JamesC
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 19
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I have a 56cm Luna Pro frame (frame only) in Cobalt Blue that I need to sell. When I first got it, it suffered a chain suck incident (chain jammed between the frame and the chain ring) that scraped the paint off the chain stay and looks as if it scraped a bit of the carbon fiber off as well. Question is:
Is it worth getting repaired/repainted in order to sell? It seems that the repair/repaint prices on Calfee's site could cost almost as half as much as I could get for it. So I'm conflicted about sending it in, waiting eons for the repair, only to barely justify that cost. That's assuming I can even sell it.
What do you all think?
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I think it's not worth anything as is because whoever buys it will have to send it in and be without it for 4-10 weeks.
Maybe $200 max, as is. Personally I'd get it fixed and checked over. Then you can say it's in pristine condish when you sell it.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I would advertise it a different way.
As you probably know Calfee will take a bike from a second owner (or third), inspect it, and then continue the warranty now in that person's name for the remaining years. I believe that is two hundred dollars.
I would advertise it with a 200 dollar rebate that you will pay the person (along with shipping charges) to return it to Calfee. Then for the 200 they get a warranty.
As far as a repaint...I'd say if it if bothers them they could have it fixed while it was there at their expense. The amount to "touch up" is not all that expensive.
I'd point out that it is cosmetic only and that carbon fiber is notorious for chips in the paint. They could just get a Lizard Skins or similar chain stay protector and never see most or all of it.
Good luck. With prices having just increased it should help the used market.
PS Before advertising I'd talk to Dean and maybe even send him a photo to get his opinion on whether the integrity of the frame appears to be compromised. You really can't judge it.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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It is $250 for the 2nd life warranty. That is for inspection. Any repairs they have to make are extra. I'd sell it now, though, so that it could be ready to ride in the early spring. Or better yet fix it yourself now (if necessary) and sell it in the spring. Wait time is 4-6 weeks or so for the inspection last I heard.
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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Personally, I would not want to purchase a bike that then needs to go for inspection and be repaired. I would however would not mind buying a bike that has been inspected and then repiared by the maker of that bike.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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That is a better idea...however would need to work it out with Calfee that the extension of warranty is to the unknown person who buys the bike. That is why I worded it the way I did. I don't know their position on that. Having it all done first is the best idea...no doubt about that! 
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JamesC
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 19
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Thanks for the input. I thought the comment that it wasn't worth anything 'as is' was kinda interesting. A $1300 Calfee isn't worth anything if in need of some fixing up, eh? I guess they're not as 'desirable' as some would want to think.
Anyway I'll try to get through to Calfee - I didn't have any luck getting a response from them (for repair) when this first happened, but maybe this time.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 721
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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JamesC:
Put yourself in the buyers shoes; a Calfee in need of repairs due to chain suck and "looks as if it scraped a bit of the carbon fiber off as well". How would you value the bike as a buyer? A lot of folks don't know much about carbon fiber and what they read about repairing it isn't necessarily good. So if you were to advertise it for sale as is and tell a potential buyer that some of the carbon on the chainstay was scraped off, what would the buyer think the bike is worth? Probably not much if anything. I'll tell ya that I wouldn't be interested in a Calfee whose repair costs are unknown, and I've owned 3 Calfees!
I think your bike needs to be repaired, by Calfee, to bring the top dollar you would want to get, otherwise it would be an experiment in selling damaged merchandise.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
Edited by Dave_Thompson (10/17/04 05:00 PM)
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I totally agree with Dave.
As far as your comment on Calfee being hard to reach...I just don't understand these comments. I've spoken to Craig about 4 times in the last month in 5 tries. The last time was Friday night here which made it last afternoon on a Friday in California. If ever it would be hard to get someone it would be then. I don't have any secret way to get Craig or Dean, I just call.
The person building my new Fly had a question which is why I called Craig. I don't know of any other company where you can call late on a Friday...punch a number into the phone once it answers...and the owner/designer answers his phone. No screening...no secretaries to fight through...no lack of extension number...which is what you find so many places. When someone at Calfee is not answering the phone they are truly "away from their desk or on the phone" they are not just letting it ring. Both Craig and Dean are very hands-on and are "on the floor" a great deal. They don't warm a chair all day long.
Well soon I'll have the new Fly on the road. Can't wait. Hey Bruce...I went nude. What can be next...Campy?
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 721
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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JamesC:
Did you see the schedule of repair prices on the Calfee website? http://calfeedesign.com/fresh/repair_refinish/pricing.html It looks like you might pay as little as $35 or as much as $100 to get that chain suck repair done. That's nowhere near expensive.
And now with the off-season almost here, the repairs shouldn't take any time at all. Get it done!
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I didn't mean to be rude by my comment. I just would not be interested in a damaged frame which means then I would need to be responsible for repair and not even sure what the costs will be. On top of that the frame will be gone for 6-12 weeks maybe.
I'm just trying to say it totally would not be worth it to me unless it was free or close to it.
Finally, sadly the resale of bikes is pretty low to begin with. I don't know what your frame is worth but certainly a lot more if it looks, and in fact is, perfect.
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