[Andre5111]

Not to step on any specific toes before coffee on a Monday morning, but I just thought I'd throw the following out there:

I
find that the price of secondhand bike parts on the Hub is a little bit
like the South African secondhand car market: Brand-besotted consumers
buy worn aspirational forks, group sets and wheels for near-new prices,
or prices that are way higher than they should be after taking a 2000km+ beating on a trail bike.

This
is partly fuelled by sellers' expectations. I'd like to propose that
you curb your "asking price enthusiasm" for the following reasons:

Buying secondhand is buying risk
- product warranty expires when it's no longer your account number
wasn't used to buy the product new - pretending that it was walks an
uneasy line over warranty fraud.

Buying secondhand means reduced lifetime
- no matter how well looked after, each product has a usage life. By
buying secondhand, one must expect that and be prepared to
replace/service parts long before you would have on a new part.

Remember the IT hardware value model - on a company's financials, computers are worth NADA after four years; and those are high-tech devices too.

Secondhand is not new
- I don't care what you think, if it's no longer in its box on a
dealer's shelf, it can no longer be classified as new. Period.

If I wanted to be broke, I'd buy new
- secondhand goods are supposed to make this expensive sport more
accessible to people who don't earn CA's salaries (I'm a copywriter).
By inflating secondhand prices (and screwing me out of a nice ride) you
also give dealers license to charge you even more on the 2010 ranges
(shaving gorillas off your new BMW fund).

So what am I asking?

Be realistic in your asking prices.
Half-price after one year is not outside the realm of the impossible,
given that the WE closing-down sale gives us half-price on unused
goods. Asking for 10% less once it's been on a bike makes me wonder
about your shnarf consumption - it's just plain arrogant.

Be open for negotiation. This is willing-buyer, willing-seller-ville. The price is not what you say it is, it is what we agree to, so don't be a tool and write rude responses to serious written offers.

Food for thought; use it, don't use it.

For more thought-provoking entrepreneurial thoughts visit:

http://bit.ly/b4ZJw





Andre51112009-09-23 08:16:58

[Henri]

[Mampara]

Quote

Secondhand is not new

- I don't care what you think, if it's no longer in its box on a

dealer's shelf, it can no longer be classified as new. Period.

that always amazes me. If if you take the stuff off the bike immediately to replace it with other stuff it is still second hand. You can state "never used, perfect condition" but not new.

[Ciclismo]

All very valid points - BUT at the end of the day - as you point out its a free market and if you have a willing buyer and a willing seller that is what it will sell for...the onus is on the buyer to know what that item costs new and work from there.

 

My other comment - people look after their kit differently (and it will be obvious on inspection) so that is a serious consideration. I would rather spend a little more on a part knowing that it is in good nick and will last me longer than pushing for the best price regardless of condition.

 

At the end of the day you have to have a meeting of the minds (quote from some business book somehwere)

[slowtwitch]

It's an open market. A Hubber can ask what he wants

 

....it doesn't mean we need to pay what he asks for a product, and generally the "WE" are quick to respond if asking prices are too high

[paulvs]

nice 



BTW - if the condition is kuk be prepared to refund and take back your no Q's asked...







paulvs2009-09-21 02:08:08

[Wayne_Potgieter]

AWESOME.



I agree...too many hubbers are not prepared to negotiate at all.



It seems that despite a decent and reasonable offer, they continue to "BUMP" indefinetely instead of considering the offer.



Remember chaps...a bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush (or some such appropriate metaphor)

[Sammajoor]

And if you help someone in the right direction, regarding a too high price, DO NOT shoot the messenger.

[yazat]

i agree fully  .................. yazat2009-09-21 02:14:50

[Wayne_Potgieter]

Quote

And if you help someone in the right direction, regarding a too high price, DO NOT shoot the messenger.

Agreed.

[Andre5111]

@slowtwitch: Obviously. My point is that when sellers always start pricing at 7k (new cost) it is unlikely, statistically, that deals will be made around 3k-3.5k  (fair price after 1 year). I am trying to get to the root of the problem - the broad perception driving high secondhand prices starts with the seller's inflated price expectations. If we can inject a good dose of realism at that level, it'll trickle down - more bargains, faster sales, no tiring bump-bump-bumpage on old ads.

[yazat]

well some ppl will neva do that.

[101SCC]

Sorry guys, where's the competition commission!

 

Seller Sells and Buyer Buys.

 

I can sell for whatever I want, If you see value in my offer buy. If not move on!

 

If you want something and are a serious buyer (have the Cash) then offer and purchase.

 

DON"T write stupid comment on a threat detracting from the sale.

 

If the seller is happy to pay the asking price then that is a good sale.

 

If you are smart and you've done your homework then there are good deals to be had.

 

Offer and Acceptance, basic economics.

 

If the price doesn't suite, smile and move on...thank goodness you have the choice.

 

Cheers

 

[shebeen]

If it's the model of a free market, you have to ask why prices appear so high?

Asking price isn't selling price, a lot of sellers are prepared to sit on items for a while so will put a premium price out as their starting point.

Over the past two years new prices on bikes and accessories have increased way above inflation. 2nd hand prices will track that.

That's my broad assumption, I'm sure someone with a bit more beancounting skills could put it more eloquently.

[mrm6712]

Not that I am an expert by any means when it comes to second hand pricing, but normally what I do if I feel the price is a bit steep, is to send the guy a PM. That way you can "say your say" in private and not advertise it all over the guys classified add (thread).

 

I done that once or twice and hubbers are normally appreciative of that.

 

Treat each other with respect!! - thats my 2c worth.

 

 

[paulvs]

there should always a level of acceptable bargaining in a secondhand deal.

what you may see as an item of excellent condition may not be the view of the buyer.

so if you have an issue, take a tissue.. .

[gazza]

someone once said..

"the price is what you pay, the value is what you get"

[velo]

Bizarre thread this. Its a free economy and we can seriously do without any pricing guidelines. If my stuff is too expensive i'll find out soon enough when it doesn't sell.

If I reject your low offer then no need to get all upset with me, the goods are mine and I can and will do with them what i want, including advertising them for whatever price that pleases me.

I heard Venezuela is slowly becoming a Marxist state with price controls and restricted freedom. Best you hurry up and emigrate before they shut the border.

[Anfielder]

Willing seller willing Buyer.

How do you know that the price asked is the price paid? Without knowing the actual price paid you can't say prices are too high.

I see an old Chinese stamp which probably cost less than a Rand, is to be auctioned and they expect $225000 so old can be worth a lot to some people. 

[slowtwitch]

I was shocked the other day to see how much cycling stuff retails for in bike shops!!!!

I thick we on the Hub have a warped idea of what things should cost (thankfully)

examples:

Zipps are not R10 000

Dura Ace groupo is not R8k

A cassette does not cost R250

 

And a top end carbon bike with race wheels and top end groupo does not retail for R30 000!!!!!