I too enjoy the eBay content. The fact is that most of the items outed a re
complete bicycles, or at least frames, which, due to the difference in
sizing and relative difficulties in shipping, mean that they are not
necessarily of interest as bid-able items. I know that living in Austral ia
I don't scour the European eBay sites because as much as I would like a
Herse tandem, it is simply not realistic for me to bid on one and try to
organise freight. And so I'm glad to have people point them out for me t o
at least look at them and dream.....
Maybe if I lived in France, my opinion would be different.
Jeff Wybrow Melbourne, AUS
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2007 19:04:08 -0400
> From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
> To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: [CR]CR List or eBay Lite?
> Message-ID: <000801c80611$b4aa00b0$6602a8c0@peter5ca78cb10>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset="iso-8859-1"
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Precedence: list
> Message: 10
>
> Nick Bordo's post complaining about too much eBay content on the CR Li
st
> is an old but valid one.
>
> I just happen to disagree.
>
> Firstly, if we accept that the CR List is a group of bike guys talking
> bikes in Dale's "garage", then consider eBay is like the world's bigge
st
> garage sale. No other medium brings together more bikes, components,
> clothing, catalogues etc. pertaining to our hobby. For some of us, it'
s
> how we are able to collect in the first place. So on a practical basis
,
> eBay "outing" is useful here I think. No matter how clever your search
> methods are. And even if you are foolish enough to think only you had
> bookmarked that Rene Herse with a .99 cent starting price.
>
> Secondly, eBay is invaluable even if you never bid or buy anything. Ea
ch
> week we get to see 100s of components and bikes. A few listings are
> indeed the best chance we get to see some rare and wonderful things. I
> suggest the finest single collection of classic cycle and component
> photos anywhere can be had just collecting Hilary Stone's weekly
> auctions and his informative descriptions.
>
> Finally, eBay auctions prompt discussion of what this list is supposed
> to be all about: classic bikes. From the vageries of Campagnolo dating
> or design to that Masi repainted as a Sears Free Spirit (or is it the
> other way around?) eBay offerings are a catylist to learning more.
>
> I do miss the For Sale/Trade pages on the CR webpage (that's how I got
> my '80 Raleigh 753 Team Pro) and Dale deleted this for good (to him)
> reasons. And yes, I'd rather buy or trade with other CR Listers than v
ia
> eBay given half the chance.
>
> But eBay isn't going away. It's not for everyone. But it need not be o
f
> use or interest only if you're buying or selling. And I think it remai
ns
> a useful tool on many counts for the collector of classic lightweights
.
>
> Peter Kohler
> Washington DC USA
>
> ------------------------------