--very low miles, great paint, new tires, completely relubed, new bearing balls, cables, casings. You'd think someone would want it for $175, but it's been languishing on Craigslist Vermont for most of the summer. Go figure.
IMHO and experience, a Sprite is a $125 bike. It's a Record with fenders and a Northroads handlebar and Records never ever sell for $175.
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