Hi All,
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents
Andrew
Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director
Community Bicycle Center
Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005
207-282-9700 (shop)
http://www.communitybike.net www.communitybike.net
Rich or one of the other current folks at Community Cycles may have an update, but when i was there, i found it much easier to explain to people what it cost us (we had a dollar figure based on an average of hours and parts that it took most bikes to become usable. this average included bikes bound straight for the dumpster for whatever reason.) and "would you like to help us offset that cost?" that way, it's less about a fee and more about them helping you.
it also helps to gently remind them that "yes, we'll take your bike, but no, we're not the dump. when you dump completely unusable bikes on us, it can hurt more than help."
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
*Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director*****
*Community Bicycle Center*****
*Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*207-282-9700 (shop)***
*www.communitybike.net*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
What Josh describes is still the case at Community Cycles.
We still get plenty of crap bikes, but I've found more people willing to give us (what we call) the processing fee.
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas
Community Cycles, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs.
Use our secure online donation form to become a member, today.
Thanks!!
From: veganboyjosh@gmail.com Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:02:38 -0400 To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
Rich or one of the other current folks at Community Cycles may have an update, but when i was there, i found it much easier to explain to people what it cost us (we had a dollar figure based on an average of hours and parts that it took most bikes to become usable. this average included bikes bound straight for the dumpster for whatever reason.) and "would you like to help us offset that cost?" that way, it's less about a fee and more about them helping you.
it also helps to gently remind them that "yes, we'll take your bike, but no, we're not the dump. when you dump completely unusable bikes on us, it can hurt more than help."
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote:
Hi All,
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents
Andrew
Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director
Community Bicycle Center
Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005
207-282-9700 (shop)
www.communitybike.net
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
*Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director*****
*Community Bicycle Center*****
*Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*207-282-9700 (shop)***
*www.communitybike.net*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it. We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas
Community Cycles, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs.
Use our secure online donation form to become a member, today.
Thanks!!
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea
of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote:
Hi All, We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop. On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations… http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/ http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents
Andrew Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director Community Bicycle Center Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005 Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005 207-282-9700 (shop) www.communitybike.net
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas < wanda@communitycycles.org> wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
*Wanda Pelegrina Caldas* Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs. Use our secure online donation formhttps://communitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenet&Itemid=166to become a member, today. Thanks!!
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
*Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director*****
*Community Bicycle Center*****
*Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*207-282-9700 (shop)***
*www.communitybike.net*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
_______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
I've had the same experience - don't tell them that their StoneCrusher MTB is a POS, just try to sound knowledgeable and _practical_ in communicating the needs of your shop.
To some people I've pointed out how unserviceable/unusable plastic and riveted parts are...but more often than not I'll talk about how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes. Then maybe point at the bikes currently under repair - which are usually 80s and earlier steel bikes. Then I suggest a way to place to donate the bike - Goodwill?
- and finally thank them for offering it to us. If the person looks
annoyed upon arrival, I might just take the bike so their visit to the shop doesn't leave a bad taste in their mouth...
On the flip side, if you have huge storage capacity and volunteers who can strip the bikes for scrap, that sounds fabulous.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote:
We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas < wanda@communitycycles.org> wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
*Wanda Pelegrina Caldas* Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs. Use our secure online donation formhttps://communitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenet&Itemid=166to become a member, today. Thanks!!
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.netwrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
In our shop we don't really turn down donations of bikes. we ussually strip POS cycles for any usable parts and sell the rest for scrap. these days the srcap metal builds up to real cash when your talking frames and such.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM, Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) < brian@slobikekitchen.org> wrote:
I've had the same experience - don't tell them that their StoneCrusher MTB is a POS, just try to sound knowledgeable and _practical_ in communicating the needs of your shop.
To some people I've pointed out how unserviceable/unusable plastic and riveted parts are...but more often than not I'll talk about how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes. Then maybe point at the bikes currently under repair - which are usually 80s and earlier steel bikes. Then I suggest a way to place to donate the bike - Goodwill?
