Charles Andrews said: "I am baffled by auctions like this:" pointing to an auction of a pretty nice bike with bad presentation.
I personally love auctions like this! I bid on a bike labeled as a Motobecane, with bad pictures, but enough detail to show a Stronglight 93 crankset. I put in a maximum bid for what I would pay for the crankset, and won. The bike is a 1969 Gitane Tour de France, straight, no dents but with a bad rattle can paint job. A really nice frame for next to nothing. Rides like a dream.
Fast forward a year. A lugged Marinoni appears, with less than stellar pictures and a mishmash of parts on it. Pictures don't show the model name, but do show that Victor-style seat lug. Since I know Marinoni models, I spot this as a lugged Leggero, and if the seller is right on the year, it is from the last year of the lugged, conventional size tube bike.
The sticker says Columbus Niva Crome Extra Leggero, which I believe is the 0.7-0.4-0.7 mm tubeset that did so well in Jan Heine's ride tests. I've loved the Marinonis I have ridden in the past, so this also may be a cheap gem.
Another bargain, just because I saw what the presenter did not show.
The lesson to me: Don't out the auction, don't ask for better pictures, just bid stupid low and hope you get it.
Same thing holds true at swap meets. Sometimes, a seller will be clueless and have something prices at pennies on the dollar. Just smile sweetly and pay the asking price, and gloat later.
Earle Young
Madison, Wisc.