Home dealers push second hand bike prices up
04-20-20, 12:19 PM
#76
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That is one pretty bike! Do you have a before picture?
04-20-20, 12:23 PM
#77
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Whoa, you got me! And here I was, already planning to use my entire stimulus check to enlarge my monopoly!
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04-20-20, 12:25 PM
#78
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The CL around here is heavily dominated by two flippers, and an occasional 3rd.
They do add value, I'm sure. All the bikes they sell are tuned up and ready to ride, one guy advertises "polished and detailed".
IDK if they're "overpriced," but I've never seen those guys with a bike for sale that I was interested in for the price they were asking. But, then, I'm picky, my budget is low, and I consider fixing up a junker or broken bike a fun activity.
The only thing I find annoying is how they dominate all the bike sales on the local CL. The bikes apparently take a while to sell at all, and they tend to "refresh" all of their ads as soon as the CL system allows it, every day or three? IDK. So, yea, that's a little annoying. If somebody is interested in your bikes, they'll find it. You don't have to bump it to the top of the pages constantly.
They do add value, I'm sure. All the bikes they sell are tuned up and ready to ride, one guy advertises "polished and detailed".
IDK if they're "overpriced," but I've never seen those guys with a bike for sale that I was interested in for the price they were asking. But, then, I'm picky, my budget is low, and I consider fixing up a junker or broken bike a fun activity.
The only thing I find annoying is how they dominate all the bike sales on the local CL. The bikes apparently take a while to sell at all, and they tend to "refresh" all of their ads as soon as the CL system allows it, every day or three? IDK. So, yea, that's a little annoying. If somebody is interested in your bikes, they'll find it. You don't have to bump it to the top of the pages constantly.
04-20-20, 12:27 PM
#79
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04-20-20, 12:56 PM
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There are some people, often pensioners, who like to make a little extra money to supplement their pension. Some of these deal in second hand bikes. They read the local for sale pages often. When they see a bike cheap, they quickly pick it up. Some even get bikes from the trash. On some bikes they may swap parts. They then sell these bikes at higher prices.
So when an ordinary average person looks for a second hand bike, on the rare occasion they see a cheap bike, it is sold before they have a chance to buy it. The only bikes they can buy are these more expensive second hand bikes from the home dealers. Those who don't know, think these are normal prices for second hand bikes.
In places where you don't have these home dealers, you can find cheap bikes. Where you have these home dealers, second hand bikes are expensive.
Other home dealers do this with computers. In some places, it is impossible to buy a second hand computer at a reasonable price. Only those with little understanding of computers buy them.
Some car dealers also snap up cheap second hand cars for sale privately. Some also sell the worst cars from home, not at the dealership.
So when an ordinary average person looks for a second hand bike, on the rare occasion they see a cheap bike, it is sold before they have a chance to buy it. The only bikes they can buy are these more expensive second hand bikes from the home dealers. Those who don't know, think these are normal prices for second hand bikes.
In places where you don't have these home dealers, you can find cheap bikes. Where you have these home dealers, second hand bikes are expensive.
Other home dealers do this with computers. In some places, it is impossible to buy a second hand computer at a reasonable price. Only those with little understanding of computers buy them.
Some car dealers also snap up cheap second hand cars for sale privately. Some also sell the worst cars from home, not at the dealership.
04-20-20, 01:12 PM
#83
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04-20-20, 01:14 PM
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This one was on a pickup load of property cleanup bikes donated by a good friend. It looked decent on first look but had a 7speed freewheel on 6speed shifters, bent wheel, rusty bars, garbage saddle rotten tires, springy steel brakes, bent rear axle etc. It was originally sold in Canadian sporting goods store, Sport Chek. The frame was dirty but decent and was touched up easily. My LBS had the tires in stock and gave me a good price. Our future daughter-in -law was thrilled.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
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04-20-20, 01:16 PM
#85
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I am okay with anyone finding anything of value and re-selling for a profit. Those who choose to do this often add some value by refurbishing the bikes by cleaning and repairing them and installing tires. Sellers of the newly re-stored bikes may also be of help to their buyers by sharing their knowledge and getting it set up for them properly. This doesn't often happen when someone picks up a bike at a garage sale or thrift store.
I have seen many new riders on the trails since our state ordered non-essential employees to stay home. It's great to see so many more riders out there but so many are riding bikes that are not set up properly for them at all. The number of seatposts I've seen pushed all the way into the top tube with the riders knees bow-legged out. Any opportunity of a newcomer to get some help is a good thing. This is how bike shops are trying to stay in business too. You can buy a new bike from Trek online but they'll ship to a local shop for set-up and service.
I have seen many new riders on the trails since our state ordered non-essential employees to stay home. It's great to see so many more riders out there but so many are riding bikes that are not set up properly for them at all. The number of seatposts I've seen pushed all the way into the top tube with the riders knees bow-legged out. Any opportunity of a newcomer to get some help is a good thing. This is how bike shops are trying to stay in business too. You can buy a new bike from Trek online but they'll ship to a local shop for set-up and service.
04-20-20, 01:28 PM
#86
Member
Bah
Ticket brokers with bots are a legitimate menace. They grab all the seats in milliseconds. You can’t beat them. But, as others have noted, you are on equal footing with the scheming septuagenarian at your local garage sale.