- and finally thank them for offering it to us. If the person looks
annoyed upon arrival, I might just take the bike so their visit to the shop doesn't leave a bad taste in their mouth...
On the flip side, if you have huge storage capacity and volunteers who can strip the bikes for scrap, that sounds fabulous.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote:
We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas < wanda@communitycycles.org> wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
*Wanda Pelegrina Caldas* Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs. Use our secure online donation formhttps://communitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenet&Itemid=166to become a member, today. Thanks!!
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.netwrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Here is our donation policy
http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donate.html
Richiep iPhone
On Oct 16, 2012, at 12:00 PM, Max Kaplan mmacsai@gmail.com wrote:
In our shop we don't really turn down donations of bikes. we ussually strip POS cycles for any usable parts and sell the rest for scrap. these days the srcap metal builds up to real cash when your talking frames and such.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM, Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) < brian@slobikekitchen.org> wrote:
I've had the same experience - don't tell them that their StoneCrusher MTB is a POS, just try to sound knowledgeable and _practical_ in communicating the needs of your shop.
To some people I've pointed out how unserviceable/unusable plastic and riveted parts are...but more often than not I'll talk about how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes. Then maybe point at the bikes currently under repair - which are usually 80s and earlier steel bikes. Then I suggest a way to place to donate the bike - Goodwill?
- and finally thank them for offering it to us. If the person looks
annoyed upon arrival, I might just take the bike so their visit to the shop doesn't leave a bad taste in their mouth...
On the flip side, if you have huge storage capacity and volunteers who can strip the bikes for scrap, that sounds fabulous.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote:
We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas < wanda@communitycycles.org> wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
*Wanda Pelegrina Caldas* Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs. Use our secure online donation formhttps://communitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenet&Itemid=166to become a member, today. Thanks!!
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.netwrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
How often do you get the $10?
Nancy
On Oct 16, 2012, at 2:08 PM, Rich Points director@communitycycles.org wrote:
Here is our donation policy
http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donate.html
Richiep iPhone
On Oct 16, 2012, at 12:00 PM, Max Kaplan mmacsai@gmail.com wrote:
In our shop we don't really turn down donations of bikes. we ussually strip POS cycles for any usable parts and sell the rest for scrap. these days the srcap metal builds up to real cash when your talking frames and such.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM, Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) brian@slobikekitchen.org wrote:
I've had the same experience - don't tell them that their StoneCrusher MTB is a POS, just try to sound knowledgeable and _practical_ in communicating the needs of your shop.
To some people I've pointed out how unserviceable/unusable plastic and riveted parts are...but more often than not I'll talk about how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes. Then maybe point at the bikes currently under repair - which are usually 80s and earlier steel bikes. Then I suggest a way to place to donate the bike - Goodwill? - and finally thank them for offering it to us. If the person looks annoyed upon arrival, I might just take the bike so their visit to the shop doesn't leave a bad taste in their mouth...
On the flip side, if you have huge storage capacity and volunteers who can strip the bikes for scrap, that sounds fabulous.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote:
We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas wanda@communitycycles.org wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas Community Cycles, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs.
Use our secure online donation form to become a member, today. Thanks!!Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote: Hi All,
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents
Andrew
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-- Max Kaplan Pitzer College '13 Green Bike Program Ontario Wheelhouse
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Some days every single bike comes in with $10; other days, we don't get a single donation.
Sent from 1da's iPhone
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:26 AM, Nancy Stimson nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org wrote:
How often do you get the $10?
Nancy
On Oct 16, 2012, at 2:08 PM, Rich Points director@communitycycles.org wrote:
Here is our donation policy
http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donate.html
Richiep iPhone
On Oct 16, 2012, at 12:00 PM, Max Kaplan mmacsai@gmail.com wrote:
In our shop we don't really turn down donations of bikes. we ussually strip POS cycles for any usable parts and sell the rest for scrap. these days the srcap metal builds up to real cash when your talking frames and such.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM, Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) brian@slobikekitchen.org wrote:
I've had the same experience - don't tell them that their StoneCrusher MTB is a POS, just try to sound knowledgeable and _practical_ in communicating the needs of your shop.
