Anyone who thinks they can hunt, collect, buy and sell classic bikes and make a profit is probably dreaming. For every winner, you can be sure to have 2, 3 of 4 money losers, unsaleable bikes which seemed like good ideas at the time. Beyond the cost of mistakes, there's taxes, duty, shipping and storage.Sure, 5 years ago, I thought it would be easier to make 10-20% on each bike. But once I realized this wasn't possible bike after bike, what was left was at least meeting some nice people, who appreciated a nice bike and who would ride it with pride.
But then you get some cranky people. This this guy:
Hi
I have an interest in your 52 cm Tommasini [ed. which is currently listed for $1200].
If you were to keep the saddle, tires/tubes, would you be willing to take 1050 for it? Thanks.
Not an unreasonable request.
To which I responded:
To: deleted
Subject: the Tomassini
Hi (deleted),
thanks for the interest.
this bike though (as I expect you know) is pretty special. The price i have it at now ($1200) is just for winter, while sales are slow.
Come Spring I will pop it back up to it's true value, $1400. and it'll go.
Peter
Seems I must have struck a nerve, as he responded, rather testily.
Hi
Thanks for your reply. Although I find it ironic and perhaps even arrogant that you use the term "true value" when the basis of your business is buying bikes cheap and then giving them nose-bleed mark-ups. Don't worry, old Italian granny didn't know her Colnago was worth more than a hundred bucks.
I do see you like make honesty your selling point, but given your belief that you are all about honesty, it's clear to me from your email that it is just a narcissistic veneer. You talk about honesty and etc. but part of that is not ripping people off. If the "true value" of your bike really was 1400, then why is it still unsold at 1200? You should ask yourself these questions.
"True value" my ass.
Good day.
In the future I think I will stick to a simple "No Thank You" when rejecting a lowball.
But then you get some cranky people. This this guy:
Hi
I have an interest in your 52 cm Tommasini [ed. which is currently listed for $1200].
If you were to keep the saddle, tires/tubes, would you be willing to take 1050 for it? Thanks.
Not an unreasonable request.
To which I responded:
To: deleted
Subject: the Tomassini
Hi (deleted),
thanks for the interest.
this bike though (as I expect you know) is pretty special. The price i have it at now ($1200) is just for winter, while sales are slow.
Come Spring I will pop it back up to it's true value, $1400. and it'll go.
Peter
Seems I must have struck a nerve, as he responded, rather testily.
Hi
Thanks for your reply. Although I find it ironic and perhaps even arrogant that you use the term "true value" when the basis of your business is buying bikes cheap and then giving them nose-bleed mark-ups. Don't worry, old Italian granny didn't know her Colnago was worth more than a hundred bucks.
I do see you like make honesty your selling point, but given your belief that you are all about honesty, it's clear to me from your email that it is just a narcissistic veneer. You talk about honesty and etc. but part of that is not ripping people off. If the "true value" of your bike really was 1400, then why is it still unsold at 1200? You should ask yourself these questions.
"True value" my ass.
Good day.
In the future I think I will stick to a simple "No Thank You" when rejecting a lowball.
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