Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Good deal or Bad Deal? Schwiin SS on CL

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/bik/2450049920.html

Heres the listing for a Schwinn Super Sport I found on craigslist. I would plan on flipping it if I bought it.. Given that whats the most I should pay to make a decent profit?

Thanks

In general, bikes with flip potential do not last long enough for a "hey is this a good deal?" response. Marginal as a flip. Really depends on frame/paint condition. Do you have the time/tools/aptitude to do all the work yourself? Jumbo size hurts as well.

Really depends on your market, took me a year to sell my last jumbo sized SS, and it was in near NOS condition with flawless paint.

And what is your target margin requirement on flips?

Myself, in this market, I would pass. By the time I fully rehabbed it, paid for the parts, etc., I would be under my target margin.

Good deal for an end user with the tools and time to do the rehab.

Do you have the time/tools/aptitude to do all the work yourself? Jumbo size hurts as well.

And what is your target margin requirement on flips?

Myself, in this market, I would pass. By the time I fully rehabbed it, paid for the parts, etc., I would be under my target margin.

Good deal for an end user with the tools and time to do the rehab.

Appreciate the response! As far as tools/time/aptitude, I've got plenty of each! College student looking to start flipping bikes as a side job in order to avoid getting a real part-time job. Also have almost all the tools I'd ever need.

By target margain requirement I assume you mean how much profit I'd like to make? Haven't thought about it, but $50-$100 dollars on a bike would be nice, but I'd be happy just staying in the black lol.

If you wouldn't mind I'd like to hear how you (or others for that matter) go about flipping bikes!

Thanks

.... but I'd be happy just staying in the black lol.



Then this could be a good choice. You won't make much if anything on this particular bike after a full rehab.

The best way to make a profit is educate yourself and buy a better or at least a mid grade bike at a rock bottom-garage sale price. - Then you'll have a little leeway on purchasing all the new expendables.
Purchasing these in bulk will substantially increase your margin - check on-line discount sites like Niagara but always look the deals for what you need - Practically every site offers deals on something from time to time.

Lastly, go out of your way to MARKET your product - large, good quality photos go a long way to help your prospects immeasurably on CL

Read the flip 101 thread.

Once you get the system down (how to market a bike, how to prep it for sale, how to manage/control cost of consumables and parts), the money is made when you acquire a bike. Pay too much, and you won't make money, and there is no margin for error. Part of managing parts cost is picking up donor bikes. That means you need a lot of room for spare parts if you get very serious about it.

Its actually pretty tough to routinely get full market value out of a bike. Marketing and presentation cannot be over-emphasized.

Hard to make as much on bikes as you would from a part time job, when you include the cost and time spent chasing after deals. Flipping really works best as a hobby. I do better flipping other stuff, bikes are just the icing on the cake.

+1 To Auchen's comment: if you are going to flip many bikes, you have to jump on the on-line deals when they pop up. I just loaded up on 700c tires, less than $6.50 a tire, delivered to my door. I am pretty patient waiting on deals, and then I buy in bulk.

+1 Aim for mid grade bikes, and figure out where you can find them at a low price. My first three flips were bikes I bought for $10 each at garage sales. Those flips paid for tools, parts, and several of my next flips.

...flipping really works best as a hobby. ...

qft