Bill, here's how I handle the pricing game.

All my bikes are sold with the following line in my CL post: "$xxx firm, cash only, local pickup only. No offers or trades please."

I don't list an address, phone or email in my post. The only way anyone can get ahold of me is through the anonymous CL responder.

If anyone sends me an email with an offer or trade mentioned, I simply delete the email without responding. I have no problem with people not wanting to meet my price when I state my terms up front, but then they don't get my bike, or even a response from me.

Now this doesn't stop folks from making an offer in person. If they do, I simply state: "Did you read my entire post? I don't take offers in person either. I price my bikes fairly, so if my price doesn't work for you, great, thanks for stopping by." Pause. I use instinct here. If it looks like they're deciding, I wait. If it looks like there's no way they will meet my price, I start wheeling the bike away, signaling the end of the transaction as far as I'm concerned.

I have a theory on this. When I buy a bike to refurbish, there's always a buyer out there. Sometimes it just takes a little time to find that person. I'm not vested in the sale of any particular bike to any particular buyer. I know I do good work, am honest and upfront, and let everything else fall into place.