MRT2

Don't know if this is the appropriate place for this mini rant, but why not?

I actually appreciate people who save otherwise serviceable bikes from the dump. And I appreciate people who check over the mechanicals, replace worn parts, clean bikes up, then look to make a profit off their labor. And I realize that there is nothing wrong, per se, with flipping.

I saw the initial add and thought, that looks like, with a once over, maybe a tune up would make a nice commuter, or entry level bike for someone. Oddly enough, that same bike sat on CL for weeks until the seller dropped the price to $100. I know the original seller sold the bike Friday because I actually inquired about it, seller texted me back that he just sold the bike. No big deal, as an extra bike project is more a want than a need for me anyhow. Now the same bike is back up with a different seller for $250.

So here is add A, posted Friday.
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/4353697158.html
Here is add B, posted this morning.
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/4356249644.html

So, I am not hopping mad, nor even disappointed I didn't rush out and get this bike, but mildly piqued.

spdracr39

But if it was only "worth" 100.00 before why would it be "worth" anymore now that another person is asking a higher price? It sounds like you missed an opportunity to break even nothing more.

wahoonc

It will sit until he either lowers the price or someone with that amount of money wanting that specific bike comes along. It is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Aaron

Number400

That is part of flipping. I like those who do it with a little grace like spending a few hours cleaning and fixing then making a nice listing like "Vintage Trek, just bought and spent a few hours fixing it up, works great now. $xxx obo. In my book, honesty is best policy and attracts buyers who may have seen the old ad but were afraid of buying because it needed work. They might not pay $250 but you could deal and still pull a profit and both buyer and seller are happy.

The new seller in this case sucks at selling and I hope his $100 is tied up for a long time

Dave Cutter

Supply and demand.... may benefit the flipper if demand increases when the weather improves.

I didn't get the use out of my mountain bike I had hoped to get during the winter months... which is what I bought it for. But I plan to wait till spring before I sell it. I am no flipper! But I wouldn't mind a little profit.

loky1179

This example kind of defines flipper - original photo is non-drive side, new owner "flipped" it, and took a photo of the drive side. That's a lot of work - certainly worth $150 right there!

It's craigslist - people can try to sell whatever. Its when it gets re-posted over and over for months that I start to get a little annoyed.