While this is quite true and, in fact, is done routinely on the CR list, I'm not sure might be accomplished in the long run as far as depressing the value of vintage bikes. Prices for significant vintage bikes and parts continue to rise. Competitive bidding isn't inherently a bad thing-on the contrary, it's a time-proven method to move objects into other hands. Like all human endeavors, it's fraught with defects. Certainly, the fact that there is only one real auction venue, eBay, for buying and selling vintage bikes and parts isn't a good thing.
However, it seems to me that, in an auction, or any other sale, a seller wants to maximize his gain and a buyer to minimize his cost.
If someone wants to depress the value of vintage bikes he (or she) could begin to offer them at token prices to the public or even give them away! And, I'm not sure whether even this would have only a transient effect.
The real art in buying and selling at auction (or at anywhere) is to have knowledge of the market and intuition as to its future direction.
Furthermore, collecting, and specifically collecting of vintage bikes, isn't all about the money-it's about the appreciation of an arcane cross of engineering, craftsmanship, marketing, sport, and many other qualities found in these wonderful and inscrutable objects we love.
George
George Hollenberg MD
Westport, CT, USA
> No one can force you to bid on an eBay item.
> One solution is for more CR members to offer their "for sale"
> items first
> to other CR members through this list. Another is to set up a
> site where
> CR members can post their want lists.
> C.J. Scheiner
> Brooklyn, NY USA
> (whose 1960's Claud Butler has its original 6 speed Campy Grand Sport
> derailleur)
> =============================
> > Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:16:36 -0500
> > From: "Edward Feinberg"
> > Subject: [CR]Using the CR database to avoid competitive
> bidding -
> John Betamis wrote that we should organize and all agree to not
> competitively bid against other bidders who are on this list.
> Speaking of
> eBay "ethics", The US Department of Justice has a name for this:
> Collusion in restraint of free trade, and it is a felony.
> Ed Feinberg
> Newton MA
> (I'm not an attorney but I've raised several of them)
> ---------------------
> John Betamis wrote:
> While on this subject, I have to bring up another angle; that of
> biddingagainst someone you know on this list.
> For the last few months I have been looking for a Simplex Tour
> de France
> type rear changer for the Claud Butler
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA