Hi CR folks,
Over the years, I've been endlessly annoyed that folks do a lousy job of describing items to jack up value - while at the same time - as best as I've been able, I've tried to accurately describe things and often take a bath on value once I discover something with issues. Now I'm not perfect and I've probably missed some issues over the years on things I've sold - but I think that folks should list items so that both buyers and sellers feel good - not so that a listing is as shaddy as possible without being downright dishonest.
Case in point is a Daucheron frame on ebay that I blew out at veloswap this year for cheap money. And it wasn't foolish - I think I know a thing or two about value and French bikes. Now it is on ebay - I've tried to persuade the current owner/seller of the Daucheron currently on ebay to revise his listing but he is unwilling as he feels that he has covered his bases. The link and item number are below.
I sold this frame super cheap at veloswap with a note to look at where the downtube shifter braze-on had been removed by the previous owner. It was done crudely, and there is a dent/ding in the tube that was significant enough that someone buying the frame really needed to stare at it a bit to judge if the frame was appropriate for use - it probably is OK - but it is way more than a "wobble" as the seller describes. Getting into the relm of stress risers. The photos are taken in a way such that the light does not show at all the depth or nature of the issue.
The seller believes that by mentioning the issue, WITH NO SPECIFICS regarding the severity of the issue or GOOD PHOTOS, he is nonetheless providing fair disclosure. All I know is that if I bought the frame based on his description I'd be pretty upset. He claims he took it to a framebuilder who "pressed on the area" to make sure it did not fail - well I sure don't consider something that looks so questionable that it might fail with pressure as a typical dent or ding. And besides, problems like this if they do fail will come about due to a fatique failure.
Plus - the seller indicated that even if a tube did need replacement, it would only account for perhaps 10% of the cost of restoring the frame - what person in there right mind would spend $1,000 restoring a non touring equipped Daucheron? Sheer madness! And frankly - if you are selling a frame where you've even thought up front that it might need a tube replacement, I sure as heck think that should be in the description.
I did sell a very interesting Daucheron this year to someone who hopefully will bring it to the Cirque. That one had some issues, but it is a fabuously interesting frame that is a fine example of French touring bikes regardless of make. The one on ebay now is just a boring race frame with not-so-exciting workmanship.
I know that many folks have their own ideas on what proper disclosure is - and I know that I worry about stuff that lots of folks just ignore. But this is a community of like minded folks out there - my belief which I'm not going to back down from is that we should treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated - the golden rule. Not let's be as sleezy as we can as long as we don't get dinged on ebay for it.
Now I'm sure that I've probably let something out over the years where the description wasn't perfect, or that perhaps I missed something - nobody is perfect. But we all should try to do our best - not the worst we can get away with.
Thanks for putting up with my rant.
http://ebay.com/