[email protected] (Gabe) wrote:
> Thanks, guys for all the info -- I'm going to try Craig's List and look for a local bike swap but
> if anyone has an idea on how to compose a good ebay ad, that'd be great.
I have only had one failed attempt to sell on eBay, so I'm not an expert, but here's some of what
I learned:
-have all your decisions made before you set up your ad, especially relating to what price you think
you can reasonably get. -choose your opening bid price carefully. -try to avoid settting a reserve.
It's costly, and people are less likely to bid if they see "reserve not met". I blew my attempt on
eBay by setting a reserve that was not only higher than my rock bottom price, but just too damn high
period. By the time I realized that, it was too late to change it. -be patient--from what I've seen
most of the bidding will happen in the last hours of the auction. People who use eBay are playing a
poker game. They make note of the auction close for items that they want and come back to play their
hand at the bell, not 20 minutes after you post your item.
> In the meanwhile, what is a good price for a small '99 Specialized FSR XC which I put $1500 into?
Generally, figure about half of what you paid for the bike, before "upgrades". Unless some of your
upgrade items are blue chip, like Chris King stuff, Fox or Marzocchi, a Mavic wheelset, etc. For
each of those blue chip things, add in about half of what they cost. Maybe.
It can be worthwhile in *some* situations where you have lots of really blue chip add-ons to break
up the bike and sell frame/fork and components separately. I don't think so in your case.
> I know it's literally not worth the $3000 I've spent on it, but I'd like to get back as much as
> possible for it and won't sell it if it looks like it's worth more to me than anyone else - and
> I'm guessing that's the case.
Never know til you get it out there. Take good pictures. Write a good and comprehensive description.
Don't forget rec.bicycles.marketplace as an ad venue. I've sold a bunch of stuff there. Also, mtbr
has classifieds that cost a little ($2 I think) but they get quite a bit of traffic. Also:
http://www.bikeride.com/classifieds/default.asp http://www.bicycleclassifieds.com/
both of which are free.
I'd advise you to take good pictures and post classifieds on all the bike classifieds sites you can
find, and on rec.bicycles.marketplace with a maybe somewhat aggressive price. And be sure to post
all the relavent info. Calling it a "small" frame is ****. Post specific info about sizing
(effective top tube, seat tube in c to c or c to t, etc.) Don't leave people guessing, or they'll
pass and look elsewhere.
See what kind of offers you get. Maybe you sell, maybe you find out a little more about what people
are willing to pay. Eventually use that info to start an auction on eBay. When you do that, update
all your classifieds with the URL to your eBay auction. Maybe email anyone who ever wrote to you
asking about the bike with the eBay link as well.
Be patient. Tell yourself it might take a month. Patient people get more $$ for their stuff.
Good luck.
--
Tom Purvis -
http://www.arkansasvalley.net/tpurvis/ Salida, CO
