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Bit of a random one. Anybody have any stats, or good places to find them, on the used bike market in the UK? Doing something for work as part of a project and want to show estimated value of the used bike industry, market share etc.
Also why it would be a terrible idea to dip a toe in said market other than as a direct customer to customer sales model like eBay, PinkBike , Facebook etc.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Also why it would be a terrible idea to dip a toe in said market other than as a direct customer to customer sales model like eBay, PinkBike , Facebook etc.
I've noticed a number of these type of setups recently, throuygh varioous social media ads etc. I spent a bit of time looking through stock and keeping an eye on what they offer - I thought it might be a good way to pick up somme good quality used kit.
However what I concluded was, that thye dont offer good value at all.
- No added value over simply buying private, no warranty or anything like that, which is the only real problem with buying used.
- What they had was poorly or incorrectly described
- Product knowledge or ability to ask questions was poor
- Photographs and details of items were poor.
In other words, just like your typical used car sales yard. Want to charge the world, but offer absolutely nothing for it over simply going and buying direct from the oroginal owner.
I doubt this kind of data is being collated anywhere, is there even an equivalent for the used car market? I'd like to see that if so.
As Snotrag says, people try to set up used bike dealerships but they're not really adding any value and (thankfully) we are unlikely to see them corner the market the same way that used vehicle dealers have (also not adding much value).
Not answering your question but related to Chakapings post - over in the States these guys seem to be making it work somehow...
https://www.theproscloset.com/
UK version here, there's others too. I nearly used these guys once until he started telling me "it's not as nice as you described"
I replied "ok, cheers, cya" and put the bike back on the car
"i didn't say we didn't want it... we can still do a deal" says he
"nah mate, you're being insulting, i'll go somewhere else"
Thanks all. I will use some of this data
I went to The Pro's Closet about 25 years ago and it was one of the best collections of bikes I've ever seen.
I think all the chop shop guys do is buy complete bikes and disassemble and clean them then sell the parts separately for 50-100% more than you'd want to pay for them. For desperation purchases only to my mind.
Summer data or winter data ?
Going to be a lot less buyers from looking out onto those cold wintery rain soaked streets.
There are a few used bike dealers and sole traders selling their wares on eBay and Pinkbike. You can usually tell which ones they are, they’re the ones trying to sell a 2016 YT Capra for more than a brand new one.
Just show them the discount on RRP of end-of-season bikes. There isn't going to be enough margin between the ~50% RRP anyone's going to accept for a lightly used bike, and the 30%+ off RRP you can get a new bike for at the same time.
Especially if they actually want to look like they're adding value (cost of a full suspension service and drive chain refresh?).
But then again I would have thought that listing a car on FB marketplace for the WBAC price would be quick and easy enough for most people and it'd be snapped up, but clearly not.
Thanks again everyone