vtwinvince
Senior Retro Guru
LOL, always an entertaining topic. My position is that here in North America we have capitalism for the poor, and socialism for the rich, as evidenced by the 2009 Obama bailout of a thoroughly corrupt banking system.
Wheres 'Ebay Madness' I've something to add
- Thread starter dyna-ti
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Me first, it's mine!!
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pw_pw_la
Senior Retro Guru
Thing about free markets is, they only work for those that can afford to play them.
My whole point, really, is that while markets dictate how much you pay for something, they don't dictate what the real value of something is.
And really my point is that I just think it's a shame that vintage bike parts are following the same trends as other so-called "free markets".
Take rental properties, for example. Used to be that the location, size, quality and ammenties of a home or apartment had a significant factor on its rental price. These days a one bedroom is a one bedroom, regardless of size or location or standard, and a two bedroom is a two bedroom, in most major cities around the world.
(There's some variance, I grant you, but not as much as there should be, or was, historically)
This prices people of lower economies out of living in those places, or, if they can, it removes the guarantee of getting fair quality for the money they spend.
Which sounds a lot like vintage bikes right now to me!
I'm not sure all bikes were created equally. I mean, obviously they're weren't! But it's starting to be that they're being priced as if they were.
And that doesn't matter, in theory, if people aren't buying them.
But people are!
And people are renting overpriced apartments and houses, and this is damaging to both communities. And, I think, to society in general.
I think the above analogy, of all the ones I've tried to make, is a useful one. Because I don't expect Cunninghams to be cheap, in the same way I don't expect mid-century homes by known architects to be affordable. And I don't expect Klein's to go for $100 a pop, much like I don't expect the homes of dentists in gated communities to be readily and affordably rentable!
But I do think the stuff in the middle (a one bedroom apartment on the third floor; a 1997 GT Xizang with 1993 decals), should be available at a fair price, and in fair condition, to those that are looking for and/or need it.
Bike gentrification is real!
My whole point, really, is that while markets dictate how much you pay for something, they don't dictate what the real value of something is.
And really my point is that I just think it's a shame that vintage bike parts are following the same trends as other so-called "free markets".
Take rental properties, for example. Used to be that the location, size, quality and ammenties of a home or apartment had a significant factor on its rental price. These days a one bedroom is a one bedroom, regardless of size or location or standard, and a two bedroom is a two bedroom, in most major cities around the world.
(There's some variance, I grant you, but not as much as there should be, or was, historically)
This prices people of lower economies out of living in those places, or, if they can, it removes the guarantee of getting fair quality for the money they spend.
Which sounds a lot like vintage bikes right now to me!
I'm not sure all bikes were created equally. I mean, obviously they're weren't! But it's starting to be that they're being priced as if they were.
And that doesn't matter, in theory, if people aren't buying them.
But people are!
And people are renting overpriced apartments and houses, and this is damaging to both communities. And, I think, to society in general.
I think the above analogy, of all the ones I've tried to make, is a useful one. Because I don't expect Cunninghams to be cheap, in the same way I don't expect mid-century homes by known architects to be affordable. And I don't expect Klein's to go for $100 a pop, much like I don't expect the homes of dentists in gated communities to be readily and affordably rentable!
But I do think the stuff in the middle (a one bedroom apartment on the third floor; a 1997 GT Xizang with 1993 decals), should be available at a fair price, and in fair condition, to those that are looking for and/or need it.Bike gentrification is real!
pw_pw_la
Senior Retro Guru
Why the link to the gofundme page Fluff?
Although always happy to see it if it means more people contribute!
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Why not a link to chap who made some rollerbrakes a long time ago.
A grand on some rollerbrakes means sod all in reality.
(that and there was an update to the page)
A grand on some rollerbrakes means sod all in reality.
(that and there was an update to the page)
pw_pw_la
Senior Retro Guru
Amen to that!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/bfl/viewbids/175324912272?item=175324912272&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2565
Bidding looks a bit dodgy with someone with a private identity putting in 600 at their opening bid on a 200 start.
You would open at 200 or a bit above, not 600.
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pw_pw_la
Senior Retro Guru
I mean, not necessarily. If you're after these you know there's pretty much no chance of getting a set on eBay for less than a grand, so 600 would still be bargain, and you may as well let all the other early bidders know that you're serious. Sort the wheat from the chaff, etc.!
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In an eBay autobid system, you just slap in your max you want to pay whenever.
This isn't a homes under the hammer or bargain hunt style auction.
Otherwise they go the sniper route/style and in the hope the 600 quid bidder doesn't come back after that 600 bid has been trumped, if they bid more.
This isn't a homes under the hammer or bargain hunt style auction.
Otherwise they go the sniper route/style and in the hope the 600 quid bidder doesn't come back after that 600 bid has been trumped, if they bid more.
