Like the Bicycle Collection in Utah, we value volunteer hours at 5$ an hour and those can go for parts and bikes. However, we do set a minimum of 20 hours volunteer hours for most of our adopt-a-bikes. Honestly, I'm not sure how the 20 hours came about but it's been in place for a while.

Typically, bikes are priced when they go out. We have every bike adoptioneer keep track of their work in a log including what shape the bike was in when they started and work they needed to do to it to make it rideable. They should also mark which parts they used from the co-op and keep track of parts they purchased at the bike stores. The mechanic on duty then has the discretion of deciding the price. Since the goal of MoBo is to keep bikes affordable, we often start around 40$ and the mechanic can go up and down from there. Since we phrase this as a donation for the bike, often the member will give more than the price we quoted.

Ellie
MoBo Bicycle Co-op
Cincinnati, OH

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 9:55 AM, Rich Points <director@communitycycles.org> wrote:
Here in Boulder we price bikes when they come in and when they go out. 

When a bike is donated we assess it's value at $100 each across the board.  This takes into account kids bikes, cruisers, strip bikes, bikes for Africa, medium sale bikes and high end sale bikes.  We do this primarily for accounting purposes and measuring public support. 

When we sell a bike we try to price it as close to market value as possible and also try to cover our cost.  Prices of our bikes have increased over the years from an average of $80 when we first started to around $200 now, this is over six years.  The price increase reflects our increase in quality of bikes donated and having paid mechanics to build the bikes.

You can see some of the bikes we have for sale on craigslist.

http://boulder.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=319&subAreaID=&query=community+cycles&catAbb=sss

Ride On!

Rich
Community Cycles
Boulder, CO


On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 9:50 PM, Angelo Coletta <summitcyclingcenter@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello Marrissa
 
Assessment is difficult.  Economics 101-supply and demand.  It's value is whatever the market will bear.  I often ask the donor what he paid for it and how long ago.  That gives me a basis.  If he doesn't know, I try to source a price.  If that is not feasible, I start asking myself what do I think about the bike.  What is its condition? Features? Box store bike (low ball)  bike shop bike (high ball).
 
Nearly every bike is valued at least $50.00, unless it is a sidewalk bike or such.  Some shops create an appraisal checklist.  Then there is what your members want and don't want. For instance, I don't like BMX bikes, but I have a friend and he buys and sells old BMX all day long.  I like portables like Moulton and Bike Friday.  I'll buy those.  You have to study what your community values.
 
After the bikes are re-furbished, then I price according to time put in and cost of parts above the basis.  Our rate of exchange for EAB is $8.00/hr for every hour of work given to the co-op.
 
Angelo
   

From: Marissa Pherson <marissapherson@gmail.com>
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 12:25 PM
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Assessing Value of Donated Bikes

Hi all,

I'm new to the list, from Columbus, IN's community bike co-op. We just launched a new website: www.bikeco-op.org

I come to you seeking any policies and procedures you may have in place at your local bike collective regarding determining the value of a bicycle. We have an Earn-a-Bike program and a shop bike program and would like to standardize the values.

At the moment, we don't have a checklist or chart to determine how much time an Earn-a-Biker needs to work to earn a donated Raleigh hybrid, or how much to suggest a donor provide for us to have that same Raleigh hybrid fixed up and ready to go.

Before re-inventing the wheel, I wanted to come to you all and get some input or some info on what is used elsewhere to keep bike values somewhat consistent.

Thanks in advance!

Marissa Pherson

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Rich Points
http://communitycycles.org
Executive Director
(c)303-589-0597
(w)720-565-6019

Community Cycles is Boulder only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting.


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MoBo Bicycle Cooperative
a project of The Village Green Foundation
1415 Knowlton St.
Cincinnati, OH
www.mobobicyclecoop.org