I was in the LBS on Saturday and noticed a 10th Anniversary Eddy Merckx (TSX,
flat fork crown) hanging in the work area. I asked if any of the bikes were
for sale, and wouldn't you know it, the mechanic says, "yeah, that "old steel
bike"--which was the Merckx. I looked it over. It has C-Record but with
sidepull Chorus calipers, not Delta. Very good condition. The mechanic
didn't know the price, so he says, "man, we don't get many people who want
these old bikes. I think the owner will make you a great deal on it!!" He
said he would contact the owner. So, with much anticipation, I went back
today to find out about the great deal. Another mechanic was there. He
says, "the guy doesn't know what it is worth, so I told him to ask 50% of the
price he paid for it. He paid $2400 in 1990." I almost dropped my jaw. He
adds, "but I know he needs the cash and these (once again) old bikes are hard
to sell". Hard to negotiate from an expectation like that to what I had in
mind.....And here I had visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. I'm sure
I'll figure out a way to at least negotiate, but I can't imagine that I'll be
able to complete this deal. Hmmm, did I put 50% of new as the starting price
in my tips for selling bikes in the Used Bike Buyers Guide??? Hmm, I quote
myself, "My rule of thumb for routine purchases is that 50% of the original
selling price is a good place to start for a bicycle in excellent condition."
I'm going to cry. Lou Deeter, Orlando