MrCoffee

We have a bunch of flippers around here, too. One of them swiped a Raleigh Grand Prix for nothing. This is why I dislike vintage bikes. There's always the idiot who hoards and brags about finding something cheap and then *****es to his friend if he can't find a similar deal. Then there's there's the greedy schmuck who will find something for pennies on the dollar or nothing, only to unload it later at a ridiculously high price on the vulnerable. Want a good deal? Then either inherit from a family member or have a friend donate it. Everything else I've seen that wasn't snapped up is usually pure trash that nobody wants.

MrCoffee

That's actually a pretty good deal. For $500.00, you get a vintage show bike.

zazenzach

i really dig it.

I have a guy out near me who has added a front and rear rack to a very similar bike, and rides around fully loaded from time to time. No clue where he's going or what he's doing, but its frigin awesome to see.

zazenzach

and they're evolving. an actual brick and mortor shop popped up here not too long ago and they exclusively sell refurbed lower end vintage bikes at a massive premium.

this is why im so happy that craigslist segregated the by owner and by dealer categories. until then, i was constantly bombarded by this clowns lists for $300-$400 hi-ten bikes which he probaby got for $5 at a yard sale.

EDIT- i should ad, i have no problem with flippers refurbing and selling something that was headed to the landfill. but more often than not, its just buying something someone else would want, putting very little work into it, then selling for a massive profit.

curbtender

How do you determine a bikes gender? Tall 57cm Womens/Ladies Bianchi Eros roadbike Campy/Tri ready

daf1009

I guess we should change our economic system to socialism...forget this capitalism thing...particularly when YOU are the one that would also be one that "swiped a Raleigh Grand Prix for nothing"...

Yes, I do some flipping, as does most everyone here on these boards...and, yes, there are BAD flippers out there (the Atlanta area has its share)...but...most of us are deep into the hobby of bicycles...and save more than we "swipe." Like any good capitalist, I want a good deal...but...also...most of us are NOT "greedy schmucks"...

Also...the people, IMHO, that keep the prices high are the people that buy the bikes for the wrong prices...I can offer a bike for whatever I want to offer it at...but...if no one buys it, then it is not worth that. I see tons of bikes/frames on CL everyday that have been there for months at the wrong price...someone that knows anything about the bike market and marketing will know that...if it is not selling, then generally the price is too high.

smontanaro 

I think it/he/she speaks to you...

smontanaro 

(on flipping)

I do a bit of that as well. Mostly I buy a bike for something it has though. I just "flipped" a Schwinn Super Le Tour which I got for a good price. I made a couple bucks (not retiring on it though), but I originally bought it thinking I would be able to use it around town. And it took me awhile to turn it around (time sitting, time fixing, time finding the right buyer). Turned out to just be too small. I bought a too-small Atala Competizione for the parts, then realized the frame was in really nice shape. Sold the frame and a couple parts. Now I'm looking for a similar early 70's Atala frame in my size to hang the rest of the parts on.

In my mind, flipping isn't a bad thing. There are clearly a few folks here in the Chicago area who seem to make a business out of it. If somebody can make money flipping bikes (as long as they aren't literally stealing their stock), they stay out of the scrappers' hands. Or get out of the scrappers' hands before they sail to China.

FLJeepGuy

Arg.... I feel for this poor bike.

The ad is from one of our local flippers that will buy anything cheap, do nothing to it, and then try to resell it at a big profit. I will regularly see a bike in bad shape for little money disappear only to appear a day or two later from this guy for 2-3x or more than what it went for. He doesn't inspect the bikes to make sure they're safe, clean them up, repair them, etc. We've got a couple of these Craigslist trolls in our area.

TREK Alpha - Heavily modified - As-is

RubeRad

I would buy that bike for $75 (if I needed a bike). I take triggers (instead of grips) and v-brakes (instead of cantis) as a good sign on a sub-$100 mtb. $75 for a drivetrain, brakes, pair of wheels, fenders, rack, frame bag, and a bell is a good deal for parts I can use on other bikes. Not to mention a frame in good nick that could probably be sold for $10-20 to somebody who could use it.

curbtender

He got a Zefal... Antique Zefal Nishiki Bicycle with Turbo Seat Try A-ntique

D1andonlyDman

I would imagine that the lucky buyer will be pretty pumped to get a Zefal.

