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Buying a Used Tandem? Please Do Your Homework...

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Buying a Used Tandem? Please Do Your Homework...

Old 07-29-07, 09:26 PM
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Buying a Used Tandem? Please Do Your Homework...

While not making any friends with would-be tandem sellers, let me remind tandem shoppers to do their homework, particularly on previously owned tandems.

Buying a second hand tandem -- many of which are nearly new -- is a great idea. However, remember that bicycles and even tandem bicycles depreciate like everything else. Therefore, if you're in the market for a tandem and find one that piques your interest, do some checking around before making an offer, particularly on Ebay or any other on-line auction where the "thrill" of the bidding can sometimes get ahead of you.

Why do I bring this up? Well, as it happens, I've been hitting Ebay pretty hard for the past few weeks and whilst snagging some really great deals on parts for a resto project, I've noticed some really ambitious prices being asked for and in some cases bid for tandems that are well above the current fair market value. In some cases even a quick check of Ebay's closed auctions on similar items would have quickly disclosed what the going prices were for like items recently up for auction. A really good, recent example is illustrated in the attached screen shot from Ebay. Let's play "which one is not like the other".
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Old 07-29-07, 10:56 PM
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Fair is Fair - Please offer an opinion.

I'm selling a tandem. And I agree that people should check out the market. Price is always based upon how the supply and the demand balance.

If Paris Hilton and Nichole Richie were busted on a Trek T900 tandem and then went on Larry King and said that the Trek T900 was better than sex on e it is very likely that I could sell the bicycle for more than I paid for it - for the next two weeks anyway.

If President George Bush were to be seen with Vice President Dick Cheney at Martha's Vineyard on one I couldn't give it away unless I was at an NRA rally.

I based the price I am asking for on what I paid for it new and then I deducted a percentage based upon the loss ammount that I have seen other bikes of a similar quality depreciate over the same amount of time, and with a similar amount of miles. Then I set a price. I think it is fair. Any less and I won't sell it. Any more and I'd fell like I was gouging someone.

Please give mine ad a look and tell me what you think? Am I asking a fair price, giving enough information, and allowing for a fair transaction?

I'm curious. I'd like to know your and anyone else who would like to comment's opinion.

Thanks.
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Old 07-30-07, 11:10 AM
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Leica IIIc's are going for $850 on Ebay when they are $550 on Graigslist. I know I just bought one through the latter.

The same with bikes. Sometimes things get over-heated and people buy on supply/demand, not features and value for money. My mom used to say "A fool and his money are soon parted".

I would like to add that as recently as last year a local tandem specialist was 'selling' a used Burley for more than the original purchase price. They had the nerve to try to flog it to us, even though it did not fit my stoker.

We ended up buying new for less than half what that dealer was asking. Yes, be careful, there are sharks out there.
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Old 07-30-07, 11:33 AM
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It amazes me how things depreciate. I guess it's because people in general don't take care of their stuff. That's why my bike or car or whatever is worth so much less than new because "market prices" are pulled down by neglected, abused equipment.

With regards to cars & bikes, advances & improvements are not nearly as significant as the marketers would like us to believe. If they were, we'd be piloting our own personal flying craft by now.

A good, old bike is still a good bike if it has been taken care of. All of the new advances may be nice but I believe they are difficult to cost justify.
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Old 07-30-07, 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeTown244GL

Please give mine ad a look and tell me what you think? Am I asking a fair price, giving enough information, and allowing for a fair transaction?

I'm curious. I'd like to know your and anyone else who would like to comment's opinion.

Thanks.
I will not comment on the price as I do not know how much it would cost brand new... only to say that to me "firm" is never a good idea... maybe beacuse of my Latin background.

How many people the right size, that visit the bike forums, looking for an entry level, comuter used Tandem in the Kansas City vecinity? My guess is not many.

The description and general information is very good. I would post it on ebay and offer shipment to lower 50... as a seller the only thing you risk is ebay's fee.
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Old 07-30-07, 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeTown244GL
Am I asking a fair price, giving enough information, and allowing for a fair transaction?
Price seems to be about right. As for the information, probably a bit too much.

Remember, you want to create sufficient interest to attract serious buyers but not so much information that they have no need to make contact, e.g., here's the model info, it's in very good condition, it's located here, call or Email for additional details. Buyer responsible for shipping costs.

Stick to the basics and keep all that other information handy for responding to Emails and phone calls.
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Old 07-30-07, 08:00 PM
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Same as old tandems - like our old 'Daisy' tandem. 1960's bike, with simple pedal brake. Fun to ride, but try to stop it, with two people on it, coming down a hill! OMG! Death sled!
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