vintagerando 

Hi. I have an opportunity to buy a black Raleigh Competition for $250. I know, I know, "where are the photos? ". Unfortunately, I don't have photos yet. The frame is the right size; the frame is in good condition, paint good. Here are the components: Huret Jubilee shifters, Jubilee derailleurs, Malliard Normandy Competition (Red label) hubs, TA cranks/rings, no name seat/seat post. Weinmann 900/660 red label brakes, unknown headset.
I like the bike. What I have been searching for was a Pro or International for a reasonable price, but who knows when that will happen. What I learned about value, mostly from this forum, is value is often subjective. So, I guess I think its a fair price. I have poked around The Bay; prices are all over the board.
Is $250 a reasonable deal?

What are your thoughts?

bikemig 

Very reasonable if it fits and if it is in good cosmetic shape.

Fuzzy2964

I’d agree. If it is in good shape. $250 is reasonable.

vintagerando 

i think it would make a good "go fast" bike for me. All my bikes are heavier, touring focused bikes. Yeah, I need another bike.

tmh657

This is excellent logical thinking. I employ it as often as possible and I can usually talk myself into another bike despite any obstacles that may obstruct that goal. I haven't bought a keeper bike for going on 9 months.

vintagerando 

Oh boy......I shouldnt be surprised, this is the second time its happened to me. The Seller backed out; says "he wants to keep the bike". I was supposed to pick it up today. I am glad actually. I was on the fence with this bike. I really want an Raleigh International or Professional; I was sort of settling for the Competition. I will have to be patient.

rootboy 

Oh. Too bad. He probably figured out what he had. And it was a steal at that price.
To my mind, the most desireable version, with the Huret Jubile' set up. Had one.
Loved it. Would like to find another.

vintagerando 

I tried to open a conversation with the owner after he said he wanted to keep it. The bike hasn't been used in ages. The tires look original. The owner said he didn't know "the real value" and didn't want to sell it for "less than it was worth".
I think 200-250 is under value. But, when it comes to value with vintage bike, in some respect, I think its whatever a willing buyer is offering. If you want a bigger pool of buyers, ebay or CL, than you will have more potential buyers and likely a higher "value".
I don't think the owner is in a position to go ebay route. So, I have reconsidered and I think I may make another shot at buying it. My approach: show him some ebay sales. Print out the listings and present them to him. The numbers are all over the place. The Campy equipped getting the highest price. The Huret/French component versions go from 200-400. There are some on Ebay with 800-1100 asking prices, but I don't see solds at that price. I would go higher than 250. Any thoughts on this approach?

oddjob2

Patience is a virtue in negotiating.

You can try, but it is hard to overcome the position of an uninformed seller or buyer. By way of example, I had a 56cm refurbished Centurion Ironman Expert for sale locally for $450, firm price. Young fellow wants to meet up, likes it, offers me $250, and says he has the backup eBay print outs in his car. I said I don't need to see them, so I said sayonara! Irrespective of the eBay printouts, a refurbished bike with no miles doesn't compare to one with new consumables. While I waited an extra 2 months, I just sold it 2 weeks ago at full asking price to a different buyer.

Two weeks ago, I was to meet up for a bike I listed at $325, 1/2 retail on a 10 year old Sora equipped bike. Prospect emails me bicycle bluebook info saying it is worth $105 and a 2008 bikeforums thread said $125, apparently a crashed bike. Having sold this summer a much older model of the bike on eBay for $399 and also having sold another Sora group bike for $325, I refused to budge. I believe he's come around as he wants to see the bike and said my asking price was fair.

If you want the Raleigh Comp, make a fair market value offer with an open ended timeline, saying you're patient, you really want it, and leave it at that. Don't expect to get a steal of a deal.

I waited all spring/summer this year to score a very good deal on a Nobilette.

3alarmer

...I don't even try any more. Not worth the hassle. To the OP, Comps are fine bicycle cycles but it sounds like your described prospective purchase will require tyres, cables, housings, a full dismantle and overhaul, and whatever you run into along the way once you start to take it apart. 250 bucks is a decent deal, but I have a couple that are completely redone (by me), with new everything (tyres, tubes, chain, hoods, cables, etc, etc). So probably 20-30 hours of work plus parts, if I include the time I probably spent retensioning the wheels.

Were I to try to sell them, 500 bucks would be themost I'd expect to get, even at peak season here (which is not now.)

But your original owner is unaware of all these issues, and it is unlikely you will be able to explain it all to him without his assumption you're trying to put one over.


Like I said, just not worth the hassle, especially if you are only settling, and want a Pro. Save your money, wait for what you want.

vintagerando 

I guess I need to consider what its truly worth to me. I would say $300 is the top....it has full Jubilee, Lux Competition hubs, TA cranks......components that I think are very attractive. Its does need all consumables. The average owner, like this owner, don't know the real costs. To him the bike is in "excellent condition". Well, its not: cables, housing, tires, tubes, brake pads, etc. Plus the time to repair. So, I thought showing him sold listings might do the trick. Normally, I would not try this route. But as the owner said, "I don't know what its worth....so I don't know a fair price, etc." Well, here are some real sales......

vintagerando 

Maybe, I should go to my highest and best, offer the comps, and see what he says. I never offered 300, so I can give it a shot.

3alarmer

...if you really want it, and walk away without doing this, you'll regret it. I have paid way too much for bikes I liked in my size, and just figured that all the work on it was free because it was for me and I had the time to do it. But you need to figure out how much you really want it, if your ambitions are really an International or a Pro. If you've got a lot of space and the budget for it, you can still snag a Pro or an International if one comes along. If you're limited on space, this one takes up the same amount of space as one of those.

Comps from that era are swell riders, stretched a little and very comfortable bikes. IIRC, the dropout tab might limit yoiur replacement options on the rear derailleur, but it does not sound like it's an issue on this one.

orcas island 

Sorry, posted to wrong topic...

vintagerando 

Just heard back from owner of this bike. Yes, 9 months later. I can get the Competition and a "matching" mixte, also Carlton built, for $300. Seller is supposedly moving out of state. So, I am going by tomorrow. Wants $300 (total) for both bikes. Hmm...I will go back and see. Part of me really wants that Competition. I definitely don't need another bike....don't need the mixte....but two bikes for $300.

vintagerando 

Just heard back from Seller....I first made an offer 9 months ago. Going back tomorrow to take another look.

juls

Matching set? WOW! Sounds like a great deal. Pictures a must.....