I’ve never sold bikes (they get stolen ) but what is the best way?
Ebay would be great - quick transaction, nationwide audience. But shipping seems a bit daunting. Ask for a bike box from LBS?
I’ve created some local Crazylist ads, had some bites. I rode my Pinarello to a bike shop for someone to look at this weekend. My pictures were super detailed and today he says “it’s too much of a commuter bike”. Whatever that means?
Now my time to do that (there and back) almost exceeds the cost of the bike.
I’ve got one tri bike to sell too, nothing special, just need to make some rack space
Classifieds here on ST are good cause you can avoid those pesky eBay fees.
I just sold a P3C on eBay and was able to get a bike box from my LBS for free. Sometimes they’ll charge you $5-10 though. For shipping I used BikeFlights and it came out to ~$85 for the whole bike, which is pretty typical.
If you do go the shipping route, I highly suggest using foam pipe insulation from a hardware store to pad the bike. It works great.
If you are on Facebook, “online swap meet for cyclists and triathletes†is a group of people posting stuff all the time. I have sold a bunch stuff on there.
Check to see if there is a local Buy/Sell bike group on FB. I sold my Trek Madone in two days and didn’t have to bother with shipping. Met with the buyer in a parking lot so he could test ride the bike and had my money 5 min. later. Easy peasy and no fees/hassles. (Be realistic in your pricing.)
I am using my Pinarello as a test subject. I am most concerned about the shipping - packing and boxing it.
Same geometry as the Dogma - it’s got low bars with a 0 Deg flat stem
My LBS will work on consignment if it’s a bike they think has interest. They showcase the bike (create their own CL ad to have people call or come into the shop), answer any customer questions, allow test rides, etc. If they sell the bike, they take X%. They also let you concurrently list the bike online, and if at any time you want to take the bike back, whether you sell it on ebay or you simply have a change of heart on selling…you can without penalty. If a certain time frame passes and the LBS doesn’t want to hold it on consignment anymore, they simply give you a call and you take the bike back.
I had my IA16 on here in classifieds. Not even an offer.
Sold on eBay, LBS packaged and shipped. Was out of my life 5 days later.
My Pinarello test sale on Ebay went OK. I was v/lucky that some dude from Manitoba bid it up in the end otherwise it would have been a give-away. Which is what I should have done. I took it to the bike shop who packed it in a huge box, shipping was ridiculous back east @ $280. But OK, need it gone
I put my Guru Cr901 on Ebay. Got an offer and accepted. From there it was a gong show. Had to cancel the sale and now can’t find a way to relist ?? Ebay is a bit of mess sometimes. Also on craigs.
My Argon I have to upload to Ebay, but did a local ad. Got one reply from somebody who has never ridden a TT “what’s your bottom price”. I get these texts or emails with that stupidity all the time. So I say “it’s xyz when can I expect a deposit?” If they reply it’s a hella lotta back-tracking.
Just another update on the bike garage sale, because it’s a bit comical.
The Pinarello Ebay sale went to dispute. Because shipping is $$ it resolved in my favor but it highlighted that bikes in Canada will be grittier than southern USA bikes that never see rain & snow. Fine grit doesn’t show in detailed high res pictures apparently.
I just sold my Argon E118, which I gave to the person to try. A week later he texted me pictures of the bike with the tri bars completely redone! (bars flipped raised, spaced and new tape). Then made me an offer which was a bit lower than my min calc but that’s OK.
I sold my Titanium Cafe racer on Ebay to an Australian moving to Victoria. B.C. and I have to deliver that in a couple of weeks. It’s a tri frame setup as a city bike - really cool.
And lastly my Guru CR901 I have a showing this Friday. People are responding to how the build looks, style and the photos.
