In Utah we allow people to volunteer at a rate of $5 per volunteer hour for used stuff. They have to pay [at least] the wholesale cost on new things, aka things we have to buy from a distributor. That way we cover our costs. All hours are recorded on a web based system http://volunteer.slcbikecollective.org/ and people literally cash in their ours via the "work trade" link.

As for establishing the value of each bike, we look at what they go for on ksl.com (local craigslist) and price them lower, but not so low that bike-flippers have a margin incentive to buy and flip our bikes. We also don't under sell (or allow volunteer trade) for the really nice parts through the shop, we ebay those, and use that as a form of income. Occasionally we will hook up an exceptional volunteer with nicer stuff, let me emphasis exceptional. If a frame is dented (but safe), we will also give that to a close volunteer as opposed to selling it and running into an liability/insurance issue later. Shipping complete bikes is expensive and time consuming, so we don't do it -- just parts on ebay.

Currently on average Road Bikes (high demand, low supply) range from $100-$200. Cruisers only sell around burning man time, and they are priced slighly lower than road bikes. Mountain bikes range $50-$120. That being said we have a nice trek road bike currently that we built up with a complete brand new 105 set and we are selling it for $500.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Morrison
Executive Director
Bicycle Collective
2312 S. West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
w: 801-328-2453
c: 801-688-0183
f: 801-466-3856

www.bicyclecollective.org

The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

On Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 10:25 AM, Marissa Pherson <marissapherson@gmail.com> wrote:

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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