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If a nice frame had slight play in one set of its bearings would you pay a LBS to get them replaced before selling and add £x to the price or give the potential buyers the option to get it replaced themselves for less (or do it themselves) for a lower price? I think I would be put off by a frame that needed a bit of work but my LBS are not cheap ... WWYD?
I wouldn't get it done personally. You might not get the return on sale price you get for and you never know buyers intentions with the bike. I would just make sure you're clear that it may need work when you sell.
I reckon you just make it clear that the bearings may be shot out of courtesy, then leave it up to them. For all you know, they might work in a bike shop or be equipped enough at home to do the job themselves, if indeed it bothers them enough to sort it. I think most people are aware of whats involved, if theyre up to it or not, and will make a decision to buy or not taking this into account.
Get it done before selling, less arse ache in the long run. Its maintenance, it should be carried out as and when needed.
Get it done, well, do it myself but the same thing essentially
I wouldn't want the cost of a bike shop doing it added on to the price personally, as it's a fairly simple job for the non cack of hand.
Just be straight in the ad.
Do it before listing. Makes the listing look more attractive than one where the work hasn’t been done, so might get more bites
Or if not buyer inspects before buying that way do don’t go through the ‘it’s waaaay worse than described’ bollocks, after they’ve had it a month, with PayPal
Get it done, remove a negotiating point.
Me I'd sort it out, personally or through LBS.
I'm in the fortunate position that I'm not trying to squeeze every last penny out of everything I sell so my philosophy is more around selling something that works on to someone who can benefit from sensible priced second hand stuff without giving it away for bargain bucket prices.
I’m paranoid enough selling something I know is perfect never mind selling something that needs work!
If I could do it myself I’d fit the bearings, if it was more of a job I’d probably lost it cheaper than others and only accept cash on collection so the buyer knows what they’re getting and can’t ask for a refund down the line.
That week after posting/couriering something To the new owner is so nerve wracking, awaiting them sending that message to say they love it or hate it. Nail biting!
Depends a bit on frame value, but I'd probably disclose it in the listing. Aside from the fact that the buyer may be able to sort it cheaper than the LBS, I reckon that details like this can add credibility to the ad.
Tough one. If I'm buying used kit, it's stuff that has clearly been cared for. On the flip side, I don't think I'd be willing to pay for you to get a bike shop to do a job I'm equipped and capable of doing at home.
How much does the work cost compared to the likely value of the frame?
I've some walking boots to sell. £275 boot but I've just spent £75 having them resoled. Bet I'll be lucky to recover the cost of the resole.
I'd do it for all the reasons above:
Quicker sale if its all working fine
No aggro after the sale
Personal rep for selling stuff fairly and honestly
As a buyer, there's not just the thought of having to get the job done, but also a question of why hasn't it been done - is the bearing ceased, unavailable or otherwise more difficult to replace than would first appear?
So much depends on the value of the frame -v- the cost of new bearings.
Cheap frame - sell as is but say bearings are shagged.
Expensive frame - get them changed as it will give confidence to buyer to spend a large sum of money.