Many of you here are far more connected and familiar with the cycling community in Orange County than I could ever hope to be. So, I would like your suggestions.
There is a non-profit called Mentor Me. Mentor Me is an organization that is setup to mentor boys without fathers. In addition to riding I am also into Traditional Archery and gave a class for Mentor Me for a group of ten boys ranging in age from five (my grandson's age) up to 12 at a local archery shop. They all went home with Bulls Eyes! Mentor Me sponsors rides for the boys and other father / son type activities that any boy would enjoy like fishing or ?????
Mentor Me supports itself with a small second hand shop in Orange, but most of their support comes through the sale of donated bicycles, which the boys themselves clean up and repair and also have the opportunity to earn a bike of their own by participating.
Where would a good source be for quality older used bicycles for Mentor Me. Right now they keep getting the department store bikes that one would expect, but most of these bikes are not money makers and are sold for $ 5.00 or given away to needy families. If they could sell a bike at $ 200.00 that would be huge for them. Craigslist is my first thought.
Suggestions?
alicestrong
02-14-08, 08:20 PM
That's a tough one. Frankly? Competition for quality older used bicycles is fairly steep right now, especially older road bikes. Have you looked at craigslist prices lately? There are deals to be had, but they are few and far between and take someone willing to sit and watch the ads as they come up and call immediately. Who has time for that except the highly motivated?
Sometimes eBay local only pick ups can be deals, but again, who is going to take the time to look?
The BikeOven Highland Park is in the same situation. Most of the donated bikes are junkers.
Not to sound cynical, but anyone who has the answer to this question most likely is not going to tell YOU. They would go buy the bikes for themselves and flip them...:p
So I would say...Advertise someplace local? Old bikes wanted? And hope you get lucky...
Allez Oops
02-14-08, 08:48 PM
Check with your local police department. Seems like I've heard of auctions where recovered stolen bikes are sold in lots.
prendrefeu
02-14-08, 09:04 PM
that would be http://www.stealitback.com
alicestrong
02-15-08, 07:48 AM
...and everybody and their third cousin knows about it and has been there.
That's a "grab bag" at best...
Thrift Stores and Estate Sales can pay off, but once again...who exactly is the person willing to take all the time that entails and then donate the bikes??
hmmmmm
prendrefeu
02-15-08, 08:00 AM
Yes, as Alice is pointing out - it's a grab-bag. The tough thing about the police auction site is that the auction is extended for a day so long as people keep bidding. The auctions only end when there has been no additional bids for 24hr hours - so sometimes they can go on forever... Quite a pain in the ass, actually.
You can, though, go directly to your local PD and say that this is for a non-profit. Or perhaps contact the website yourself in the same aspect. The local law enforcement, if anything, LOVES publicity shots of themselves helping out kids. To them, stolen bike + kid in need + smiling cop photographed not beating up a homeless person or someone of color(s) = win! hehehe
Another idea: call up the Bicycle Kitchen out in Los Angeles and see about their methods of bicycle acquisition. It's mostly donations, but they may be able to offer a few ideas/leads. I do recall that last year - twice, I think - they held 'donation days' at the local REIs across Los Angeles. REI worked in conjunction to generate flyers for the event. Friends of mine who were stationed at the various REIs each reported between 15 - 30 bikes donated per day (from each REI!) Not too bad, eh?
So long as the organisation is 501c3'd, people will be more likely to donate. Tax write-off for 2008 (it will not count for the 2007 taxes).
alicestrong
02-15-08, 08:31 AM
Stay local. That would be the OC. Remember, at this point we're all fishing off the same boat, so to speak.
Forget any groups already tied up with government contracts.
Cultivating good relationships and associations with local bike shops, Clubs, other local businesses could pay off.
prendrefeu
02-15-08, 12:05 PM
Cultivating good relationships and associations with local bike shops, Clubs, other local businesses could pay off.
+1 ma-zillion.
They WILL pay off.
Allez Oops
02-15-08, 01:20 PM
alice, I remember Tony at Bicycle Ambulance talking about how they would buy used bikes in lots on a regular basis to refurbish. I thought he said he was getting them from a police auction, but maybe he has another source?
Actually, fthomas, you might want to give Tony a call and run your situation by him. He's a real good guy, and might be able to steer you toward some possibilities.
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