mattalec

I came across some funds (specifically for a bike) and I'm looking to buy a used road bike around $500 (+- $200). I've been spending a lot of time on craigslist and every time I come across a potential bike for sale I search it up on the forums here and google.

The thing that bugs me is that there always seems to be someone who bought the same bike in better condition, for $100-$200 less and a six pack of premium beer thrown in. Where do you find your deals? I've got tuition and rent payments and every dollar helps.

BikingGrad80

I gave up trying to buy used. For every deal there are 10 people selling a "vintage" rusty old Schwinn for $400. The chances of finding a deal on something local and the correct size are low. I just bought a bikesdirect bike.

BLR_0719

You might want to broaden your search area. Try something like searchtempest.com to search a given mileage range for what you are looking for. There are certainly deals to be had, so don't give up so quick.

Oostal

Or go for ebay. Search a nice looking frame and ask for extra photos. I find it easier to buy frame separately as usually the components wear out and you just have to pay for a load of trash that you want to change out anyway. If you buy a frame of a well known brand and happen not to like it, then just put it on ebay again.

urbanknight

Part of it involves patience and time. Another part includes knowing where to look, and once again take the time and patience to look there. Browse ebay listings without the filters. I've seen bikes sell for under $200 that would have easily reached over $400 if the seller would have just listed the size, or at least put some key words for the collectors who would be looking for that particular bike.

RacerOne

I ended up buying an unused used Bike's Direct bike. Which worked out pretty good for me.

OP- You just have to keep looking and be ready to jump. I ended up with a 2010 Cyclocross bike, in a condition I wouldn't have been unhappy with pulling it out of the box, for less than half what I would have paid new for the identical, still for sale bike. My road bike I got through a local auction, ordered specifically for me from Trek for $1500, MSRP $4000. Patience pays off.

BLR_0719

You said $500 +/- 200.. If you can make that $800, then you'll expand your craigslist options by a significant margin.

Agave

We're special.

Hell, just steal one then you'll have $500 [+-$200] for beer
.

ModeratedUser

Sorry, but I'm not following what you did here. Can you explain it a little better?

Thanks,

FogVilleLad

When buying used you're substituting time for money. Patience and persistence.

BLR_0719

A lot of this also depends on how picky you are. If you just want something entry level to ride then you have plenty of choices. If you're trying to score something nice with high-end components then you either need to increase your bank or increase your patience.

https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2010-GAVIN-R...item2a0d7316e6

WHOOOSSHHH...

RacerOne

It's kind of a long story.. here you go:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ye+1991+sirrus

KiuBWhy

Adding to what others have said, its a waiting game. Also, you have to consider the time of the year that you're looking on CL and what the cycling community is like in your area.

Having said that, a couple of years ago I snagged my bike for what I felt like was an amazing bargain. But searching for the right bike became almost like a job. I had to sit on the bike page and hit refresh every couple of minutes, make calls, and get disappointed when 5 other people beat me to it within a few minutes.

If I were to give you any pointers on your CL search:
- Research and know what you're looking for. (Shimano vs SRAM/ Tiagra vs. 105 and higher/ Aluminum vs. Carbon/ etc.)
- Don't be timid about contacting sellers, if they list a number...call them immediately.
- Be ready to go check it out at a moments notice. CL sellers have a serious lack of ethics when it comes to honoring who called first and sticking to their listed prices (ie: someone offers to buyout your price).
- Be ready to be disappointed
- Be patient...if you stick it out, you'll find the deal you're looking for.

krazygl00

This. In addition to patience you have to be quick. This is the key to the CL game. And part of being successful at this is having in mind what you want, being familiar with the item and knowing the market.

Having sold a few things on CL I don't think it is a matter of ethics, it is a matter of getting tired of half-stepping goofballs who never show up, need directions repeated to them like 10 times (f'in google map it, man!), or have weird or PITA demands, like they want you to drive an hour to meet them half way so they can buy your $20 take-off seatpost. I honestly try to honor who called/emailed first; my stance is, ask all the questions you want, the first person to say "I'll take it" I'll make an appointment to meet. As long as they communicate, I'll make accomodations, agreeing on where to meet, re-scheduling, etc., all that is fine. As soon as you start to flake out I go to the next in line.

