Used stuff at shops?

Matt J said:

I've noticed that most shops around here don't really do much selling of old used stuff. I've had
some luck with one guy at one shop, but I think it's him and not the shop that sells stuff. Is
there a reason for this? Do shops not want to get a rep for selling used parts? Are there
liability issues of some sort?

Does any other retail business get into the business of used merchandise? There are, of course, huge
issues in selling used stuff. It would have to be sold "as is", which we tend to accept from
individuals, but not from retail outlets. Buy a used frame for cheap. It breaks. What do you do? You
go back to the store you bought it from, if you bought it from a store. For the small amount the
dealer would make on the transaction, who needs the hassle?

The only retail dealers I can think of who sell used stuff are car dealers. But who wants the
reputation that used car dealers have? Certainly not for the price of a used bicycle.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Let's not escape into mathematics. Let's stay with reality. -- _`\(,_ | Michael Crichton
(_)/ (_) |

Mon, 08 Dec 2003 01:34:33 -0500, <[email hidden]>, "David L. Johnson"

Quoted message said:

The only retail dealers I can think of who sell used stuff are car dealers. But who wants the
reputation that used car dealers have? Certainly not for the price of a used bicycle.

Our Community Bikes! has a large inventory of used parts. It's arguably the greater part of their
business for the past 10 years. pedalpower.orgocb.htmlOpen ↗

Another community initiative is called Bike Works that has a huge selection of used parts.
unitedwecan.caunitedwecan.caOpen ↗

They both sell new parts too but not complete new bicycles. Used bikes can be purchased
reconditioned or as-is.

They're great resources to have so I do my bit to support them.
--
zk

"Zoot Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

They both sell new parts too but not complete new bicycles. Used bikes can be purchased
reconditioned or as-is.

They're great resources to have so I do my bit to support them.
--
zk

The problem as we saw it with used stuff, is that you make less margin than new and you have to
store the stuff same as new stuff. It's simply less profitable. You CAN make a go of it, but you
have to get stuff really cheap. Most people don't want to hear that you'll give them $100 for the
[censored] they bought 10 years ago for $600. And it's also about appearance. You make more money on
clothes and accessories, arguably the most fashion-sensitive parts of cycling, and you need to
project that you're a first-class, trendy store. Start out with buckets of old derailleurs in your
lobby and you're going the wrong way. And to top it off, when you deal in used stuff, there are
issues about what happens if stuff doesn't work...is there a warranty implied? It's tricky..people
expect that when they pay for something, it will work. And they'll come back and take up a lot of
your time trying to figure out why it doesn't work, only to find out the piece or bike is bent or
mangled in some way. So, it's a tricky deal. It's kinda like owning a wreckers versus owning a new
auto parts place. That may illustrate the difference more clearly.

Cheers,

Scott..

In article said:

I've noticed that most shops around here don't really do much selling of old used stuff. I've had
some luck with one guy at one shop, but I think it's him and not the shop that sells stuff. Is
there a reason for this? Do shops not want to get a rep for selling used parts? Are there liability
issues of some sort?

Around Seattle there are some shops that have used bikes, two of which have _mostly_ used
bikes/equipment. They seem to have a pretty good business, both having moved into larger quarters or
otherwise expanded in the last 3-4 years. Still, they are a distinct minority.

-frank
--

"Matt J" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've noticed that most shops around here don't really do much selling of old used stuff. I've had
some luck with one guy at one shop, but I think it's him and not the shop that sells stuff. Is
there a reason for this?

We have a shop here that sells a lot of used bikes, parts, and NOS and vintage. I've seen some other
shops like this too. They're not common but they do exist.

Quoted message said:

Do shops not want to get a rep for selling used parts?

I don't think that's an issue.

Quoted message said:

Are there liability issues of some sort?

Yes, and warranty. Imagine selling someone a bike with a drivetrain that's almost but not quite worn
out. He uses the bike to commute to school and work, and within a month it needs three new
chainrings, a cassette, and a new chain. There goes all your profit, and then some.

Quoted message said:

If it matters, I'm just north of Chicago (Evanston).

