What's happened to all the "stuff"

[Tootyred]

The issue with ebay (one of many) is people believe the asking price. I think most are unaware you can look at sold prices.

Sadly too many then transfer the fantasy ebay asking price onto other platforms.

You can obviously ask what you like, but if nobody bites, its not worth that.

I personally can't see the point in sitting on a m900 front mech, because you cant get £150 for it....

At that point, you still haven't sold it...you clearly didn't want it (or you wouldn't have put it up for sale in the first place) and you have lost the opportunity to use the cash for something more exciting.

Plus i can't see having a huge festering pile of parts you cant use or dont really want does anybody's shed based metal health any favours in any way.

And..as its been mentioned before, it not helping the life blood of the forum.

 

[Titiritero]

I've never bought in this forum. Most of the stuff I buy or sell is cheap middle range so that postage is not worth it. And my local market is good enough to provide most of what I need.

With the arrival of CUES, incompatible with previous 9-10-11 Shimano stuff, the new stuff soon to be discontinued is cheaper than getting vintage parts. My usual online shop has now Deore 10 speed shifters for 8€, 3 speed for 5€.

 

[doctor-bond]

I wonder if there is a counterpoint to this:

“The market” can be split into stuff that is hard to find and/or in fine condition, and other stuff that isn’t worth much but might be useful to someone for something.

The number of people chasing items from either category is smaller than it has been - demographics mostly and some state of the economy vibes.

Hard to find/fine condish: market looks after itself - choose a price, buy it don’t buy it; wait a while - whatever, they aren’t making any more of this stuff, regardless of the current fashion or downturn.

Not worth much but useful maybe: it’s a ball ache to clean, photograph, list and then answer questions on this stuff, so listing it speculativley on the off chance is a mug’s game. Don’t expect to be able to clean out your cupboards just by listing things cheaply (look at how the Karma box thing has got so big). Much better to respond to wanted ads, and keep the hobby merry go round moving that way.

In summary:
Get used to the fact that not many people want the ratty stuff in your stash; if they do, let it go cheap.
Post more wanted ads and check those ads to be alive to what people do want.
Don’t get bent out of shape that people aren’t going to let you have their hard to find goodies for a song.

 

[d8mok]

The rare / nice stuff sells super easily still.

Many are hoarding rather than selling currently from personal collections.


All the people that complain about the ones who buy bikes to split (keeping what they need) are likely now realising that the parts which they sold kept the market alive.

 

[brocklanders023]

The hassle.
Find it.
List it.
Remember someone wants it.
Package it.
Send it.
Forget again.
Remember to take it out of the bag.
Give to the wife.
Leaves it in car.
Eventually it gets sent.

This for me really. My collection is tiny compared to what it used to be but I still have plenty of parts kicking about however my enthusiasm for taking the time to clean, photo, list, package and then post a whole bunch of bars/barends/mid range group set parts (M550 LX, I'm looking at you!)/saddles/seat posts/etc... all to make £5 is pretty much non existent.

I have considered doing a few lucky dip boxes but haven't got round to that either.

 

[doctor-bond]

The rare / nice stuff sells super easily still.

Many are hoarding rather than selling currently from personal collections.

Agree. So that’s not a problem or a solution to keeping the hobby alive. Most of it happens off this site or by DM.

So, is what we need fluidity in mid range/practical stuff? Maybe. If so, how best to help that?

Get people who need mid range/practical stuff (newbies or folk building gravel / commuters) linked to people who have mid range/practical stuff: everyone else on here.

Let’s big up the wanted ads: whether for a specific part you know about or a “I’m building a gravel / commuter and need some parts and advice”.

 

[narcotitlan]

I’d agree the wanted section is the way forward. Look to see what people want then you’re more likely to get rid of stiff. Everyone happy.

For boxes of random bike bits I’ve donated to community bike shops in the past. Top feel-good factor too.