I had one guy show up at my work parking lot who got confused and drove up on a sidewalk. I got a call from security; they went down there to stop the guy and he gave them my name. Needless to say I never meet folks buying things at my work parking lot anymore.

himespau 

Another thing you need to consider is location. Some cities have hotter bike markets than others so what might be a rip off at $500 in Iowa would be a screaming deal at $800 in Seattle. Just a thought.

55/Rad

The key is to act quick when an ad comes up. Smokin' deals last about 5 minutes before there is a lineup. And if it is a truly great deal, be prepared to offer more than the asking price to help insure you get to see it first. Then, get there as quick as you possibly can.

What sucks is when you take the time to get to know the seller and set an appointment BASED ON THEIR SCHEDULE AND PREFERENCE - then they wait until you drive an hour to get there to tell you that they sold the bike to someone else who strong armed them to see it first. I understand the tactic but could you not have called before I wasted the time and money to get here?

Bluechip

Patience is the key. I've been wanting to upgrade for a while. I currently ride an CAAD4 and Trek 5900. I've been watching a lot of bikes and frames for a while. Mostly CAAD9's and a few carbon models (Noah, Helium, TCR, and Supersix). The CAAD9's have been going on Ebay for $450-650 shipped for a new or lightly used model. I've bid on a few but most have gone over what I was willing to pay way before the end of the auction. Last week two CAAD9's were ending within minutes of each other so I planned on bidding on both. One shot up in price the last minute or so while the other didn't move at all. I bid a low odd amount and won the auction with a $333.34 bid. It was 34 cents over the bid of another snipe bid. It should arrive today so I will see how "lightly used" it actually is.

I wasn't in a hurry to buy, I didn't have one particular model in mind and I was willing to let some good deals go by hoping a better one would come along. Now to look for a carbon bike...

pgjackson

OP, I will have my bike for sale in Feb. If you are in the San Diego area and interested, shoot be a PM.

cppb

If you have friends who could help keep an eye out an notify you of deals they find it can really help save time. I found my Litespeed Ultimate for $600 when my dad got some of his cycling friends from his work to keep an eye out.

tuxbailey

+1 to patience, know what you want, and act fast.

Also, luck is very important.

I got a my bike a year ago after monitoring various, sale forums, ebay, and CL. I consider what I got a good deal but it was pure luck that the seller posted their ad on Friday around 11:00 PM and i happend to scan my computer soon after that (BF helps in that aspect.) I sent the seller a msg immediately and luckily he is one of those who honors the order in the asking queue. Also, the ad was posted post holiday, in the middle of winter (same time this year.) So timing has a lot to do with it.


But it does take a lot of effort and if you can't wait, you might better buy it from your local stores or BD.

bryceman

I have to agree with most of the posts here .. you have to be patient and persistent. If something posts up, you have to jump on it right away.

The one thing that I dont find mentioned here though is .. everything is negotiable! It obviously depends on the seller, but I am surprized at how many people think that the price is the price. Whenever I post things up for sale, I assume that there is haggle room in the price. So, don't be scared to make an offer to someone on something that has sat on CL for a few weeks.

tFUnK

You just have to be vigilant and hope you get lucky. I won't buy a used bike unless it's at a price that I can break even with or make a small profit from when I sell it.

krazygl00

This is true, and sometimes I'll offer a lower price to see if they'll bite. But if it is a smokin' deal and I think it'll go quickly, I've learned to just jump on it.

And if I list something, I usually don't mind lower offers, but this brings me to my New Personal Rule For Selling Crap On Craigslist: no haggling after the agreement to meet for the sale. This has happened to me one too many times and it is such a cheapshot. You get the seller to take time out of his day to meet and then you make a lower offer, counting on the fact that he just wants the sale to go through. No more. Next time it happens I'll probably just cancel the sale right then and there on principle alone. Of course, they buyer can then make a higher offer if he really wants the sale to go through.

55/Rad

Are you saying that, as a CL seller, you only allow price negotiation via phone or email prior to actually seeing the bike in person? Or am I confused?