This past year, I’ve collected a handful of bikes. From vintage 70s-80s bikes all the way down to last year’s model. Almost all of the bikes I sold (since I can’t keep them all) had 1 or two things in common. A Bell and or a Basket!
What helped my ads on Craigslist is the fact that I had some killer prices, but I also mentioned that it comes with a bell and a basket. People, more so women are so in love with baskets. For some reason, it brings them back to a time in their childhood when they might have had a basket on their old bike and when they test ride the bike you’re selling, they immediately fall go head over heels.
Just 2 weeks ago, we sold my daughter’s 80′s Univega. It had Planet Bike Fenders, a kick stand, bell and a Wald Basket that she used to carry her books in. We sold that bike within 6 hours of posting the ad on CL. The lady tried it out, and kept ringing the bell and loved the fact the bike had a basket.
Oh it also helps that you put in the ad these words….”Perfect for college student, or bike commuter.” Somehow that captures an audience and gains someone’s attention. Some college student sees your ad and thinks, “hey I’m a college student! I should check out this bike!” or a commuter…”I’m a bike commuter, I should check out this bike!”
Take it for what its worth, baskets and bells have worked for me…
Popularity: 5% [?]
I can’t say that I have any bikes to sell right now, but it’s good to hear that bikes as practical transportation are entering normal people’s consciousness, regardless of whether the bikes get used regularly.
Wait, you can SELL bikes? All this time I figured the goal was to get as many of them as possible and never, NEVER, get rid of any. Wow, I’m going to have to rethink my life.
(Seriously – it is nice to see that general use items like bells and baskets are helping the bikes to move, maybe we really are finally entering a period of utility riding for the masses)
At the current and future cost of gas, I don’t see why people would not consider a bike for local errands. I think it will force people to make necessary changes for their lifestyle to be maintained.
I’d never use a bell. I can do a very loud hail-a-cab whistle with my teeth and bottom lip (like Doctor Cox on Scrubs), but if I ever sell a bike I’ll make sure to stick one on.
Joel, at I had too many bikes in my garage…I basically sold ones that I hardly rode. But I still have my favorites in the stable, my Redline 925, Xtracycle, Tandem and two mountain bikes. 5 is a good number for bikes. Each one has a different purpose.
I love the baskets on my wife’s bike and my Xtracycle. So handy. The bell is on the stoker bars for my daughters to ring at their leisure.