Road Cycling - Fuji on ebay, a good deal I think?

I was reading some thread about ebay being overpriced and people paying over retail for things that are used. I understand this completely and it bothers me too, but sometimes I see things that are decent deals, or too good to be true and I wonder how legit they are.

I just saw this auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3690302033&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting
This bike has a by it now price of $399, and it is brand new.

If you go to Fuji's site, you will see this bike has a retail price of $600:
http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=11&yr=2004

I'm wondering how they can sell the bike at $200 under retail. Why would they do this? I was thinking that they had stolen property, but apparently they are a bike store chain, with several locations and they will give lifetime service with the thing. The only catch is you have to pick it up at one of their 3 shops, fully built(good thing). Too bad I live in california, I would serious consider this bike. Oh and they have the same bike for the same price in two more sizes.

Im starting to think my used 80's cannondale was not worth the $200 I paid for it. Also, I want a steel road bike. No more aluminum for me.

Be willing to bet thats what they have in it and need to sell it to rasie $$$ for the 2005 models coming out soon

i saw that bike many times on ebay. i emailed him about the shipping arrangements and he basically said that its ONLY for local pickups because they have a contract with Fuji

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I'm wondering how they can sell the bike at $200 under retail. Why would they do this? I was thinking that they had stolen property, but apparently they are a bike store chain, with several locations and they will give lifetime service with the thing. The only catch is you have to pick it up at one of their 3 shops, fully built(good thing). Too bad I live in california, I would serious consider this bike. Oh and they have the same bike for the same price in two more sizes.
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Many times the bigger bike chains, like Performance Bike, will buy up all the remaining inventory of a distributor at a deep discount. They can then sell the bikes at a profit but still significantly less than retail.

i saw that bike many times on ebay. i emailed him about the shipping arrangements and he basically said that its ONLY for local pickups because they have a contract with Fuji


If you look at Sheldon Brown's website, you'll see that they sell some of their bikes over the internet, but not Fuji. For the Fuji's, you have to pick them up from the store.

I bought a Fuji Finest from my local Performance for $420.

So, $399 is a reasonable price.

Keep in mind, $600 is all about Marketing. Fuji lists that so when you see it for $400, you jump at the offer.

I was reading some thread about ebay being overpriced and people paying over retail for things that are used. I understand this completely and it bothers me too, but sometimes I see things that are decent deals, or too good to be true and I wonder how legit they are.

I just saw this auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3690302033&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting
This bike has a by it now price of $399, and it is brand new.

If you go to Fuji's site, you will see this bike has a retail price of $600:
http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=11&yr=2004

I'm wondering how they can sell the bike at $200 under retail. Why would they do this? I was thinking that they had stolen property, but apparently they are a bike store chain, with several locations and they will give lifetime service with the thing. The only catch is you have to pick it up at one of their 3 shops, fully built(good thing). Too bad I live in california, I would serious consider this bike. Oh and they have the same bike for the same price in two more sizes.

Im starting to think my used 80's cannondale was not worth the $200 I paid for it. Also, I want a steel road bike. No more aluminum for me.

I got a 2003 version from Cyclespectrum in AZ last February for the same price. I've been happy with mine after 1100 miles.

I got a 2003 version from Cyclespectrum in AZ last February for the same price. I've been happy with mine after 1100 miles.
no issues?

Have you blown any spokes?

Keep in mind, $600 is all about Marketing. Fuji lists that so when you see it for $400, you jump at the offer.

what's bad is when they sell a bike for > MSRP. For example, my LBS, Big Shark in St Louis, sells the Bianchi Axis for $1350 (and were quite standoffish when i told them that their price was greater than MSRP), whereas all the other stores in the state sell it for $1250-$1299 or thereabouts. MSRP is $1299. That's why i went with a Fuji bike, which i bought for approx. $400 off MSRP.

I was reading some thread about ebay being overpriced and people paying over retail for things that are used. I understand this completely and it bothers me too, but sometimes I see things that are decent deals, or too good to be true and I wonder how legit they are.

If you keep your wits about you, you can do really well buying a bicycle (or just about anything else) on eBay. You can also get royally done over buying a bicycle (or just about anything else) on eBay. I've done it both ways, and IMHO, there are a few key things to keep in mind...

Know what your want.
Know what the thing's market worth is versus how much it's worth to YOU.
Don't get carried away with enthusiasm over what looks like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.