We have come across this situation from time to time. 

We have usually set those bikes aside for particular reasons.  A few years back we received a titanium/Dura-ace Lightspeed that we were able to sell for the purpose of buying a projector for our Bike-In-Movies.  Just recently we recieved 2 mint condition 1st generation Stumpjumpers that are highly collectable.  We held on to these bikes for several months despite some lowball offers on them.  Specialized got wind of the bikes and wants them for their Specialized museum.  In Trade they are sending us Thousands of dollars in helmets and kids bike tires, and many basic and needed parts that we can use to further our mission.

I have thought about this a lot and have had many discussions about it (in terms of selling something that someone just gave to you).  I feel that in many ways I don't care if its campy or crappy, if it works for your need then use it.  However,  the flip side to that is that people donate bikes to our organizations so that we can use it to the best of our ability and we should honor that as best we can.  If the best use is to give it to some underprivileged youngster then do it,  if the best use for it is to sell it a market value to raise funds to keep your bike project alive and well then do that.

As far as work/help to get a fancy bike.  We have a worktrade program that is worth $8 per hour and anything that is donated is available to use WT towards.   We have had some very helpful folks that have had over 100 hours in the books and have gotten some nice parts with those hours.  We dont however hold bikes for people so they have to have the hours saved up before they can get the bike.  We also have had some very unhelpful people that hang out everyday and do little more than drag a broom around behind them and try to call it worktrade, they get a new bike every week and then sell it on the side.  We do the best we can to discourage this by talking to them about being productive as a worktrader and limiting worktrade to only one bike.  Some of the fancy stuff we will pull aside and tune up to resell as a refurbished bike.  After it has been refurbished by a staff member then only the cost of the bike can be worked off but the labor and any new parts must be paid for in cash.

Troy Neiman
Bicas, Tucson

-----Original Message-----
From: allison karow <bike.saviours@gmail.com>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Sun, May 23, 2010 11:22 am
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Expensive bikes in your shop.

we have had this happen a few times.

the first time, we did a raffle and sold tickets for five dollars. it was a pair of bikes and we ended up pulling in around $350 for them. people were allowed to buy more than one raffle ticket, and we advertised for it and raffled them off at a picnic. it was a fair way to offer people a chance at getting one of the bikes without having to have a lot of money.

the second time, we decided to do a silent auction. we keep an auction sheet at the front desk and anyone can bid on it until the auction ends. our first auction is underway right now so i can't tell you how it went, but i will in a few weeks! we started the bid sheets on two bikes at $100 and another at $50.

On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 9:07 AM, Leslie Peteya <lesliepeteya@gmail.com> wrote:
Pretty much, we consider such bikes a luxury and upcharge for them, cash only.
We have 2-3 core mechanics at our shop gather around the bike when it comes in, and decide, based on the bike's condition, work needed to make it sellable, etc. what a fair price is for it. Typically, we won't sell above $200, unless it's something ridiculous that needs to go on Craigslist and get market value for.

I think it's a good system, because most of our bikes that come in are earned through   5 volunteer hours in the Earn-A-Bike program or are built up for an equivalent membership fee ($35).

Best,
Leslie
Durham Bike Co-op


On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 10:07 AM, Shah Mohamed <realbrew@gmail.com> wrote:
As a volunteer for Charlies Freewheels we would simply sell the bike in the regular market and put the funds toward supporting the program. We have had 3 or 4 bikes now that have gone that route due to the high end nature of the bike or the antique/collectors appeal of the bike.


Shah M.


On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 9:54 AM, R Points <poster@richpoints.com> wrote:
Expensive bikes pay the bills, it's as simple as that.

Rich

Brian wrote:
Hi everybody.  What policies do you have or not have concerning work/help with expensive equipment.  For example, what are the scenarios in your shop when a full carbon Campy Record bike walks in the door?  I could be more specific with questions, but perhaps you could just comment on what discussions you've had among your organizations.

Thanks!

Brian
SLO Bike Kitchen Co-Founder


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Leslie Peteya
1008 N. Gregson St.
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