The area has a lot to do with it too. First, the business has to meet the needs of the local market,
and there are usually a lot more people looking for shiny new bikes for $3-500 than beaters for
$100. Nowadays the average joe can go to Wal-Mart and get a brand new bike for under $100. People
who know bikes don't need to go to a bike shop -- they can shop the classifieds, and/or garage
sales. Second, shopkeepers have to pay their rent -- and you can't pay metro area rents by selling
$100 used bikes and $10 chainrings. If you live in a small town or depressed area where the rent is
literally 1/10 as much, it may be a whole 'nother story.

Matt O.

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Matt J said:

I've noticed that most shops around here don't really do much selling of old used stuff. I've
had some luck with one guy at one shop, but I think it's him and not the shop that sells stuff.
Is there a reason for this? Do shops not want to get a rep for selling used parts? Are there
liability issues of some sort?

Does any other retail business get into the business of used merchandise? There are, of course,
huge issues in selling used stuff. It would have to be sold "as is", which we tend to accept from
individuals, but not from retail outlets. Buy a used frame for cheap. It breaks. What do you do?
You go back to the store you bought it from, if you bought it from a store. For the small amount
the dealer would make on the transaction, who needs the hassle?

The only retail dealers I can think of who sell used stuff are car dealers. But who wants the
reputation that used car dealers have? Certainly not for the price of a used bicycle.

This doesn't help the OP in Chicago but in San Diego there is a great used bike store call Pedal
Pushing Power. They have been in business for years. I buy small items from them all the time. The
OP may contact them directly to see if they will sell things thru the mail.

Tom

David L. Johnson said:

Does any other retail business get into the business of used merchandise? There are, of course,
huge issues in selling used stuff. It would have to be sold "as is", which we tend to accept from
individuals, but not from retail outlets. Buy a used frame for cheap. It breaks. What do you do?
You go back to the store you bought it from, if you bought it from a store. For the small amount
the dealer would make on the transaction, who needs the hassle?

Quoted message said:

The only retail dealers I can think of who sell used stuff are car dealers. But who wants the
reputation that used car dealers have? Certainly not for the price of a used bicycle.

I don't disagree with your points, but I can think of a couple of other examples. Photo stores often
sell used cameras (high value, low space requirement). Same for musical instrument stores. There are
many used book and record stores, though selling "media" is rather different than selling "stuff."
There are some businesses that deal in secondhand large appliances (refrigerators, etc).

In general, selling secondhand things has probably suffered just like being in a repair business -
because new stuff is so cheap and (domestic) labor costs high by comparison.

Anyway, often in a college town you will find some store selling used bikes. Usually not
much exotic.

Zoot Katz said:

Mon, 08 Dec 2003 01:34:33 -0500, <[email hidden]>, "David L. Johnson"

Quoted message said:

The only retail dealers I can think of who sell used stuff are car dealers. But who wants the
reputation that used car dealers have? Certainly not for the price of a used bicycle.

Our Community Bikes! has a large inventory of used parts. It's arguably the greater part of their
business for the past 10 years. pedalpower.orgocb.htmlOpen ↗

Another community initiative is called Bike Works that has a huge selection of used parts.
unitedwecan.caunitedwecan.caOpen ↗

They both sell new parts too but not complete new bicycles. Used bikes can be purchased
reconditioned or as-is.

They're great resources to have so I do my bit to support them.

Do you know of any oranizations like these that exist in Toronto?

Mon, 8 Dec 2003 08:07:41 -0500, <[email hidden]>, "S. Anderson"

Quoted message said:

Start out with buckets of old derailleurs in your lobby and you're going the wrong way. And to top
it off, when you deal in used stuff, there are issues about what happens if stuff doesn't work...is
there a warranty implied? It's tricky..people expect that when they pay for something, it will
work. And they'll come back and take up a lot of your time trying to figure out why it doesn't
work, only to find out the piece or bike is bent or mangled in some way. So, it's a tricky deal.
It's kinda like owning a wreckers versus owning a new auto parts place. That may illustrate the
difference more clearly.

Our Community Bikes! started as the store front of a non-profit group involved with sending bicycles
to Africa and building pedal powered agricultural equipment with Maya groups in Guatemala. The shop
is successful and has become self-funding.

Besides selling parts, they rent the tools and repair stands for $5 hr. or $10 with verbal
instruction or $15 hr. with hands-on instruction. Used goods can be returned for exchange or credit,
new goods returned for cash refunds.