To some people I've pointed out how unserviceable/unusable plastic and riveted parts are...but more often than not I'll talk about how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes. Then maybe point at the bikes currently under repair - which are usually 80s and earlier steel bikes. Then I suggest a way to place to donate the bike - Goodwill? - and finally thank them for offering it to us. If the person looks annoyed upon arrival, I might just take the bike so their visit to the shop doesn't leave a bad taste in their mouth...
On the flip side, if you have huge storage capacity and volunteers who can strip the bikes for scrap, that sounds fabulous.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote:
We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas wanda@communitycycles.org wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas Community Cycles, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs.
Use our secure online donation form to become a member, today. Thanks!!Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote: Hi All,
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents
Andrew
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
-- Max Kaplan Pitzer College '13 Green Bike Program Ontario Wheelhouse
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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We've always taken in bikes in any condition, as part of our mandate is to keep bikes out of landfill. We have found that we can get enough parts off the ones being scrapped to balance things out.
The only recent change in our policy has been to folks to take kids bikes to a similar suburban-based org., as we have little demand for these bikes downtown.
While Brian writes:
how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes.
we have found that we can sell every bike we get ready, incl. the dept. store bikes. Students love them for campus lock-up (no big tears if the $40 bike gets stolen), and since even these bikes now come with aluminum wheels they can at least stop in wet weather. (We do endeavour to advise folks that while an old bike may be cool the chrome steel rims are best for non-rainy days.)
That said, I do sometimes hang my head when working on such bikes, and do remain amazed at how bad dept. store V-brakes can be in terms of set-up and adjustment.
Mark Rehder - Coordinator re-Cycles Community Bike Shop http://re-cycles.ca
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote: We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas wanda@communitycycles.org wrote: Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas Community Cycles, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs.
Use our secure online donation form to become a member, today. Thanks!!Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote: Hi All,
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents
Andrew
We also take all donations and then have a volunteer take the scrap every two weeks or so. Our scrap revenue probably pays a quarter of our rent. We are fortunate being a steel town, we get a decent price for scrap. I figure about 15% of our donations end up as scrap, but many full suspension department store bikes aren't worth the time to refurbish.
Andrew
New Hope Community Bikes Hamilton, ON
Www.newhopebikecoop.CA On Oct 16, 2012 4:37 PM, "Mark Rehder" mark@re-cycles.ca wrote:
We've always taken in bikes in any condition, as part of our mandate is to keep bikes out of landfill. We have found that we can get enough parts off the ones being scrapped to balance things out.
The only recent change in our policy has been to folks to take kids bikes to a similar suburban-based org., as we have little demand for these bikes downtown.
While Brian writes:
how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes.
we have found that we can sell every bike we get ready, incl. the dept. store bikes. Students love them for campus lock-up (no big tears if the $40 bike gets stolen), and since even these bikes now come with aluminum wheels they can at least stop in wet weather. (We do endeavour to advise folks that while an old bike may be cool the chrome steel rims are best for non-rainy days.)
That said, I do sometimes hang my head when working on such bikes, and do remain amazed at how bad dept. store V-brakes can be in terms of set-up and adjustment.
Mark Rehder - Coordinator re-Cycles Community Bike Shop http://re-cycles.ca
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote:
We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas < wanda@communitycycles.org> wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
*Wanda Pelegrina Caldas* Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs. Use our secure online donation formhttps://communitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenet&Itemid=166to become a member, today. Thanks!!
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.netwrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
We also work with a guy who buys bikes from us at the scrap rate & uses them for homeless folks.
Nancy
On Oct 16, 2012, at 1:57 PM, "Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen)" brian@slobikekitchen.org wrote:
I've had the same experience - don't tell them that their StoneCrusher MTB is a POS, just try to sound knowledgeable and _practical_ in communicating the needs of your shop.
