总结了一下 ebay 买车的经验，希望能有参考价值。 If you do it right, you can
save a lot of money...
Rules:
1. Understand the product: know sizes, compatibilities, Italian/English
threading, how manufacturer measures the product, to avoid any confusion and
wasted time/effort.
2. Get to know the seller: carefully read his feedback, current active and
past auctions, understand his life patterns and social class, (well, if
someone recently sold a Bently and bought a log cabin in Maine, he is not
going to rip you off for a lousy seatpost, carbon as it may be).
What to do if you suspect the seller is not honest? Generally I just ignore
the auction, but sometimes new sellers have no feedback, so many buyers are
scared away, but if you do a few things right, you could end up with a steal
.
3. Talk to the seller. If you have doubts, always call him and ask directly
technical questions. See if you knows what he is talking about. If his
Colnago C50 can also take 650 wheels and can be converted to be disk-brake
compatible, you know what to do...
3. Bid late, just shortly before the end. But if you want to make a private
offer for a straight purchase, do it early.
4. If you want a hassle free and worry free deal, look for well established
sellers. Make sure their past auctions are also bike stuff. The downside is
some of them are so established now that they sell at close to bike shop
prices...
5. But if you REALLY want to save money, look for auctions with small
picture, little description and new seller. They may not be very good
sellers and often expect to receive less for the same product. If you comply
with the other rules (call seller, etc.) you may still have a successful
deal. This is like distressed debt business in an investment company.
6. Don't assume anything. Or rather, assume the worst. Assume he will do a
bad packing job. Assume he will not ship on time. Assume... so stay on top
of the seller.
Case study -- 2003 C'Dale CAAD7 Saeco team edition, same bike as the one
used to win the 2003 World Championship.
Timeline of events:
1. 2006, brand new 53cm Cannondale Saeco team CAAD7 with SI cranks and all
carbon fork, won on ebay for $350; Somehow the SI cranks seem like a popular
item so I sold the cranks/BB for $250, so CAAD7 frame with carbon frame for
net $100. Because few manufacturers makes 53, so most ppl in my height
range would either a 52 or a 54, not knowing 53 could be a perfect fit for
them, as it is for me.
2. 2006, used grey edition (nice color) Campy Centaur 10speed mini group,
1000 miles, pretty new, $215.
3. spare Campy Record aluminum cranks from parts box, plus Campy Record BB,
imputed cost: say, $100.
4. Campy Scirocco wheelset, G3 spoke, brand new, posted in a non-cycling
section on ebay, so few people interested, grabbed for $115. Seller is some
general liquidation company so they sell whatever they come across, like
diapers and furniture.
5. Local C'dale dealer installed BB adaptor for $45.
6. Deda Newton Bars, FSA 115 stem, FSA carbon seatpost, Fizik/SanMarco
saddle, always had them around, so imputed value $250.
7. Saeco tires, bar tape, off ebay, $35.
Building up the bike cost $0, coz I did it. Bike is set up perfectly and
exactly the way I want it. I love the 4 arm Record crank design, the
shallow drop bar in 46cm, etc., both personal touches not available with off-the-rack bikes.
Total actual cash outlay, $510,
Total imputed expenditure, including shipping costs, etc., $900~950.
You guys have all seen the picture posted before. But here it is again...
And don't forget to use an auction sniper, the best $15 I ever spent:
https://jasonnovak.powweb.com/purchase.htm
--原来还有帮你bid的软件啊
怪不得今天最后10秒钟被人抢了.
This is free:
http://www.jbidwatcher.com/
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