Foo - Does the economy still suck?

Craigslist has been terrible lately for trying to sell anything. From bicycles to electronics to other strange and unique items, I've received almost zero interest in anything. It didn't use to be that way.

Has anyone out there had better luck taking a bicycle apart and selling all the parts individually than they had trying to sell the whole bicycle? That's what I'm considering.

Yes, is still pretty sucky...

Yes, is still pretty sucky...

Well that figures. I got bored at 3am last night and took the bicycle apart anyways.

There are a lot of people hurting right now, but also a lot of people who are still doing fine and looking to take advantage. You probably aren't going to get the price you want unless it is a fire sale.

I just sold a Trek Navigator 1.0 on Craigslist but had to lower my price twice, started at $250, then $225 and then $200 and it sold. I had it up for 3 weeks and maybe a dozen calls in all but only 2 serious ones. Only one had cash, the other wanted me to take a check - cash won.

I sold a couple cheap parts today, got a couple inquiries on some of my better parts, but nothing substantial. It seems like people will still buy $10 and $20 items from time to time, but they're hesitant to spend more than that.

The economy still does suck, however I think its causing the used equipment market to soar. For instance (7+ years ago) I remember being able to pop on ebay and pick up a descent hardtail alu mtb frame for $60+shipping, now its hard to come close to that. I recently bought an entire used bike just to part it for what I wanted. I think bike part prices have BOOMED to the point Im considering thinning out the heard for some $. BUT if I want to build something its going to cost me a lot of money. I think we are in for another 10 years until we have rebounded, and until then its a buyers market for most anything, and a lot of stores will go under.

My LBS closed down a few weeks ago, sadly missed, the owner just said that there is no money about these days, but i guess it could be worse, just take a look at Greece.

Craigslist has been terrible lately

eBay.

Technically the economy is in 'recovery'. And things are actually getting better, I see it in my business. But try telling that to the millions of people who have been out of work for a year or two or who have given up. So even though we're not double-dipping (real estate's continuing woes notwithstanding), yes, the economy still sucks in many ways. The earthquake in Japan and this Euro PIIG country (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece) Euro-currency threatening clusterfark doesn't help. Those are serious headwinds we didn't need in 2011.

Let's hope 2012 is better, because this does suck. But it really could have been far, far worse.

Good points. It could definitely be worse, and one day it probably will be.

I think I'm actually going to just go donate some of my stuff to the local community cycling group. I'd rather give it away to someone that needs it than sell it to craigslist lowballers.

As for ebay, I have an ebay account, but I really hate shipping and paypal. I've considered it, but eh...