What you always wanted to know and weren’t afraid to ask!
Q: Is this a cash only event?
A: Nope! For 2013 we’ve had some help from our bank, and have 3 terminals for your speedy debit transaction checkout.
Q: Can I swap my scorpion and aquarium for a bike?
A: Only if it’s really venomous – KIDDING – sorry, not that kind of swap. Sellers leave their bikes with us and we look after the selling and money stuff. The prices are set by the sellers and no one gets into negotiations.
Q: What happens if my bike doesn’t sell?
A: As part of registering your bike for the sale, you leave us a cell or land number that we can reach you at so that we can call you if your bike doesn’t sell. The agreement to sell form also gives the option to donate it to a local cycling group. We only have the venue for the day, and after a reasonable number of attempts to contact you, we take the bike home. So, please don’t leave your bike with us and then leave town – unless it’s a super nice bike.
Q: Can I bring my kid’s bikes?
A: While we believe that cycling is important for kids, our focus is on getting adults riding, keeping adult bikes in service, and making it possible for people to buy new bikes after selling their good bike, conveniently and safely with us. We’ll be looking at hooking-up with the Bike Xchange folks who run the mostly kids bikes sale / swap at St. Cecilia School.
Q: What will the prices of the bikes be?
A: Bikes will be $50 – $3000. Sellers set the price, but we encourage them to price it to sell.
Q: I’ve got a Special Edition bike that has never been ridden. It’s a collectors item and I want $500 for it. Will it sell?
A: Wow, that’s special – maybe too special for us - BUT – you never know who will turn up and might think that is a deal.
Q: I’ve got to have top dollar for my bike
A: Don’t forget we have a minimal rack fee, and you get 85-90% of the selling price. If you really need top dollar and flexibility to decide on an offer, on the spot, perhaps you should stick with traditional methods.
Q: I’m out of town on Saturday, can I drop my bike off on Friday?
A: You’d better use a big lock, but not so big that I can’t cut through it with my grinder. Sorry, bad admin again. We have rented the venue for the day and just don’t have the resources to handle early drop-offs, or take bikes ahead of time. We’d love to offer pick-ups sometime in the future.
Q: How much will you give me for my bike?
A: Sorry, we don’t buy the bikes – but can help you set a price for the swap.
Q: How do I get the best price for my bike?
A: Clean, cared for bikes always sell better. Hang a write-up on it with upgrades, last service, new parts, etc – make sure the buyers can tell the value is there.
Q: What is a bicycle shaped object?
A: I didn’t come up with this term. It refers to box store items that look like a bike, smell like a bike, but don’t pedal, shift, stop, or otherwise work the way a real bike should. A bike should make you want to ride it, not leave it in the alley.
