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how harsh are LBS at buying used bikes

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Old 07-20-11, 07:22 PM
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how harsh are LBS at buying used bikes

I have bike that I have had for about 4 months that i am looking to get rid of just because it was not what I had hoped for it was 690 new and i have firm offers from craigslist for 500 but that seems a little low will I get any better from the LBS? or should I jump at the Craigslist ad. everything is in basically new condition
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Old 07-20-11, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by cody23ff
I have bike that I have had for about 4 months that i am looking to get rid of just because it was not what I had hoped for it was 690 new and i have firm offers from craigslist for 500 but that seems a little low will I get any better from the LBS? or should I jump at the Craigslist ad. everything is in basically new condition
First,expect to be asked for proof of legitimate ownership before a bike shop will buy it from you. Secondly, they will probably be looking to sell it for about the figure you have in your head that it's worth.
Their offer to you will reflect the margin they expect to make on it after they conduct whatever tuning and maintenance it needs to make it saleable.
Better to sell private.
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Old 07-20-11, 08:35 PM
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They may offer what they can sell it for if you trade it on another new bike. Personally, I think 500 on a 690 dollar used bike isn't bad.
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Old 07-21-11, 03:46 AM
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Take the $500 from CL and move along. I seriously doubt any bike shop is going to be able to, or willing to give you more than that for it. They still have to turn a profit and unless the bike is something rare and unusual it is used and they can make more selling new bikes. Remember they buy new bikes wholesale, you paid retail.

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Old 07-21-11, 06:09 AM
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Originally Posted by jdon
They may offer what they can sell it for if you trade it on another new bike.
That would mean they have to sell two bikes to get the net profit of selling one bike.
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Old 07-21-11, 07:53 AM
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Not meaning to be rude but why don't you ask them what they would give you? Maybe they will make you a deal seeing as though they will be selling you another bike and able to make some $ on this one. Never hurts to ask but none of us can tell you what any dealer is going to offer you.

$500 sounds more than reasonable. What would YOU pay for a used bike?

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Old 07-21-11, 08:34 AM
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$500 is not too bad...you could always hold out for more....
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Old 07-21-11, 08:46 AM
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Take the $500.
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Old 07-21-11, 09:06 AM
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As soon as you bought the bike it was no longer new. To expect to sell it for a new bike price is unrealistic. $500 sounds very generous to me.
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Old 07-21-11, 09:39 AM
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I'd wouldn't hesitate second on the $500 offer. I always figure things like new bikes loose 25-50% of their value the moment you walk out of shop with them
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Old 07-21-11, 12:58 PM
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If you think about it as economic question, you have established that the market value of the bike is $500 - that's what people are willing to pay.

I would expect a bike shop to offer you $250 - $300 if they think that they can sell it for $500 without having to do any work on it. Subtract the cost of a tune up, if they need to do that.

They need to sell things in such a way that they make a profit, or they go out of business.

I am looking for a used bike and looking at Craigslist. I don't know anything about high end bikes - maybe they hold their value well, but I can't imagine paying more than 50% for a used bike the in the sub $1000 range.

Personally, if someone offered me over $350 for a used $690 bike, I'd jump on it.

Mike
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Old 07-21-11, 02:28 PM
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Consignment . the shop only has to commit to shop floor space until it sells ..
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Old 07-21-11, 02:30 PM
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I don't know anything about high end bikes
sounds like a topic to study ..
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