OCB! is without doubt one of the coolest bike shops on this continent.
pedalpower.orgocb.htmlOpen ↗

They're affiliated with Bike Kitchen on the UBC campus to serve that community by offering repair
facilities, instruction, parts and accessories.

Bike Works has employed a similar formula with their start-up. They're doing good work serving their
local community, building cargo trikes and supporting a bike cartage operation.

We're very fortunate to have these resources available.
--
zk

DO any of these organizations live in the US of A?

"Zoot Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mon, 8 Dec 2003 08:07:41 -0500, <[email hidden]>, "S. Anderson"

Quoted message said:

Start out with buckets of old derailleurs in your lobby and you're going the wrong way. And to
top it off, when you

deal

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in used stuff, there are issues about what happens if stuff doesn't work...is there a warranty
implied? It's tricky..people expect that when they pay for something, it will work. And they'll
come back and take up

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

lot of your time trying to figure out why it doesn't work, only to find

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the piece or bike is bent or mangled in some way. So, it's a tricky

deal.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's kinda like owning a wreckers versus owning a new auto parts place. That may illustrate the
difference more clearly.

Our Community Bikes! started as the store front of a non-profit group involved with sending
bicycles to Africa and building pedal powered agricultural equipment with Maya groups in
Guatemala. The shop is successful and has become self-funding.

Besides selling parts, they rent the tools and repair stands for $5 hr. or $10 with verbal
instruction or $15 hr. with hands-on instruction. Used goods can be returned for exchange or
credit, new goods returned for cash refunds.

OCB! is without doubt one of the coolest bike shops on this continent.
pedalpower.orgocb.htmlOpen ↗

They're affiliated with Bike Kitchen on the UBC campus to serve that community by offering repair
facilities, instruction, parts and accessories.

Bike Works has employed a similar formula with their start-up. They're doing good work serving
their local community, building cargo trikes and supporting a bike cartage operation.

We're very fortunate to have these resources available.
--
zk

For used bikes and parts in Chicago, check out www.workingbikes.org.

Chris

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Matt J said:

Why don't shops sell used stuff?

For the small amount the dealer would make on the transaction, who needs the hassle?

What I had in mind was little stuff - handlebars, old school track pedals, an old stem for 5$, that
kinda stuff. I can certainly see why they wouldn't want to sell frames, bikes etc. And I'm talking
about as a market to people who know what they're doing, not just any old customer. I can see what
you mean though, that the margin for profit is very slim. Matt

mrbubl said:

DO any of these organizations live in the US of A?

There are a couple in Seattle, along with a good handful of shops that sell used bikes and
components. Whether there are any in a particular area depends, I think, on whether there's a local
market for utility and commuting bikes.

Trent

Quoted message said:

"Zoot Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mon, 8 Dec 2003 08:07:41 -0500, <[email hidden]>, "S. Anderson"

Quoted message said:

Start out with buckets of old derailleurs in your lobby and you're going the wrong way. And to
top it off, when you

deal

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in used stuff, there are issues about what happens if stuff doesn't work...is there a warranty
implied? It's tricky..people expect that when they pay for something, it will work. And they'll
come back and take up

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

lot of your time trying to figure out why it doesn't work, only to find

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the piece or bike is bent or mangled in some way. So, it's a tricky

deal.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's kinda like owning a wreckers versus owning a new auto parts place. That may illustrate the
difference more clearly.

Our Community Bikes! started as the store front of a non-profit group involved with sending
bicycles to Africa and building pedal powered agricultural equipment with Maya groups in
Guatemala. The shop is successful and has become self-funding.

Besides selling parts, they rent the tools and repair stands for $5 hr. or $10 with verbal
instruction or $15 hr. with hands-on instruction. Used goods can be returned for exchange or
credit, new goods returned for cash refunds.

OCB! is without doubt one of the coolest bike shops on this continent.
pedalpower.orgocb.htmlOpen ↗

They're affiliated with Bike Kitchen on the UBC campus to serve that community by offering
repair facilities, instruction, parts and accessories.

Bike Works has employed a similar formula with their start-up. They're doing good work serving
their local community, building cargo trikes and supporting a bike cartage operation.

We're very fortunate to have these resources available.
--
zk

Thomas Reynolds said:

This doesn't help the OP in Chicago but in San Diego there is a great used bike store call Pedal
Pushing Power. They have been in business for years. I buy small items from them all the time. The
OP may contact them directly to see if they will sell things thru the mail.

