with reference to a $4200 Craigslist Italvega, Charles Andrews mused:
I always get a kick out of these things. I always wonder how someone decides the bike is worth that much. Did he do any research at all?
'course, there's always the chance some sucker will take him up on it, or, offer him far more than the bike's worth, and think they got a bargain...I've probably done that once or twice, myself.. paid too much, that is.
<snip>
I wonder what his response would be if someone tried to tell him the facts of life..<g>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Maybe once a year or so, when there is a case where there's a decent description but a woefully off-base price, I've sent a gentle message, along the lines of "Shame it's not my size (or whatever excuse makes sense in establishing that I'm not going to buy it), but have you checked ebay for prices of similar that have sold recently? My sense, as a collector, has been that there are a few folks who really love these, but generally they seem to sell for much less. Good luck with finding a new home for your whatever"
I've never gotten a flame shot back. One time recently, the bike was a Schwinn Super Sport in very decent condition that he'd gotten for a song at a thrift shop. In return for my respect for his good judgment, he wound up letting me have it for the thrift shop price, when I promised to find a collector who really wanted it. In turn, I shipped it to its new owner, who is a valued listmember.
So, a tactful note may have good effects, like getting the seller to reprice the bike so he actually gets responses from potential buyers.
harvey sachs
mcLean va.