So I’m looking to change my pedal system to speedplay. I thought to myself, “self. let’s look on ebay to see if maybe someone is selling some used speedplay pedals and cleats we could pick up for a reasonable price.”
Self responded "that’s a good idea . . . " or so we thought. I’ve been watching auctions for a few weeks now. Consistently, used pedals are being sold for more than you can get them for new. And you can get them at any number of places. It’s not like I found some “great deal” on new pedals. Why are people doing this? Do they get caught up in the “auction” and the idea that they “win” something? Is it hypercompetitiveness? Either way, ebay benefits, as they profit based on sale price. Good for them. I’m sure they thought long and hard before using all of the colors and terms on their site that draws people in. Very interesting phenomenon.
I have noticed the same thing. I see all the time items raising prices more expensive than those I can find for a new, warrantied product in a 5 minutes froggle search. Also, there is always somebody ready to be pay more than me for the items I bid on. My rule of thumb is that I am taking a risk buying from Ebay, therefore the price should be at list 30% off retail.
It has been a lot worse lately. I have been looking at getting a used tri-spoke wheel for the front, and in the last few weeks the average price they have gone for is slowly rising. Perhaps its people buying Xmas presents. Or maybe its people doing some offseason upgrading. Whatever it is, its driving prices of most parts through the roof.
That is explicitly against e-bay policy and I don’t think that is what is going on because ultimately someone has to pony up the money and even if the auction ends on the fake high price, e-bay still charges them the insertion fee and the winning auction price fee.
The conversation I described IS against Ebay policy. But, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t rampant. Sure the seller loses a bit in fees, but the potential to make money is much greater. If the Buyer is a friend acting in collaboration there would be an understanding that no money ever changes hands. Honestly, I just can’t imagine how else some of this stuff happens. Used stuff with no guarentee just isn’t worth 90% of new.
Speedplay pedals are one of a few items that routinely fetch good prices. Another is Chris King headsets, though a used one of mine just sold for a rock-bottom $58, so deals do come and go. Generally speaking, companies that strictly enforce retail pricing will have their products sell for a decent portion of retail on eBay. This is true in many categories, not just bike parts. The upside is, particularly with speedplay pedals, I can buy new and sell used periodically without spending much money and I always have nice new pedals.
From what I have seen and bought. If it says Dura Ace, Speedplay, Look, or is hard to find it will go for more than retail.
If it is a steel frame it will be a steal. Most of the things I have won I am a lone bidder or up against a couple lowballers. If there is more than five bids I am usually the leading bidder until the last couple minutes I like the 30% rule as if it is close to what I can buy it locally for ,I usually do. The other thing is the shipping charges can be interesting. They may charge $10 and the box says $3.45. Oh well G
I ‘discovered’ e-bay a few months ago, have built up a frame with stuff from there plus some stuff from ST’ers, and a couple of bits from my LBS. I’ve kept a couple of catalogues in my desk to see what retail pricing is if I don’t really have a clue, and govern my bids accordingly. I haven’t been disappointed yet, but make sure I know what I’m willing to spend and stop at that number. And I guess I’m a trusting soul too, an (so far) haven’t been stiffed or lied to. There is stuff that goes for stupid prices - just not to me
I’ve noticed that, it;s fristrating. But you just have to keep looking and not get caught up in the bidding. I bought a used Hed for $80 last winter, Look pedals for $28. On the other hand, my well used Speedplays went for close to list.
After taking a year to overcome an Ebay addiction, my advice is “ignorance is bliss.” Although I got some pretty sweet deals on triathlon and non-triathlon items alike over my time, I would estimate (1) the cost of my time to purchase, bid, get frustrated, rebid, and (2) overpaying becuase I hated to lose, led to me paying in aggregate about 100% more than I could have paid at even the most overpriced LBS.
IMHO the key to ebay is patience and self control. When I see something I like I put in my max. bid at the amount that I’m willing to spend for that item and then ignore it until it’s over. If I win it, all the better, if not, the same item will be back in another week or so.
But I hear ya about Speedplay, I sold some really old ones which I bought back in 1994 for $47.- . I had started the auction at $10.-.
Still Ebay is the way to go. I went into an LBS yesterday and bought a Dura Ace Derailleur kit for about 25 bucks, plus tax. On Ebay, brand new it was 14.95.
Here’s what I’ve seen:
Anything “triathlon” is higher and gets more action than non-triathlon items, including frames, and aero wheelsets, and even bike shoes.
Anything “Cervelo” gets a lot of bidding. You could literally buy a Cervelo Soloist frame, I believe, and probably sell it the next day on ebay, not too much for a loss, to what you paid for.
Carbon seatposts: hot. Carbon handlebars in the 85-120 range: hot. Carbon stems, hot.
The bike parts buyers are smart, too! by and large. The odds are, if you see a deal, 300 of them will, too, and they won’t bid until the last hour or so.
I’ve got to chime in here. As an eBayer since 1997, I’ve noticed that the cycling/triathlon prices are higher from Sept. to Jan consistently. It’s a sellers market at this time of year. The reasons are that some parts are sold out locally, it’s the off-season and people are buying/switching parts, and it’s Christmas time (Holiday spending spirit is in the air). The key to not overpaying is to have a maximum price you’re willing to pay and don’t get emotional or in a bidding war and go over that maximum. Remember, it only takes 2 bidders to make a bidding war. And the stupidest thing you can do is bid early in the auction and let others so the same (for days), thus jacking the price up. That’s just ignorant and costs you more money in the end – if you win the item at all. I’m not giving away any big eBay secret here, it’s just common sense.
Obviously you were one of those soles caught up in the “I won, I won” dogmatic ebayism. Glad you can see straight now, and that in fact you never won anything - you merely paid more than anyone else.
Like wise you never lost anything - it’s just some other sucker, er I mean sole, likely overpaid.
(1) the cost of my time to purchase, bid, get frustrated, rebid, and (2) overpaying becuase I hated to lose, led to me paying in aggregate about 100% more than I could have paid at even the most overpriced LBS.
I was constructing a conspiracy theory as the only possible explaination for ebay prices. I guess I underestimated the Type A personality.
