Okay,  perhaps I need to write more exactly, or perhaps readers need to be more open and less judgmental of others who participate. 

The question was about valuing a unique item.  The inference was that the party in possession placed an extreme value on it.

The statement was clear that it had no knowledge of how to value the item in question.

My suggestion took into account the many people that "donate" items.  I can suggest hundreds of reasons people donate beyond the ones put forth by those of you negatively reflecting on my comment.

There is a difference between people who bring in a bike (or any item) for "donation" and leave it, and those that "donate" in exchange for a receipt "for value" with the intention of taking a tax deduction. 

I'm not going to address the differences, because they should be clear, but if they are not, then its not for me to teach.

I never said people are greedy, but experience has taught me that if they are seeking a receipt "for value", and are assigned a lower than their estimated value they will show their displeasure. 

I'm sure my response to the two comments of negativity will bring more negative responses.  Save your time and energy.  My comment was what it is, and remains valid. 

The reason the taxing authorities don't want direct appraisals, is because everything would be valued significantly below its actual value, enabling the vendor to earn copious ill gotten gains at the expense of the one who donated it.

If that isn't greed, I don't know what is?  But then that was your comments, not mine. 

Matt   

 



-----Original Message-----
From: sheldon mains <sheldon@spokesconnect.org>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Fri, Aug 8, 2014 3:49 pm
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike

 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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