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04-20-20, 01:37 PM
#89
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I occasionally buy and resell bikes—you caught me! Yes, I often peruse the local ads and find bikes that I can sell for a profit. However, this small profit comes after hours of finding parts, replacing cables and housing, waiting on parts shipments, tinkering, cleaning, tuning.
From my perspective, it is not a practical way to make money. It is a good way to take a bike that needs work and might be unsafe or get discarded and turn it into a great bike a rider can actually use. Personally, I like to sell at a price that will move it along quickly. If someone had room to store it, they might be able to hold out enough to actually make money.
I do see bikes that are posted again and again every day for months and fill up my local Craigslist. I am not less annoyed by this than anyone else!
From my perspective, it is not a practical way to make money. It is a good way to take a bike that needs work and might be unsafe or get discarded and turn it into a great bike a rider can actually use. Personally, I like to sell at a price that will move it along quickly. If someone had room to store it, they might be able to hold out enough to actually make money.
I do see bikes that are posted again and again every day for months and fill up my local Craigslist. I am not less annoyed by this than anyone else!
04-20-20, 02:18 PM
#92
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04-20-20, 02:51 PM
#94
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Sounds like sour grapes to me... if someone, irrespective of age, snaps up a cheap used bike in less-than-perfect condition, then adds a few touches to enhance its value, and sells it for a profit, where is the harm? The seller makes a few bucks and the buyer gets a bike in decent condition for far less than the cost of a new bike.
It is a free market, and every one of us has the same opportunity to scan the want ads for old clunkers in need of fixing up. Pensioners, by virtue of having more time on their hands, may have a bit of an advantage here. That said, I would rather be 35 years old with lots of testosterone and strong legs than the near-70-old duffer I am today.
I guess the other man's grass is always greener.
It is a free market, and every one of us has the same opportunity to scan the want ads for old clunkers in need of fixing up. Pensioners, by virtue of having more time on their hands, may have a bit of an advantage here. That said, I would rather be 35 years old with lots of testosterone and strong legs than the near-70-old duffer I am today.
I guess the other man's grass is always greener.
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04-20-20, 04:00 PM
#96
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oh well
i think it is called 'the free market'
wle
i think it is called 'the free market'
wle
04-20-20, 06:07 PM
#97
Still learning
There are some people, often pensioners, who like to make a little extra money to supplement their pension. Some of these deal in second hand bikes. They read the local for sale pages often. When they see a bike cheap, they quickly pick it up. Some even get bikes from the trash. On some bikes they may swap parts. They then sell these bikes at higher prices.
So when an ordinary average person looks for a second hand bike, on the rare occasion they see a cheap bike, it is sold before they have a chance to buy it. The only bikes they can buy are these more expensive second hand bikes from the home dealers. Those who don't know, think these are normal prices for second hand bikes.
In places where you don't have these home dealers, you can find cheap bikes. Where you have these home dealers, second hand bikes are expensive.
So when an ordinary average person looks for a second hand bike, on the rare occasion they see a cheap bike, it is sold before they have a chance to buy it. The only bikes they can buy are these more expensive second hand bikes from the home dealers. Those who don't know, think these are normal prices for second hand bikes.
In places where you don't have these home dealers, you can find cheap bikes. Where you have these home dealers, second hand bikes are expensive.
My problem for the last few years is winnowing down my resale inventory which takes up about 3.5 garage bays because I don't have time, my hands can hurt, and I have my eyes on a new set of wheels which need a garage bay. Today making money as a as a respectable and honest bike flipper is nearly impossible. A set of basic road tires is $36, $72 if you mount Panaracers. Asking prices for junk bikes is high, both on line and at estate sales. Parts and parts shipping have increased considerably as well.
Market price is set by buyer and seller, but the buyer has the upper hand. Lately, road bikes have been unpopular and large MTBs fly out the door. A reversal in consumer demand over the last 5 years.
I have bought only 3 bikes since 2017, a Bianchi MTB, and Ironman, and a Miehle Mixte.
If you can't find deals near you, bring a 26' box truck and I can set you up at my cost!
Last edited by oddjob2; 04-20-20 at 06:28 PM.
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04-20-20, 06:43 PM
#98
Still learning
This "pensioneer", in age only, sold this for $300 today. My cost IIRC is $65 +/- for the base bike, purchased from PedalTraveler. I built it up for my own use a few years ago, but road it only 10-12 times. Parts include a complete Suntour Superb group, Nitto custom stem, new Continental tires, all new consumables, etc. So the fmv for the parts kit is probably $175 +/-, making my profit about what a basic bike tune up runs. The local bike non-profit, if they were open would get $550 for it.
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04-20-20, 11:01 PM
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......The only bikes they can buy are these more expensive second hand bikes from the home dealers. Those who don't know, think these are normal prices for second hand bikes.
In places where you don't have these home dealers, you can find cheap bikes. Where you have these home dealers, second hand bikes are expensive......
Most people only need (or want) one bike.......Seems to me that anyone looking for "bikes" to buy, wants to resell them.
04-21-20, 03:44 AM
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PT Barnum was correct.
