In a message dated 3/29/2005 6:34:34 AM Eastern Standard Time, jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net writes:
<< Not sure I agee here, Dale. I think it is legitimate to ask questions here about classic bikes, including about their value or how actions may affect their value. Restore or not restore? Repaint or touch up? Upgrade a component or not? What's a reasonable price to pay for some model? Whether an NIP component would lose value if the box seal were broken strikes me a legitimate and even fascinating question. Perhaps the fact someone would ask the question highlights the silliness aspect of bike collecting and of collecting in general, but there you have it. >>
My point was that in this particular instance, there is a fear that this "inquiry to value" is a misuse of the CR list... I didn't say it was a violation of the rules, in which case the poster might get booted... No, I was issuing a warning and reminder as to the intent and wording of the applicable rule.
Specifically to your points, it occurs to me that specific dollar value is the lesser aspect of some of the considerations you make. For instance, "Restore or not restore? Repaint or touch up? Upgrade a component or not? " has nothing to do with an exact price, but just whether those steps are prudent for maintaining the essence or mojo of the bike. I think that is definitely a correct role for the CR list.
Now ,"What's a reasonable price to pay for some model?" strikes me as a dangerous topic.. I always think back to California CR members writing that certain items are a dime a dozen and are not worth $X amount that someone just paid...while those of us in more remote regions or less bike friendly environments might rarely see those items and therefore be more likely to pay a lot more. In the end, a reasonably amount to pay is only answerable by the buyer and his/her answer to the question "what's it worth to me?"
And, in my opinion, nothing is more obnoxious than someone buying something and a bunch of observers chiming in saying the buyer paid too much, got ripped off, etc.
Thanks Dale
Dale Brown Greensboro, North Carolina USA <A HREF="http://www.classicrendezvous.com./main.htm">ClassicRendezvous.com</A>