we went and looked at the bikes during the 10-11 hour. one complaint i have is the bikes were all shoved into a fairly small space, so it was really hard to navigate and really see anything. I didn't see much that was worth purchasing, but there might have been a few hidden gems in there that I couldn't see though the clutter. We didn't stay for the auction, but my husband did notice some people who work at local bike shops there....
Agree with above. I stayed for about an hour of the auction....that's all I could handle. I really appreciate that volunteers were running this...but they were moving way too slowly. (I think they got through <10 bikes in the hour I was there) Overall, I would guess there were maybe ~150 bikes?
The bikes that sold while I was there ranged from $20 to $320 (campagnolo)
It was also challenging to operationalize because there were so many different types of buyers...local bike shops, people looking for a cheap bike, parents buying for kids etc.
Echoing what others have said, the space was too small for the number of bikes and people there. Adding to that, when the auction started 100+ people were crowding around the podium, hindering the view of what was up for bid.
Early on things went really slowly and the selling prices were a bit high for what was being offered. Huffys and walmart Mongooses fetching upwards of $100. The Mongoose I saw sell for $180 is a $120/$140 new bike. The city got a great deal on that one! I don't recall the make, but a road bike with Shimano Dura Ace components sold for around $360. The comps on that bike were alone are easily worth $600.
After about an hour many people who got bikes took them and left the auction. The thinning of the herd made for faster paced bidding and better prices. Myself, I picked up 3 bikes; a Trek 800 Mtb for $60, A Schwinn WorldSport road bike for $60, and an older Columbia 10 speed for $15. 3 bikes for $135 is not bad in my book.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-15 04:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-15 04:55 pm (UTC)The bikes that sold while I was there ranged from $20 to $320 (campagnolo)
It was also challenging to operationalize because there were so many different types of buyers...local bike shops, people looking for a cheap bike, parents buying for kids etc.
Of course, the local bike shops...
Date: 2009-11-15 06:54 pm (UTC)Re: Of course, the local bike shops...
Date: 2009-11-16 02:58 am (UTC)Went and Bought
Date: 2009-11-15 10:39 pm (UTC)Early on things went really slowly and the selling prices were a bit high for what was being offered. Huffys and walmart Mongooses fetching upwards of $100. The Mongoose I saw sell for $180 is a $120/$140 new bike. The city got a great deal on that one! I don't recall the make, but a road bike with Shimano Dura Ace components sold for around $360. The comps on that bike were alone are easily worth $600.
After about an hour many people who got bikes took them and left the auction. The thinning of the herd made for faster paced bidding and better prices. Myself, I picked up 3 bikes; a Trek 800 Mtb for $60, A Schwinn WorldSport road bike for $60, and an older Columbia 10 speed for $15. 3 bikes for $135 is not bad in my book.