Re: [CR] Buying on the cheap

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli:Laser)

Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:45:33 -0800
From: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>
To: Mark Stonich <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <44818cc21001181614q234ff29coe488cd4b8103fb0d@mail.gmail.com> <E1NX5f1-0002gy-O4@elasmtp-curtail.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To:
Subject: Re: [CR] Buying on the cheap


It depends on the situation for me too.

For example, if I'm buying something from someone who appears to be selling prized possessions because they need the money then I feel sympathetic towards their needs. I've fallen into hard times on a few occasions myself.

Several times when I've tried to offer someone more money they've turned me down! Is it pride or something they just want to get rid of?

When I go to swap meets I usually have a bunch of things that I "just want to get rid of" too and I'll usually take any offer for those items.

On the other hand, when I'm dealing with a knowledgeable seller then all's fair. If I get a great deal then I'm very happy.

Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA

Mark Stonich wrote:
> At 06:14 PM 1/18/2010, coel canth wrote:
>> are there really people out there offering to pay two or three times
>> asking price when they stumble upon a SWEET DEAL ?!?
>
> Depends on the situation;
> I did pay 3 times the asking price for a low mileage '70 Moulton Mk
> III. The seller had just lost her job and had no idea what it was worth.
> I paid the widow of a well known local bike nut twice what she had been
> told a '57 RRA project was worth.
>
> OTOH
>
> I was offered a very clean Jack Taylor Lugged Tourist frame, fork and
> racks* for $275!!!. He obviously didn't know what it was worth so I
> offered him $250 and we settled on $262.50.
>
> The difference?
> The seller had been given the JT by an English friend. He said he
> didn't use it because the frame weighed 1/2 a pound more than his Trek
> 720 frame. When the friend passed away he was finally free to get rid
> of it. That he had a house the size of my lot and he and the wife had
> matching Escalades may have made me even more determined to get it as
> cheaply as possible.
>
> *The front rack had never been installed, the rear installed but never
> used. Also a TA BB in like new condition.
>
> BTW I thought he`was Philistine for preferring a Trek over a Jack
> Taylor. But now I also have a 720 and can sorta see his point. The
> story of the Taylor brothers, and British framebuilding are fascinating
> to me. If they weren't, I might favor the Trek too.
>
> Mark Stonich;
> BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
> 5349 Elliot Ave S. - Minneapolis. MN 55417
> Ph. (612) 824-2372 http://bikesmithdesign.com