Hey everyone, had someone recommend I check out these forums in order to nail down some details on a Gitane I'm trying to sell. Instead of reposting everything here is a link.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...STRK:MESELX:IT

Some people have told me I should just cancel it and start bidding much higher and now I'm wondering. I found an old brochure that lists it as old as 1960 with a cost of 99.95 in 1960 but I'm not sure if its even the same model, if its collectable etc and so forth.

Can get some more pics/video if it helps. Thanks again.

I think it's later than 1960. Some research on your part is needed here:

https://www.gitaneusa.com/catalogues01.asp

Decals look more seventies to me.

If you choose to relist it, I would take more and better photos. Cleaner backgounds, close up of crank and drivetrain, closer shots of the racks, and any other special features.

It's a funky model, not a normal USA gitane. Might go for a bit, but needs to be properly presented.

The local pickup may scare off bidders as well. Contact a local bike about how much it would cost for them to pack the bike, then add that cost to shipping charges, That way, if someone in Iowa wants to to bid, they won't be frightened by local pick up only. The shipping might, though. Fed Ex is cheaper than UPS, usually. Make sure the box the LBS ships in at least fits oversize2 requirements; if it's bigger than that shipping becomes prohibitive.

Thanks for the reply, I can certainly get some more pics or even a video. I'v had some emails about pickup and I'm happy to work with people but the cost and hassle of breaking it down for shipping would be a real pain. If someone wants to arrange it themselves then Im happy to go along.

On that same site I found this, 1960?
https://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/us1960_pg3.jpg

First, I sell every week on ebay, so my comments are based on my experience.


If you won't ship the bike, or you want to put the responsibility on the buyer, forget about using ebay. Buyers on the internet expect sellers to ship the product. Would you buy from Amazon if they didn't ship their product? I can tell you for sure, buyers on ebay expect sellers to ship the product. There are scoopers like me that look for sellers that refuse to ship (or put the hassle on the buyer). I scout out auctions within 150 miles of where I live for such restrictions. Why? Because the bikes can sell CHEAP, real CHEAP. That's great for me, but lousy for the seller. I have picked up good local pickup only bikes for as little as $20.

If you want local pickup only, then use Craigs List. That's the best way to sell locally.

Selling on ebay can be a real pain as you describe. You have to do all of the packaging, taking it to the post office, and hoping that it arrives in one piece. That's all part of the ebay selling process. And of course, items that are poorly marketed on ebay (lousy/mediocre pictures, wrong category, not described right) can also lead to deals for buyers (and poor return for sellers). And if it is poorly marketed locally (Craigs List), it can go well below market as well. The main advantage of ebay is that it gives you access to the global market. I have shipped product as far away as Japan. Try reaching those potential customers via the local classified ads. But the downside is that you have all of ebay fees to pay, and you (the seller) need to take full responsibility for packing and shipping. In the end, you balance the added hassle against the possible additional profit.

Obtaining market value out of a bike takes quite a bit of work. Most of the time, bikes sell for less than market. The better the marketing, condition, and presentation, the closer they get to market price. The bicycle market is very inefficient. A $1000 bike poorly marketed can sell for $500 or less.

I bought a bike on ebay for $113 that on the very same day, the exact same model, same color, same year, in the same size, (but in poorer condition) went for $400. How come? Because the one I bought was poorly described, lousy picture, listed in the wrong category, no model listed even though it was printed right on the bike, ridiculously high shipping charges, etc. I picked it up in person, so the shipping rate did not affect me, it just drove away other buyers. And by the way, it was being sold by a "professional" ebay storefront. So someone paid that store good money to sell their bike for 1/4 of what it should have sold for.

The last bit of ebay advice: there is TREMENDOUS variance on ebay. An item that might sell for $200 today, might go for $50 tomorrow. It can be very frustrating for the seller.

if youre doing local pickup only, you should sell on craigslist. there's no fees and its a whole lot easier. i havent been on ebay in almost 4 years, that site went down hill awhile ago after its new fees and ratings policies

If it sells, it will sell cheap, because of the reasons above. I live in Vienna, but I'm on a trip overseas right now. Otherwise, I'd even be willing to help you.

You need better photos. Most simple digital cameras have a macro mode. Use it for close-ups of the headset, seat cluster, crank, etc. Close the garage door. Take pictures only when there is good light. I little soap and water with a soft rag would do wonders, too. People want to SEE the details of the bike. It is an unusual model. Nice fenders, great rear rack. Don't give it away for free.

I also think it is not early 60s, but late 60s. Again, hard to tell, but those decals seem to suggest late 60s.

Thrifty Bill gives excellent advice above.

The local Craigslist includes the greater D.C. area. It is free and is very active. I recently sold a bike for my asking price.

If I were you, I'd pull the Ebay listing. You're gonna get a very low bid, if that. All the reasons listed above.

Just friendly advice. Nice old bike deserves better.

I think it's about 1970, based on the Gitane cats at GitaneUSA. In line with Leicalad's dating.

It looks pretty base level French from the time, similar to the Peugeot UO8 in construction, or the UE8, their fendered touring model.

I'd put the value about 150-200$. In large part because of the fenders, racks, and triple (though that looks to be cottered in the cat pics).

Thanks for the help, I had it listed on craigslist and only got 1 email from someone who offered 20 bucks. Ended up selling on ebay for 235.00 which is about 235 more then my dad would have gotton had he just thrown it away. Most bidders seemed to know a bike shop in the area who would take care of shipping but buyer might be traveling through area and pick up so I guess it works out. Thanks again.