The deteriorating classifieds culture

[MORNE]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

Couple of very good dealers and specialists that spend a few minutes a week to provide excellent value.

 

It does not have to take hours out of a busy schedule.

This! Some of our esteemed ‘k@kpraating’ specialists always willing to offer advice includes the likes of Stoke, Titan, Evo, Wheelbuilder and a few others as well. I’d go so far as to say they build rapport in the forums doing this and that reinforces their business reputations for sure. 

[Mamil]

I think in general we tend to overvalue our own items when selling and undervalue the goods of others when considering a purchase.

Perusing the classifieds I often think "you're dreaming" when I see what people are asking. 

[MORNE]

8 hours ago, Mamil said:

I think in general we tend to overvalue our own items when selling and undervalue the goods of others when considering a purchase.

Perusing the classifieds I often think "you're dreaming" when I see what people are asking. 

Some people eventually come to the realisation that they are asking too much and start dropping asking price. I’ve watched items fall by ~40% eventually before they sell. On the other hand there are a few hubbers with items that have been on here for literally 12 months+ at exactly the same price. i thought 12 months ago you were asking too much. Now it’s not only a year older, I still think you are asking too much, AND now I also think it is worth less than what I thought a year ago😅

[Wannabe]

I hear you guys, but some of these resellers are sharks just out for a quick buck.

A year or so ago someone advertised a component I was looking for at a really good price. I responded immediately and was informed one of the resellers already jumped on the sale. I then contacted the reseller, asking if he would relinquish the sale to me, only to be told that he will sell it to me at a much higher price. At this stage the seller was not even paid by the reseller yet and the items were still in the seller's possession.

I told the reseller I thought it not to be very ethical, as I knew what the sale price of the items were and left it at that.

[NotSoBigBen]

23 hours ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

This is a tricky one:

Why were you willing to negotiate significantly? Do he spin you a long story about needing a sponsor/being broke/desperate etc. You then felt sorry for him and dropped your price dramatically because you're a good bloke.

Were you happy with the price you got at the time? If not, why?

 

I had the experience some years ago where I sold a damn decent bike to someone that 'wanted it for his wife' but they were on a tight budget .... Would be a great upgrade for her etc.

Thinking I was doing something good I let it go for substantially less, only for it to pop up for sale about 2 weeks later for more than I was asking for it. No changes whatsoever!

Anyway I've long gone made peace with it .... However I certainly would not do it again!

Mostly just sell amongst mates and acquaintances now

[reteid]

I think once you have sold an item it is for the new owner to do with as he pleases.

[MORNE]

10 minutes ago, reteid said:

I think once you have sold an item it is for the new owner to do with as he pleases.

Sure, i get this. But then don’t lie or play at heart strings to get someone to give you a discount then. Most good people will probably meet you somewhere in the middle if you ask nicely. By exploiting this and selling it the very next day for profit means people in general will avoid helping someone out who might have actually needed the fav. Have some decency and wait n week at least😅. 

[Guest Mike Dewing]

1 hour ago, Wannabe said:

I hear you guys, but some of these resellers are sharks just out for a quick buck.

A year or so ago someone advertised a component I was looking for at a really good price. I responded immediately and was informed one of the resellers already jumped on the sale. I then contacted the reseller, asking if he would relinquish the sale to me, only to be told that he will sell it to me at a much higher price. At this stage the seller was not even paid by the reseller yet and the items were still in the seller's possession.

I told the reseller I thought it not to be very ethical, as I knew what the sale price of the items were and left it at that.

Think you just described the Stock Market🤔

[Eugene Oppelt]

I imagine that, in a very tough financial and economically challenged times, many will find creative ways to earn additional income through trading on the BikeHub platform. Supply and demand, fair trade and all that.

Price gouging? Hmmm. No one is holding a gun to your head to buy.

Daylight robbery? No, it's called business.

Golden rule: Don't buy from a friend and then sell for a profit, unless you don't care about the relationship. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

30 minutes ago, NotSoBigBen said:

I had the experience some years ago where I sold a damn decent bike to someone that 'wanted it for his wife' but they were on a tight budget .... Would be a great upgrade for her etc.

Thinking I was doing something good I let it go for substantially less, only for it to pop up for sale about 2 weeks later for more than I was asking for it. No changes whatsoever!

Anyway I've long gone made peace with it .... However I certainly would not do it again!

Mostly just sell amongst mates and acquaintances now

And this is where Ethics come into play... he blatantly lied to you to gain benefit.

