That Ebay Thing
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Peter M
Mar 23, 2012, 1:34:37 PM3/23/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
Not riding related but def rivendell related. I usually troll
craigslist, ebay, etc. for any deals out there and have noticed a
trend that while the bikes on ebay seem to be "reasonable" the
accessories usually go for far more than I would expect to pay. Take
for example this hat for sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rivendell-Bicycle-Works-Cycling-Cap-brand-new-/260983293520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc3d10650
it is currently selling $27 with shipping, you can get the same hat
for $16.00 on the rivbike site. Even if that is the only thing you get
and you pay the shipping its only $24.00, a 3 dollar savings and the
ebay auction isnt even over yet. I doubt rivendell has any problem
moving bikes because they are amazing and known nationwide for thier
bikes but having worked in retail the "smalls" as we knew them can
also generate a huge amount of revenue and let some people who cant
afford the bikes at least get some rivendellian swag. I have rarely if
ever seen an ad for Rivendell accessories and clothing and I am not
sure if this is on purpose or due to lack of funds for advertising but
it seems like when I see the stuff on ebay and CL it goes for more
than new which means people greatly desire it so one has to wonder if
it was better advertised could it generate more revenue for rivendell
in general. Sorry for the rambloings, just thinking out loud here.
craigslist, ebay, etc. for any deals out there and have noticed a
trend that while the bikes on ebay seem to be "reasonable" the
accessories usually go for far more than I would expect to pay. Take
for example this hat for sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rivendell-Bicycle-Works-Cycling-Cap-brand-new-/260983293520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc3d10650
it is currently selling $27 with shipping, you can get the same hat
for $16.00 on the rivbike site. Even if that is the only thing you get
and you pay the shipping its only $24.00, a 3 dollar savings and the
ebay auction isnt even over yet. I doubt rivendell has any problem
moving bikes because they are amazing and known nationwide for thier
bikes but having worked in retail the "smalls" as we knew them can
also generate a huge amount of revenue and let some people who cant
afford the bikes at least get some rivendellian swag. I have rarely if
ever seen an ad for Rivendell accessories and clothing and I am not
sure if this is on purpose or due to lack of funds for advertising but
it seems like when I see the stuff on ebay and CL it goes for more
than new which means people greatly desire it so one has to wonder if
it was better advertised could it generate more revenue for rivendell
in general. Sorry for the rambloings, just thinking out loud here.
William
Mar 23, 2012, 2:28:03 PM3/23/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Hey quiet! I'm paying for my kid's college tuition by buying Riv stuff at retail and reselling on ebay for retail-plus!
OK, just kidding. It is amusing when people will pay more than retail on ebay for an item that is readily available elsewhere. The seller started the auction at $5, so it's likely just one of those weird micro economic anomalies.
cyclot...@gmail.com
Mar 23, 2012, 3:23:15 PM3/23/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Sellers have the following in their favor:
1) Everyone wants a deal. Some so much that they're willing to pay more for it.
2) Ebay as entertainment. The endorphin rush of "winning" something is worth a premium.
All you have to do is get at least two bidders with at least one of the above going on.
Rivendell does advertise on some blogs (BikesnobNYC, Lovely Bicycle come to mind) as well as in Bicycle Quarterly.
On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
1) Everyone wants a deal. Some so much that they're willing to pay more for it.
2) Ebay as entertainment. The endorphin rush of "winning" something is worth a premium.
All you have to do is get at least two bidders with at least one of the above going on.
Rivendell does advertise on some blogs (BikesnobNYC, Lovely Bicycle come to mind) as well as in Bicycle Quarterly.
On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
Peter Morgano
Mar 23, 2012, 3:34:31 PM3/23/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
That is true, I have been caught up in the entertainment part but then became an old cheap ass, haha. I guess Rivendell is better served advertising in those venues because it is a pretty significant investment to get into and they would pprobably have to spend an inordinate amount of money to reach the "causual" bike owner but I would still love to see a small corner ad in the Village Voice or AM New York one day and let the 23c "Track Bike" crowd know there is another way :)
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EricP
Mar 23, 2012, 8:45:59 PM3/23/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Or possibly the green hat hasn't been available in a while. (I'm not really up to date on the hat colors, but my green was purchased a few years ago.) And someone out there just "has to" have the green Rivendell cap and is willing to pay a premium.
Been known to pay "above retail" on an item on eBay but only if sure there aren't any to be had through regular channels. And it was something I really wanted.
Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN
Montclair BobbyB
Mar 24, 2012, 1:39:50 PM3/24/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
Ah yes... the eBay feeding frenzy... A phenomenon that puzzles both
sellers and behavioral psychologists alike...
I have effectively given stuff away on eBay that was worth 2-3 times
what it sold for, then there have been times I've gotten way more for
an item than it was worth, even though the starting price was pretty
low...
BB
sellers and behavioral psychologists alike...
I have effectively given stuff away on eBay that was worth 2-3 times
what it sold for, then there have been times I've gotten way more for
an item than it was worth, even though the starting price was pretty
low...
BB
Message has been deleted
William
Mar 26, 2012, 6:23:32 PM3/26/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Yet another instance of delusional ebay selling.
On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
New ($132 and you are really close to free shipping):
http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/r3.htm
Ebay used ($149 with shipping):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nitto-Rack-Japan-rivendell-rear-MTB-26-nickel-Very-Nice-/180848847119?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a1b6e690f#ht_649wt_1344
More proof that crack don't smoke itself
More proof that crack don't smoke itself
On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
kavalk
Mar 25, 2012, 11:37:42 AM3/25/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
I prefer to watch cycling groups such as RBW and others to
see who is offering goods for sale. We share a common
interest here and when a group member offers an item for
sale, I feel a greater degree of certainty that the item is
as described. I choose a high water mark as an opening
bid and never raise that bid. I have "won" a few items,
"lost" out on others and never overpaid (in my opinion).
