Best route to sell high end road bike (S-Works Tarmac)
#51
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Hey, is this one of the bikes that just got recalled?
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Sp...Injury-Hazards
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Sp...Injury-Hazards
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#53
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If I were the OP I would also be considering selling it. I love bikes, and high-end race bikes are super cool, but yeah... this is way more bike than I would ever need. I can think of a lot of other things I'd rather spend that cash on.
As for how to sell it - this is a bit tricky. My first stop would be to talk to local shops and also reach out to local race teams. I'm in a big city so there's more options on this front, but not everyone is in that situation. Beyond that, I would get a quote from Pro's Closet. You'll pay a premium to them, but it's the most hassle-free option. If I didn't like the price they were offering, I'd consider Ebay, but honestly unless you're willing to pay a service to list it, or you're already an Ebay power user this seems like a longshot to attract serious buyers. I definitely would avoid CL and FB Marketplace - most people will assume it's a stolen bike and respond accordingly with skepticism and/or lowball offers.
If selling the complete bike doesn't get any bites, I'd consider parting it out. This would also allow me to keep parts that would be useful for me, and sell the rest.
Someone mentioned donating it and this seems like a really good option to me as well. There are several bike co-ops in my area that run shops and fund local youth race programs. Between them and associated race teams, I would assume they could sell a bike like this and use the proceeds to fund their mission.
As for how to sell it - this is a bit tricky. My first stop would be to talk to local shops and also reach out to local race teams. I'm in a big city so there's more options on this front, but not everyone is in that situation. Beyond that, I would get a quote from Pro's Closet. You'll pay a premium to them, but it's the most hassle-free option. If I didn't like the price they were offering, I'd consider Ebay, but honestly unless you're willing to pay a service to list it, or you're already an Ebay power user this seems like a longshot to attract serious buyers. I definitely would avoid CL and FB Marketplace - most people will assume it's a stolen bike and respond accordingly with skepticism and/or lowball offers.
If selling the complete bike doesn't get any bites, I'd consider parting it out. This would also allow me to keep parts that would be useful for me, and sell the rest.
Someone mentioned donating it and this seems like a really good option to me as well. There are several bike co-ops in my area that run shops and fund local youth race programs. Between them and associated race teams, I would assume they could sell a bike like this and use the proceeds to fund their mission.
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#54
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Hopefully you find someone local. Dealing with selling a bike on eBay or other solutions that will require you to ship the bike is likely going to be a pain. The Pro's Closet will be foolproof but they're likely to take a healthy cut.
I recommend just asking local cycling groups. This is a very desirable bike in a common size and it's an insane seller's market right now. I think you'll find that someone local will happily take it off your hands for close the retail. Have the bike shop put out the word. It's actually the perfect time for you to have this "problem". What a nice problem to have!
I recommend just asking local cycling groups. This is a very desirable bike in a common size and it's an insane seller's market right now. I think you'll find that someone local will happily take it off your hands for close the retail. Have the bike shop put out the word. It's actually the perfect time for you to have this "problem". What a nice problem to have!
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#55
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I'm not a tax lawyer, but I bet you could make a good case for paying tax based on what you actually sold it for, instead of its 'supposed' value.
For a top-of-the-world bike, a world market is the place to sell it, meaning eBay, for the most exposure.
If you've ridden it at all yet, no harm in riding it some more in the meantime.
For a top-of-the-world bike, a world market is the place to sell it, meaning eBay, for the most exposure.
If you've ridden it at all yet, no harm in riding it some more in the meantime.
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The Pro's Closet apparently already offered a low amount for it. So, it seems it would be worthwhile to try ebay first.
The bike shop is going to put zero effort into selling somebody else's bike.
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Turn this question around. "If I were looking for a bike like this, where would I look?" ... Ebay. Bought two great bikes on Ebay.
#60
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Though maybe OP could arrange some sort of consignment deal; put it on a Spesh dealer's floor for sale and they keep 30% or thereabouts. Since the bike was an award, I don't know how or what warranty coverage would apply though. If OP has a dated document of some sort (since there's no "receipt"), if he sells to another party, that person at least gets 2 years coverage.
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??? He didn't put $15k into anything.
If it's such a problem winning the thing, why even take a chance?
Clearly, a $15k cash prize is more valuable but that wasn't the prize (so, it's irrelevant).
Giving a $15k bike away didn't cost Specialized $15k.
It the prize isn't what you want, don't enter the contest. You already know it's not your "dream bike".
No, not necessarily. Given that it's a free car (outside of taxes), many people might just keep it. Keeping what you win only if it's exactly what you want isn't the only option.
Cars are a different thing away since there is a well-established market for second hand ones.
If it's such a problem winning the thing, why even take a chance?
Clearly, a $15k cash prize is more valuable but that wasn't the prize (so, it's irrelevant).
Giving a $15k bike away didn't cost Specialized $15k.
It the prize isn't what you want, don't enter the contest. You already know it's not your "dream bike".
