Sy Reene

I would think doing a used bike shop would bring a lot more potential liability, unless you're really good at inspections and servicing. Same would go even for the ebay flipper-type. Quite unlike selling antiques.
At least with new, you have the backing of the bike brand you're authorized to sell.

Ironfish653

Most of the used-bike outfits I've dealt with, and the bikes I've flipped myself tend to be more of the 'consumer-grade' recreation-type bikes, sold to folks who are looking for a bike to 'kick around' on, or, at most for basic transportation. It's not like a bicycle is a particularly complicated machine, nor are these particular bikes going to be subject to highly demanding use.

For individual sellers, the expectation it that the bikes are 'as-is' although, I try to make sure there's nothing significantly wrong with them (I wouldn't sell a bike i wouldn't ride, and anything that's in really bad shape typically becomes a parts donor for other bikes) Most people who go shopping second-hand gear aren't looking for warranty and after-sale support as their primary requirement; but you don't want to get a reputation for selling janky, over-priced junk as a seller, especially if you're a brick-and-mortar, or even a home-based reseller.

Me, I flip and sell bikes on an 'as found' basis, to raise funds for other bike-related projects, so it's definitely not a business, I just sell the occasional bike from time to time.
The guys at the shop, are all about putting good, reliable, affordable bikes into the community, and the stuff they sell is usually basic, but top-notch, as far as condition. They put their name on those bikes, and know that the reputation of the shop goes along with that.

Sy Reene

Never exclude the possibility that some people will attempt a lawsuit if they think there's even a tiny chance they could win. Your expectations may not match theirs.

Rolla

And most will quickly realize that to actually litigate a liability case against someone who sold them a used bike is expensive, time-consuming, and seldom yields the outcome they fantasize about. Typically, purchases of used goods from private parties are "as is," and the buyer assumes all responsibility. Any shop selling bikes, whether new or used, is probably smart enough to carry commercial general and/or product liability insurance; it isn't very expensive.

Cyclist0108

Burning Man

Sy Reene

Yeah, not sure. You buy a bike from an ebay seller with 500+ ratings (doesn't even have to be all or mostly bike sales). Is that seller a private party or a business?
Random example, this bike:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/36361643670...YAAOSwIuNhi0p3

Rolla

Whether or not you are a "business" isn't determined by the number of sales you make. It's usually determined by whether you are selling items you have purchased for the purpose of reselling, or making items in order to sell them. If you are a business under those circumstances you should buy product liability insurance.

But Ironfish653, the poster you warned of possible lawsuits, stated that he "just sells the occasional bike from time to time," which makes him a private party selling "as is," and thus the buyer assumes responsibility.

Sy Reene

Not sure. He uses the phrase 'flipping' and doing so to raise funds for other ventures. That sounds like a profit-making enterprise. Is this a business? I have no idea how this would be viewed in court if one of those flipped bikes had the brakes fail and the buyer ends up in traction for 6 months. All of course hypothetical -- all I'm suggesting is to be wary.

Rolla

And all I'm suggesting is that it's a lot easier to file a lawsuit than it is to win one.

ClydeClydeson

Rent a storefront and put a sign that says 'USED BIKES' above the door, and you will quickly have many people bringing you their unwanted bikes to sell. Some might be stolen, but second hand/thrift shops often have some policy in place to prevent this, such as requiring IDs for people selling their bikes, or working with local police to find bikes that have been reported stolen. Other stores may have lots of stolen bikes in stock and the owners are perfectly happy existing as evil sleazebags.

Another place to get used bikes is police auctions, although buying a lot of 25 bikes from a police auction may or may not get you a single ridable bike - most wind up in the custody of police after they are abandoned, and ridable bikes are seldom abandoned. Most bodies of water near cities will also give up untold numbers of bikes if dredged, and you definitely don't want a bike retrieved from the bottom of the ocean.

2old

There'a a co-op in my burg that has a ton of used bikes for sale as well as new and old parts. They have about four or so mechanics working there at all times too. AFAIK, everything used is donated. Some bikes are repaired and sold, some broken down and sold as parts. Wouldn't take much to get a store like that going IMO.

Calsun

There were many such shops until Wal-Mart entered the market with cheap bikes from China. Most of the people I have dealt with are extremely reluctant to sell anything on Craigslist and have strangers come to their house. Others cannot be bothered and will sell it to a used bike shop or gift it to a charity. We have millions of Americans who can barely afford rent and food much less the expense of an automobile and cheap bicycles are very much a necessity for them and not a hobby.