Where does this guy get his bikes, and where does he get his prices?
02-04-10, 02:04 PM
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Where does this guy get his bikes, and where does he get his prices?
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1585989224.html
He also has a Miyata junior in great shape. Every single week he lists very nice bikes at absurdly high prices. Some might be reasonable but 950$ for a centurion is out of line.
I know the free market...he can do what he wants but something is just flat out suspicious. I'm going to have to find his source for this bikes and start competing. I'd have that Centurion listed for much lower.
Several months ago he had a Schwinn Volare...super nice but too damn spendy.
He also has a Miyata junior in great shape. Every single week he lists very nice bikes at absurdly high prices. Some might be reasonable but 950$ for a centurion is out of line.
I know the free market...he can do what he wants but something is just flat out suspicious. I'm going to have to find his source for this bikes and start competing. I'd have that Centurion listed for much lower.
Several months ago he had a Schwinn Volare...super nice but too damn spendy.
02-04-10, 02:07 PM
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https://bicycleczar.com/
Ive done some trading with him, before I knew better...
Hes a real pushy guy, cash on the mind. He sells a lot of "okay stuff" for a lot of money. The Volare was one of his personal bikes, there is also a Fiorelli made Coppi that was up for 2200$ originally and is now down to 750$.
Ive done some trading with him, before I knew better...
Hes a real pushy guy, cash on the mind. He sells a lot of "okay stuff" for a lot of money. The Volare was one of his personal bikes, there is also a Fiorelli made Coppi that was up for 2200$ originally and is now down to 750$.
Last edited by Dyermaker; 02-04-10 at 02:12 PM.
02-04-10, 02:08 PM
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i'd like to have that bike. not for that price though.
02-04-10, 02:14 PM
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If he is successful selling at these (high) prices, then he can buy bikes ANYWHERE. He really does not need some secret source. Shipping them in off ebay will not be a problem for him.
I would be more than happy to supply him with bikes for a percentage of his selling prices. He may well have a couple of friends working as amateur pickers for him.
Sounds like he is getting his price. That's good news for other flippers in the area, as he is pushing the market higher for sure.
I wish I had someone like that in my area.
I am assuming he is selling them, or they would show up again (and again). A local would know.
I would be more than happy to supply him with bikes for a percentage of his selling prices. He may well have a couple of friends working as amateur pickers for him.
Sounds like he is getting his price. That's good news for other flippers in the area, as he is pushing the market higher for sure.
I wish I had someone like that in my area.
I am assuming he is selling them, or they would show up again (and again). A local would know.
Last edited by wrk101; 02-04-10 at 02:21 PM.
02-04-10, 02:14 PM
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IMO that Coppi is a POS...No way is it worth the asking price. If had the start up capital I'd start a for profit bike recycling garage...In other words a junkyard/consign shop. The north bay california is the least vintage friendly in terms of servicing old bikes.
02-04-10, 02:24 PM
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No, unless something has changed... Hed want it for half of what its really worth, and probably ask for a removal fee. Then turn around after a " clean up " and put it up crazy amounts.
02-04-10, 02:27 PM
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Well, I have to admit that you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer example of a circa 1979/1980 Semi-Pro.
02-04-10, 02:28 PM
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Im not saying that Centurion isnt really sweet, either. It might even tickle someones fancy enough to cough up 950$.
02-04-10, 02:29 PM
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And you'd probably close your doors and go broke inside of 6 months. You can't make the rent by selling refurbished old bikes - floor space costs too much in the SF area. That's why there is a thriving secondary market on CL - no brick and mortar needed, and no local and state business regulations/taxes to comply with. In other words, no one is siphoning off the already thin profit margin.
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02-04-10, 03:09 PM
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High pice or not, it looks very nice and minty fresh!
Only weird thing I see is the label that says "Semi Pro".....
Now who could be dorky enough at Centurion to put such a label on the bike.
What's wrong with "Pro" of if there is one already in their line up, "Pro 2" or "Pro XL"......********************.
Chombi
Only weird thing I see is the label that says "Semi Pro".....
Now who could be dorky enough at Centurion to put such a label on the bike.
What's wrong with "Pro" of if there is one already in their line up, "Pro 2" or "Pro XL"......********************.
Chombi
02-04-10, 03:30 PM
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02-04-10, 04:13 PM
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The Czar must have a franchisee in the New York area ...who lacks coypwriting skills...
BIKE $ SALE - $1000 (westchester)
https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/bik/1585394953.html
Date: 2010-02-04, 8:57AM EST
Reply to: see below
KIDS BIKE
BIKE $ SALE - $1000 (westchester)
https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/bik/1585394953.html
Date: 2010-02-04, 8:57AM EST
Reply to: see below
KIDS BIKE
02-04-10, 05:33 PM
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And you'd probably close your doors and go broke inside of 6 months. You can't make the rent by selling refurbished old bikes - floor space costs too much in the SF area. That's why there is a thriving secondary market on CL - no brick and mortar needed, and no local and state business regulations/taxes to comply with. In other words, no one is siphoning off the already thin profit margin.
02-04-10, 05:46 PM
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Not even I would pay that much. Considering a rough Equipe just went in Chicago for over $500.
If those things are selling at his prices, all the power to him.
What I can't afford, I can't buy. What I have is worth more if he's getting these prices.
I wonder if I should skip eBay and local, just list on SF CL and ship free.
If those things are selling at his prices, all the power to him.
What I can't afford, I can't buy. What I have is worth more if he's getting these prices.
I wonder if I should skip eBay and local, just list on SF CL and ship free.
Not $950 whoa, but still,,,,BD
02-04-10, 05:56 PM
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Guys, I'm confused. Is the Bike Czar the guy who is posting these ads?
It looks like they have a brick and mortar business.
It looks like they have a brick and mortar business.
02-04-10, 07:46 PM
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High pice or not, it looks very nice and minty fresh!
Only weird thing I see is the label that says "Semi Pro".....
Now who could be dorky enough at Centurion to put such a label on the bike.
What's wrong with "Pro" of if there is one already in their line up, "Pro 2" or "Pro XL"......********************.
Chombi
Only weird thing I see is the label that says "Semi Pro".....
Now who could be dorky enough at Centurion to put such a label on the bike.
What's wrong with "Pro" of if there is one already in their line up, "Pro 2" or "Pro XL"......********************.
Chombi
SR also made a "Semi_Pro" in the early 80's...maybe a cultural Japanese thing?
02-04-10, 07:49 PM
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He has lots of bikes listed on CL. Not all are outrageously priced.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/?...breviation=sss
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/?...breviation=sss
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02-04-10, 08:39 PM
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I love his smoke screen on hybrids and rigid frame mountain bikes. He calls hybrids touring bikes, and prices them like a touring bike. He calls mtbs "utility" bikes. I might have to borrow that term.
02-04-10, 09:24 PM
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I think that if he's getting his prices, even sometimes, it shows that getting a bike really, really clean pays off, big-time.
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02-04-10, 10:58 PM
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The guy definitely knows what he is doing in his restoring and presentation of these bikes. The Centurion almost looks like new old stock. If I was him I would be very proud of my stuff and try to get top dollar for it. The Centurion is not really my cup of tea for a bike but it does have some very good quality and somewhat less common components on it. Is that a Suntour stem? I wouldn't pay $950 for it but $950 is not a bad place to start asking for it. I don't think $600 would be an out of line final price.