I picked up this Trek 520 fron Philly CL. I was the first to call on Sat. afternoon, but couldn't pick it up immediately. In fact, I wasn't able to pick it up until Monday morning. The seller was kind enough to hold it for me while getting constant calls for more money and immediate pick up. Kudos to Carl. Thanks for holding this for me! The only problem is I don't have a need for another touring bike. I'll probably just flip it.

When I started reading your thread, I was scratching my head. But your punchline puts order to world again.

By the way, did you see the $25 De Rosa Carl is holding for me?

Yea, he told me he has a Hetchins and Rene Herse also if your interested in them. Both for $50.00

at least wait a few days before posting so the dude doesn't feel like you took advantage of him.

It rides nice. Full Deore. Shimano 105 shifter and brake lever. It even came with brand new Pasela Tourgaurd tires. Maybe I'll keep it

Kind of ironic to be talking about honor, wouldn't you say?

Not really. I never told him or indicated that I would keep the bike.

I have to side with Nikko here...he did nothing wrong and is doing nothing non-honorable (says an occassional flipper). He's happy that the seller waited for him. The seller could have done more research on price. The seller could have sold on ebay. No one twisted his arm. Nikko is like me (and most of us)...he's trying to help fund his hobby. I should also say I debated answering that ad and the guy got more than some of you probably think. It wasn't $25. In fact, I passed because I didn't think it had the flip value to make it worthwhile.

If people are severely undercharging, that's because they've chosen to be lazy. The information is readily available, all areas have public libraries and they have internet connctions. He asked for a price and he got it.

Oh, come now, let's not be modest!

Why are flippers held in such disdain? Investment brokers are idolized, and even if they're not, they flip for huge profits - legally. The vintage bike market is small beans. No one is getting rich on it.

So the question is, if this isn't your hustle, what is?

(whistling) Do the Hustle!

there is about as much of a chance of that as there was Aaron keeping that Schwinn

I'm going to keep it and convert it to 650c.

I never asked someone to hold a bike for me that I didn't intend to keep (at least at the moment). Thankfully, people have honored their word and held it for me. One gentleman said that he had received over 50 emails, but was giving me first shot at the bike. At no time did he seek more money. He did question if he had it listed too low. If it is something that I intend to flip, I need to get there quickly or step aside.

Personally, I don't see where nikkorod did anything wrong. In a perfect world, it would be nice that the bikes made it to the people that need them, but if a flipper is going to get it, I want it to be me (or in the Detroit Area--AuchenCrow)

This thread is dedicated to Auchen. I know he hates getting beat out by sellers that don't honor their original price. I thought it would be fun to show him that their is honor left on CL.

Kinda reminds me of the time I was hemming and hawing about a Miyata six-ten at a yard sale, the guy wanted twenty bucks for. The nice one, mid 80's, with cantilever brakes and both racks and ... ooh, nice tourer. Derailleur was gummed up, chain line looked terrible, and it was too small for me, but I knew it was a great deal. Seller brought the price down to $15 and said look, fix it and sell it for a profit, maybe you can get the one you really want. Okay, quoth I.

A few minutes later the seller tried to give five bucks of the money back, to my wife that is, because he recognized she was unhappy I'd bought another bike. She didn't take it.

I sold the bike for $375 after wiping some WD40 on it, made the buyer very happy, made my wife very happy, and made me happy too.

With the final price, I wish I'd kept it! Part of my thought process was that this was so pristine and valuable that I didn't want to kill its value by riding it or replacing parts. I figured I'd sell it and get a less pristine one, and the price differential would fund the restoration. Final selling price wasn't much different than any old Paramount. oh well, soft market and I should have done a few things differently.

I didn't say he did anything wrong, I just find the fluidity of "right and wrong" when it comes to CL rather entertaining around here.

Should of just hung that in the basement and let it age like a fine wine.

His original post is an intentional parody.

Pushed into a life of crime. Sad.

I think you read it that way, I don't think it is.

Oh, I'm sure it happened. I mean his presentation is a parody.

Did you see the thread, recently locked, where the guy is begging "poor me" to folks to send him bikes and parts so he can trundle down to the soup kitchen and survive one more day?
He scammed a bunch of folks on the road forum (I think) and figured no one would be any wiser if he started up here.
His sig line was precious.

Being sick is awful. It makes my already poor posting poorer. Also, no bike rides.

Again...I don't think it is. I think you see humor in the situation.