stausty

Some of us don't. Most of the flippers here go with the high-volume business model and move plenty of $100-200 bikes. If you have the time, this is the way to go for maximum profits. I don't have the time or work space to accommodate enough bikes to make that worthwhile, so I go for higher-yielding flips. It takes more work, overhead, and searching to turn a $150 bike into a $450 bike, and you don't find good candidates nearly as often, but I've never had more than 3 projects at once.

Then again, I don't bring in nearly as much as others here and have really only paid for 1 bike this way. At least I break even and it keeps me working on bikes and not playing video games.

bigbossman 

Yes.... and no. The trick is to buy the right bike for $30. Or less.

The market dictates the price, and what I pay for a bike has no bearing on what it sells for. I won't buy a bike I can't make at least $100 on, and I don't have to "justify" my price to anyone. I list it, and the market tells me whether it's priced right or not. I price them to move and make a reasonable buck, not to optimize my ROI and squeeze every nickel out of the deal.

Even if you were the only response to the ad, I still wouldn't respond. I'd wait a period of time, and then re-list at a slightly lower price. I don't mind negotiating, and am not a "firm" seller. But I'll do my negotiating face-to-face, and in a friendly manner.

If I get the slightest whiff of attitude or confrontation during the process, the deal is scotched. I hate being chiseled and harangued for nickels and dimes. This is a hobby, not a living, and I don't need the $100 enough to deal with aggravation.

I'm not sure about the market where you live, but here in the SF Area asiking your list of questions would net you about zero bikes. If they're priced fair here, they move FAST.

curbtender

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1414488595.html
SF bay area craigslist > north bay > for sale / wanted > bicycles
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PRO TOUR CENTURION - $150 (healdsburg / windsor)

Date: 2009-10-09, 5:01PM PDT
Reply to: sale-y2m6f-1414488595@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]



$150 PRO TOUR 15 CENTURION


3 in the front x 5 in the back gears (suntour cyclone m II). 60 cm steel alloy, good tires


convert to single gear a cafe runner.

Contact Lupe: gschavarria1@yahoo.com

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1414488595

Everhandy

Well there you go, the market sets your price. As a buyer, I am the market. So, you just answered my question, "where did you get that price from?". If I low ball your price and so do the next 3 people, then you will set your price accordingly or you purchased your own bike at your own asking price.

I don't think that is an unfair question to ask. The proper response would be; "I thought it was a fair price for such a great bike, don't you?", then you would ask; "Well let me ask you this, if it was your bike, how much would you ask for it?". Now you turned the tables on the prospect and the ball is in his court to play. You never revealed your position. Isn't that fair?

Rule# 567: Never brush off an a-hole, he may become your best customer!

Everhandy

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is not true but, I have a difficult time swallowing that one. I would like to meet a high-volume bike flipper, I need a mentor.

In my experience, it's the one's that say they make a lot of money or do a lot of business that usually don't. But that's in my world.

bigbossman 

Sure it's a fair question - I just think you're over-thinking it.

And about rule #567 - if it were a business, sure. But I'm not a business, I just flip a bike now and again for some pocket money. I don't have a steady "inventory", and only overhaul and flip when the mood strikes me. I will ALWAYS brush off an a-hole, because A) I don't like to deal with them, and B) it pleases me to do so. Money isn't everything, and I'd rather sell a bike for $20 less to a pretty little coed that squeals with delight when she see the bike, than sell a bike for "full price" to an a-hole.

raverson

Not my cup of tea, but here's a boat load of SA gear on Seattle CL

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/bik/1414645012.html

CameronC

Building a robot to control the world just got a bit easier.

Charles Wahl

How about taking this offline, or make your own thread for crossing swords about flipping and pricing? This is not the appropriate venue for it. The rest of us are bored already!

curbtender

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1414703390.html

Trek Elance Road Bike - $60 (lake county)

Date: 2009-10-09, 8:33PM PDT
Reply to: sale-machn-1414703390@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]



18 speed, everything is working. I still ride it weekly. Call or email for details. Located in South Lake County.

4950919@gmail.com
(707) 495-0919

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Everhandy

New Yorker eh?

vettefrc2000

I would tend to agree. Flipper *******s just drive up the price for us hobbyist.

