Hellow Freddy and All,
Having been in the bike business for over twenty-five years I still marvel at the ability of these sly fellows to sell items on our treasured and dear CR list. The amount of money being made while certainly not above the gross national product of France may actually exceed the amount to fund an international terrorist plot! Do we even know where the funds go?
Planning and salting away for their retirement; these clever fellows, by selling used and otherwise obsolete parts to the unsuspecting throngs on the CR list are certainly worth a look at by the Justice department. I mean Bill Gates shouldn't get all the headlines.
All kidding aside: I was lurking on an international e-mail list based in the UK and several people inquired about (new) products which I stock that were hard to find anywhere in on the globe. Responding to their query with items, specifications, options and prices (I was told that Internet folks want real prices with their product offerings) I received many kind responses but one fellow who chastised me for fouling his list with commercial adverts and outrageous prices. It turns out he was a dealer for these products and my prices were quite good on our side of the pond. We have since pardoned each other like gentlemen but he as a dealer with immediate access to these items saw no reason to post them on the list. Others who had been looking for them desperately were grateful.
I few unresearched facts: There are few long term dealers of used or new old stock items in America making a full time salary on these items alone. I have never met anyone in the world who didn't have a day job or was otherwise financially independent from other sources. While there are few independent bicycle dealers making what in the outside world would be held up as success the used bike/part trade is much harder because it is more time intensive. Parts are difficult to locate, prepare, clean and fix, then they must be advertised to a small enthusiast audience.
My postulate is as follows: If there was big money in the used bike business then everyone would be in it. Facts show that only a handful of full timers exist and then it is only part of their business, a shrinking part. The new side of the bike business is tough too!
List rules are not commonly advertised but I think Dale does a great job. When joining he stipulates that period items can be offered for sale, with a firm price. Few lists ever mention this and other clear cut rules for dialog regardless of what their rules are.
Also I gather that from your language and tone you may be from the UK. In this (UK) area of the world it may be common courtesy to avoid commercial postings or private sales out of politeness. On my visits to the area (UK), USA cyclists would be suprised to learn that auto drivers do not honk their horns at cyclists even when the cyclist is committing a major traffic felony. These may be cultural differences that are not good (actually not honking at cyclists is good mostly) or bad but simply different.
I for one enjoy people listing parts for sale on this list and I have bought a few.
Regards,
Gilbert" Shameless unclean trader that would post on CR many items but I have to work my real job to pay the bills" Anderson
North Road Bicycle Company 519 W. North St. Raleigh, NC 27603 USA
In a message dated 11/3/01 2:29:14 PM, OROBOYZ@aol.com writes:
<< Dear Freddy:
I am sorry to say I think you definetely are going to be the odd man out on this point, as most of us relish finding old parts and bikes wherever we can find them.
In fact, I thank all sellers who are cordial enough to offer their goods to the CR list first and thereby enhance the camaraderie on the list. I personally see the offering up of these parts and bike as an important part of the CR list!
But for those of you who find this undesirable, I hereby request that everyone use a prefix, in the subject line of their message, of the words "For Sale" or "For Trade" or "At Auction" (whatever is appropriate!)
I do not take the time to search eBay either, so I appreciate anyone letting the group know about neat old bikes and items that come up on eBay, whether it is you yourself auctioning items or you happen to see the goodies come up. This is not just in the interest of buying the items but also just to actually see the pictures, see the selling price, see who buys it...the whole deal!
Dale Brown
List Manager >>