Bike Forums - Just wondering what you would do.

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Classic & Vintage (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/)

- - Just wondering what you would do. (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/696923-just-wondering-what-you-would-do.html)

I don't know why people post follow-up ads critiqueing other people's listings. Someone has been doing that on our local CL occasionally "informing" the public that a bike sold for less new.

IT'S UP TO THE MARKET TO DETERMINE VALUE.

Sure that '80s Tempo sold for $250 new, why shouldn't someone try to get $400 for it. Is that any different than the person with the mid-range '90s hardtail mtb that paid $1000 for it new and still thinks it's worth $400? The great things about CL is that it's free and open to the public. It doesn't cost anything to put an ad out there for whatever you want to ask and see how many contacts you get.

Of course there's nothing wrong with helping people, but that's not the same as being the self-appointed guardian of the CL classifieds. This isn't defending the helpless, they can do the research as well as we can. That being said, calling out someone who is purposefully trying to scam someone by trying to pass it off as something it's not (and they know it) is different. That's actually pointing out dishonesty as opposed to disagreeing with a price.

Helping people? Yes, I'm down with that.

Anonymous ravings on the internet? If they help people, then yes, I'm down with that. But that's a pretty big ifff. Otherwise, they are just anonymous ravings on the internet, and it seems to me there is enough of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhm (Post 11831372)

As I see it, the seller is leaving a response email or phone number, and often his or her name; honest or dumb or whatever, they have effectively put their name and reputation on it.

People don't do that all that much here. You pretty much just always reply to the standard CL email. Maybe it's a regional thing.

EDIT: And I'm not sure how this turned into being all about RE: Ads whining about price, but that's not what I was trying to inquire about. What I did for example, was pointing out actual lying and deception by a seller who knows exactly what they were selling.

I don't mind what the OP is suggesting, but like most folks here, think that CL is a place to charge whatever you like, if someone will pay it. There's a guy on my local CL who has posted his bike at a hugely inflated price for about 4 months straight. I loved the cranky RE guy who just posted to let him know it was overpriced. I think the market took care of that very nicely :).

Besides, it's a right of passage for all newbies to pay either way too much or way too little for their first bikes. I paid way too much for my Sports, so I know of what I speak.

Boston's Craig's list RE Misters have been on a roll the past 24 hours. Some calling all listings trash (why are you reading them then?).

The REs were aim particularly at a guy from Winchester.

Quote:

This is a note to all you *******s who have flagged me;
hi my name is Grant. Honestly if your not a real enough man to email me and talk it out then your a loser. Just to let you know a little about myself, i am a 17 year old kid. i sell bikes after working each of my summers in bike shops. i admit i have been reposting but not beyond whats allowed, only every other day which is what is permitted by craigslist. i have been only posting this much because 2 months ago i got a standard appendectomy that went horribly wrong. so in my extra time that i have had at home i am fixing bikes to keep myself unstressed. this is a free environment that is supposed to condone bike listings so get oiver yourselves, suck it up, and move onto the next posting if you dont like mine. if you have any problems with me feel free to shoot me an email and we can discuss how i am such a terrible person.
-Grant

p.s. i hope you realize that your talking s*** about a f***ing 17 year old who is deeply depressed because he is missing out on his junior year of high school. so if you get your jollies off from making me more depressed and suicidal then feel free you *******

Overposting every 2 days is excessive in my eyes. I've gotten responses 3-4 days after I post something and Boston can have 200 postings a day.

Then his postings (I don't really care if the prices are fair personally)
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2077194402.html

Quote:

Corsaro Astron Road Bike *Ultra Rare* - $340 (Winchester)
Date: 2010-11-24, 12:01AM EST
Reply to: sale-stuju-2077194402@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I have for sale a 52 cm Corsaron Astron road bike. This is a very rare bike, it has suntour cyclone front and rear derailers. the front wheel is a campy aero rim wheel which is perfect for aero dynamics and is very smooth and the rear wheel is a box rim for extra strength. It is a 12 speed bike with down tube shifters. The big chain ring is brand new, the tires are brand new bontrager selects, the tubes are new, and the bike has been all tuned up. This would make a great high quality commuter bike. if interested you can call me at 617-**** or email me at the adress above. The bike comes complete minus pedals.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2077165191.html

Quote:

*Brand New In Box* Carnac Road Shoes - $130 (Winchester)
Date: 2010-11-23, 11:28PM EST
Reply to: sale-uufa8-2077165191@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I have for sale a pair of Carnac Helium road biking shoes that are size 42.5. 42.5 is a mens 8.5 or womens size 10. The shoes retail for $220. If you want top level road shoes at a great price then these are for you. If interested in the, then email me at the adress above, My name is Grant. Again these are unused shoes still in the original box and have never been used or had cleats even mounted to them. They fit a 3 bolt cleat pattern. I am fairly flexible on the price so feel free to shoot me a reasonable offer.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2077162457.html

Quote:

White 12 Speed Vitesse Peugeot Frameset *60 CM* - $100 (Winchester)
Date: 2010-11-23, 11:25PM EST
Reply to: sale-vy75z-2077162457@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Shimano light action rear derailer, shimano front derailer, 60 cm frame, fork, headset, stem, handlebars, brakes, levers, shifters, bottom bracket, seat post and white seat. This would be a nice easy build up for someone with a wheelset and crankset. It is a high quality 12 speed vitesse frame. If interested then you can call me at 617-**** or shoot me an email at the adress above. I am failry flexible on the price.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2077161016.html

Quote:

60cm Centurion Road Bike *Fresh Tune and Tires* - $210 (Winchester)
Date: 2010-11-23, 11:23PM EST
Reply to: sale-brb8t-2077161016@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I have for sale a 12 speed index shimano shifting Centurion Cavaletto road bike for sale. It is in amazing condition. The frame is all original paint in unbelievable condition with no major chips or scrtaches. This bike just went through a complete overhaul. The bike recieved new Michelin Orium tires, new tubes, new white bottle cage, newly built up araya wheelset, new bearings in the steerer tube, and the chain was cleaned and regreased as well as the cable housings lubed, front and rear derailers tuned, and much more that i am sure I am missing. If interested in the bike you can email me at the adress above, pleae put *Centurion Road Bike* in your title so that i know you are not a scammer. My name is Grant. It is a very clean road bike and would be great for anyone wanting to get into road biking or could make a nice campus bike. I can also be reached by my cell phone, if i dont pickup then leave a message with your name and number to reach you at, my number is 617-****.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2077159558.html

Quote:

2010 58cm Fuji Team Pro *only 200 miles* - $2000 (Winchester )
Date: 2010-11-23, 11:22PM EST
Reply to: sale-yjmps-2077159558@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I am selling my 2010 fuji team pro. It is a full Monocoque carbon frame and has ultegra components. It is crazy light, weighing in at approxiametely 18.3 pounds with the pedals and bottle cages. I added the shimano spd-sl pedals along with two water bottle cages, upgraded bearings in the headset, and new friction resistance cables throughout. If interested please email me at the adress above, please put *Fuji Road bike* in your title so that i know you are not a scammer. i can also include an extra ea50 stem that is brand new if you want to try a different fit, alss a nice new underseat bag and carnac helium road biking shoes size 10.5. I can also be reached by my cell phone, if i dont pickup then leave a message with your name and number to reach you at, my number is 617-****. The bike retails for $2700 without all of these extras so this is a great deal.
-Grant

I'm glad someone brought up this topic. Personally, I cant stand "Cragslist Police". People who make these posts act as if they are some kind of bicycle official whose sole purpose in life is to go "inform" or bash each ad they feel is unjust. This happens all to much on Craigslist. The most annoying part about it is that 99.9 percent of people who take the time out to post a "RE:" ad do it anonymously with no email or contact info. My thing is this, If you have something to say, grow a pair and contact the seller personally and state your claim. Id rather not see anymore garbage on Craigslist, its full of it already. Just my .02.

4 hours later, 3 out of 5 flagged. I suppose the main issue is the overposting.

There's an unwritten CL rule in the Raleigh, NC area. All CL bike police comments will be flagged. They usually get removed within 48 hours.
Just sayin'

I haven't posted any CL police stuff, but for weeks I've been watching this guy try to sell his nice vintage steel bike with downtube shifters, claiming it's a "six speed" made of "chrome mooly." Finally, I couldn't stand it, and gently emailed him to suggest he recheck that speed count, explaining how to calculate it accurately. He was absolutely irrate of course, on the first reply, but I persisted (why, I don't know). When I explained that he'd misspelled chromoly and pointed him to Sheldon Brown to determine speeds on the bike, he actually emailed me back and thanked me. It's now posted as a 12 speed, with chromoly spelled correctly. Bet he sells it faster that way :).

Won't do it again, but it really bugged me every time I saw that ad.

You should have bought it and flipped it... :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by old's'cool (Post 11843127)

You should have bought it and flipped it... :D

He's still got it overpriced :). But at least it's described correctly.

I would mind my own business.A seller can ask any price for anything he sells just as a purchaser can move on to another add if he doesnt like the price. what I consider a fair price may not be so to someone else.We are not the Federal Government regulating prices as what is happening in the real world.Let the free market flow and the skum on top of the water will be washed away.Do your homework before buying and learn from your mistakes.There are tooooo many C.L. wanna be regulators that need to get a life.

I wouldn't do it if I saw a newspaper ad, so I generally just ignore it.

HOWEVER....

As a cycling supporter, if I see one that is misrepresenting the bike so falsely that I'm offended, I contact the seller.
Or if I've had too much Yuengling.....

I contacted a Centurion seller who was grossly misrepresenting the bike.
He responded in an unkind manner. I somehow saw a need to post a response ad.
I was sure I'd get flagged. I didn't, and the bike went unsold.

If he hadn't been rude, or insulting, I probably wouldn't have done a thing.

I find there are a lot of ads I would like to respond to but the process of writing and placing the ad takes too long and by the time I actually get it done, I've usually cooled my heels and don't want to get involved.