I had the same thing happen to me with vintage motorcycle that I bought on Gumtree for a bargain. I got contacted a day later by the owner of the motorcycle museum (or rather motorcycle hoarder) in Nieuwoudtville. I was spun this long story about it being the only bike he's missing in a collection of Yamaha 2 strokes and the bike will be preserved for eternity and on display for everyone to enjoy for generations to come etc. etc. etc. I fell for his story and felt good about preserving the history of the bike. I ended up selling it to him for what I paid plus the petrol to collect it.

A week later I got a call from someone asking if I had the papers for the bike. When inquiring why he would need the papers after I sold the bike to the museum owner, he informed me that he bought the bike from him and wants to register it. Needless to say, he paid substantially more for the bike... as in SUBSTANTIALLY more.

I'm still pissed off about it, not because I sold it but because I allowed myself to be bullshitted by a old con artist. But karma will deal with him in the future.

[ACE Cycles]

On 2/17/2025 at 7:03 AM, MORNE said:

Yes, yes…‘mr hustler’

but…i and many others have also sold things in the forums on more than one occasion. Through pure discussion and wanting to help out with a part that might not be listed in classifieds. I personally did just the other day.  

A forum discussion starts, someone maybe needs something they cant find..I know i have one in my parts stash somewhere, and offer it for sale to help out. That deal doesn't even go through classifieds. Just saying.

Also, i’d just like to point out that here you are joining in on the k@kpraating in the forums - expressing your opinion 😁. 

Welcome to the community!

Despite your condescending tone, my point remains true, you're not going to make a living from talking **** in the classifieds

[Scott roy]

29 minutes ago, ACE Cycles said:

Despite your condescending tone, my point remains true, you're not going to make a living from talking **** in the classifieds

In my opinion bikehub is for the good of the cycling community and not for making a living off of… (again, my opinion) 

I have no trouble with people picking up a good deal (without lowballing) and then reselling it at a fair price though. 

[ACE Cycles]

31 minutes ago, Scott roy said:

In my opinion bikehub is for the good of the cycling community and not for making a living off of… (again, my opinion) 

I have no trouble with people picking up a good deal (without lowballing) and then reselling it at a fair price though. 

The classifieds section is how bikehub.co.za generates revenue.

Businesses pay to use the platform to advertise their stock.

Many users prefer the convenience and reliability of selling to a business as opposed to the hack of dealing with time wasters

It was created to be a commerce platform 

 

[Scott roy]

4 minutes ago, ACE Cycles said:

The classifieds section is how bikehub.co.za generates revenue.

Businesses pay to use the platform to advertise their stock.

Many users prefer the convenience and reliability of selling to a business as opposed to the hack of dealing with time wasters

It was created to be a commerce platform 

 

All of what you say is true, however it’s not related to what you originally said. 

[MORNE]

2 hours ago, ACE Cycles said:

Despite your condescending tone, my point remains true, you're not going to make a living from talking **** in the classifieds

If only you could still talk k@k in the classifieds…right @Hairy?😅

Im not being condescending, you just chose to read it that way and it probably reflects your general vibe here. In fact, id go as far as to say YOU are the one choosing to be condescending? Too good for us ‘mere forumers’ 🤣

Again, here you are talking k@k in the forums while trying to prove that talking k@k in the forums is for non business account peasants. You go do you in the classifieds good sir. 

PS: on the topic of one of your other posts above about bikehub being created as an e-commerce platform. This actually only happend circa 2009. It started as a forum.

i quote one of our esteemed overlords and also provide a source for your convenience:

“…What began in 2004 as thehubsa.co.za was initially a simple discussion forum for cycling enthusiasts…

https://bikehub.co.za/news/20-years-of-bike-hub/“

Be lekker!

Edited February 18, 2025 by MORNE

[Michael S]

5 hours ago, NotSoBigBen said:

I had the experience some years ago where I sold a damn decent bike to someone that 'wanted it for his wife' but they were on a tight budget .... Would be a great upgrade for her etc.

Thinking I was doing something good I let it go for substantially less, only for it to pop up for sale about 2 weeks later for more than I was asking for it. No changes whatsoever!

Anyway I've long gone made peace with it .... However I certainly would not do it again!

Mostly just sell amongst mates and acquaintances now

Buyer / Seller Reviews, one review stating the above and they will struggle to repeat it. 
I swear by those reviews and I have not been let down by a buyer/seller with a good rating, they are always the "Bike Hub as a community" okes.