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If you live in or near a bigger city they may have a police impound auction... this is where abandoned, stolen and recovered but not claimed bikes, and any bike involved in a crime or acident go. Just try a good search for bicycle auction and you city, state, or town. I go to one about every three months. large universitys also have lots of abandoned bikes... just inquire what they do with them. They are a fun experience... and I've seen some crappy bikes go for way to much and gotten some good deals on nicer highend stuff... problem is you never know what your going to get and you don't get much time to inspect the bikes and some you have to just take on faith by the looks of the crapy pictures.
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What about this women's type of bike? I am a new to flipping, so I'm not sure if these sell quite as well as men's bikes.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=195334 Thanks |
The Bike was "Firenze"
Originally Posted by nightshift
(Post 12026859)
i don't think you understood what the purpose of the list i was suggesting would be.
Many of us would accept a free bike, or purchase a very cheap bike, for parts, even if the bike itself had little or no resale value. We might build it up and give it away, trade it for other parts, or donate it to a bicycle co-op after talking the parts we were after. But there are some bikes that should not be ridden, bikes that pose an unacceptable risk to the rider. You don't donate cables that you know are likely to break, brakes that won't stop a bike, a stem that cracks under normal use, a frame where the drop-outs may pull out while you're riding, or anything else you have reason to believe is inherently unsafe. I count next and vertical as inherently unsafe. I've seen enough huffy's that were just as bad that i will gladly avoid them, even if they're free. I don't consider murray as bad, but that may just be because i don't have as much knowledge and experience with whatever issues they have. I know almost nothing about modern/semi-modern columbias, but after tom's post i will be extremely cautious about accepting one should i encounter one. I remember hearing about a brand of bike that had been a give away item with the purchase of stereo equipment, because the importer found out they didn't meet the safety standards to be sold in the usa, but it was still legal to give them away (if someone remembers the brand please post, i've forgotten). If you know a product that should be avoided, even if it's free, that's what i'm asking about. |
Originally Posted by wrk101
(Post 12424127)
Forget it, not a good candidate. Even if you got it for free, there is very little upside on a step through model like that one. Pass.
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I'm new to flipping, but was wondering whether any of you had any experience with increasing the amount of gears (ie:from 5 to 6 - to keep the same chain) Is it worthwhile? Is there naything else, aside from bar tape, tires, and tubes that you find help to increase the bikes' values?
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I do home remodeling. When people see a dumpster in their yard, they start cleaning out the basement/garage. I have gotten a dozen free bikes by being willing to "clean that up for you." Right place, right time. Right now I have a great little British 3 speed waiting for a home, but I can't bring myself to sell it.
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Originally Posted by septacycles
(Post 12389991)
While I do not buy cheap bikes such as next, murry, huffy, or magna individually... I often get them as part of wholesale bike loads I buy at auction. I usually will buy a bulk lot if there are a few good bikes in it. The cheap ones I keep around for parts and a few times a year I sell them individually at a local action house or on craigslist as a lot of 5 to 10 bike. I do not put any time into fixing them beyond seperating the ones that are ridable vs. once are only good for parts or scarp. I'm a firm believer in quality products but not everyone can afford quality and sometime people need a $25 to $50 bike just to get them around.
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WOW, I just found this thread and it's right up my ally.
I found these bikes and was wondering if any would be good flippers. What do you think, how would you rate these candidates? Proflex - $75 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=203219 Norco Bigfoot - $60 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=203218 '96 Specialized Stumpjumper - $65 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=203217 96ish Specialized Allez - $200 Complete RSX group http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=203216 |
Proflex, later bought by K2, was considered an innovator in full suspension. But full suspension at that time wasn't very good. It could make a decent comfort bike. I'd probably ask $100 to $125 if I was selling it, and might accept $75. I don't know what the market you're dealing with is like, but I doubt you'd see much profit out of the Proflex
I'm not that familiar with the Norco. I'll let someone else comment on that one. The Stumpjumper might be OK. Around here I could probably sell it for $125, maybe $150 (cleaned and regreased, with 1.5" slicks, and new cables) as a commuter or campus bike. It'd probably fall short of the $100 many of the flippers are trying for, but if you can check to make (reasonably) sure you aren't going to run into complications and you can take a little time finding a buyer you can turn a profit, and it shouldn't take much effort. Again, I'm basing this on my market, yours may be different. If the STIs on the Allez are in near perfect condition and the rest of the bike is in good condition it'd be a good option. But check the brifters very closely. If they have any problem it could be hard just trying to get what you spent out of it. |
Thanks NightShift. The Proflex is sold and I'm not going to get the Specialized Stumpjumper, so maybe the Norco. I have to see what components are on it.
Ian |
Originally Posted by bigbossman
(Post 8127760)
I'll take a free Walmart bike - if the cables, housings, chain, tires and tubes are good. They are a good source for consumables.
I would agree if you're trying to make $$$ off the bike, probably not a good idea to buy a "Walmart bike"...but, again, as a cheapy backup.....I'd take one all day, if it saves my Caad9 from getting lifted? And YOU would too. |
Well, even wallmart bikes have value to a scrape dealer. Donated some frames and was allowed to part out a few bikes sitting in the pile. I showed him some frames to save if he had the time. Probably created a new flipper. He says he'll save some for me.
