Greetings all, and Happy holidays

I'm thinking about getting into a big project, I was wondering what everyone out there thinks.

I know a guy getting rid of about 20 vintage bikes mostly all of them complete for 1000 bucks. Columbia Elgins and Higgins bikes some pre war. mens and womens.

I'm currently unemployed looking for some interesting work, and I thought maybe this would be a way to spend some time doing something I love doing and still make a little money.

I was thinking with some new tires and lube plus some elbow grease and time most of the bikes would probably go for around a 100 - 200 bucks. But I'm not much of a salesman. I really just enjoy messing with old bikes. So I'd love to get these all fixed up and see people out riding them having a good time and make a little money to get me by for a while.

What do you think of my scheme?

I'd love any feedback you'd like to give

Thanks!

love messing with old bikes as well!

Good luck!!

depends what you're looking for. To me, it sounds like the return on your time/investment won't be very high from a monetary perspective.That said, if all you have is time and you'll be enjoying yourself it sounds like a win win!

i

Very limited market around here for the bikes you describe. Also, this time of year, market is dead. So if you are looking to get some money soon, I would instead set aside a budget amount, say $100 or even $200, and look for a quality part out. Sell the parts on ebay, build a fund, and repeat. If you hustle, around here, you can find some great flip bikes this time of year, but be prepared to wait until spring to sell them. So flipping bikes has quite a lag, whereas parting out you could get your $$ in a week.

Selling bikes via Craigs List (or other local scenarios) require some sales and marketing expertise (to get market pricing). Ebay also requires some of that too, but in the case of ebay, its all about your posting, the pictures, etc. C/L has both aspects, the need for a quality listing, and then the need for quality in-person sales. If you are under pressure to move product, that can bring out the worst in personal sales techniques.

Your other option is to pounce on some really smokin hot deals. Then act as a DKO (dirt knocker-offer), dust them off, put some air in the tires, and resell them cheap, to someone with the time/patience/tools/whatever to get market value out of them. I have bought several bikes from DKO flippers. They made a fast buck, I had to supply all of the parts, labor, etc., and do all of the marketing, to get full market price. And you can sell DKO bikes year round. You are in essence a middleman, finding hot deals on bikes, and passing them on (for a profit).


Have you rehabbed, restored, and sold many bikes so far? Do you have the skills/tools/space/parts/etc., for such an undertaking? I started flipping with a $10 garage sale bike that needed minimal work. That bike funded the next bike, plus some tools, plus some left over profit. Repeat the cycle again and again. But this is really a lousy time to sell bikes, at least in my area.

A lot of relatively modern Higgins or Columbia bikes have minimal value. They were bottom of the line, discount store brands. The older and pre-war stuff has a different market and more value.

In my experience, making money on bikes is a lousy way to make money. Its a nice hobby, but as a way to make a buck, delivering pizzas would be much more rewarding $$ wise.

If you are looking to buy and sell stuff to make some money, I would pick an area other than bikes. I see sellable stuff (not bikes) every day. Pick a more common area, stereo gear, golf clubs, toys, purses, shoes, or whatever. Become an "expert" (won't take very long), and start buying and selling. Go to any large thrift store in a metro area, and you will see pickers, with their carts full. Good bikes don't show up enough, but many other types of items are out there all of the time.