eBay prices and sellers

[ade634]

Since starting to build up my Kona I’ve spent a lot of time looking at retro bikes and components on eBay. What I don’t get is some of the prices and how long some of the stuff sits on there unsold.
There is a Zaskar up for sale fairly close to me with a BIN of £1050. Been on there for ages, does the seller want it sold or not? If he wants rid why not lower the price and if he doesn’t want to sell it why list it?
Anyway, mini rant over, I’d be interested to see Retrobikes thoughts on this.

 

[hamster]

There are plenty of chancers on ebay with comedy prices. I guess those kind of listings are of the 'I would sell it for the right price' type.

 

[d8mok]

Re:

Or his mrs has told him to sell it and he doesn’t want to but would if right price.

 

[ade634]

I guess that must be it, chancers. The other one I like is when something is described as rare... I’ve seen a couple of Clockworks (if have nothing against Clockworks by the way) described as rare but there never seems to be a shortage of them for sale.

 

[themountie]

Re:

Just because there classed as retro some guys think there worth a lot more than it is which in turn is rasing prices for the rest of us

 

[Peachy!]

There’s a 1970’s very very bottom of the range, worst bike they ever built, red Claud Butler “Cresta” currently on at £999.... I seriously wouldn’t give £50 for it.

Wally hasn’t even cleaned it...

 

[greencat]

Bikes and components as a whole have had some tremendous inflation in last decade or so. Add in 80s/90s mountain bikes appealing to those wanting to recapture their youth and a certain appeal to hipsters - and I guess you see why some think they can chance their luck.

For me a retro ride would have to be something very special for me to consider paying above 50-100 quid for it - especially as most of mine I've been given for free. But that price point feels about right to me. For £150 upwards, you'll find something more modern, more comfortable and likely easier to find parts for.

Retro components are a different matter. The sport was smaller back then, the components variable in quality and were obviously designed to be used and abused. Some stuff is now quite difficult to find. It is quite often cheaper to buy an old bike for some components than try to source them individually.

I collect other stuff, and I definitely have a bunch of "Not that bothered about selling, but I'll sell it for this stupid price..." listings. It may take years, but some things do eventually sell. Part of it is about the effort of going to the Post Office, I'll either do it for karma or I want to be making at least a tenner on the transaction.

 

[Scvintage]

Re:

I’ve been watching amp Mercedes Benz bikes for a year or so... it’s always the same bikes listed at Maximus Ridiculous

I have an almost brand new one, paid $100 for it. They’re all asking $1000-$2000

 

[mk one]

Prices and values are subjective to be fair, though there are some silly high prices regardless of claimed rarity or nosness. In my experience everything sells eventually, if you have that long

Personally i think a lot of bikes are undervalued, im talking quality made bikes/components here. All because its old it doesnt stop being a quality product or less fit for its original purpose. As the world moves towards more disposable products costing way more, then you would think this would become more so. Are old watches, old cars etc, considered less due to age, why is it quality bikes are expected to be cheap.

 

[k-rod]

group-think/sheep consciousness conditioning (the masses are dumb)