Look on e-bay. There will be similar bikes there.  As to value it is whatever she wants in the long run.  In the US we do not put a "value" donated stuff for IRS records.  That is up to the donator.  Except for some items like cars. Those are sold at auctions and the price is the "value".  My experience in Cooperative bicycle operations is that the "market price" is not the value determinator and most likely will not be a good measure for the client in question.    

Sent from my iPad

On Aug 9, 2014, at 10:45 AM, Rick Nonnekes <rnonnekes@gmail.com> wrote:

The lady who donated the bike had heard about our shop and thought of it when she was clearing her basement.  Her husband has a similar bike but doesn't want to part with it yet.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.  We'll do some research and decide what route we'll take.

Rick


On Fri, Aug 8, 2014 at 3:49 PM, sheldon mains <sheldon@spokesconnect.org> wrote:
 I agree with Christopher. There are a lot of reasons people donate. I find most people are not greedy. They donate because the like what the organization does. They donate because they want their bike to "have a good home" They donate because they can get a tax break. They donate because they don't want to go through the hassle of selling it.  They donate because it is the easiest way to dispose of something.

Yes, some of the bikes we get donated are really just trash and go to our recycler immediately. But we get some great bikes donated that can be rehabilitated and sold or used for a community bike library or used for an Earn-a-Bike program

..............
Sheldon Mains
SPOKES Bike Walk Connect
Minneapolis, MN 612/618-7149
Three ways to donate to SPOKES:
1. Volunteer.  2. Donate repairable used bikes. 3. Financial donations always welcome. Check www.SpokesConnect.org for details.


On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 11:05 PM, <christopher@holisticcycles.com> wrote:
Matt, I had a woman who donated her brothers (very nice ) bikes to me, not because she could not sell them,, after his suicide, she just wanted a good person to have these things. She asked me to do good with them. I did just that for her. Not always is something donated because people can not sell it. 
Christopher Wallace
Holistic Cycles
140 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL. 60304


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike
From: mfen651@aol.com
Date: Thu, August 07, 2014 1:06 pm
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

Long shot here, but this is not a matter of IRS or Ministry of CD, its a matter of market. 

I've traded in exotic cars and rare aviation artifacts for many years.  I've seen all sorts of things claimed to have all sorts of value.  At the end of the day, if its a collectable and has value, why would she be donating it to a collective?  Because she can't sell it, that's why. 

However the bottom line is what will the market pay for it?  If she is going to donate it to you, it has no value, unless she can (a) substantiate that it is 24kt gold, note gold chrome. (b) That there is a market for it.  The last point (b) is why the IRS and Finance Ministry would both frown on the recipient determining the value in the absence of any substantial evidence for that value.

Somewhere in Canada there is someone who is a purported "expert" in bicycles and another who might likely be a metallurgist and can chemically or otherwise verify the gold v. chrome matter.  Then the "expert" should be able to determine if there is a market for this bike regardless of gold v. chrome.

Good luck.  Would enjoy knowing the outcome. 

Thank you

Matt
  



-----Original Message-----
From: sheldon mains <sheldon@spokesconnect.org>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Thu, Aug 7, 2014 3:02 pm
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike

The IRS really frowns on the recipient of donated goods providing a value. She should get it appraised herself.  With the special condition, it may be more difficult. Maybe an antique dealer would be a good bet.

sheldon

..............
Sheldon Mains
SPOKES Bike Walk Connect
Minneapolis, MN 612/618-7149
Three ways to donate to SPOKES:
1. Volunteer.  2. Donate repairable used bikes. 3. Financial donations always welcome. Check www.SpokesConnect.org for details.


On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:25 AM, Rick Nonnekes <rnonnekes@gmail.com> wrote:
We recently had a lady bring in a bike for donation.  It is an early 1980's Rossi Columbia, custom made for her. She's adamant that it is plated with 24k gold - looks like it too (although we're speculating on gold coloured chrome).  It's in good condition.  Can anyone suggest how we can get it appraised for value?

Cycle Transitions,
Cobourg Ontario, Canada

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