Real selling/purchase price for vintage steel bikes in 2018?

[Fifthgrace]

I'm not a trader, but I do have to move a bike on every now and then to make room for the next one (N+1 being no longer permitted). Am I right in thinking that eBay has been awash this summer with vintage steel bikes in the £1000-£1750 price range? (let's for the moment forget about those in the stratosphere of +£1750). The problem with eBay is that sellers base the price on the asking price, more than the selling price which is often hidden by the "Best offer" type sale. The gap between seller expectation and buyer appears to me to be considerable

My own view is that £1000 is the ceiling point for most buyers and that the Brexit-driven reduction in the value of Sterling means that UK buyers are finding bikes priced in Euros expensive. Also the Eroica market is now very mature. European buyers should find UK prices lower, but demand appears low from the continent- why?

I've sold one top end steel bike for £800 this year to a UK buyer, but had to deliver it personally to complete the sale! (NB the value of the frame and parts was in the order of £1100-£1200 if sold separately, but I wasn't prepared to split as the bike was very original).

If you're a seller how have you faired and if you are a buyer, what's the max you were truly willing to spend for a complete bike?

 

[Stump28]

Re:

I think it’s common with everything really, buyers want to feel like they’ve picked up a bargain for next to nothing and sellers don’t want to feel like they’ve given something away without hitting a really good price. I don’t buy full bikes so I’ve only noticed frame prices but there do seem to be upping in price over the last 12 months

 

[Retro Spud]

to be honest I really don't see the attraction in buying of the peg "Turn key" or close to finished projects
as there's little to no satisfaction in doing so - I.e like buying an Airfix kit already done (even if it is better than I could achieve)

for me its about the journey and the decisions /challenges along the way,


Gio has been trying to sell his BOTM winner for ages and I fear that's going to end up getting broken up even though its perfection.....

 

[Stump28]

Re:

I can see the attraction of finished projects but I think this differentiates the collector from the enthusiast. There’s certainly a place for bikes already finished to a fine standard, however I’m with you, for me personally it’s about the build.

 

[Fifthgrace]

Re:

Thanks for your replies: I agree that I love the journey too;of my last 8 bikes owned 2 were purchased complete and 6 I built frame-up. but there are those that can't build and maybe some who would buy complete if they new what the total build cost would be when they started out!

A desirable steel frame + Super Record Groupset in good condition + ancilliaries is now c £1100 £1200. I think many (myself included) find it easier to budget on a monthly spend than taking a single large hit, so this may be a factor too.

 

[Stump28]

Re: Re:

some who would buy complete if they new what the total build cost would be when they started out!

Likely a good reason for expensive complete builds, people want their money back with a bit, unfortunately rarely works like that!

 

[enc]

to be honest I really don't see the attraction in buying of the peg "Turn key" or close to finished projects


for me its about the journey and the decisions /challenges along the way,
..

That pretty much sums it up for me

I might add that I have neither the inclination or budget to spend big bucks on a project .. even if I did I'm sure I'd get no more pleasure than I do from my low end builds. Probably less as I'd probably be scared of riding/damaging the finished bike

 

[Peachy!]

to be honest I really don't see the attraction in buying of the peg "Turn key" or close to finished projects
as there's little to no satisfaction in doing so - I.e like buying an Airfix kit already done (even if it is better than I could achieve)

for me its about the journey and the decisions /challenges along the way,


Gio has been trying to sell his BOTM winner for ages and I fear that's going to end up getting broken up even though its perfection.....

I've never planned on selling any of my full projects, certainly not for profit. although I do keep an eye on what I think a bike might be worth, just in case I do need to push something on. :shock:
I've also got a rough calculation that I do; basically, how many hours I would spend in the pub if I wasn’t in the workshop escaping from "love island" or "Strictly” and for each hour I consider the cost of pint and remove that from how much I’ve spent on the bike!

 

[pigman]

.... and for each hour I consider the cost of pint and remove that from how much I’ve spent on the bike!

Isn't it typically half hour per pint? ..... Or is that just me?

 

[Peachy!]

.... and for each hour I consider the cost of pint and remove that from how much I’ve spent on the bike!

Isn't it typically half hour per pint? ..... Or is that just me?

Not when I’m nursing a budget!