Jasmijo

I saw this bike on CL and I love it. The guy still had it last I talked to him, but that was a few days ago so it might be gone. The only reason I haven't picked it up already is that it's a little far away (100 miles). Are there any C&Vers in the SW Michigan area that could help me out if it still around?

https://southbend.craigslist.org/bik/1410188750.html

Ivandarken

Wow... I was on a photoshoot in the area a little over a week ago and bought a great Dawes Galaxy from that guy. He showed me that bike as well. I would have picked it up for you if I had known a CVer was interested. It was an unusual bike... but it just didn't call to me. The Dawes however was incredible.

I'm back in Chicago now so I can't help you. The guy was real nice though. I'm sure if you asked he would hold it for you. He has a garage full of bikes... mostly low end, and he wasn't too knowledgeable about bikes beyond changing the tires.

Ivandarken

... And it looks like somebody sprayed it to look like a Peugeot PX-10.

Chicago Al 

I read up on that brand (on classicrendezvous I think) and apparently the black lugs were characteristic. Sure looks like a rattlecan job though!

Ivandarken

Wow... so they intentionally looked far into the future and saw an upcoming market for poor copies of high end vintage bikes, er, and then set upon creating what would surely be an ironic faux retro approximation of what would eventually look like the sloppy work of a future society of shady bike flippers on an imagined virtual market place?!?

All that work! If only they had imagined a paperless society that was a series of tubes where democracy and peace prevailed because cars ran on pomegranate juice and politicians didn't sell our parking meters.... am I on the right thread?!?

Ivandarken

:d

Everhandy

For the record, if you've read my posts, I'm not a flipper and I do agree with you that flippers are *******s. I'd never buy a bike from a flipper. They wire brush a few parts and jack up the price of a bike $100. They are not enthusiasts and should not be on this forum. Again, I AM NOT A FLIPPER and I don't think bigbossman is either.

This thread is about bikes for sale and I was trying to help someone determine the real price of a bike. Is that not pertinent? If you and Chuck don't find value in that, fine. Don't read the posts. This is what forums are for, open discussions relating to a certain subject. Sometimes they deviate from the course but, that's part of the fun.

I value everyone's opinion. What I do not value is self appointed Gendarmes that like to tell people what to do.

cycleheimer

$50 Trek 930 MTB in New Jersey

1995 Trek 930 Mountain Bike - $50 (Hopatcong, NJ)

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/bik/1415341891.html
Date: 2009-10-10, 1:35PM EDT
Reply to: sale-r5wfa-1415341891@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]



I bought this bike as a teenager and just don't ride it anymore. The bike has clip in petals and I have the shoes with the clips.
Cash only. The tires need air and that's about it.

Cash Only.

• Location: Hopatcong, NJ
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1415341891

cycleheimer

What more could a guy ask for? Wow!

smoothness 

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1415708739.html
60 CM Fuji Team - 120

Pristine condition Fuji, really nice lugwork, all quality jap alloy components. Suntour derailleurs, Nitto bars and stem. Brake hoods shot, otherwise very nice. Specialized touring tires have some life left in them. Weird old MKS pedals. Great ride. 700 wheels. Really too nice to convert to a fixie, but whatever floats your boat, right?

smoothness 

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1415773621.html
60 CM Puch 531, Shimano 600

Very light weight Reynolds 531 steel bike here. 12 speed, 600 cranks, Derailleurs, brakes and shifters and I believe the hubs and possibly wheels as well. Tires- believe 700c- are shot. One good dent in the top tube, see pic. Fix it or strip it for the components- just get it out of here.

CameronC

That was sweet.

krems81 

Flippers and rebuilders are two different things, and there is probably a spectrum of types running in between those two terms. At the very least, flippers keep bikes from going to the dump, and keep people from buying walmart bikes. No reason to hate flippers, even if they see dollars more than beauty in these bikes. They must have some appreciation just to know they're worth selling.

People who fully rebuild vintage bikes for sale are another story. I've seen them refer to themselves as flippers, but I think they're not. See the link in my signature for an example of bikes fully rebuilt for sale. I was able to support myself doing it this summer, and I approach it with care. My goal is to make bikes that operate as well as or better then they did when new. Even straight flippers put food on the table by making bikes available as a better alternative to department store bikes in certain price ranges.