Re: [CR]Colnago Question & "My Belgium Garage"

(Example: Framebuilding:Paint)

From: <FujiFish1@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Colnago Question & "My Belgium Garage"
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 15:37:37 EST

Charlie wrote:
> I'm not a Colnago expert, nor did I sleep in a Holiday Inn
> last night, but it doesn't seem likely that it is a '70s
> bike. While Mondia and a few others used fades in that era,
> I don't think Colnago went to flashier finishes until the
> '80s when fades became quite popular. I'm not sure that
> Aelle was around as a Columbus tubeset in the '70's either.
>
> Perhaps more puzzling is how/why this seller continues to
> list bikes. He always seems to have rather high reserves and
> buy-it-now prices. I've watched a number of his auctions and
> as I recall, virtually all end without meeting reserve.
> Perhaps they are sold ex-eBay following correspondence with
> the high bidder(s).

Then, Steven Maasland wrote:
>I have looked at many auctions proposed by this fellow Colalbo (My Belgium
>Garage) and am always worried by the descriptions. I have found faults with
>almost all of his descriptions and would personally be very leery of dealing
>with the person. Does anybody have any direct purchase experience with his
>goods? Perhaps my doubts are misplaced and colablo is among the most
>dependable people around?

One thing I notice about these auctions, is that the reserve price keeps getting lowered, with each relisting. Imagine a local bike shop trying to sell bunches and bunches of vintage bikes, to local buyers. If what I observe at my LBS is indicative, most of the bikes would probably sit there until the next millennium. With Colalbo's method, I assume that everything is sold eventually, as the Ebay audience is worldwide. Surely, the selling prices often end up lower than the "ideal" value for the seller, but perhaps volume can make up the difference over the long run? I personally have watched that red and white Colnago Super, the reserve dropping just a bit with each relisting, and was almost tempted into making the purchase this last time around. If I ever do buy from this seller, I'll let the list know how my experience was. Regarding a similar discussion (over seller reliability) in the recent CR List past, I'd like to comment about Nels Cone. He and I just concluded a transaction where Nels was the seller. Although there was a MINOR problem with the product, Nels answered all my emails, quickly and clearly, with ZERO angry or resentful tones. He followed through to the speedy end, graceful and sure. I would deal with Nels Cone again, happily. I don't even think he knows that I am a CR LIST member, but perhaps he does. Nonetheless, I wanted to share this, given some scary stuff I read about his demeanor a few weeks back.

Best regards,
Mark Agree
Detroit MI