"I Need A Bike" ad on Raleigh CL
 

Can you believe this dude who posted this on Raleigh CL? He wants a free or nearly free bike, close to home. If he had to pay for it, he won't pay insane prices. And, just to close it on a positive note, if we don't like it, we can "stick a knife in a outlet". I know some generations feel they are entitled, but this is ridiculous.

"I need a bike so i can get short distances without having to waste gas and not walking for 3 weeks
can have just about any damage except badly bent wheels. i built dozens of bikes so repairs are nothing.
i prefer 26" mountain but beggars cant be choosers.
cannot be far away and bike cant be small
will not pay for a bike unless its a in great condition and even then i wont pay ridiculous prices. the purpose of having a bike is not affording a car.
i NEED a bike so i dont have to pay for gas. hence the reason i wont pay insane prices
if you cant sell a bike cheap to some one who needs it more than you then stick a knife in a outlet."

"I want it, you have it, gimme."

A misplaced sense of entitlement, methinks?

However, unbelievably despite his attitude I do feel a bizarre dense of sympathy for him. Not enough to ship a bike to the USA for him to use though!

I routinely see some sob story on Craigs List looking for a free bike. I guess it works.


Flagged it, needs a couple more flags. Join in!

Wow...sad thing is, there will probably be someone who obeys his demands.

I have nothing against someone asking for a donation of some sort, and im surprised some of you may would be appalled by this everyone here pretty much picks up bike for free or dirt cheap anyways so whats the big deal? However saying "the purpose of having a bike is not affording a car. ".. guy doesnt really deserve a bike if you ask me.

It's not asking for the free bike...It's the attitude.

Yes it is the attitude. I have sold a lot of bikes and given a few away -- I have no problem helping someone with the right attitude out and will often give nice folks a better price than someone who is, well a jerk.

I saw a posting not too long ago that was almost identical.

ACORN poster.

I need a campy groupo. If it's steel i wont pay for it. if its aluminum ill pay but only a little. i need it because im tired of working so hard to shift the huret shifter. i need sum clencherz too cuz its 2 hard to so up tirez. if u got some campy and u wont give it away.....

Shaddup, jerk, and gimmie that 50th Anniversary swag now. Git.

;)

-Kurt

Welcome to a pastor's world.

Fortunately the person who does something similar on NH-CL does not know about my bikes and the "Stump Dump."

I dunno, considering the ridiculously inflated prices so many people (aka profiteers) on craigslist ask for, I can almost sympathize with this guy.

I think the guys looking for free bikes to flip.....

I doubt he's legit. No humility, a crass attitude.
Could be just seeing what reaction he gets.
I thought about offering a pair of shoes, so he can walk until he earns a bike.

I have given away more bikes than I have sold recently. But always to a friend or a friend of a friend. I can't imagine actually seeking out a person to do it though. I really am not all that worried about giving up bikes. But I hate to think a bike will just end up rotting in someone's backyard. And I am almost certain that someone who wants a bike until they can afford a car will quickly abandon the bike. A bike is a wonderful thing; but a bike makes a lousy car. What with the pedalling and all.

j

I think it's a scam too. We have "I need a free" ads here a lot, but I have no interest in finding out what's up.

HA! :lol:

I was wondering what going on with all those replies. Thanks Al.
-Gene-

Hey, it keep Craigslist interesting. I'm being amused following the threads. And today is a real dead day at work.

We have a guy who stands by the freeway here about that holds a sign that says " It's bum your change or steal it...your choice"
I always keep plastic real looking coins from the gag shop just for these jokers!

Looks like his buddy has a website. See the Indecent Proposal thread.

I think its pretty cool myself..I'd give that guy a bike just for having the creativity to ask for one. Like many others here, I give away bikes quite often. I get them either free or cheap and I find it somewhat relaxing to give an orphan bike a once over and then put it into service with someone that actually will use it.

Mike

I don't think his closing line is very creative. It indicates an attitude of entitlement, an underlying theory that redistribution of wealth is good. I give plenty of bikes away to needy children. Not one of them would tell me to stick a knife in an outlet if they didn't get one. I'm giving away a very nice bike, locally, to a man who wants to buy it. He's willing to sacrifice scarce money to buy it. I'm willing to give it to someone with that mind-set. Creativity? He can stick his creativity in an outlet.