No, not necessarily. Given that it's a free car (outside of taxes), many people might just keep it. Keeping what you win only if it's exactly what you want isn't the only option.
Cars are a different thing away since there is a well-established market for second hand ones.
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Why would you NOT enter a free, no obligation contest to win something of considerable value? I've entered all sorts of freebie competitions similar to this with no intention of keeping the prize. Of course he won't get the full $15k for it, but it's not exactly worthless. As you said he put nothing into it, but that doesn't make any difference whatsoever to his opportunity cost i.e. halo bike vs large pile of cash.
No one said it was worthless.
Since he doesn’t want it, his options are to sell it or give it away. I don’t think giving it away makes sense.
So, the question is really how to sell it.
That wasn't my point. It's all about opportunity cost. Not many people actually want to put $15k into a bike when they could use the cash for something else that they want more. It would be different if this was the dream bike that you would have bought had you won a $15k cash prize.
Last edited by njkayaker; 11-22-21 at 02:35 PM.
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#63
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I would list the bike on ebay with a super-high BIN price, and also list it on my local CL at the actual price. A smart buyer will see the ebay listing and check CL for the seller's location. I know I've bought a few things that way to avoid the ebay fees, which would be real money on a bike like this. If I didn't get any interest on my local CL, I would create multiple listings for metros within driving distance. If that didn't work, I'd create listings for the top ~30 metros and ship it. It's not that hard or expensive to ship a bike.
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I was going to suggest FB Marketplace as a long shot. At least there are no fees.
It is really hard to get a high end bike right now, even in the off season. Parts are hard to get, too. I have been waiting forever for some SRAM parts, just like those on that bike. Personally, parting out is too much a pain for me. I have been following bikes like this on The Pros Closet and e-Bay. I'd love to have a bike like that in my size, they sell and at a decent price. I would be shocked if OP could not sell it easily.
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#66
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I have bought and sold dozens of things on CL. Sure you get some lowballers, but it's not that hard to delete those emails. At the high-end people are usually fellow bike nerds. I still keep in touch with a few guys I bought bikes from years ago. I don't use anything facebook because it's a horrible company.
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I'm not sure what the bike shop markups are, but they'll be somewhere between 50% and 100%. So, a $15K bike will cost the shop $7.5K to $10K. They won't be interested in paying more (other than the COVID crunch). Having the history is good, but many shops also don't like buying used for the risk of acquiring stolen merchandise.
If one can rationally do the donation, I like that. Or, perhaps offer it as a prize for a mid-summer local road race. I'm not sure what the current age classes are. It used to be Midgets, Juniors, Intermediates, etc.
But, offer it to the under 19 group?
Fastest under 19 INDEPENDENT rider that finishes on a STEEL bike?
So many of the big prizes are sucked up by the elite riders when it is really the young ones that would most cherish or benefit from the prize.
You might see if there are any amateur cycling competition teams for very young adults and older teens and see if there are any in need of a good bike. Some youth and young adults really struggle to get good bikes since they don't have their careers yet to have a decent income.
Maybe ask at some of the bike shops if they know of any or check on the dreaded FB or what ever it is now.
Maybe ask at some of the bike shops if they know of any or check on the dreaded FB or what ever it is now.
But, offer it to the under 19 group?
Fastest under 19 INDEPENDENT rider that finishes on a STEEL bike?
So many of the big prizes are sucked up by the elite riders when it is really the young ones that would most cherish or benefit from the prize.
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Anyway, we appear to agree that he isn't nuts to be selling it. Which was my original point in response to some other poster.
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Selling it is very reasonable.
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I have bought and sold dozens of things on CL. Sure you get some lowballers, but it's not that hard to delete those emails. At the high-end people are usually fellow bike nerds. I still keep in touch with a few guys I bought bikes from years ago. I don't use anything facebook because it's a horrible company.
#72
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Yep, bought and sold both cars and motorcycles worth at least as much as that bike and more complicated because you have the title transfer to deal with. The most expensive bike I bought off CL was $3500, and it was a delightful experience for both of us. In fact, the nicer the stuff the better the transaction experience because you're dealing with people who know what they are buying/selling.
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I would not sell that bike. I'd keep it and enjoy many hours of glorious road rides.
If you insist on selling the bike, give pinkbike a try. They seem to be a good place to sell high end bikes.
If you insist on selling the bike, give pinkbike a try. They seem to be a good place to sell high end bikes.
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Sold my 2018 (Also a Tarmac S Works Di2 disc ) last year in December for 8k on marketplace. It sold in 2 days for my full asking price - difference is mine had a few miles on it - i never dreamed it would sell so quickly, it made me wonder if i should have asked for 9k --- but full bore retail on that particlar bike was maybe 12,500 -
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It may be that if people find out the bike shop will sell them a bike maybe in 2023...
Then they'll jump on the opportunity to buy one now.
Winter is a hard season, but Christmas is coming soon, and Spring is just around the corner.
Then they'll jump on the opportunity to buy one now.
Winter is a hard season, but Christmas is coming soon, and Spring is just around the corner.
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