Originally Posted by
sykerocker
Dealing with the seller: Do NOT make an opening offer on the phone. As you've probably guessed, he'll take that to be "another time waster" and hang up. If you're seriously interested in the bike, at least have the courtesy to take the time and go see it. Then start dickering.
I know that when I sell, if I get a call that opens with, "I'm interested in your bike, where is it, and when would be a convenient time to see it?", I've got someone to take at least semi-seriously. Odds are, we'll come to a deal, even if it is a few bucks under what I'd really like to get for it.
Attitude is everything, especially in a business transaction.
Assuming that the 760 ride like the 460 I recently got (same family and design, if not the same tubing) you're going to love it.
I called the guy and talked to him about the bike. It's a 6 speed freewheel, so the frame spacing is probably 126, which means that I'd have to have it stretched in order to put the 10 speed 105 stuff on it and I don't know of any bike shop in the area that would stretch it (and do it right).
I didn't offer on the phone. I was hoping to talk him down to 250, but I just asked him what he'd go down to and before I had a chance to do that, he was talking about how a lot of guys are telling him that he's charging too much. He told me that he saw one in great condition sell for 600 (his is in 7/10 condition wise). He said he'd go down to 300, but that was it. I told him I'd think about it today and call him about it tomorrow.
It seems a little on the high side, what do you guys think? He has all the sales literature, receipt, and everything for it. The RD was replaced with a shimano 600, and the seat isn't the original. Other than that everything is original and he said the frame is in good condition. I think I'm going to take 300 in hand with 50 not in my wallet and see how it goes. It's his brother's (or brother in law's) bike so I don't think he'd take too much of a hit.
Would it be a good idea to get the 10 speed 105 stuff? I can get the shifters, RD+FD, Cassette, and brakes for a little less than 300 bucks.
Thanks for your help guys.