Passing repair onto buyer vs fixing?
#26
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
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If it's a $1000 bike with in full and good working order, it's an $750 bike to me if a brake isn't working. That could be a lot of risk or a little risk to take on and I would expect to pay based on the worst case scenario.
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#27
Senior Member
Exactly.
That's why whenever I lowball the crap out of a "needs repair" bike owned by some yuppie, they usually cave in simply because they want it gone.
My worst case scenario is knowing that I can part it out or do minimal to unload it to another eager buyer and recoup my original costs.
That's why whenever I lowball the crap out of a "needs repair" bike owned by some yuppie, they usually cave in simply because they want it gone.
My worst case scenario is knowing that I can part it out or do minimal to unload it to another eager buyer and recoup my original costs.
#28
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Seems nowadays people are litigious and lie about consumer transactions.
I would fix it and keep the receipts just in case.
I would fix it and keep the receipts just in case.
#29
With a mighty wind
Thread Starter
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#30
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Generally, items in need of repair go for far less than the repair cost, partially because some people don't trust themselves to repair it themselves, others question the condition of it in other aspects, and others value convenience more than saving money. If you're in a hurry, be up front in your listing and take a big hit. If you want max $$$, fix it and get what it's worth.
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#31
Senior Member
If you are selling a used bicycle as is then there is no implied warranty and as such it is the responsibility of the buyer to have it examined. Same idea with a used car get a mechanic to give the bike a look over.
#32
Senior Member
I am a tinkerer and take pride in my bikes. I would never sell or even give away a bike in need of repairs.
I've even repaired/tuned up bikes of friends who were selling.
I've even repaired/tuned up bikes of friends who were selling.
#33
Senior Member
If it's a $60 repair but the seller hasn't fixed it, then I'd budget for at least double that plus the hassle. My first thought is always that if it's that easy a repair then why hasn't the seller done it and what else haven't they fixed?
If you're able to fix it, then I'd do that and get the higher price. If you need rid of it before you can fix it yourself, then drop the price accordingly.
If you're able to fix it, then I'd do that and get the higher price. If you need rid of it before you can fix it yourself, then drop the price accordingly.
#34
Senior Member
I love it when people put in their ads "easy fix" for their bike car appliance smartphone whatever, thinking it will entice a buyer to believe they are getting a bargain and thus just buy it.
I buy bikes to flip, but the seller never knows that, nor do I let the seller know that I can fix whatever is wrong with what they want to unload. My skills and what I do with a bike is my business and I use this leverage on sellers to my advantage.
I always ask them to tell their story of why it's broken, how it happened, why they haven't fixed it, and when they sing a song and bla bla bla, I troll deeper just to hear how far they will go on their bs.
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#35
Senior Member
I have not sold bikes in need of repair but if someone else is willing to take it on then so be it. I’m not familiar with the hydraulic brakes on bikes so I have no idea what it would take to get it fixed. It certainly would be easier to sell if everything works as it’s supposed to.
#36
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I pulled my mountain bike out of storage to get it ready for sale. It’s been there for 6 months.
Other than the tires being low, it seemed perfect how I left it, except the rear brake is completely failed.
I think the hydraulic fluid leaked out or seals cracked. Either way, there is absolutely no compression.
So it’s probably a $30-60 repair. Depending on what went kaput. So what are the economics of this?
Sell it at a discount with the assumption that the next buyer will fix it?
Get it fixed and sell it for my original price?
Im not looking to make money, just free up garage space and take a little sting out of my new bike’s price tag.
For time, I’m considering selling it without fixing it. I’ve never sold a broken bike before and it bothers me though.
Ideas?
Other than the tires being low, it seemed perfect how I left it, except the rear brake is completely failed.
I think the hydraulic fluid leaked out or seals cracked. Either way, there is absolutely no compression.
So it’s probably a $30-60 repair. Depending on what went kaput. So what are the economics of this?
Sell it at a discount with the assumption that the next buyer will fix it?
Get it fixed and sell it for my original price?
Im not looking to make money, just free up garage space and take a little sting out of my new bike’s price tag.
For time, I’m considering selling it without fixing it. I’ve never sold a broken bike before and it bothers me though.
Ideas?
1- The brake may need to be replaced (if it is an easy fix than the seller would have already done it).
2- The seller does not take care of his/her bike, and the broken brake is just the most obvious symptom.
#37
Senior Member
#38
Senior Member
I just lowball, mostly because I get away with it pretty much all of the time.
#39
With a mighty wind
Thread Starter
Dude, most of the replies are from you. If you want my stuff so bad, I’ll send you a link to the sale. I’ll triple the price for you, let’s say the price reflects how much I like you.
#40
Senior Member
I'm merely agreeing with the others who made it very clear on how they would approach a broken bike that needs fixing.
Replies on a thread aren't necessarily always for the OP.
You came here asking for opinions, and you got a lot of them here from members.
#41
Happy With My Bikes
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The bike is what it is. The OP is not a bad person for selling it as is if the buyer understands it needs repaired and I can't see someone not noticing the brake doesn't work if they look at the bike in person. There are pros and cons to selling it as is and I'm sure the OP understands that.
I don't see the need to whizz up a rope about it. Those moves can be saved for chain lube and bicycle grease threads.
I don't see the need to whizz up a rope about it. Those moves can be saved for chain lube and bicycle grease threads.
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#42
With a mighty wind
Thread Starter
I don’t know if you guys are ready to hear this but as of yesterday, there’s a happy new owner of my old bike, and I’m quite satisfied with what he paid for it.