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im new to the whole pedal bike world, but ive bought/sold motorcycle and vintage car parts, and still do, and this is what i do for forum members. when im on a forum, and everybody shares a common intrest, i sell low for take offs that i will never use (turn signals, grab bars, air filter boxes and electronics for scoots). when i was building my bobber, i sold my stock take offs for a couple bucks less than what ebay has listed for the same condition as mine, ensuring a quick sell and a happy customer. my parts ship free through my dads work, so i automaticly (sp?) make profit. i bought a chopper seat on CL the other day for $10, its listed at 110 shipped, and ill take 90 on it, because then thats $80 in pocket. moral of the story, dont rip people off, make sure they know what they are buying and be sure to point out any defects/flaws. repeat customer and everyone knows you do good buisness and cut deals/ are negotionable once again, ensuring repeat costomers.
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Nice to meet you, volcomskater77.
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Flippers are no higher than the eBay parasites who don't actually need or want an item or component. They serve themselves and complicate those who are looking for a choice bike or component for their own use. I wish you guys would meet an an old drive-in theater and keep away from the stuff people need on an individual basis.
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I don't see that. They do cherry pick the market. What did you lose out on that anyone here didn't have a chance to get to first?
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Originally Posted by Gyro_T
(Post 12909566)
Flippers are no higher than the eBay parasites who don't actually need or want an item or component. They serve themselves and complicate those who are looking for a choice bike or component for their own use. I wish you guys would meet an an old drive-in theater and keep away from the stuff people need on an individual basis.
I bought a 2009 Trek 6000, 2007 Devinci St. Tropez and a cheap Jamis all for $300. I sold the Devinci for $280, so I am going to make a tidy profit, what is wrong with this? The bikes or components are available to all who look at the ads. Besides, there are so many bikes out in the market that there are plenty to go around. Ian |
Originally Posted by volcomskater77
(Post 12893426)
im new to the whole pedal bike world, but ive bought/sold motorcycle and vintage car parts, and still do, and this is what i do for forum members. when im on a forum, and everybody shares a common intrest, i sell low for take offs that i will never use (turn signals, grab bars, air filter boxes and electronics for scoots). when i was building my bobber, i sold my stock take offs for a couple bucks less than what ebay has listed for the same condition as mine, ensuring a quick sell and a happy customer. my parts ship free through my dads work, so i automaticly (sp?) make profit. i bought a chopper seat on CL the other day for $10, its listed at 110 shipped, and ill take 90 on it, because then thats $80 in pocket. moral of the story, dont rip people off, make sure they know what they are buying and be sure to point out any defects/flaws. repeat customer and everyone knows you do good buisness and cut deals/ are negotionable once again, ensuring repeat costomers.
Just sayin' |
Originally Posted by Gyro_T
(Post 12909566)
Flippers are no higher than the eBay parasites who don't actually need or want an item or component.
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Originally Posted by w98seeng
(Post 12910602)
A bike flipper is a person who gets good deals on bikes and resells them. The only people who are losing out are the people who sell the bikes without knowing what they have or caring.
I bought a 2009 Trek 6000, 2007 Devinci St. Tropez and a cheap Jamis all for $300. I sold the Devinci for $280, so I am going to make a tidy profit, what is wrong with this? The bikes or components are available to all who look at the ads. Besides, there are so many bikes out in the market that there are plenty to go around. Ian |
Originally Posted by Gyro_T
(Post 12909566)
Flippers are no higher than the eBay parasites who don't actually need or want an item or component. They serve themselves and complicate those who are looking for a choice bike or component for their own use. I wish you guys would meet an an old drive-in theater and keep away from the stuff people need on an individual basis.
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Originally Posted by Gyro_T
(Post 12909566)
Flippers are no higher than the eBay parasites who don't actually need or want an item or component. They serve themselves and complicate those who are looking for a choice bike or component for their own use. I wish you guys would meet an an old drive-in theater and keep away from the stuff people need on an individual basis.
Ian |
Originally Posted by wrk101
(Post 8440467)
I bought a 1974 Suburban for $8 last week. But as a flip, it is a stupid buy. I will put a significant amount of time into it, add $30 in parts (tires, tubes, bearings, cables), and maybe get $75 to $85 for it, certainly no more than $100. I will probably make less than $2 per hour for the time I put into it. But I will just use it as a fill in. So I avoid that type of bike as a flipper, just not enough room for margin. A dumb buy as a flip.
I was just looking for something a little different. I'm finding it hard to get any project bikes for less than $50 these days... so I do try and pick and choose my battles. |
oops
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Originally Posted by Gyro_T
(Post 12909566)
Flippers are no higher than the eBay parasites who don't actually need or want an item or component. They serve themselves and complicate those who are looking for a choice bike or component for their own use. I wish you guys would meet an an old drive-in theater and keep away from the stuff people need on an individual basis.
I understand how you feel. Used to be easy to find a good deal, but now so many flippers scoop bikes up, spray them with windex, put new bar tape on them and sell them for two bills. I don't know how they find them to begin with. I've tried finding good bikes (Miyata, Centurion, etc. with cro-mo frame) on the bay and/or craigslist for my wife and kids and it's really difficult to find one for sale by the original owner. It's very frustrating when all you want is a good quality bike to give your kid. I hate the fixie-kings even more. Let's take a really good quality 12 speed, chop off the handlebars, remove the brakes, derailleurs and chainrings, put on a cheap new saddle and call it a "fixie" for only $300. They totally destroy good bicycles and make them pretty much useless for anything other than looking cool outside of a coffee shop. |
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