Tom

Tom:

Where is Pedal Pushing Power located? They don't seem to have a web site and I can't find them in
the Yahoo yellow pages. I'll be in San Diego in a couple of weeks, and I'd like to stop by the shop
if it's not too far out of my way.

Thanks.

--Josh

8 Dec 2003 14:11:34 -0700 said:

Anyway, often in a college town you will find some store selling used bikes. Usually not
much exotic.

My first experience with "used" parts was quite remarkable.

I needed a dust cover for a Lyotard "Marcel Berthet" model 23 pedal. OCB! had _one_ whole pedal.
Used pedals are $2.50 each.

I got a nice pair of Zeus track pedals for five bucks.
--
zk

Matt J said:

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Matt J said:

Why don't shops sell used stuff?

For the small amount the dealer would make on the transaction, who needs the hassle?

What I had in mind was little stuff - handlebars, old school track pedals, an old stem for 5$,
that kinda stuff. I can certainly see why they wouldn't want to sell frames, bikes etc. And I'm
talking about as a market to people who know what they're doing, not just any old customer. I can
see what you mean though, that the margin for profit is very slim. Matt

What you need to find is a swap meet. There are lots of dealers who spend a lot of their time and
energy going from meet to meet selling everything from last year's surplus stock that a shop can't
move since it doesn't say "2004" on it, to people with warehouses of NOS parts and clothes.

I have run our club's annual swap meet for the last 2-3 years, and these guys are incredible. You
want a part for an old Sting-Ray or British 3-speed, they got it. Actually, for both of those models
there are specialized swap meets just for those bikes.

There have to be such events in Chicago. I regularly cruise such things here in the Philadelphia
region. I can count at least half a dozen such events, spread out over the year, within reasonable
driving distance. Next one is early February in Hagerstown.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | We have a record of conquest, colonization and expansion _`\(,_ | unequalled by any people
in the Nineteenth Century. We are not (_)/ (_) | to be curbed now. --Henry Cabot Lodge, 1895

Mon, 08 Dec 2003 21:03:40 GMT, <[email hidden]>,

Jacobe Hazzard said:

Do you know of any oranizations like these that exist in Toronto?

No, but that doesn't mean they aren't there.

"Bicycles Crossing Borders" sends bikes to Cuba. bikestocuba.orgbikestocuba.orgOpen ↗

Community Bicycle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community-based
sustainable transportation initiatives since 1993. They run the Bike Share yellow bike program and
Tool Works

101-761 Queen Street West - (416) 504 2918

Try the newsgroup <ont.bicycle>. Somebody there might know where to get used bike parts in Toronto.
--
zk

"Chris Atkinson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

For used bikes and parts in Chicago, check out www.workingbikes.org.

Another place to try, closer to the OP's home in Evanston, is Urban Bikes. This on Broadway, at
Leland (which is near Montrose / Lawrence). Urban Bikes basement is particularly interesting.

A shop I've never been to personally is Quick Release. From a posting by someone else, which I kept:
"Quick Release is hugely into salvaging useful parts and keeping old bikes working. I don't know how
well stocked they are with parts, but in general I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Quick Release has moved to: 1527 North Ashland Chicago IL 60622 their phone number remains the same:
773 871-3110 "

So, now the original poster than 3 local bike shops to check out this weekend and report back to the
group on 😉

--
Mike Kruger It's never the end of the world. It's already tomorrow in Australia. (Charles
M. Schultz)

"Josh Gatts" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Thomas Reynolds said:

This doesn't help the OP in Chicago but in San Diego there is a great used bike store call Pedal
Pushing Power. They have been in business for years. I buy small items from them all the time.
The OP may contact them directly to see if they will sell things thru the mail.

Tom

Tom:

Where is Pedal Pushing Power located? They don't seem to have a web site and I can't find them in
the Yahoo yellow pages. I'll be in San Diego in a couple of weeks, and I'd like to stop by the
shop if it's not too far out of my way.

Thanks.

--Josh

They are on El Cajon Blvd between 49th and 50th street. Their phone number is (619) 583-2043. They
are open on Saturdays also.

As you approach the place, remember, looks can be deceiving.

Tom