The comment does not bother me as it might Steven. The downturn has affected the wealthy as their toys are somewhat more grandiose than a $7,000 Colnago. They are curtailing their spending as well. The car dealer next door to my office in Long Island is feeling the pinch big time. They sell Bentleys, new Lamborghinis and vintage sports cars. They are in bankruptcy because their client base is not spending money.
Alex also had a late 40's Rene Herse that ended this morning. My size, one bidder, $3,000. I had my bid in que when reason and my wife walking into my office occurred. I may have won or lost that auction but in the last six seconds, I did not pull the trigger. The Bike Gods were not in agreement this morning and I'm glad that $4500.00 is still in my pocket and not Alex's. (Sorry Alex). Two years ago that Herse would have pulled five grand or more.
I hope it was a North American winner of that Herse because I might have a chance to see the bike up close and not in some glossy $100 soft cover book written in Japanese.
Mike Schmidt Millington, NJ USA
On 1/2/10 5:20 PM, "Steven Maasland" <themaaslands@comcast.net> wrote:
> With regards to the Colnago sold by list member Alex March:
> http://ebay.com/
>
>
> I was somewhat disappointed by the comment made by John to Charles' comment:
> "Just goes to show..the money is out there, for the best stuff. The market
> may be soft for some things right now, but not for things like this."
>
> I don't find it constructive or desirable to make comments like: "Sure.
> Overall, the recent downturn in the economy has not affected the very wealthy.
> In fact, it's just broadened the gap between the very rich and very poor.
> That, in itself, is a very dangerous thing, that historically leads to all
> manner of ills."
>
> It is all a matter of priorities. for all you know, the buyer of the bike
> might be living in a trailer park. It would certainly not be the first time
> that such a collectible bike ends up in the hands of a real purist rather than
> somebody who simply had some loose change lying around.
>
> I am personally glad that it would appear that it is an American who purchased
> the bike. Perhaps I will now have the chance to see such an original bike. All
> previous ones that have showed up seemed to have been spirited away from
> Europe in an Eastward direction (wink wing Greg!), perhaps never to be seen in
> North America.
>
> Steven Maasland
> Moorestown, NJ
> USA