General Cycling Discussion - Flipping bikes via Craigslist

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white_feather
05-28-08, 10:57 PM
I have been able to pick up a few bikes on craigslist in the past several weeks. Yesterday I made a killer find. I got a Trek 700 for $15. How long should I wait to list it back on Craigslist for $100? I did clean it up alot. Mostly just old road grime. Cleaned and lubed the chain. Stuff like that. Is there a protocal?

StephenH
05-28-08, 11:06 PM
If the original seller was just a person disposing of an unused bike, they probably aren't watching the "bike for sale" listings anyway, so it's a moot point.

If a deal like that was too good, I'd be leary of a stolen bike.
white_feather
05-28-08, 11:30 PM
It isn't stolen. I was just lucky. She really didn't think people bought used bikes that were a decade old. While I was there many people called and asked about it. She said she should have asked more for it but didn't think. I missed a Bianchi last week for $15.

mlts22
05-29-08, 12:37 AM
Can't hurt to flip it. Fix it up into ridable condition, sell it for $250, and let yourself be "bargained down" to 100. Buyer thinks they made out, you know you robbed them blind. =)
maddyfish
05-29-08, 05:27 AM
Sell now. $15 deals were the norm here last year, this year though the value of used bikes has gone up alot. A bike I used to sell last year for $25-$35 will sell now for more than $50.
Whatsisname
05-30-08, 11:44 PM
ride it off a cliff please.
pista
05-31-08, 01:13 AM
I've never been able to find a nice bike at a good price on craigslist. Once, I was looking at a Colgnago and realized that I could buy it new for the same money the guy was asking. Good bye!
bbattle
05-31-08, 04:45 AM
CL is a crapshoot unless you really know your bikes AND the description/pics are halfway decent. Too often, it's just "Bike for Sale, $100" and then a grainy cellphone pic of a Free Spirit or Schwinn Varsity.