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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