I think many of us are spoiled because most folks on the list (where a great many bikes are bought and sold) are willing to donate their time to pack the bike well because we love the bike and want the new owner to have a nice relationship with it. However if I charged for the 2-4 hours I sometimes have into packing a bike (and the hidden costs, too!), some jaws would drop when they see what I might think my time is worth.
I think deals between friends or acquaintances are one thing, but in all fairness I see little reason why a complete stranger should donate this much time and work and not be compensated. Don't get me wrong here, I am not some nonwhining paradigm of tolerance.I can bellyache with the best of 'em. And do, too.
If the job is good, it is worth darn near anything, but before you request that the seller take the bike to a bike shop for a "professional" packing job, do remember that bike shops usually do not do a really great job of it.
Wouldn't it be interesting if we had regional centers of bike lovers where such things could be reliably handled? Unfortunately I only know of two guys who would spare that much of their time and effort to run one, Dale and Tim Potter and they are busy enough, I'm sure.
Tom Sanders
Lansing, MI USA