Peak Cheapness?

[d8mok]

Yep , the only M739 part which is a hard sell is a rear mech. Rest flies out easily.

 

[highlandsflyer]

I bought an M739 equipped bike a few weeks ago for £115, picked up on way home from work. Sold the crank, skewers, rear mech and V brakes which has got me my £115 back. Now I've got the rest of the bits needed to build my Bravado which will cost me nothing but the initial frame plus a new headset. I've still got the frame, forks, tyres, bars plus more of the original bike to get rid of. Point is M739 kitted bikes are still well worth buying.

If you 'need' some parts, why not? As for being 'profitable'; that is a different question. How do people value their time?

 

[novocaine]

If you 'need' some parts, why not? As for being 'profitable'; that is a different question. How do people value their time?

they don't. it's a hobby, time isn't a factor. in fact, quite often it's the use of time that they are doing it for.

 

[highlandsflyer]

That may be true for some, but there are clearly lots who do 'stripping and flipping', and involve 'selling on' in their equations when considering 'value'.

 

[novocaine]

That may be true for some, but there are clearly lots who do 'stripping and flipping', and involve 'selling on' in their equations when considering 'value'.

But not making a living from it, it's still done for fun. I'm sure they do involve the idea of selling on as part of it, but I'm still very suspect that anyone can do it "professionally" and clear a margin, which is surely the only time you'd want to cost in your time to the equation?

 

[greencat]

For me, stripping and flipping is not part of the fun - and so if I did any (strangely I don't!) it would need to be costed in - and my free time does not come cheap!

 

[d8mok]

But not making a living from it, it's still done for fun. I'm sure they do involve the idea of selling on as part of it, but I'm still very suspect that anyone can do it "professionally" and clear a margin, which is surely the only time you'd want to cost in your time to the equation?

You’d never make a full time living from it. It’s good for getting the parts you need from full bikes , and any cash simply gets spent on other bikes or parts.

You couldn’t create a business that’s reliable as you’ve simply no idea what is gonna come up for sale , where it’ll be , if it’ll be damaged and then factor in your time and it’s a non starter. Might as well work a normal job with less hassle.

 

[novocaine]

You’d never make a full time living from it. It’s good for getting the parts you need from full bikes , and any cash simply gets spent on other bikes or parts.

You couldn’t create a business that’s reliable as you’ve simply no idea what is gonna come up for sale , where it’ll be , if it’ll be damaged and then factor in your time and it’s a non starter. Might as well work a normal job with less hassle.

pretty much agree for that business model. it's a hobby, you need a second income, if you want to factor in your time you've missed the point really.

I'm not sure I'm making my argument very well, so I'm going to stop trying. have fun folks.

 

[Kempes]

If you were the only one bidding and you paid the start price, you were the only one that wanted the bike at that price, you over paid.

Many cars do, most don’t. All prices fluctuate.

I’ve seen your car threads, Audi r8 etc, not exactly run of the mill.

Don't agree with this as I believe starting an action at a low first bid (99p) is/was proven to consistently generate on average a higher selling price then stating an auction at a higher starting price (£99). The higher first bid puts people off and then they don't get caught up in a bidding war.
Also have to factor if the item was well listed / spotted by other potential bidders etc.

 

[Woz]

Probably most do the stripping and flipping just for a few parts for their own build (like @Twozaskars ).

It's a good way to fund the hobby if you have the time and space.

Probably the "worst / best" I did was needing a complete set of bog standard Shimano chainring bolts for a triple. Factor in the Ebay price, factor in the postage / shipping cost, factor in the delay and waiting I just said sod it and bought a bike from the charity shop for 15€. Some stuff sold, some stuff kept back, but the majority went off for recycling. These days I'm pretty much sorted and more recently just donate stuff to a local bike charity.