I would love to come into contact with these sellers at
a later date to share updates on the frames and components
I purchased. I would like to think we share a greater
camaraderie than simply buyer and seller.
On Mar 23, 1:28 pm, William <tapebu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey quiet! I'm paying for my kid's college tuition by buying Riv stuff at
> retail and reselling on ebay for retail-plus!
>
> OK, just kidding. It is amusing when people will pay more than retail on
> ebay for an item that is readily available elsewhere. The seller started
> the auction at $5, so it's likely just one of those weird micro economic
> anomalies.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
>
> > Not riding related but def rivendell related. I usually troll
> > craigslist, ebay, etc. for any deals out there and have noticed a
> > trend that while the bikes on ebay seem to be "reasonable" the
> > accessories usually go for far more than I would expect to pay. Take
> > for example this hat for sale
>
> >http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rivendell-Bicycle-Works-Cycling-Cap-brand-new-/260983293520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc3d10650<http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rivendell-Bicycle-Works-Cycling-Cap-brand-new...>
see who is offering goods for sale. We share a common
interest here and when a group member offers an item for
sale, I feel a greater degree of certainty that the item is
as described. I choose a high water mark as an opening
bid and never raise that bid. I have "won" a few items,
"lost" out on others and never overpaid (in my opinion).
I would love to come into contact with these sellers at
a later date to share updates on the frames and components
I purchased. I would like to think we share a greater
camaraderie than simply buyer and seller.
On Mar 23, 1:28 pm, William <tapebu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey quiet! I'm paying for my kid's college tuition by buying Riv stuff at
> retail and reselling on ebay for retail-plus!
>
> OK, just kidding. It is amusing when people will pay more than retail on
> ebay for an item that is readily available elsewhere. The seller started
> the auction at $5, so it's likely just one of those weird micro economic
> anomalies.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
>
> > Not riding related but def rivendell related. I usually troll
> > craigslist, ebay, etc. for any deals out there and have noticed a
> > trend that while the bikes on ebay seem to be "reasonable" the
> > accessories usually go for far more than I would expect to pay. Take
> > for example this hat for sale
>
Hiawatha Cyclery
Mar 23, 2012, 2:58:24 PM3/23/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
I believe there's a not insignificant portion of the bicycle
enthusiast community who look to ebay, craigslist, swap meets, etc,
first, and only deal with retail bicycle outlets as a last resort. We
certainly see it on the repair end, where people do horrific things to
"fix" minor mechanicals or fit issues, when we might have done it
correctly for free or for a trivial amount of money. There's even a
reluctance to physically bring a bike in for a repair estimate, or
when they do, there's reluctance to confess all the problems they have
with the bike. I think this distrust of brick-and-mortar bike shops
and online bike shops like Riv, have fueled a healthy market for
market prices and even inflated prices on the gray-market.
enthusiast community who look to ebay, craigslist, swap meets, etc,
first, and only deal with retail bicycle outlets as a last resort. We
certainly see it on the repair end, where people do horrific things to
"fix" minor mechanicals or fit issues, when we might have done it
correctly for free or for a trivial amount of money. There's even a
reluctance to physically bring a bike in for a repair estimate, or
when they do, there's reluctance to confess all the problems they have
with the bike. I think this distrust of brick-and-mortar bike shops
and online bike shops like Riv, have fueled a healthy market for
market prices and even inflated prices on the gray-market.
> Hey quiet! I'm paying for my kid's college tuition by buying Riv stuff at
> retail and reselling on ebay for retail-plus!
>
> OK, just kidding. It is amusing when people will pay more than retail on
> ebay for an item that is readily available elsewhere. The seller started
> the auction at $5, so it's likely just one of those weird micro economic
> anomalies.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
>
> > Not riding related but def rivendell related. I usually troll
> > craigslist, ebay, etc. for any deals out there and have noticed a
> > trend that while the bikes on ebay seem to be "reasonable" the
> > accessories usually go for far more than I would expect to pay. Take
> > for example this hat for sale
>
> >http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rivendell-Bicycle-Works-Cycling-Cap-brand-new-/260983293520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc3d10650<http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rivendell-Bicycle-Works-Cycling-Cap-brand-new...>
> retail and reselling on ebay for retail-plus!
>
> OK, just kidding. It is amusing when people will pay more than retail on
> ebay for an item that is readily available elsewhere. The seller started
> the auction at $5, so it's likely just one of those weird micro economic
> anomalies.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Friday, March 23, 2012 10:34:37 AM UTC-7, Peter M wrote:
>
> > Not riding related but def rivendell related. I usually troll
> > craigslist, ebay, etc. for any deals out there and have noticed a
> > trend that while the bikes on ebay seem to be "reasonable" the
> > accessories usually go for far more than I would expect to pay. Take
> > for example this hat for sale
>
Tim McNamara
Mar 23, 2012, 3:43:18 PM3/23/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I have watched things sell for prices above retail many times on eBay for currently available items. People get caught up in the bidding and the competition to "shop victoriously." A wise person told me once that the winner of almost any auction is the person most willing to overpay.
Scott Henry
Mar 23, 2012, 2:48:59 PM3/23/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Well, Its not just Riv items, I currently have about a dozen things for sale on eBay and with 2 days to go, I'm raking it in.
Two items are going for more than retail and one item is getting close.
My stuff is bike and fire department related items and I was just trying to start cleaning out my basement. Some people just want something and bu it, price be damned. Others just may not know any better and bid anyway, not knowing that they could get it elsewhere for less.
Scott
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