Vintage_Cyclist

Looks like an 85 Fuji Regis. The mind reels...

fugi olympiad rare project collectors racing touring bicycle $648.71

itstom

Same guy has another one up for $450...
“FRESH BARN FIND DIRTY RUSTY AND SO RARE”

MrCoffee

There is a difference between a flipper and a preservationist. People who restore bikes usually get them when they are in very bad shape. Then they start with a complete disassembly, a thorough cleaning, rust removal, and reassembly which may include some new old stock parts as needed. If they can't find NOS parts, they will improvise with new parts that will match the overall looks of the bike as much as possible. Most of the time, they will ride it for a while before selling it for a very small profit, for what the bike is worth. I have a friend who restores old department store bikes to working condition and gives them away to people who need them.

Flippers buy bikes for pennies on the dollar. Many of them are brokers who operate like pawn shops. They take advantage of desperate people who must sell a nice bike at an extremely cheap price to buy groceries, fix their car, or pay bills. The flipper will then turn around and sell a bike that was purchased for $75.00 for something like $350.00. That's a $275.00 profit for a few hours of work. I really can't say I have much respect for them. They are no different from debt buyers who collect from people who are deceased. Pawn brokers, payday loaners, flippers, and debt buyers profit from bleeding the poor out of what few savings and possessions they have left.

Clang

I've always wondered why some people keep their bikes filthy before taking pictures of them. I guessed that it was pure laziness, but this quote makes me think that they see dust, dirt, and grime as actual selling points.

okane

Sellers who can't correctly spell Schwinn even though it is written in many places on the bike.

Sellers with dirty bikes and flat tires. Would take all of 10 minutes to pump em' up and hose it down!

Sellers who post photos that are of no value, i.e., so dark you can barely see if it is really a bike in the photo.

Sellers who post with virtually no text and no photos.

Sellers who think that every bike that is not a cruiser with balloon tires is a racing bike.

Sellers who think that every Schwinn over 10 years old is worth a fortune.

Sellers with rediculously priced, gas pipe bikes who include comments such as, "don't waist my time with lowball offers....I know what this bike is worth."

Sellers who post bikes with breaks.

Sellers who post that ".....spammers will be reported." I'll bet that scares the xxx out of any potential spammer!

I do have fun reading the listings though because at least I can say when done that there are indeed people dumber than me!!!!!!

seypat

• CL
• norfolk >
• for sale >
• bicycles - by owner

x prohibited[SUP][?][/SUP] Posted: a day ago
[h=2]i have a cinelli bike that must go (Portsmouth )[/h]




condition: good


I have a cinelli sale there nothing wrong with it, it just need two inter tubes and the chain is a little rusty but i run fine just nee some dd40 , i looked it up on the internet the bick coats about a $1,000 but i dont know how much to sale it for ,if your interest in it let me know do

cycle_maven

Well, looky here- Worth $2000 and only asking $850.

Phlorida

You missed my favorite, people that can't be bothered to include the bike size in their listings. I find it incredible how often it is missing.

D1andonlyDman

Many folks genuinely don't know - or assume that the wheel size is the size.

I've seen many listings that don't even list the brand of bike, nor have a photo that makes the brand obvious. In any case, I have decided to revel in the ignorance of Craigslist sellers, now that I just picked up a Specialized Hardrock Sport locally for a mere $40 who's only significant shortcoming was two flat tires - and a seller who gave up in the middle of a failed attempt to fix one of them - and he even supplied me the replacement tube. The other tire merely needed air.

D1andonlyDman

Don't knock this one - it's the single biggest reason why there are screaming bargains to be had on Craigslist. My recent find of a $40 Specialized Hardrock Sport would have certainly sold for closer to $100 or more if the tires had been properly inflated and it had been cleaned.

Vintage_Cyclist

RARE VINTAGE 1979 MIYATA 912 BICYCLE TOOLS - ONLY $85

blart

I can tell from your avatar that we are neighbors. I have been seeing that listing on the local CL.

Clang

[h=2]Men's bike - $50 (Mankato, MN)[/h]Men's bike



"Hi,
I have a yellow Magna Great Divide 18 speed that I'm asking $50 for. If interested, send me an email. Thanks!"