To some people I've pointed out how unserviceable/unusable plastic and riveted parts are...but more often than not I'll talk about how much storage space we have vs the demand for low-grade bikes. Then maybe point at the bikes currently under repair - which are usually 80s and earlier steel bikes. Then I suggest a way to place to donate the bike - Goodwill? - and finally thank them for offering it to us. If the person looks annoyed upon arrival, I might just take the bike so their visit to the shop doesn't leave a bad taste in their mouth...
On the flip side, if you have huge storage capacity and volunteers who can strip the bikes for scrap, that sounds fabulous.
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, BK Info info@bikekitchen.org wrote:
We don't charge people to donate to us. We do look over each bike before accepting it and have a policy where we don't take department store bikes. We explain that our mission is to teach people how to work on/build bikes and they department store bikes are not a good base to work off of. Everyone seems to be cool with that.
-jimmy
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Wanda Pelegrina Caldas wanda@communitycycles.org wrote:
Ok, read the thread backwards. What Leslie describes below is is pretty much our thinking too except for we do ask for a donation processing fee. However, if we don't get one, we too grin and bear it.
We have scrappers come and take what they can use from our "junk pile". Artists and people looking for parts for art, school (and other) projects. Getting too many crappy bikes is still an issue, but in a sense, we can still see it as putting parts of those bikes back into the community...call it re-purposing if you like.
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas Community Cycles, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop, serves all your bike commuting needs.
Use our secure online donation form to become a member, today. Thanks!!Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:44 -0400 From: lesliepeteya@gmail.com
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicycle Donation Fee?
We just grin and bear all the crappy donations, in order to get those precious few decent bicycles. We have a good rapport with our cycling community and don't want to cause any ire concerning donations; cash bikes and memberships are our lifeblood.
One thing we've incorporated into our model is to have unskilled volunteers break down bicycles for scrap metal into aluminum and steel. We then have someone take it to the recycling place.
We don't really make any money from it for all that effort, but it's better than drowning in a sea of Huffys and Roadmasters. Also, our unskilled volunteers get wrenching experience without the pressure of screwing up working bikes.
Best, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote: Hi All,
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents
Andrew
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
We talk to the person about the donation. If its scrap maybe there is someone in your area that will recycle the metal.
Michael Young West Town Bikes Chicago
we take unusable bike to scrapyard and get cash and bikes there On Oct 16, 2012 11:57 AM, "Andrew Burnell" aburnell@gwi.net wrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
*Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director*****
*Community Bicycle Center*****
*Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*207-282-9700 (shop)***
*www.communitybike.net*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
We take unusable bikes to the scrap yard ourselves -- on a lucky day you can come home with an aluminum frame AND money in your pocket!
On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 11:56 AM, Andrew Burnell aburnell@gwi.net wrote:
Hi All, ****
We have been inundated with bicycle donations lately and looking for some guidance: Does your shop require/ask that a cash donation be made with each bicycle donation? We have never asked for cash donations on top of bike donations, but we’ve noticed that often times people are using us as a city dump instead of a shop.****
On another note, here are links to our volunteer blog and SlideShare account. I hope they are of assistance to your respected programs. Feel free to comment or make recommendations…****
http://communitybicyclecenter.blogspot.com/****
http://www.slideshare.net/cbcad2010/documents****
Andrew****
*Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director*****
*Community Bicycle Center*****
*Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005*****
*207-282-9700 (shop)***
*www.communitybike.net*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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participants (15)
-
Affordable Bikes Re-Cyclery -
Andrew Burnell -
Andrew Hibma -
BK Info -
Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) -
Leslie Peteya -
Mark Rehder -
Max Kaplan -
Michael Young -
Nancy Stimson -
Nozomi Ikuta -
Rich Points -
veganboyjosh＠gmail.com -
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas -
Wanda Pelegrina Caldas